Port Canaveral welcomed the world’s fifth-largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, as she prepares to offer short itineraries to the Bahamas twice a week through July 2024. Royal Caribbean is trying something new as this is the first time the cruise line has offered shorter sailings on one of its largest ships.
The Oasis-class ship sailed from Port Canaveral for the first time on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The voyage is a five-night sailing that had to alter its itinerary due to high winds in the Bahamas. Instead of Labadee, Haiti and Perfect Day at CocoCay, the ship headed to Cozumel, Mexico before sailing to CocoCay. Despite the itinerary change, this is still a special occasion since Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships typically only sail for seven days.
Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, said, “We’re proud to be Royal Caribbean’s partner in this industry first offering. Our partners see a strong demand in our market for shorter itineraries on an Oasis Class ship. We are thrilled to welcome home the Allure of the Seas and look forward to delivering exceptional customer service experiences to their cruise guests.”
Additionally, Captain Murray presented the ship’s Captain Tobias Oster with a framed photo of Port Canaveral. Also present was Adriana Tibaudo, Allure of the Seas’ Hotel Director, representing the ship’s crew members.
Allure of the Seas houses 18 decks of fun including seven neighborhoods, 30 restaurants, bars and lounges, an AquaTheatre, a 9-story zip line, an ice rink, an adults-only Solarium, amazing entertainment and more. There is so much to do, guests may feel rushed to do everything in a short amount of time.
While at Port Canaveral, Allure of the Seas will offer 3- and 4-night itineraries to the Bahamas which will all visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. Over New Years, the itinerary will change to a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. At the end of April, the ship will again change itineraries to offer a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. Her last sailing will embark on July 5, 2024 and visit Nassau and CocoCay. Allure of the Seas will reposition to PortMiami and Utopia of the Seas will take her place.