Allure of the Seas has just had a $100 million makeover, and the transformation is impressive. This ship was once our least favorite in the Royal Caribbean fleet—it felt tired, outdated, and a bit forgotten. But we recently sailed on her again to see what’s changed, and we’re happy to say she feels like a brand-new ship in many ways.

We sailed on Allure of the Seas from Barcelona on a 7-night Mediterranean cruise. To make things easy, we flew from Manchester Airport and stayed the night before at the Radisson Blu Manchester Airport. It’s our go-to hotel when flying from Manchester—it’s directly connected to the terminals, super convenient, and perfect for a stress-free start to your trip.

New carpets, refreshed décor, a cleaner feel, even touchscreen buttons in the lifts. The ship still felt like Allure—but more awake. More looked after. It was subtle, but it made a difference.

Dining and Bars

There are some great new venues across the ship. The Mason Jar brings Southern comfort food and live music to Deck 16, replacing the old teen club. Samba Grill now takes over the Solarium Bistro at night with Brazilian meats and a great salad bar. El Loco Fresh is a new grab-and-go Mexican spot near the pool, while the robotic Bionic Bar has been replaced by the much more fun and colourful Pesky Parrot. The Crown Lounge has moved to a brighter, windowed space, and Playmakers sports bar now adds life to the Boardwalk.

Specialty dining has been improved with the new additions, but casual favourites like Park Café and Café Promenade are still consistent and open most of the day.

Entertainment

Some new venues have popped up too. The Comedy Live Lounge is a new small venue deadicated to ... well.. comedy! . Adventure Ocean has had a full revamp for kids, and teens get a brand-new hangout called Social298. 

The big shows are still going strong. Mamma Mia! is a staple and always gets a good response. Blades, the ice show, is impressive visually, while Blue Planet feels a little outdated but still a strong show. Aqua80Too is a highlight and a must see! There’s also laser tag, game shows, ice skating, and live music throughout the ship.  

Pool Deck and Outdoor Areas

The biggest changes are outside. The pool decks have been redone with new loungers, hot tubs, and bright, modern furniture. Splashaway Bay is larger than before and packed with mini slides and fountains, while the towering Ultimate Abyss dry slide now offers a thrilling ride from the top deck to the Boardwalk. The water slides have been replaced too, and the whole area feels more fun and up-to-date.

Allure of the Seas might still be one of the older ships in the fleet, but this refurbishment has brought her right back into the spotlight. With refreshed spaces, new dining options, and plenty of added fun on deck, she now feels much more in line with Royal Caribbean’s newer ships. If you’ve sailed her before and weren’t impressed—or have been holding off—it’s definitely time to take another look.