Although the Oasis and the Allure of the Seas are in the same class in the Royal Caribbean fleet, there are a few sundry modifications which the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has made to distinguish them from one another. During our bridge tour, we were informed by the crew that the Allure is sleeker, faster and more beautiful than her Sister ship, but this came of course from jaundiced eyes. She can now be declared to be the largest cruise ship afloat in that she is five centimeters longer than the Oasis. Nonetheless, our overall comparison and hence this review casts a different light upon the similar vessels and their value in the Caribbean fleet.

Of course, there are certain features which are common to most Royal Caribbean ships including the rock climbing walls, the Windjammer cafeterias, specialty restaurants, the libraries and card rooms, room service, excellent child care facilities and staff, the bars and of course many pools. In the Freedom Class we find further additions, but the Oasis and Allure offer many more selections from which both the avid and new cruiser can choose. The two flow riders are supplemented by a zipline and an additional higher rock climbing wall. Boasting seven "neighborhoods", Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Royal Promenade, the Vitality and Spa and Fitness area, the Youth Zone and the Entertainment Center, there is always something to offer any vacationer.

Specifically, however, this review is designed to be one of the Allure of the Seas, but it most definitely finds itself comparing it to its Sister, the Oasis of the Seas. Our initial impression and one shared by countless others we met over the seven days who could compare the two ships was that the service and responsiveness of the crew was lacking on the Allure. For example, upon boarding, we were searching for the Concierge Lounge which we had found without difficulty on the Oasis last December. Two separate crew members were totally unaware of its location as well as even incapable of advising us as to which direction on the ship was forward or aft. The "hospitality staff", which on the Oasis had consisted of a number of young, energetic and dedicated crew members selected from the elite of the fleet to assist and encourage everyone to have a special time with their respective trips and interests, was basically nonexistent. The fanfare which accompanied the Maiden Voyage of the Oasis of the Seas seemed to be substantially diminished. This is in some ways explicable in that it was only one year ago that her Sister sailed on her long anticipated Inaugural. Nonetheless, a bit more flourish on Royal Caribbean's part would have made the Maiden Voyage of the Allure of the Seas substantially more exhilarating for all concerned in this Diamond Celebration. Read more