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My Culinary Adventure — Comparing Allure of the Seas Vs Oasis of the Seas – A Foodie's Tale
Introduction: Setting Sail on Two Titans of the Sea
Hello all cruise fans and foodies, today I’m especially excited to bring you a long and delicious look into my double dose of cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas followed by Oasis of the Seas — back-to-back! So Prepare yourselves for a tale of two ships, countless meals, and one very stretchy pair of pants!
Setting Sail with Wiggy — First Feelings and Basics Ship Details
Allure of the Seas — First Leg Entering Allure of the Seas for my first embarkation, I was instantly taken aback by its enormity. It’s 225,282 gross tons and stretches to over a thousand feet long — the floating metropolis left me slack-jawed.
I did not realize that its older sibling, the Oasis of the Seas weighs a whopping 226,838 gross tons. With both ships being on 18 decks, my first thought was whether I should have entered in to marathon training before attending this culinary odyssey.
Allure, which entered service on December 5, 2010 for her maiden voyage felt like a fresh new ship. Oasis, one year older with an introduction just December 5 of the past year, gave as good as she got. Wandering each ship, I truly marveled at how well they have lasted — much like a fine wine aging really seems to benefit these vessels.
One of the most interesting differences I found was in guests. Allure is able to hold 6,826 guests at total capacity and Oasis slightly less with a max of 6,771. Allure had more guests coming on board, “I wonder if that means longer buffet lines?” Spoiler alert: it didn’t. Both ships handled their passenger loads with impressive efficiency, especially in the dining areas.
The Main Attraction: A Myriad of Dining Choices
Finally, what we have all been waiting for — the food! The Allure and Oasis each have more than 25 places to eat across the two ships.
For a die-hard foodie like me, it was paradise on earth. My mission? In my 2 week period at sea I was going to eat like there is no tomorrow and go out so that i can sample every restaurant on board.
| Dining Options | Dining Options on Allure of the Seas | Dining Options on Oasis of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Chef's Table | Yes | Yes |
| Samba Grill | Yes | No |
| Wipe Out Café featuring El Loco Fresh® | Yes | No |
| Giovanni's Table | Yes | Yes |
| Main Dining Room | Yes | Yes |
| Izumi Hibachi & Sushi | Yes | Yes |
| Windjammer | Yes | Yes |
| Johnny Rockets® | Yes | Yes |
| Dog House | Yes | Yes |
| Sabor | Yes | No |
| Chops Grille℠ | Yes | Yes |
| Solarium Bistro Restaurant | Yes | Yes |
| Room Service | Yes | Yes |
| Café Promenade | Yes | Yes |
| Starbucks® | Yes | Yes |
| Sorrento's Pizza | Yes | Yes |
| Coastal Kitchen | Yes | Yes |
| Park Cafe | Yes | Yes |
| Vitality Café | Yes | Yes |
| 150 Central Park | Yes | Yes |
| Portside BBQ℠ | No | Yes |
| Sugar Beach℠ | No | Yes |
The Cornerstone of Cruise Cuisine: Main Dining Room
I began my culinary journey in the Main Dining Room on both ships. It adds to the most typical cruise dining experience — and both Allure (and Oasis) do it perfectly.
The menus change on a nightly basis, and it is as if every night I awaited dinner with the anticipation of seeing an opening night Broadway show (more on that to come!).
I remember one night on Allure a fillet mignon that was perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. The lobster tail on Oasis was actually what had me second guessing my current life and contemplating a living at sea permanently.
The service on the boats was just excellent, but I have to give a slight edge to Allure. Day 1 and my server Carlos not only knew my name but what I drink. It is those petty little touches that give a cruise the edge.
Real Magic Happens at Specialty Restaurants
And this is where it gets good. Both ships have their unique offerings, and I made it my mission to try as many as possible. Let’s break it down:
Chops Grille: A must-do on both ships, and with good reason; it does what every solid steakhouse should do. On Allure, There was bone-in-ribeye that brought me so close to tears! Oasis paired it with a filet mignon done perfectly. It’s a tie in my book!
Giovanni’s Table: Can you really get Italian onboard a ship? Yes, please! This casual, family-style Italian eatery is available on both ships. I am infatuated with the mushroom risotto on Allure. That same dish on Oasis stole my heart. Again, too close to call!
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi: If you enjoy dinner with ashow, then these are your ships. I sat at the Hibachi grill on Allure — it was fun and filling. I had sushi on Oasis and was impressed with the freshness and presentation.
150 Central Park: Now we get into the fancy stuff. It is worth every dollar, and both ships have this worthy venue to showcase. On Allure I had a duck breast that was amazing. Oasis retaliated with a wagyu beef product that still makes my eyes mist over.
Now the ships will get a tiny bit different
Sabor (Allure only) – Not your abuela’s Mexican: this mod-Mexican affair had me at “más, por favor!” Our delicious guacamole was made tableside.
Portside BBQ (Oasis only): One of the pleasant surprises on Oasis. And as a BBQ fan, I was naturally doubtful over barbecue at sea; however let me tell you, it tastes convincing. The brisket was smoky, tender and just great.
Onto Casual Dining: “Because Sometimes You Just Want a Slice of Pizza…”
Both ships shine when it comes to casual dining options The Windjammer Marketplace on both Allure and Oasis is a buffet lover’s paradise. I may have made more than one late-night trip for a slice at Sorrento’s Pizza (don’t judge me).
Notable also is the Wipe Out Café with an El Loco Fresh outlet on Allure. We enjoyed our made-to-order tacos after trying out the FlowRider. Oasis counters with Portside BBQ, which, as I mentioned earlier, was a delightful surprise.
The sisters introduced Park Cafe in Central Park, a fan favorite and my perfect quick lunch stop. Get the roast beef sandwich!
Beverages — Because what's a cruise without a cocktail?
Now on to the real issues, How’d they make these bars?! Although both ships have an abundance of places to get wasted, the two options clearly differ.
The Pool Bar & Sand Bar are trendy tropical spots ideal for sipping drinks under the sun. The Champagne Bar was my nightly pre-dinner habit, because vacation equls to a glass of bubbly!
Oasis gets some few distinct features on the other hand. The real winners:The robot bartenders at the Bionic Bar which never let us down, providing up that perfect drink with an automated buzzsaw efficiency every time. The Lime and Coconut was now my go to for flavorful Caribbean cocktails with a view.
| Bar & Lounges Options | Allure of the Seas | Oasis of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Schooner Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Trellis Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Boleros | Yes | Yes |
| Rising Tide Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Solarium Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Suite Lounge | Yes | Yes |
| Pool Bar & Sand Bar | Yes | No |
| English Pub | Yes | Yes |
| Dazzles | Yes | No |
| Champagne Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Wipe Out Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Vintages | Yes | No |
| Bionic Bar® | No | Yes |
| Playmakers℠ Bar & Arcade | No | Yes |
| The Lime and Coconut® | No | Yes |
Here are a few of my favorite spots that can be enjoyed on both ships
Schooner Bar: This piano bar themed with nautical memorabilia was my late-night haunt on both ships. Singing “Piano Man” on board at sea with a cocktail in hand and your fellow cruisers– it’s truly magical. I recommend the Dirty Martini, served with blue-cheese stuffed olives.
Boleros: Get ready to kick things up a notch for some Latin flavor & flair, because you all are going dancing again in Boleros! Both ships mix a top-notch mojito. Yes — I made mojitos here on Allure, and my skills improved exponentially within the class.
Rising Tide Bar: Unique bar that moves between decks, available on both Allure and Oasis. At the time of my flight, few had seen or experienced anything like it; in addition to being an obvious ice breaker, zipping along over some gin and juice made takeoff and descent that much more interesting. Get Jack’s signature Rising Tide drink — it is blue and looks like the ocean outside.
English Pub: A quiet, cozy place that made me feel as if I had been transported to a corner of London. There are also a good selection of beers on tap, that largely changes with the seasons and what local beers they have in. The beer flight was my favorite, I got to try 4 beers.
Vintages: Yeah Wine lovers!!! — the official word on each vintage. The wine bar provides variety of wines across the globe. I indulged in a wine tasting one afternoon with an incredibly knowledgeable sommelier who introduced me to some amazing wines from Spain I had never tasted.
Entertainment: Because Man Cannot Live on Food Alone
While this is primarily a tale of two ships’ culinary offerings, I’d be remiss if I didn’t briefly touch on entertainment.
The two ships are chock-full of sensory delights, and many times the shows and activities were an excellent precursor to working up a hunger for my next meal!
Now cruising Allure of the Seas, I enjoyed an incredible performance of “Mamma Mia!” Watching a Broadway show in the ocean is downright surreal. I also have to mention that the chemistry of the cast was contagious – I caught myself humming ABBA songs for days afterwards.
Oasis came back with its equally stellar “Cats”. From the costumes to set design and performances, this was a class act. Would you believe I was grateful for the salad I had for dinner first — it’s a 24-hour play!
Both ships offer incredible aqua shows in the AquaTheater. I watched “Oceanaria” on Allure and “Aqua80” on Oasis. The high dives, synchronized swimming, and acrobatics had me on the edge of my seat. Pro tip: get there early for the best seats, and prepare to be amazed.
Ice skating shows on both ships was also a highlight. Stellar talent was on display in “Ice Games” on Allure and “Frozen in Time” aboard Oasis. Seeing triple axels executed on a moving ship by world-class ice skaters was something I could not get out of my mind.
If you’re feeling adventurous (or wanting to burn off some of the delicious food), both ships also include a zip line. I never had the guts to click that on both ships. Important note: do not use the zip line right after dinner. Trust me on this one.
The other unique feature on Oasis is the Ultimate Abyss, or what they are calling it now; the tallest slide at sea. Let’s just say a thrilling and terrifying experience. That was definitely one hell of an adrenaline flush that has worked up my hunger for the next meal.
There is an ample number of classes and activities to do on each ship as well. I had a go at cupcake decoration on Allure (and immediately encouraged my efforts with the results) and went to an onboard sushi making class on Oasis. Those experiential delights certainly enhanced my food experience.
| Entertainment, Activities & Shows Options | Allure of the Seas | Oasis of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Spa & Fitness Center | Yes | Yes |
| Shopping | Yes | Yes |
| Guest Entertainers | Yes | Yes |
| Mamma Mia! | Yes | No |
| Oceanaria | Yes | No |
| Ice Games | Yes | No |
| Blue Planet | Yes | No |
| Sip, Tour, Brunch | Yes | Yes |
| Pickleball | Yes | Yes |
| Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception | Yes | Yes |
| SHUSH! Silent Party | Yes | Yes |
| H2O ZoneSM Water Park | Yes | No |
| Fitness Classes | Yes | Yes |
| Zip Line | Yes | Yes |
| FlowRider® | Yes | Yes |
| Pool Parties | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor Movie Nights | Yes | Yes |
| Sports Court | Yes | Yes |
| Live Bands | Yes | Yes |
| Arcade | Yes | Yes |
| Carousel | Yes | Yes |
| Solarium | Yes | Yes |
| Mini Golf | Yes | Yes |
| Art Collection | Yes | Yes |
| Wine Tasting | Yes | Yes |
| Rock Climbing Wall | Yes | Yes |
| Parades | Yes | Yes |
| Ice Skating | Yes | Yes |
| Night Life | Yes | Yes |
| Salsa Dancing | Yes | Yes |
| Latin Fiesta | Yes | No |
| Latin Dance Classes | Yes | No |
| Archery | Yes | No |
| 70s Disco Party | Yes | Yes |
| Cupcake Class | Yes | Yes |
| Art Auctions | Yes | Yes |
| Sushi Making Class | Yes | Yes |
| Card Room | Yes | Yes |
| Adventure Science Lab | Yes | No |
| Dance Classes | Yes | Yes |
| Aquanauts | Yes | No |
| Pub Performances | Yes | Yes |
| Imagination Studio | Yes | No |
| All Access Tour | Yes | Yes |
| Scrapbooking | Yes | Yes |
| Table Tennis | Yes | Yes |
| Whirlpools | Yes | Yes |
| Game Shows | Yes | Yes |
| Babies and Tots Programs | Yes | No |
| Adventure Ocean® | Yes | Yes |
| Theme Nights | Yes | Yes |
| Voyagers | Yes | No |
| Folding Artistry | Yes | Yes |
| Pools | Yes | Yes |
| Explorers | Yes | No |
| On Air Club | Yes | No |
| Jewelry Making | Yes | Yes |
| Club DJs | Yes | No |
| Scuba Certification | Yes | Yes |
| Teen Lounge | Yes | Yes |
| Adventure Ocean Theater | Yes | No |
| Away We Go | Yes | No |
| Cats | No | Yes |
| Aqua80 | No | Yes |
| Splash | No | Yes |
| Frozen in Time | No | Yes |
| One Sky | No | Yes |
| Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠ | No | Yes |
| Up and Away | No | Yes |
| Supercell℠ | No | Yes |
| Royal Escape Room℠ - Mission Control: Apollo 18 | No | Yes |
| Teen Spaces | No | Yes |
| Laser Tag: Clash for the Crystal City℠ | No | Yes |
| Library & Card Room | No | Yes |
| Ultimate Abyss℠ | No | Yes |
| The Perfect Storm℠ | No | Yes |
| Splashaway Bay℠ | No | Yes |
| Guest Lectures | No | Yes |
The Verdict — Allure of the Seas vs Oasis of the Seas: Winner?
I should be able to pick a winner after 2 weeks of all the wine, dine and song you can get. However, the reality is — they are both amazing ships and deliver different experiences.
Samba Grill and Sabor shine a little brighter on Allure, if this dining alone at work paradise. Oasis battles back, however, with Portside BBQ and the novelty of Bionic Bar.
Finally, the reality slap came writing “it doesn’t really matter which ship is better or not.” It’s about the things you do, the places you go to and yes, what food that will be. Whether you sail on Allure or Oasis, prepare to be spoiled for good (several hundred “goods” if you are as indulgent as me).
My advice? Try to stick them both if you can, as I did! Let’s face it, the only thing better than one amazing cruise is two. Last but not least, try to bring your stretchiest pants (seriously– you are going to need them!)