Short on time? Just browse the images. There are fifteen in this post. Click on any to show its full resolution.
In 2011, we had the privilege of spending a week on this newly commissioned Royal Caribbean mega-ship as a few tropical islands sailed by….or at least it seemed that way. It was difficult to tell that we were in fact the ones moving. Here are some images from that cruise.
At 1,187’ (362m) long; up to 198’ (60m) wide; and 236’ (72m) high, the Allure of the Seas dwarfs conventional cruise ships, as seen here in St Thomas.
Below: The exclusive adults only solarium was one of our favorites, with its own pools, bars, café, palm trees (?) and, (not shown,) cantilevered whirlpools actually hanging over the ocean. Nice!
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With the “Boardwalk” and “Central Park” below, the center of the ship is lined with unique inside cabins.
And overhead – the zip line, with me, …9 decks above!
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There are two, 10m climbing walls overlooking the stern, and Aqua Theater.
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Our friend Judy is winning the challenge.
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The sun is no different from this ship than from other ships, except maybe it SETS a few seconds later from this height!!! Rich, Ray and Fred join me with recording the event.
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“Central Park” is a meandering outdoor garden lined with bars, and shops – really awesome.
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On the same level, the Boardwalk features more informal shops and eateries, and a carousel!
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One deck down is the Royal Promenade with more shops, restaurants, a jazz club and other diversions. Between the two is the Tide Bar, shown here, (center about 10′ (3m) up and rising, bartender in center) which like an elevator moves between these two decks… with the bar, patrons and their drinks, up and down, up and down.
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Of course there is a 1,380 seat theater – the Broadway play “Chicago” on stage during our cruise. In addition there is an ice skating rink, clubs, etc., etc.
The enormous smokestacks of this ship were built to telescope down to clear a suspension bridge in Amsterdam, where the ship was built. For perspective, it would need to do this to pass under the George Washington Bridge!
Sunrise at sea, heading back from St. Maarten to Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary which besides St. Thomas, also included Nassau in the Bahamas.
Thanks for visiting, and as usual comments are always welcome.
Cool to see a cruise ship from the inside, I haven’t had the privilege yet. Interesting about the stacks and deck too. Nice pics!
In a week we hardly had the chance to explore the whole city….er ship! It also includes a .43 mile running/walking track bellow decks, on the perimeter Thanks for the comment. M.
Looks like a floating Vegas. We’re going on the Royal Princess this winter . . . still large, but not quite this large.
I have mixed feelings about very large cruise ships. They are awesome, but . . . so many people.
It certainly is what it is – being a boat is only a part of the experience. Remarkably, it didn’t feel over-whelmingly crowded even with nearly 8000 passengers and crew! M 🙂
Wow. The amenities are amazing on that ship. If I were to do a cruise, though, I suspect that I would prefer the smallest ship that I could find and a remote destination.
Can’t disagree with that. Small ships to Antarctica, or the Galapagos…or anywhere certainly have their desired place. Thanks for the comment, Mike.
Oh, and intimate river cruises… 100 or so passengers or less! All different and awesome experiences! M
I envy You!!!
This ship made in Finland is my dream to cruise on it. I praise your photos, they are gorgeous.
If You do not mind take a look my photos from Finland just before it left for U.S.A.
Allure of the Seas – world’s biggest cruise ship.
Your descriptive text and wonderful photos provide an incredible connection to the story of these two ships. We were very fortunate to be on the Allure of the Seas, and it was only weeks after it went into service. Thanks to our friends, Jeff, and Nancy and Ray it became a reality for us – an now your account of the “birth” just adds that much more dimension. The “Allure” will be in the Mediterranean for the 2015 season. If you get a chance,you should follow your dream. It’s an experience of a lifetime, and frankly, considering what you get, not that expensive! Thanks for your link. M 🙂 🙂
Nice post of this ship!! This cruise is so cool!
Wow! Something for the bucket list 😉
Unbelievable: What a ride! Thanks for sharing the images and thanks for, liking, A bit of Color in the Forest at Elm Drive Images.
Really surprise by looking at the largest cruise.
Beautiful series of images. Thank you for the like on my Crimson Colored Grass.
Thanks for the, Like, on Elm Drive Images, Unusual Early January Weather.
WOW! A city on the water, beautifully captured.
a mall and a city in one; lets see, I live in a city, and the mall is next street over for free; I take the cruise, spend $50,000 and end up in the city