Allure of the Seas Vs. Freedom of the Seas: What's the Difference?

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Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas are outstanding cruise ships that are part of the Royal Caribbean Group’s large fleet. Both have been in operation for more than a decade and feature only the best quality facilities and amenities for all passengers onboard.

Freedom of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s older ships, and although this might make you feel that the ship may just be outdated, that is not the case here. Royal Caribbean has many ships in circulation, both older models and newer models. All of these ships are of good quality and have been refurbished time and time again to keep up with trends and technology.

Differences between the Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas

Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean International

Although they are from the same parent company, these two ships have distinct features that set them apart. These differences can be taken into account when you wish to choose between the two for your next cruising experience. This can be a huge hassle and a lengthy process, but don’t worry—we’ve compiled a list of features of both cruise ships. This can easily help you draw that comparison and decide which cruise, Allure or Freedom, is the best choice for you.

1. Ship Size:

Both ships are grand and follow Royal’s theme of having large and majestic cruise ships, but these two do not fall short of this promise either. Allure of the Seas measures about 1,187 feet long and 215 feet wide, with a gross tonnage of 225,282 tons. Freedom of the Seas, on the other hand, measures 1,112 feet lengthwise and 185 feet wide and features a gross tonnage of 156,271 tons. Allure is a new addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet and is counted as an extra-large ship, but at the time of its inception, Freedom was one of the largest ships in circulation at that time.

2. Ship Class:

As mentioned before, Freedom of the Seas is one of the older ships still in circulation under Royal Caribbean and is part of the Freedom ship class. Allure of the Seas, on the other hand, is one of Royal’s newer, extra-large ships and is the second ship of its Oasis-class fleet.

3. Passenger Capacity:

Both ships are large and cater to a lot of passengers onboard. Allure of the Seas features 18 passenger decks and has enough space for approximately 5,484 passengers at double occupancy. Allure of the Seas also provides 2,200 crew members who are always available to help passengers onboard. Freedom of the Seas has 15 passenger decks and has enough space at double occupancy to accommodate 3,934 passengers. They also have 1,447 crew members available aboard the ship.

4. Dining Options Onboard These Ships:

Dining options on any cruising trip can easily make or break your overall experience. Royal Caribbean’s dining options are extensive and provide a lot of variety for passengers to choose from, so there will always be something available for everyone! One dining option that is common between all Royal Caribbean cruises is the buffet system, also called the Windjammer, and is a popular option amongst guests.

Allure of the Seas features around 25 different dining options for passengers. Thirteen of these dining options are complementary and already included in your cruise fare, while the remaining 12 are available at an additional cost. Some notable mentions in Allure are 150 Central Park, Coastal Kitchen, Park Cafe, and Starbucks.

Freedom of the Seas offers 19 dining options onboard the cruise ship. 10 of these dining options are included in the cruise base fare only and can be used at no extra cost. The other 9 options are available for extra prices. Some special restaurants featured by Freedom are Vintages Wine Bar, Cupcake Cupboard, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

5. Activities, Events and Amenities:

Royal Caribbean never fails to provide fun-filled and thrilling activities that are bound to keep you occupied. Don’t worry if this isn’t your vibe; evening events are happening all around the ship.

Allure of the Seas ensures that 84% of the events and activities available on board are already paid for during the base cruise fare. In contrast, Freedom of the Seas ensures that 80% of its activities and events are available at no extra cost outside of the base fare.

Some notable features of these cruise ships are the water slides and the Aquatheater, which features amazing acrobatic performances and other kinds of acts using only the highest-quality tech. There are also casino facilities, fitness centers, basketball courts, ice skating, and laser tag games.

6. Pools and Hot Tub Facilities:

There's nothing better than spending a lazy afternoon at the poolside or having a relaxing evening in a comfortable hot tub. The available facilities onboard Allure and Freedom are bound to enhance your cruising experience.

Allure has 4 pools onboard, 3 of which are for general access, and the last remaining pool is for adults only. They also feature six hot tubs, four of which are available with general access and the other two for adults only.

Freedom, on the other hand, has 3 pools aboard, 2 of which are general access, while 1 is only for adult use. They also have 5 hot tubs, 3 of which are general access, and the other two are available only for adult passengers.

7. Overall Costings:

Royal Caribbean Cruises provides a large variety of packages and ensures that there are budget-friendly packages as well. The average that a passenger might have to pay for either of these cruise ships falls around the range of $100 - $350. Of course, this is only a generalized number, and a lot of factors like your package, itinerary, the duration of your stay, and any other extra costs that you might incur onboard. One thing worth mentioning is the gratuity. It usually costs around $18 per person per day, but the process fluctuates depending on the ship and class of the Royal Caribbean.

Related: Utopia of the Seas Vs. Icon of the Seas

Conclusion

Royal Caribbean features some of the largest cruise ships in circulation, and both Allure and Freedom do not fall short of this either. Both of the ships feature a lot of high-class amenities and are fully focused on catering to their passengers’ needs at all times. Choosing between the two can be confusing, but hopefully, this article has made this decision a little easier. Whatever your choice may be, remember to use Cruisebooking.com for a hassle-free booking process! Oh, and we also provide some of the best cruise packages you can find.