Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Allure of the Seas

I mean the world's largest Cruise Ship.  Royal Carribbean's Allure of the Seas is 1,187 feet long and 16 decks high with a capacity for 6,318 passengers and 2,384 crew members. 
Featuring seven distinct districts, from "Central Park" with luxury shopping venues to a full-size Carousel in the "Boardwalk" district, the Allure also has the world's largest dedicated "youth zone" to fill the time of disgruntled teens and adorable toddlers. 

The mega-ships are about more than just their size. I recently sailed on the lovely Celebrity Equinox, and found the overall experience to be a delightful surprise.  Sleek, calming interiors, and a wide range of dining opportunities, it was the best Premium cruise experience I've had.  My favorite part of the ship was the real grass lawn on the top deck - cool, lush grass between my toes - on a ship.

But with venues like Blue Man Group on the  Norwegian Epic, or all the Disney Characters on Disney Cruise Ships, one begins to wonder when cruising became more about a land-based experience than about the real allure of the open seas?  Where has the romance gone?  Not that cruising has to be on tall ships, but still.  

What do you think?  What's your experience? 

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