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Allure of the Seas arrives in Spain to begin refurbishment

In:
22 May 2020

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas arrived to the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain on Friday to begin her delayed refurbishment.

Allure will be in dry dock in Cadiz for about a month to undergo a technical dry dock, where the propulsion and navigation will be worked on.

There is still no word on when Allure of the Seas will receive the other aspects of her planned amplification, including water slides, new dining venues and more.

Spanish media reports Allure of the Seas was scheduled to enter Cadiz last week, but Spain's Department of Foreign Health intervened and prohibited the ship from entering, due to too many crew members onboard. The ban was subsequently lifted when a reduction in the number of crew was confirmed. 

Allure is carrying 301 crew, who will not get off the cruise at any time, according to local security measures. In addition, about 60 Royal Caribbean technicians will travel by plane and will undergo testing upon arrival. They will remain in a hotel and then be transferred to the ship once the medical tests are completed.

The work that will be done during this round of work is estimated to cost about 16 million Euros, and will focus on ship maintenance.

Allure of the Seas headed to shipyard in Spain to begin delayed refurbishment

In:
11 May 2020

Allure of the Seas is going to get some, but not all, of the refurbishment work beginning this week.

The ship is on her way to Cadiz, Spain for a "technical dry dock".  Allure will enter the Navantia Cádiz shipyard in Spain at the end of this week, and the work will take about 30 days.

Royal Caribbean was forced to postpone the work in March after Spain closed its cruise ports in March.

The amplification aspect of the work to be done is still being finalized, and Royal Caribbean will communicate an update when a plan is in place.

Spanish media is also reporting that the shipyard Commitee Chairman, José Gallardo, indicated Royal Caribbean has decided to postpone some of the upgrade work that was originally planned, and instead simply focus on the propulsion and navigation of the ship.

“La reforma del hotel no se va a hacer, algo lógico dada la situación del negocio de los cruceros, ”Gallardo said. This translates to, "The reform of the hotel is not going to be done, which is logical given the situation of the cruise ship business."

The work will be carried out by workers at the shipyard, with a focus on limiting the presence of foreign subcontractors.

Like so many other aspects of Royal Caribbean's business, plans for upgrades to Allure of the Seas (and Explorer of the Seas) were put on hold and now delayed until the company's financial situation can improve.

Royal Caribbean indicated last week it identified approximately $3.0 billion and $1.4 billion of capital expenditure reductions or deferrals in 2020 and 2021.

Planned upgrades for Allure of the Seas included the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, completely redesigned Adventure Ocean kids and teens spaces, the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and Music Hall.

Port of Galveston meeting this week to discuss delay in new port construction and Anthem of the Seas homeporting

In:
27 Apr 2020

The Port of Galveston will meet on Tuesday with the Board of Trustees to discuss a variety of topics, including Royal Caribbean's proposed construction delay of Terminal 3.

The Port Director's Report has been posted in advance of the meeting, and it includes a few interesting talking points that will be covered in the meeting.

Galveston is working with Royal Caribbean on the possibility of receiving Anthem of the Seas at the current Cruise Terminal 2. There is no dates associated with this plan, just the posting of the idea.

A decision will need to be made during the meeting on approving Royal Caribbean's request to delay the new Terminal 3 by one year. In late March, Royal Caribbean asked the Port of Galveston to delay the start of the new cruise terminal by one year.

If approved, the target completion date would now be September 1, 2022.

The conceptual plan for the East End Cruise Corridor (shown below) includes not only the new Royal Caribbean Terminal 3, but an additional 4th cruise terminal at the current Del Monte terminal.

Terminal 3 will be built on 10 acres of land at Pier 10, and will be used by Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean has reiterated that Galveston is an integral part of Royal's strategic plan.

The plan for Terminal Three was announced in December 2019, with the added bonus of Allure of the Seas moving to Galveston to begin sailings shortly after the terminal opened in November 2021.

Many thanks to RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Galveston Steve for alerting us to this news.

Royal Caribbean puts Allure of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas amplifications on hold due to coronavirus impact

In:
18 Mar 2020

Royal Caribbean has confirmed that the planned amplifications of Allure of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas are on hold, due to the global impact of coronavirus.

Both ships had multi-million dollar amplifications scheduled for this year, but the work has been put on hold and the extend of enhancements to come is being re-evaluated.

Royal Caribbean confirmed on social media what many had feared was the case, following the closure of many European ports, along with Royal Caribbean's decision to cut 2021 capital expenditures.

A statement by Royal Caribbean confirms the post on social media.

In these unprecedented times, in addition to voluntarily suspending our global operations, port closures and travel restrictions have also affected the possibility of moving forward with our amplifications of Explorer of the Seas in Brest, France and Allure of the Seas in Cadiz, Spain this spring. Both amplifications have been put on hold at this time. With global developments rapidly evolving, we are reviewing all options to bring Explorer and Allure into dry dock this year and determining the extent of the enhancements we can implement.

Allure of the Seas was scheduled to undergo a 58-day, $165 million transformation that would have added new features, including the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, completely redesigned Adventure Ocean kids and teens spaces, the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and Music Hall.

Similarly, Explorer of the Seas was planning to get a $110 million amplification that would have added a number of changes from bow to stern.

Royal Caribbean is currently not operating any cruises because of a month-long suspension of sailings to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Allure of the Seas amplification postponed due to Spain's port closure from Coronavirus fears

In:
14 Mar 2020

It appears Allure of the Seas scheduled $165 million amplification is on hold temporarily while all of Spain's ports are closed for at least two weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Oasis of the Seas in Cadiz, Spain during her 2019 Royal Amplification

Local media reports in Spain say that Allure of the Seas was scheduled to undergo the Royal Amplification at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, but that has been postponed.

Spain's Council of Ministers announced that in an effort to avoid Coronavirus, cruise ships from any origin will not be permitted to visit Spanish ports between March 13 and 26.

No official word by Royal Caribbean on the impact, if any, on the timetable for Allure to rejoin the fleet. The delay in work may be mitigated by a number of other Coronavirus travel restrictions and port closures in Europe that have the entire European cruise season in doubt.

Once the work begins, Allure of the Seas will undergo a 58-day, $165 million transformation that will add new features, including the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, completely redesigned Adventure Ocean kids and teens spaces, the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and Music Hall.

Allure was scheduled to resume sailings in May 2020 with 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises sailing roundtrip out of Barcelona.

Allure of the Seas sailings from Galveston now available to book

In:
19 Dec 2019

Just a week after Royal Caribbean announced it would homeport its first Oasis Class ship from the port of Galveston, guests can now begin booking Allure of the Seas sailings in 2021.

Royal Caribbean released new sailings for sale beginning in November 2021, and going through April 2022. 

The sailings are all 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries, with the sole exception of her first sailing that is a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise on November 10, 2021.

The newly released sailings are available to book immediately.

Prior to Allure of the Seas' arrival in Galveston, she will undergo a major renovation in summer 2020, that will add a variety of new upgrades and enhancements.

Meanwhile, Galveston is constructing a brand new $100 million state-of-the-art cruise terminal to perfectly accommodate Allure of the Seas. The facility will feature mobile check-in and facial recognition to expedite guest arrival. The terminal will be designed and developed sustainably to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental) certification standards.

Royal Caribbean will homeport Oasis Class ship from Galveston in 2021

In:
12 Dec 2019

Royal Caribbean announced it will send the first Oasis Class ship to be home ported from Galveston, Texas in 2021.

In conjunction with the cruise line's announcement it has signed a long-term agreement to build a brand new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Galveston, Allure of the Seas will sail from Galveston beginning in 2021.

Allure will sail 7-night Caribbean itineraries from Galveston and will be the biggest and boldest ship sailing from the Lone Star state. It appears the first sailing will be November 10, 2021.

“We are excited to partner with the Port of Galveston to develop a world-class facility which will allow us to sail our newest, largest and most innovative ships from Texas starting with Allure of the Seas, one of the largest ships in the world,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The new terminal will allow us to increase our guests to the region by 50% generating a $100 million economic impact within the first year of operation.”

In November 2021, the newly completed terminal will welcome one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Allure of the Seas. 

Allure of the Seas is scheduled to under go a $165 Royal Amplification in summer 2020, that will add a variety of new amenities, activities and things to do onboard. 

Among the many changes, Allure will receive the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea that touts a 10-story plunge; The Perfect Storm, a thrilling trio of multistory waterslides; and an array of culinary possibilities with more restaurants, including the introduction of Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and returning favorites Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and El Loco Fresh; and more.

Royal Caribbean announces 2020 President's Cruise sailing

In:
04 Nov 2019

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced to a theater full of cruise fans the next President's Cruise will be held on the October 25, 2020 sailing of Allure of the Seas.

Allure of the Seas will sail a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain and visit the ports of Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; and Naples (Capri), Italy.

The President's Cruise has become an annual Royal Caribbean tradition that invites fans of the cruise line to sail with the cruise line's CEO, and enjoy a series of special events, surprises and offerings.

Reader finds: Update to The Key, Enchantment of the Seas propulsion issues and more

In:
27 Aug 2019

Our community of readers share news and changes with us all the time, we have a new lot of reader finds to share this week.

Enchantment of the Seas propulsion issue

Some guests with an upcoming Enchantment of the Seas cruise planned received an email from Royal Caribbean informing them, "to maintain a safe and comfortable journey, we must lower our maximum speed due to a technical limitation with one of the ship's propulsion pods."

The Key embarkation day lunch venue change

We have received numerous reports similar to this, where the embarkation day lunch perk that comes as part of The Key has moved from Chops Grille to the Main Dining Room. In fact, Timothy Krietemeyer spotted that Royal Caribbean has updated its website to list the venue change.

Despite the change in location, food from Chops Grille is still served to guests.  Moving to the main dining room allows for more efficient service, while still offering the Chops Grille menu.

New screens added to Allure of the Seas AquaTheater

A reader who did not share their name snapped this photo of new video screens added to the AquaTheater on Allure of the Seas.

Got at tip for us?

If you noticed something new or different on your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can always share it with us by emailing it over!

Tropical Storm Dorian changes itineraries of Allure, Harmony and Symphony of the Seas

In:
25 Aug 2019

Tropical Storm Dorian formed in the Caribbean in the last few days and has caused two Royal Caribbean ships to change itineraries to avoid the projected path of the storm.

Harmony of the Seas has changed from an Eastern Caribbean itinerary to a Western Caribbean itinerary.

Symphony of the Seas has changed her itinerary and is skipping a scheduled stop at St. Maarten, while adding a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay at the end of the sailing.

Allure of the Seas has changed from an Eastern Caribbean itinerary to a Western Caribbean itinerary.

Photo by Joe Kuehner Jr

We will share any further itinerary updates if/when they occur.

As of Sunday afternoon, Dorian’s tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 35 miles from its center. Forecasters said that Dorian is expected to move generally west-northwestward for the next several days and start impacting some Caribbean islands.

We recommend following Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet for weather updates.

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