Allure the world's biggest cruise ship to set sail

IN THE land of the giants size does matter, and the RCI's newest supership is the biggest in the sea - here's a sneak peak inside.

On board Allure of the Seas - a concept image of the impressive zip line. Picture: Supplied

IN THE land of the giants, size does matter. Even a tiny 5mm makes a huge difference when it comes to super-sized ships Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean International's newest supership, Allure, is having the finishing touches put on for its maiden voyage in December. Its proud captain, Hernan Zini, has revealed Allure will be bigger than Oasis, if only by a bee's whisker, allowing it to claim the title of the biggest cruise ship in the world.

Pictures: Onboard the Oasis of the Seas

"Allure of the Seas is officially 5mm longer than the 360m Oasis of the Seas," Captain Zini says. "It's just 5mm, but that's enough for me."

Onboard Allure
Allure of the Seas will be the biggest of the big when she takes to the water to run Caribbean cruises from her home of Port Everglades in Florida. She will have 16 decks, be 64m wide, encompass 225,282 gross registered tonnes, and feature 2700 staterooms, 46 of which will be wheelchair accessible.

The ship will carry a maximum of 6296 passengers and 2394 crew, effectively making it a town. And, like a town – and like Oasis of the Seas - the vast ship will have "neighbourhoods". It's seven themed areas are Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone,

Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. Guests will have 24 dining options, including a Brazilian steakhouse, the Mexican eatery Rita's Cantina, and speciality hot-dog joint The Boardwalk Dog House. There also will be a cupcake shop and a range of bars, spas and entertainment.

Details: Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, phone [phone] or visit the website www.royalcaribbean.com.au; P&O Cruises, phone 13 24 94 or visit www.pocruises.com.au

Pictures: Onboard the Oasis of the Seas

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