Allure of the Seas vs Navigator of the Seas

Which Ship is Bigger: Allure of the Seas or Navigator of the Seas?

Allure of the Seas absolutely dwarfs Navigator of the Seas in size. We're talking about a massive difference here - Allure weighs in at approximately 225,282 gross tons compared to Navigator's 154,407 gross tons. That's nearly 40% bigger!

The size difference becomes even more obvious when you look at passenger capacity. Allure can accommodate around 5,496 guests at double occupancy, while Navigator maxes out at roughly 3,798 passengers. Allure also stretches about 1,187 feet long versus Navigator's more compact 1,020 feet.

Simply put, if you're looking for a massive floating city experience, Allure delivers that in spades. Navigator feels more manageable and intimate by comparison.

How Do the Ages and Modernization Compare?

Navigator of the Seas launched in 2002, making it eight years older than Allure, which debuted in 2010. You might think this gives Allure a clear advantage, but here's where it gets interesting.

Navigator underwent a major "amplification" refurbishment that completely transformed the ship. Royal Caribbean didn't just give it a fresh coat of paint - they added record-breaking waterslides, revamped the pool deck with vibrant colors, enhanced nightlife venues, and modernized dining options.

Meanwhile, Allure has maintained its original design philosophy but with regular updates to keep things fresh. Both ships feel contemporary, just in different ways.

What About Onboard Amenities and Activities?

Allure of the Seas Features

Allure operates on Royal Caribbean's "neighborhood" concept, spreading activities across 18 decks. You'll find:

• Multiple Broadway-style shows
• Ice skating rink
• Zip line course
• Rock climbing walls
• Numerous specialty restaurants
• Multiple pool areas
• Extensive shopping on the Royal Promenade

The ship feels like several resorts rolled into one massive vessel. You could honestly spend a week onboard and still discover new corners.

Navigator of the Seas Highlights

Navigator's recent amplification focused on action-packed thrills:

• The longest waterslide at sea (at the time of renovation)
• Colorful, Instagram-worthy pool deck
• Enhanced sports bar (Playmakers)
• Revamped Royal Promenade with dynamic lighting
• Modern nightlife venues

Navigator trades quantity for intensity. Everything feels more concentrated and energetic.

Which Ship Offers Better Dining Options?

Allure takes the crown here simply because of scale. With nearly 50% more passengers, the ship supports a wider variety of restaurants and specialty dining venues. You'll find everything from casual grab-and-go spots to upscale steakhouses.

Navigator's dining scene got a significant boost during its amplification, but it can't match Allure's sheer variety. However, Navigator's restaurants often feel less crowded and more accessible.

How Do Stateroom Options Compare?

Allure offers approximately 2,748 staterooms compared to Navigator's 1,200 or so. This means more variety in cabin categories and locations on Allure.

Both ships feature similar stateroom layouts and amenities within their respective categories - interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite options. The main difference lies in quantity and some of the suite-level perks that come with Allure's newer design.

What About Entertainment and Nightlife?

Allure brings Broadway-caliber productions and multiple entertainment venues. The AquaTheater shows are particularly spectacular, featuring high-diving acrobatics and water-based performances.

Navigator's post-amplification entertainment focuses more on interactive and social experiences. The nightlife feels more intimate and energetic, though perhaps not as polished as Allure's offerings.

Both ships feature similar core entertainment like live music, comedy shows, and dancing, but Allure simply has more venues running simultaneously.

Which Ship Is Better for Families?

This depends on your family's style. Allure works better for multi-generational families or those who want space to spread out. Different family members can pursue separate activities without feeling cramped.

Navigator appeals to families seeking adventure and bonding experiences. The waterslides and compact layout mean families often end up participating in activities together more naturally.

Both ships offer kids' clubs, teen areas, and family-friendly dining. Navigator's amplified features tend to create more "wow" moments for kids, while Allure provides more options to keep everyone entertained.

How Do Itineraries and Destinations Differ?

Allure's size allows it to handle longer itineraries and can accommodate the logistics of more varied destination programs. However, its massive size also limits which ports it can actually visit.

Navigator's smaller footprint opens up more destination possibilities, including some ports that simply can't handle Allure's size and passenger load.

Both ships primarily sail Caribbean routes, but Navigator often offers more flexibility in itinerary planning.

Which Ship Provides Better Value?

Navigator typically costs less than Allure for similar itineraries, making it attractive for budget-conscious cruisers. However, you're getting fewer amenities and less variety.

Allure commands premium pricing but delivers more activities, dining options, and entertainment per dollar spent. Whether that constitutes "better value" depends on how much you'll actually use those extra amenities.

Consider that Navigator's newer features post-amplification often feel less crowded than Allure's attractions, which might provide better actual access to activities you want to enjoy.

Final Considerations: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Allure if you want the ultimate cruise ship experience with maximum variety, don't mind crowds, and prefer having numerous options for every meal and activity.

Pick Navigator if you prefer a more manageable ship size, want modern thrills and amenities, like the idea of easily exploring the entire ship, and want better value for your cruise dollar.

Both represent excellent Royal Caribbean experiences - just at different scales and intensities.