Two of Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships are undergoing upgrade and maintenance work at the very same time.
It's commonplace for cruise ships to take a break from service every few years to get work done, but having two giants out of commission is a bit unusual.
Allure of the Seas is in Navantia ship yard in Cadiz, Spain, while Anthem of the Seas is in a shipyard in Singapore.
Here's what we know about the work Royal Caribbean has ordered for both ships.
Upgrading Allure of the Seas
The biggest upgrade to any Royal Caribbean ship over the last five years is happening with Allure of the Seas.
Allure of the Seas launched in 2010, instantly capturing the attention of the world alongside Oasis of the Seas. The 225,282 gross registered ton vessel was the largest cruise ship in the world until the launch of Harmony of the Seas
Due to the cruise industry shutdown of 2020, Allure never got upgrades that were originally planned.
Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean is making them on Allure now, and they'll be ready for the ship to resume service in April.
The new features are called a "Royal Amplification", and it goes well beyond a simple drydock refurbishment.
Over $100 million is being spent on upgrades, including:
- Overhaul of pool deck to add resort look
- Pesky Parrot is replacing the Champagne Bar
- New water slides
- Splashaway Bay replaces the H2O Zone
- Addition of the Ultimate Abyss slide
- Mason Jar replaces Teen Club (the club moves to a new location)
- Revamped Adventure Ocean and Teen Club
- Playmakers Sports Bar replaces Sabor Mexican Restaurant
- 30 new cabins added
- Vitality Cafe has been replaced with cabins
- Addition of an escape room
- Laser tag will be offered on select days
One change to Allure that has just been revealed is there will be a new aqua show onboard.
The fans have been asking — and Allure of the Seas℠ finally delivers a sequel to the fan-favorite show, Aqua80. Sit back and get into the 80s groove. The decade’s biggest hits set the tempo as high divers, slackliners and 3D aerialists deliver the stunts, the energy, the drama, the action and the fun. All rolled into one AquaTheater spectacular — Aqua80Too.
Instead of OceanAria Aquashow, Royal Caribbean will add Aqua80s Too.
This is an aqua show dedicated to the music of the 1980s decade. It's a copy of the show from Utopia of the Seas, although early reports are it will not have flying performers or a slack line.
Another change that could be forthcoming is the implantation of destination elevators.
The company tested retrofitting destination elevators already on Allure of the Seas last year, and Utopia of the Seas has it onboard. We'll have to wait and see once passengers get onboard.
Allure has been in drydock since February, but should be complete with the work next week before resuming service on April 11.
The ship will sail from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) on 7-night cruises that visit Spain, France, and Italy.
In the fall, Allure returns to the United States to sail 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises.
Maintenance work for Anthem of the Seas
On the other side of the world, Anthem of the Seas arrived at Tuas shipyard to begin her scheduled work.
Unlike Allure, Anthem isn't getting a major upgrade. All cruise ships go in for maintenance every 5 years or less, and it's akin to bringing your car in for a tune up.
Anthem arrived at the shipyard March 22, and will remain at the shipyard until mid-April.
Royal Caribbean has not made any announcements of what type of work will happen while Anthem is out of service, and that usually means the ship is going in simply for maintenance work, and not to get major upgrades.
Typically this sort of work sees fixes and replacements for public spaces, such as carpeting, floors, and more.
A lot of the work is focused on the ship's engines and propulsion systems to ensure they stay in good working order for an additional five years.
Without any official statement, we'll have to wait and see what changes occur onboard once the ship restarts cruises.
Anthem of the Seas is scheduled to resume sailings April 13, 2025 with a 12-night repositioning from Singapore to Japan.
A transpacific sailing is also planned, as the ship will move to Alaska for the summer cruise season.
In the fall, Anthem moves back across the Pacific once again to offer cruises from Australia.
