Landing on a sunny afternoon at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, I caught my first glimpse of Allure of the Seas, which is one of four Oasis-class vessels that Royal Caribbean International currently has in service. My excitement began months before, when I had booked my cruise through the cruise line’s website. However, my excitement culminated at the moment I finally saw the ship glistening in the sun. In just a few hours, I’d be on board one of the largest cruise ships in the world. This was my first cruise on a mega-ship, and I’ll admit that at first, I was skeptical about being on a cruise ship with over 6,000 other people, for fear that it would feel too crowded. Soon, I would learn that my fear was wrong. My week-long cruise on Allure of the Seas was one of the most amazing travel experiences of my life, so far. In this review, I will break down some of the elements of this massive ship, such as boarding, accommodations, food, entertainment, and other things that come together like the many instruments of an orchestra to work in perfect harmony.

The boarding process is where most passengers get their first impressions of the ship and staff. Check-in was efficient, taking no more than a half hour from entering security until boarding the gangway. As you board Allure of the Seas you enter one of seven, what Royal Caribbean calls, “neighborhoods.” This one is known as the Royal Promenade. It certainly is a majestic space that made my jaw drop given its immense size. Shops and cafes line this floating shopping mall while the ceiling changes colors and a few skylights allow natural light to enter. At one end of the Royal Promenade is a bar called “Rising Tide,” which is a bar that is hydraulically lifted two decks, while water gushes up from fountains beneath the bar.

After spending a few moments in the Royal Promenade, I was off to find my stateroom, one of among thousands of rooms on the ship. However, navigating such a large vessel isn’t a problem at all, as the thoroughfares and corridors on Allure of the Seas are wide. Also, there are helpful touch screen boards located near the elevators that provide information such as maps, daily activities and current wait times at restaurants. I boarded one of the 24 spacious elevators and was whisked to Deck 9, the floor where my room was located. Read more