Two ships, and what the difference actually feels like
Anyone can list tonnage. These are the numbers that change your week, with what each one means in plain terms.
Allure of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Allure of the Seas
Royal Caribbean · entered service 2010 · Very large
Space ratio
Gross tons per guest. The single best predictor of whether a sea day feels calm or crowded.
41.1tons per guest
35.2tons per guest
Allure of the Seas has about 17% more room per person. Roomy. Sea days rarely feel crowded.
Guests per crew member
How thinly service is spread. Lower means someone learns your name by Wednesday.
2.5guests per crew
2.7guests per crew
Size
Bigger buys more to do on board, and costs you time getting anywhere — including ashore.
225,282gross tons
130,000gross tons
Guests on board
At full occupancy. Every one of them wants ashore through the same gangway.
6,780guests
3,690guests
Still torn?
Tell an advisor who is travelling and when. They will tell you which of these two is wrong for you — usually the more useful half.
Specifications are supplied by the cruise lines. Space ratio and crew ratio are calculated from stated guest capacity; where a line quotes maximum rather than double-occupancy capacity, the ratios read slightly lower than the industry convention.