Allure of the Seas vs Harmony of the Seas

What's the Main Difference Between Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas?

The biggest difference boils down to water activities and modern upgrades. Harmony of the Seas launched in 2016 as Royal Caribbean's answer to creating the ultimate thrill-seeker's paradise, while Allure of the Seas from 2010 offers a more traditional (but still impressive) cruise experience.

Harmony features three major waterslides called "The Perfect Storm" - Typhoon, Cyclone, and Supercell - plus the jaw-dropping Ultimate Abyss slide that drops you 150 feet in 13 seconds. Meanwhile, Allure keeps things simpler with splash pools and a lazy river. It's like comparing a water park to a relaxing resort pool area.

The ships are nearly identical in size, but Harmony squeezed in an extra 1,681 tons and one more foot of length to technically claim the "world's largest cruise ship" title when it debuted.

Which Ship Has Better Activities for Families?

Harmony takes the crown here, especially if you've got kids who live for water adventures. The Splashaway Bay aqua park feels like someone dropped a mini water park onto the ship - complete with water cannons, jungle gyms, and those massive buckets that dump gallons of water without warning.

Both ships feature the signature Royal Caribbean neighborhoods like Central Park and the Boardwalk, plus Broadway-style shows and ice skating rinks. But Harmony adds some modern twists: an escape room, a zip line that stretches across the top deck, and two FlowRider surf simulators compared to Allure's single one.

That said, Allure isn't exactly boring. The ship still delivers plenty of entertainment, just without the extreme water thrills. Some families actually prefer this - less chaos around the pool areas means more space to actually relax.

Entertainment Highlights

Harmony of the Seas:

• Three waterslides plus Ultimate Abyss
• Broadway show "Grease"
• Escape room experience
• Zip line adventure
• Enhanced kids' water park

Allure of the Seas:

• Traditional splash pools and lazy river
• Broadway productions (varies by season)
• Classic Royal Caribbean rock climbing wall
• Mini golf and basketball courts
• AquaTheater water shows

How Do the Cabins Compare Between These Ships?

This is where Harmony's six-year age advantage really shows. The cabin layouts are essentially identical - both feature those clever interior balconies overlooking Central Park or the Boardwalk - but Harmony learned from guest feedback about Allure.

The biggest improvement? Closet space. Anyone who's tried sharing a tiny cruise cabin closet with their partner knows the struggle. Harmony separated the closets and added better electrical outlets, which sounds minor until you're trying to charge four devices with one outlet.

Allure did get a major refurbishment in 2015 that added luxury suites on the upper deck, so it's not stuck in 2010. The bones are still solid, just not quite as polished as Harmony's newer design touches.

Both ships offer the same cabin categories: interior, ocean view, balcony, and suites. The square footage is nearly identical, so you're really choosing between slightly older fixtures versus newer conveniences.

Which Ship Offers Better Value for Your Money?

This gets tricky because pricing fluctuates constantly based on itinerary, season, and demand. Generally speaking, Allure tends to cost slightly less since Harmony commands premium pricing as the "newer, bigger" option.

But here's the thing - both ships deliver the full Oasis Class experience. You're getting massive ships with incredible variety regardless of which you choose. The question becomes: are Harmony's water slides and modern upgrades worth the potential price difference?

For families with teenagers or water-loving kids, probably yes. For couples seeking a more relaxed cruise or travelers focused on destinations rather than ship amenities, Allure offers fantastic value.

Consider Your Priorities:

• Choose Harmony if: You want the latest features, love water activities, or have thrill-seeking family members
• Choose Allure if: You prefer slightly smaller crowds around pools, want to save money, or care more about destinations than ship amenities

What About Dining and Service Quality?

Both ships feature Royal Caribbean's signature dining venues - the main dining room, Windjammer buffet, specialty restaurants, and casual eateries scattered throughout the ship. The menus and restaurant concepts are virtually identical.

Where Harmony pulls ahead is staffing. The ship carries 2,200 crew members compared to Allure's 2,054, which theoretically means better service ratios. In practice, both ships maintain Royal Caribbean's solid service standards, though some guests report Harmony feels slightly more attentive.

The Solarium (adults-only pool area) deserves a mention - neither ship fully encloses this space, which can get windy while sailing. It's a minor complaint, but worth knowing if you're planning to spend significant time there.

Final Verdict: Which Ship Should You Book?

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either choice. Both represent Royal Caribbean at its most ambitious - floating cities packed with entertainment, dining, and activities that seemed impossible just decades ago.

Pick Harmony if you're drawn to cutting-edge features and don't mind paying a bit more for the newest toys. The waterslides alone will keep kids (and adventurous adults) busy for days.

Choose Allure if you want the classic Oasis Class experience without the premium pricing or water park crowds. Sometimes the original recipe is exactly what you need.

Either way, you're getting a cruise experience that most land-based resorts can't match. The real decision might come down to itinerary and price rather than the ships themselves - both deliver unforgettable vacations.