Allure of the Seas vs Brilliance of the Seas

Which Ship is Bigger: Allure vs Brilliance?

The size difference between these two Royal Caribbean ships is honestly pretty dramatic. Allure of the Seas absolutely dwarfs Brilliance of the Seas in almost every measurable way.

At 1,187 feet long, Allure stretches about 225 feet longer than Brilliance's 962-foot length. That's like adding an entire city block to the ship. The tonnage tells an even bigger story - Allure weighs in at 225,282 gross tons compared to Brilliance's 90,090 tons. We're talking about a ship that's more than twice the size.

Passenger capacity really drives this home. Allure carries approximately 6,826 guests when fully booked, while Brilliance maxes out around 2,580 passengers. If you're someone who gets energized by bustling, resort-style environments, Allure delivers that big ship buzz. But if crowds make you feel a bit claustrophobic, Brilliance offers a more manageable scale.

How Old Are These Ships?

Age matters when you're choosing between cruise ships, and there's a noticeable gap here. Brilliance of the Seas launched back in 2002, making her 23 years old as of 2025. Allure of the Seas came along eight years later in 2010, so she's currently 15 years old.

Here's what's interesting though - both ships have received significant attention recently. Brilliance got a major refurbishment in 2022, which refreshed many of her public spaces and amenities. Allure is scheduled for a massive $100 million renovation in early 2025, adding new water slides and completely renovating various areas throughout the ship.

The age difference might matter less than you'd expect because of these ongoing improvements. Royal Caribbean tends to keep their fleet feeling current regardless of when the ships first hit the water.

What Activities and Amenities Can You Expect?

Allure of the Seas Activities

Allure really flexes its mega-ship muscles when it comes to activities. You'll find water slides, dry slides, and an incredible variety of entertainment options. The ship features 20 restaurants and 18 bars, so you could theoretically try a different dining spot every night and still have options left over.

The neighborhood concept on Allure is pretty clever. Instead of one massive ship that feels overwhelming, they've divided everything into themed areas. You've got the Boardwalk with carnival-style games, Central Park with real plants and trees, and the Pool Deck for classic cruise ship fun. It actually helps manage the crowd flow despite having nearly 7,000 people onboard.

Brilliance of the Seas Activities

Brilliance takes a more focused approach with her amenities. You'll find a rock climbing wall (which honestly never gets old), mini golf, three pools, and three whirlpools. The ship has nine restaurants and nine bars - plenty of variety without feeling overwhelming.

What Brilliance does exceptionally well is ocean views. That nine-story glass atrium with elevators facing the sea? It's genuinely beautiful. You get those classic cruise ship moments where you're reminded you're actually sailing across the ocean, not just staying at a floating resort.

The adult-only solarium on Brilliance is particularly nice if you're looking for some peaceful time away from families with kids.

How Much Do These Cruises Cost?

Price differences between these ships can vary significantly based on itinerary, time of year, and cabin type, but there are some general patterns.

Allure of the Seas typically commands higher prices, starting around €203 and going up from there. The newer build date, massive variety of amenities, and sheer scale of the ship justify the premium pricing for many travelers.

Brilliance of the Seas often offers better value, with prices starting around €487. Wait, that seems backwards based on the research data - but cruise pricing is notoriously complex and changes constantly based on demand, seasonality, and specific itineraries.

Your best bet is checking current prices for your specific travel dates, because these ships often sail different routes and the pricing can flip depending on what's popular at the moment.

Which Ship Offers Better Dining Options?

The numbers alone tell part of this story. Allure's 20 restaurants versus Brilliance's nine restaurants means more variety, more specialty cuisines, and more chances to try something completely different each night.

On Allure, you'll find everything from high-end steakhouses to casual grab-and-go spots. The neighborhood layout means dining venues are spread throughout the ship, so you're not fighting crowds all heading to the same dining deck at once.

Brilliance's nine restaurants still offer solid variety, just in a more curated way. Sometimes having fewer choices actually makes the decision easier, and you're more likely to revisit restaurants you really enjoyed rather than feeling pressure to try everything.

Both ships handle the main dining room experience well, though Allure typically has multiple main dining rooms while Brilliance focuses on one beautifully designed space.

What About Entertainment and Nightlife?

Allure of the Seas brings Broadway-style productions, multiple entertainment venues, and nightlife that can keep you busy until the early morning hours. With 18 bars and lounges, you can bar-hop without ever feeling like you're repeating yourself.

The entertainment on Allure is designed for that mega-ship scale. Think big production shows, multiple live music venues happening simultaneously, and specialty entertainment you might not find on smaller ships.

Brilliance offers a more intimate entertainment experience. The shows are still professional and engaging, but you're not dealing with massive theaters where half the audience feels disconnected from the performance. The nine bars provide plenty of nightlife variety without overwhelming choices.

Which Ship Is Right for Your Travel Style?

Choose Allure of the Seas If You Want:

• Maximum variety in dining, activities, and entertainment
• That big ship energy with lots of people and constant activity
• Resort-style amenities with water slides and multiple pool areas
• Don't mind paying a premium for the newest and largest options
• Traveling with a multi-generational group with diverse interests

Choose Brilliance of the Seas If You Want:

• Better ocean views and a stronger connection to actually being at sea
• More manageable crowds and easier navigation around the ship
• Solid amenities without feeling overwhelmed by choices
• Potentially better value for money
• A more classic cruise ship experience with modern updates

The truth is, both ships deliver excellent Royal Caribbean experiences. Allure impresses with sheer scale and variety, while Brilliance charms with better proportions and genuine cruise ship atmosphere. Your choice really comes down to whether you want the biggest possible floating resort or a more refined cruise experience that still offers plenty to do.