Allure of the Seas

The Boardwalk: Inspired by Brooklyn’s Coney Island, this family favorite has a real carousel, a hot dog stand, and the jaw drop-worthy AquaTheater, where high divers put on a show.

Solarium Pool: Allure of the Seas has four pools including one with sloped entry that mimics a beach. But the all-weather, adults-only Solarium is easily the most beautiful and most tranquil hangout spot on the ship — and a perfect place to escape the masses.

Original Art: Take time to look up, down, and around. There are some 7,000 works of specially commissioned art around the ship. A favorite is "Dream of Utopia," an installation by Korean artist Keysook Geum which fills the aft elevator lobby with 34 floating dress shapes constructed out of crystal beads and wire.

Royal Promenade: Grab a latte at the Starbucks or ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s (both for additional fees), then take a stroll past duty-free shops, including Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York, and Coach. This highway-wide main street also hosts parades. A bar that rises like an elevator overlooks the mall-like area, as do some staterooms.

Central Park: This stunning, open-to-the-sky area has hundreds of real trees and plants, plus walking paths and benches. It’s the perfect spot to read a book and bask in nature.

Active Types and Night Owls: Daytime activities include ice-skating, rock climbing, zip-lining and surfing, and that's even before you hit the gym equipped with more than 150 cardio machines. At night, choose between comedy, jazz, Latin, or disco dancing, or games at the casino, after you see the Broadway show “Mamma Mia!” 

Families: If the award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program weren't enough, there’s the fun of running into DreamWorks Animation characters including Shrek and Puss In Boots (Princess Fiona from "Shrek" is the ship's godmother!). First-run DreamWorks movies are screened for free on board too, including in 3-D.

The Dining Room is “Meh”: There are great specialty restaurants on Allure of the Seas — the Brazilian steakhouse is a festive feast for meat lovers and chef Michael Schwartz's pricey 150 Park appeases gourmets. But the food in the three-story main dining room is what you’d expect at a middle-of-the-road hotel — which is to say that it's not memorable.

You Are Part of a Crowd: This is still one of the largest ships in the world, and you will have to maneuver among thousands of people to enjoy onboard attractions. Finding a lounge chair by the pools can be a challenge and you may have to wait in line at popular spots such as the Johnny Rockets or the zip-line.