United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
World’s largest ships can also be among most expensive for options
The 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas — the world's largest cruise ship – was named one of last year’s 11 most popular ships by Cruise Critic. It has a lot of amenities but extra costs can be pricy.
In the food department, the ship has the cruise industry’s first Starbucks and includes a hot dog joint and Mexican cantina among its casual eateries.
“It also has a famous near-twin, Oasis of the Seas, with which it shares roughly 95 percent of its DNA — including a novel neighborhood concept, which divides the ship into seven distinct spaces that range from the foliage-filled Central Park to the Boardwalk, with its handmade wooden carousel, burger joint and candy shop,” says Cruise Critic.
Like its sister, Allure also boasts the best kids program in cruising.
Another of Allure’s lures are new retail options that include a Guess store.
The line has also added 3D viewing capabilities to its movie offerings, iPod docks in every cabin and guest kiosks where passengers can print boarding passes and keep tabs on escalating onboard bills.
“While Allure certainly has enough distinctions to differentiate it from Oasis, there's one point where the sisters couldn't be more alike: They could easily be the most expensive mainstream ships in the world — if you let them,” writes Cruise Critic.
Allure and Oasis are flooded with optional offerings — extra-charge Mexican food, ice cream, build-your-own pets, Coach bags and fortunes from Zoltar
Passengers can surf or zip-line, ride a carousel or watch a first-run DreamWorks movie in 3D. They can also tap along to some Broadway show tunes.
By David Wilkening
David
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations