Photo: Gene Sloan
A year ago if you were lucky to visit Royal Caribbean’s second super-behemoth, Allure of the Seas, at the ship yard in Turku, Finland, all you’d see is a hull with steal beams, hanging cables and and barely discernible public rooms. Today the 6300-passenger sister ship of Oasis of the Seas is so near completion there are toiletries in the cabins, art ready to be hung on the walls and chairs in the lounges.
RCI says Allure of the Seas will be finished October 28, although she’ll arrive in the home port of Fort Lauderdale prior to the December 1 maiden cruise as scheduled. While she’s a sister ship with most of the same features there are a few new features such as a 3D movie theater (Oasis will have the same feature in March, 2011).
But the biggest difference will be Allure of the Seas significantly lower cruise fare, at least during the first six months.
New Features
Photo: Gene Sloan
Cruise Log editor Gene Sloan was in Turku a few days ago and reports “While similar to Oasis, Allure will have a number of new features, including the first GUESS store at sea, a Mexican restaurant called Rita’s Cantina and the line’s first churrascaria restaurant. Allure also will have a number of new entertainment options, including a production of the Broadway musical Chicago and Dreamwork character-infused ice shows, AquaTheater shows and parades.” These enhancements will also be found on Oasis of the Seas in March.
Still, 99% of the ship is identical to Oasis of the Seas, a vessel that is still the most popular in the cruise industry. And the features that made this ship a front page news event ten months ago — zip line, “Central Park”, a Boardwalk with carousel, AquaTheater, faux surfing “flo rider”, rock climbing and dozens of places to dine — will be found on Allure of the Seas.
Lower Cruise Princes?
Whether it’s because Allure of the Seas has garnered less publicity or there is a finite number of people who want to sail on a 225,000-ton ship, a visit to Royal Caribbean’s website shows that there is less demand for the second super-behemoth reflected in lower cruise prices.
First, it’s important to understand that since Royal Caribbean watered down its price protection policy this year, you’ll get the lowest prices closer to departure. Both Allure and Oasis sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale on one week Caribbean itineraries so comparison is fairly simple. Below a comparison the current fares for both ships at Royal Caribbean’s website.
January 15, 2011
Oasis $1219 (inside) $1379 (balcony)
Allure 1019 (inside) 1199 (balcony)
February 12, 2011 (Peak Season, winter)
Oasis of the Seas $1169 (inside) $1349 (balcony)
Allure of the Seas $999 (inside) $1199 (balcony)
July 17, 2011
Oasis of the Seas $1399 (inside) $1779 (balcony)
Allure of the Seas $1399 (inside) $1779 (balcony)
Pricing in the cruise industry is complicated because it fluctuates according to demand. Add to this, the cruise companies have different ways of pricing. For example, Holland America and Princess offer the best discounts the further out you book so if you wait until the last minute to reserve a cabin, prices will be higher. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara have the highest fares further from departure, dropping steadily as departure approaches.
In all likelihood the January/February, 2011 cruise fares quoted above will be even lower in a few months. While this is one area I won’t offer advice, this bargain hunter would book Allure of the Seas about three months before departure.
Itinerary: Starting December 12, Allure of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale on year-round one week cruises calling in Nassau; St. Thomas and St. Maarten with three days at sea.
For reservations and additional information, call your travel agent.
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