World's largest cruise ship gets a major makeover
The largest cruise ship ever built is looking snazzy and new again.
Royal Caribbean's 225,282-ton Allure of the Seas has emerged from a major makeover that has brought 10 new suites, a revamped Japanese restaurant, and a new Mexican eatery and bar.
The four-year-old vessel also boasts a new eatery for suite passengers called Coastal Kitchen and new boutiques.
Formerly called Izumi Japanese Cuisine, the ship's Japanese eatery now serves a full teppanyaki menu along with sushi and sashimi and is called Izumi Hibachi & Sushi.
The new Mexican eatery and bar, called Sabor, features hand-made table-side guacamole and a curated beverage menu of tequilas, mezcal and Mexican beers as well as sangrias and tableside-mixed margaritas.
The 10 new suites offer views of the ocean or the ship's AquaTheater and Boardwalk neighborhood. They include two Royal Suites, six Grand Suites and two Royal Family Suites, and they come with new, exclusive suite amenities including a new, private sun deck area.
The new boutiques include a kate spade new york and Michael Kors. Also added was a Regalia in the Park duty free boutique in the ship's Central Park neighborhood that offers fine jewelry and watches.
The 18-day overhaul took place at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. Allure of the Seas is sailing in the Mediterranean this summer out of Barcelona. It returns to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in November.
The Allure of the Seas makeover comes just a month after the unveiling of Royal Caribbean's newest megaship, Anthem of the Seas. USA TODAY Cruise in April was among a handful of U.S. media outlets to get early access to the new vessel, which was christened in Southampton, England on April 20. For our 'first look' tour of the ship, click through the carousel below.
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