Attract of the Seas cruise ship evaluate

You may suppose Attract of the Seas, Royal Caribbean‘s second Oasis Class ship, is merely a carbon copy of Oasis of the Seas, however that is now not true.

The primary-in-class Oasis of the Seas set a megaship precedent in 2009 with its seven-neighborhood idea, a dizzying variety of bars and eating places, and groundbreaking leisure, reminiscent of a high-diving acrobatics present. The cruise line had no must make modifications when it launched ship quantity two, so Attract initially was an an identical twin.

Following an early 2025 refurbishment that set the road again greater than $100 million, the ship is extra like the present model of Oasis than it was previous to work being performed, however there are nonetheless a number of notable variations.

On this evaluate, I will cowl the great and not-so-good components of cruising Attract of the Seas.

Attract of the Seas overview

Attract of the Seas, the second of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, debuted in 2010. Again then, at 225,282 gross registered tons, it was only a smidge bigger than Oasis of the Seas, making it the greatest cruise ship on the planet — a title it held briefly till it was outdone by subsequent vessels in its class.

There’s loads to do on the 5,718-passenger ship, which provides a plethora of actions, a number of food and drinks choices and a stellar children membership. For these causes, Attract of the Seas appeals to households — significantly these with younger youngsters. It additionally attracts multigenerational households, pal teams and {couples}.

Oasis Class ships are divided into seven neighborhoods. Under is a short overview of Attract of the Seas’ main sectors.

Boardwalk

The Boardwalk on Deck 6 is themed round a day on the shore. Meals choices hit the mark with Johnny Rockets burgers, fries and milkshakes, in addition to separate venues for decent canines, ice cream and doughnuts.

Anybody searching for a carnival-style expertise can journey the free carousel, hit up the arcade or try a high-diving acrobatics present on the wake-facing AquaTheater, flanked by two rock-climbing partitions on Deck 10. Look as much as glimpse passengers winging their method down the zip line above.

In the course of the ship’s refit, Royal Caribbean added the Final Abyss — a dry slide with twists and turns that cascade down 10 decks — rather than the previous Sabor Bar. The Boardwalk is the place the slide empties out.

The one unlucky facet of this space is that there are few sea views. They’re blocked by inward-facing balconies, which the road pioneered in 2009.

The Boardwalk can also be the place you will now discover the Crown Lounge — an odd alternative of places, given how loud the Boardwalk might be. The lounge, which was referred to as the Diamond Lounge, is unique to members of the road’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program who’ve reached Diamond degree or larger. It was relocated through the ship’s refurbishment and now takes the place of the ship’s former sweet store, which has been eliminated. 13 new inside cabins have been constructed the place the Diamond Lounge and the ship’s library previously had been situated.

Central Park

Central Park looks like an precise park, simply on a cruise ship. It is residence to greater than 17,000 stay crops, that are cared for by a workforce of resident gardeners.

The inexperienced house, which takes up a big chunk of Deck 8, is flanked by outlets like a Coach retailer and the ship’s images studio, in addition to Chops Grille steakhouse, 150 Central Park restaurant, grab-and-go Park Cafe, Italian eatery Giovanni’s Desk, Vintages wine bar and the Trellis Bar.

Central Park is a beautiful house to walk, seize a chew or sit and benefit from the greenery, nevertheless it’s usually excessively scorching with little shade, regardless of all of the crops. Just like the Boardwalk, it is open to the sky, however the a number of decks of inward-facing balcony cabins that stand up round it do not enable for any sea views.

Leisure Place

If nightlife is what you search, you are certain to take pleasure in Leisure Place on Deck 4. Clustered collectively are Comedy Stay, a membership providing stay comedy exhibits; Studio B ice rink, the place passengers can absorb ice-skating performances or signal as much as strap on a pair of skates themselves; and the Blaze nightclub, which has an inferno theme.

A former jazz membership, Jazz on 4, is now not there; it has been transformed right into a small nonsmoking on line casino. Heading aft, the Corridor of Odds results in the artwork gallery and On line casino Royale, the ship’s foremost on line casino house.

Pool and Sports activities Zone

The ship has 4 swimming pools — Principal Pool, graded-entry Seashore Pool, family-friendly H2O Zone Pool and Sports activities Pool, which hosts lap swimming, water polo and badminton — in its Pool and Sports activities Zone on Deck 15. The world additionally encompasses six scorching tubs, two FlowRider surf simulators that additionally enable boogie boarding, a miniature golf course and a zipper line, in addition to a sports activities courtroom and desk tennis.

This neighborhood additionally has a number of bars and El Loco Recent, a complimentary Mexican restaurant. The Windjammer buffet can also be situated close to the swimming pools.

Royal Promenade

One of many ship’s main hubs, the Royal Promenade is paying homage to a shopping center and runs practically the size of Deck 5. There, you will discover the visitor companies desk, new bar Pesky Parrot (which was first launched on sister ship Utopia of the Seas in 2024 and was added to Attract of the Seas throughout its refurb), the Globe and Atlas Pub, a stand-alone Starbucks, future cruise and shore tour desks, a number of outlets, a karaoke lounge and Latin music-themed Boleros nightclub.

One overrated attraction is the Rising Tide Bar, which slowly rises and descends between the Royal Promenade and Central Park on Deck 8 at common intervals whereas passengers sip cocktails.

A few of the finest pizza at sea is on this neighborhood at Sorrento’s, and Cafe Promenade serves up free gentle bites together with each free and for-fee espresso drinks. (Observe that in case you have the essential beverage package deal, you will get free specialty Starbucks coffees there. For those who go to Starbucks, your package deal will not cowl it.)

Hold across the Royal Promenade lengthy sufficient, and you will possible catch a parade or a celebration, full with a balloon drop.

Vitality at Sea Spa and Health Heart

Attract of the Seas’ spa and health space on Deck 6 is spectacular. It provides a full battery of added-cost spa remedies (massages, facials, IV remedies, cellulite discount, acupuncture), salon and barber companies (haircuts, manicures and pedicures) and a thermal suite.

The house additionally features a sizable health heart with for-fee courses and private coaching, together with gear that is free to make use of. These embrace LifeFitness cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, kettlebells and train balls. One deck under, a jogging monitor wraps across the entirety of Deck 5 (2.4 laps equal 1 mile).

Go to the Vitality Spa Cafe to maintain the wholesome selections going. Its menu options lighter fare reminiscent of salads, sandwiches and smoothies.

Youth Zone

Journey Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s stellar children membership, has an unlimited house on Attract of the Seas. It provides separate areas for Journey Ocean Infants (6 months to 2 years), Journey Ocean Juniors (3 to five years) and Journey Ocean Children (6 to 11 years) on Deck 14 ahead. The power additionally has devoted areas for climbing, competitions, arts and crafts, science experiments and parent-child playtime (for the youngest cruisers).

On Deck 15 aft, tweens and youths have their very own areas, separate from the youthful children. The Residing Room provides a chill lounge house for teenagers ages 12 to 17. It is supervised however much less structured with a “come and go as you please” coverage, whereas youthful youngsters have to be signed out and in of Journey Ocean by a father or mother or guardian.

Gas nightclub hosts dance events and different supervised nighttime occasions for tweens and youths. The ship additionally has two pay-to-play arcades — one close to The Residing Room and one on the Boardwalk.

What I cherished about Attract of the Seas

New Schooner Bar menu

As a part of Royal Caribbean’s endless quest to enhance its merchandise, the road debuted a brand new drinks menu on the nautically themed Schooner Bar in 2023. Though the menu has since rolled out fleetwide, it debuted on Attract of the Seas.

Followers of the wildly standard Lavender Daquiri might be thrilled to know it is the one cocktail that made the minimize from the bar’s former menu. Nonetheless, they could simply uncover one other favourite after attempting a number of the new concoctions. These embrace a Toasted Marshmallow Outdated Normal (my private favourite), garnished with torched mini-marshmallows; a Peanut Butter Tropic, made with peanut butter whiskey, pineapple juice, bitters and lemon juice; and a Desert Pear Margarita, which incorporates tequila, desert pear syrup and lime juice.

A virtually fixed celebration

I’ve by no means skilled extra theme events on a ship than I’ve on Attract of the Seas. For those who take pleasure in dressing up and collaborating in quirky themes, make sure to pack apparel applicable for the ’70s. On my voyage, we additionally had Caribbean and nation nights, in addition to a White Evening and Royal Caribbean’s staple nightclub expertise, Purple. (Oddly, Purple fell on the identical evening because the nation theme.)

Along with theme events, the schedule was filled with Royal Promenade celebrations, silent disco events and different shenanigans that concerned dancing and socializing till late. For a road competition vibe, try the Fiesta Balloon Drop, which covers passengers in colourful balloons and confetti.

What I did not love about Attract of the Seas

The removing of Sabor Taqueria

Sabor Taqueria, which Royal Caribbean launched on choose ships in 2015 as Sabor Fashionable Mexican, was one in every of my top-five eating places at sea. It was so standard that it will definitely was added to Oasis Class vessels. It served glorious Mexican fare for an added value, however regardless of its reputation, Royal Caribbean phased it out.

Attract of the Seas was one of many final vessels to have a Sabor location, nevertheless it was eliminated through the 2025 refurbishment to make method for Royal Caribbean’s sports activities bar, Playmakers, which additionally encompasses an arcade.

Though Playmakers provides a menu of tasty pub grub, I used to be unhappy to be taught concerning the removing of Sabor.

Positive, complimentary Mexican fare is offered at El Loco Recent (which changed the Wipe Out Cafe on Deck 15). Nonetheless, that venue, with its rubbery meat and counter service-style ambiance, pales compared to Sabor.

Bother with bookings by way of the app

I’ve combined emotions about cruise cellular apps typically, usually discovering them glitchy at finest and nonfunctional at worst. Traditionally, I’ve had little hassle with Royal Caribbean’s app, however I discovered it irritating to make reservations for exhibits on Attract of the Seas.

Once I tried to safe spots for me and a pal touring in the identical group, it mentioned there was availability and took me by the reservation course of. Once I obtained to the tip and submitted the request, it instructed me there was no room left. I shut down the app and tried once more with the identical outcomes.

In the long run, I needed to name visitor companies, they usually added the reserving manually. It was a difficulty greater than as soon as through the voyage — a lot in order that I resorted to calling visitor companies first quite than fussing with the app.

Rising Tide Bar fountain

The Rising Tide Bar levitates between decks 5 and eight. When it leaves its base on the Royal Promenade, a fountain rains down from beneath it, full with coloured lights and dancing water jets. The impact makes it seem to be the spray is pushing up the bar. It is a neat thought, however the fountain is absurdly loud and solely provides to the already deafening cacophony within the house.

It is so loud that it usually makes it troublesome to listen to the leisure employees members who lead trivia on the close by Schooner Bar. On my crusing, a drink tasting there needed to be postponed for 20 minutes till the fountain could possibly be shut off as a result of no one might hear the bartender speaking.

Attract of the Seas cabins and suites

Along with customary inside (140 to 260 sq. ft every), ocean-view (179 to 271 sq. ft every) and balcony cabins (182 to 271 sq. ft every with balconies measuring 50 to 80 sq. ft), Attract of the Seas’ lodging embrace some specialty choices which can be value mentioning.

First is the digital balcony cabin, which is an inside cabin with a floor-to-ceiling LED wall that contains a digital balcony view by way of a stay feed. The impact makes you are feeling such as you’re crusing in an actual balcony cabin.

Then, there are neighborhood insides and balconies. They don’t have any sea views, as a substitute looking over whichever neighborhood they’re in. The insides, present in Central Park and alongside the Royal Promenade, do have home windows gazing out on the general public areas under, whereas the balconies in Central Park and on the Boardwalk have precise verandas.

The ship’s 174 suites fall into a number of classes. These embrace Junior Suites (287 sq. ft with 80-square-foot balconies), that are glorified balcony cabins; and AquaTheater Suites (323 to 823 sq. ft with 140-to-772-square-foot balconies), which supply wake vistas and a chicken’s-eye view of the AquaTheater and its astounding high-dive performances.

In the course of the ship’s final dry-dock, it acquired two new Panoramic Suites. Positioned above the bridge, they provide 200-degree ocean views

There are additionally Grand Suites (371 to 914 sq. ft with 105-to-238-square-foot balconies) and Proprietor’s Suites (556 to 1,076 sq. ft with 161-to-243-square-foot balconies). Loft Suites provide spacious two-story lodging and are available in Crown (545 sq. ft with 114-square-foot balconies), Star (722 sq. ft with 410-square-foot balconies) and Royal (1,524 sq. ft with 843-square-foot balconies) varieties.

My cabin, a typical balcony, provided two twin beds that had been transformed right into a single queen, two bedside lamps, two nightstands with absurdly small cabinets as a substitute of drawers (ineffective for pajama storage), a settee and a espresso desk. The desk/self-importance was outfitted with a collection of North American 110-volt shops, a chair, hair dryer, an out of date alarm clock with an iPhone/iPod charging station and a minifridge.

The TV provides ship channels that embrace info on purchasing and shore excursions, the ship’s place and extra. You too can view your onboard invoice, stay TV and for-fee motion pictures. Be warned: For those who pay for a film, you have got solely 24 hours to observe it. After that, you will need to buy it once more. You additionally want to save lots of your progress utilizing the distant if you wish to pause it, flip the TV off and are available again later to observe the remainder.

The closet provided a excessive bar for hanging garments, together with lengthy gadgets like attire and robes. Dice cabinets provided extra space for storing for undergarments, pajamas and swimsuits, and a code-operated protected for valuables.

The toilet had a glass-enclosed bathe that was painfully small however practical, with first rate space for storing. Royal Caribbean provided its personal model of bar cleaning soap for handwashing and hair and physique wash in a wall-mounted dispenser within the bathe. Passengers booked in dearer cabins obtain particular person mini-bottles of the road’s branded bathe gel, lotion, shampoo and conditioner.

One odd grievance is that I might by no means get chilly water in my sink; it was all the time lukewarm at its chilliest.

My balcony was tiny, nevertheless it provided two metallic and mesh chairs and a full-height desk, which was a pleasant contact. If it weren’t so extremely scorching exterior, I might have spent extra time on the market.

Royal Caribbean has minimize its every day cabin service again to as soon as per day; you possibly can select both morning or night service. Because the Cruise Compass every day schedule is now out there within the cellular app, the road has additionally stopped printing it for everybody. Ask your room steward if you would like one left in your cabin every day.

Accessible lodging include eight inside cabins, two ocean-view rooms, 33 balconies and three suites. These cabins provide wider doorways, toilet seize bars, lowered sinks and cabin vanities, roll-in showers with fold-down benches and handheld showerheads, raised bathrooms, lowered closet rods, accessible balconies and lowered safes.

Attract of the Seas eating places and bars

With greater than 35 bars, eating places and locations to seize snacks, Attract of the Seas has an astounding variety of venues to eat and drink. Choices embrace specialty wine and cocktail bars, pool bars, bars with nautical and Latin themes, and even a bar that levitates.

Complimentary eating choices embrace a three-deck foremost eating room, an enormous buffet and El Loco Recent Mexican delicacies. Or you possibly can dine for an additional value at one in every of a number of eateries that embrace steak, Italian, Japanese and American diner venues.

Attract of the Seas eating places

Free eating

For those who’re on a strict trip finances or do not need to pay further for eating, you possibly can have a good free meal in the primary eating room. The house is split into three sections — American Icon Grill, The Grande Restaurant and Silk — unfold throughout decks 3, 4 and 5. They’re all arrange round a central atrium that radiates magnificence.

The menu modifications every day — usually to function a set delicacies, reminiscent of Italian, Mexican or Caribbean. It is the identical throughout all three eateries.

American Icon Grill is open every day for breakfast and lunch on sea days solely. See the Cruise Compass for actual instances. For dinner, all three eating rooms are open. American Icon Grill handles early seating at 5:30 p.m., in addition to My Time Eating, which permits passengers to eat at any time when they need between 6:45 and 9:15 p.m. (I used to be assigned to My Time Eating, and I discovered shortly that reservations are a should in case you do not need to wait in line for 40 minutes throughout peak instances.)

The Grande Restaurant and Silk are open for each early (5:30 p.m.) and late (8 p.m.) seating.

Historically, I’ve discovered Royal Caribbean’s foremost eating room meals unremarkable. It is edible, nevertheless it has by no means stood out to me in any method — till Attract of the Seas. I totally loved the crispy Parmesan arancini (fried rice, cheese and mushroom balls), polenta fries, pork bao tacos and several other spectacular Indian dishes that give Carnival Cruise Line ships — that are recognized for his or her fabulous Indian delicacies — a run for his or her cash.

Windjammer Market, the ship’s large Deck 16 buffet, is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It options a number of stations serving practically all the pieces you possibly can probably need, together with made-to-order omelets, cereal, fruit, salads, sandwiches, scorching canines and hamburgers, drinks and desserts. It is prone to be crowded throughout peak instances, so plan accordingly.

Sorrento’s pizzeria on Deck 5’s Royal Promenade is a spot I frequented nearly every day. Slices are free, and you’ll order as many as you want. They embrace customary varieties like cheese, pepperoni and veggie, in addition to a rotating checklist of specialty pies, reminiscent of a Caribbean pizza with cheese, bacon, pineapple and barbecue sauce. There’s additionally a gluten-free crust possibility out there.

Cafe Promenade, alongside the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, supplies free snacks which can be good in case you’re feeling peckish between meals. Select from gadgets like finger sandwiches, cookies, mini-cakes and brownies. It is also the place to go for specialty coffees in case you have a beverage package deal and do not need to pay further for Starbucks. You’ll be able to order practically the identical drinks for much less cash (or without cost with a package deal). Be ready for it to be crowded within the mornings.

Park Cafe, in Central Park on Deck 8, is the place to go for fast fare with out the chaos of the Windjammer. It is typically open from 7:30-11 a.m. for breakfast and from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for lunch and snacks, however hours can differ.

Within the morning, count on a collection of pastries and doughnuts, fruit, bagels with a wide range of cream cheeses, parfaits, breakfast burritos and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Later within the day, you will discover sandwiches and wraps, salads, fruit and different gentle gadgets.

Within the mornings, Boardwalk Donuts (alongside the Boardwalk on Deck 6) is stocked with a number of varieties, together with glazed, strawberry and chocolate frosted and cinnamon sugar. They’re free however do not wait as a result of it is solely open for a pair hours every day.

Mexican from El Loco Recent consists of complimentary gadgets like tacos, nachos and burritos. It is simply OK; suppose nachos and quesadillas sitting beneath warmth lamps.

Different no-fee choices embrace the Boardwalk Canine Home, which has a menu of scorching canine alternatives, reminiscent of a traditional canine, rooster and pineapple sausage, smoked Bavarian bratwurst and Sicilian pork sausage. Prime any of these with sauerkraut, onions and a slew of different toppings, and pair it with a aspect of coleslaw or potato salad.

For dessert or a snack, head to Sprinkles — soft-serve ice cream machines situated on the pool deck.

Added-fee eating

Discovered on Deck 8 in Central Park, Giovanni’s Desk is Attract of the Seas’ upscale Italian restaurant. Its menu consists of things like crispy calamari, minestrone soup, seafood linguine, branzino, garlic and herb shrimp and several other desserts. You’ll be able to select one starter, one foremost and one dessert for a set charge. My favorites had been the caprese salad and gnocchi gorgonzola.

For those who’ve dined there prior to now, you may discover that some fan favorites — together with the scrumptious pizza, large meatballs, pulled pork and pancetta — have disappeared from the menu. They’re casualties of Royal Caribbean’s mission to come back as near zero waste as doable, which has seen the road tightening its menus.

Full disclosure: I wasn’t trying ahead to consuming at Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean’s steakhouse. I’ve eaten there a number of instances on completely different ships with inconsistent outcomes that ranged from mediocre to disappointing. However my expertise on this cruise was a lot better.

This upscale restaurant serves up gadgets like shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare and jumbo lump crabcakes, plus soups, salads, lamb, roasted rooster and, in fact, steak. I selected the 9-ounce filet mignon, and — success! — it was completely excellent. It was cooked good, the flavour was superb, and it got here with a collection of sauces: bearnaise, peppercorn and purple wine. I added asparagus and gruyere tater tots as sides, and I used to be stuffed.

Chops has redeemed itself for me, however I will nonetheless warn you to avoid the bacon appetizer. It sounds scrumptious in concept, however what I acquired was a seasoned slab of fats.

Mixture sushi and teppanyaki restaurant Izumi provides dinner with a present for an additional charge. A educated chef will cook dinner on your group whereas he cracks the identical drained jokes you’ve got heard earlier than at teppanyaki places on land or on different ships.

Nonetheless, the meals — I had the rooster breast — was unbelievable, which greater than made up for the cringe issue. Everybody receives a salad and vegetable fried rice, in addition to edamame to share. Then they select from a number of protein or vegetarian choices, reminiscent of rooster breast, beef tenderloin, tiger shrimp and sea scallops with lobster. Dessert alternatives include crispy sesame balls, chocolate lava cake, mochi and inexperienced tea ice cream.

Royal Caribbean shook issues up when it introduced land-based American diner-style burger restaurant Johnny Rockets onto its ships on the daybreak of added-fee eating. For a flat charge, passengers can select from something on the menu, besides milkshakes and alcohol, which value further.

On Attract of the Seas, I opted for The Authentic burger (a quarter-pounder with lettuce, tomato, relish, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise) with onion rings and a cookies ‘n’ cream milkshake. It was completely scrumptious, and the crew even entertained us with a song-and-dance quantity whereas we ate.

Playmakers Sports activities Bar, discovered alongside the Boardwalk, is a component sports activities bar and half arcade. It contains a menu of drinks and for-fee meals gadgets like nachos, rooster wings and burgers that make for good game-day grub.

Though different strains have Starbucks places on a few of their vessels, Royal Caribbean was the primary to accomplice with the model. Attract of the Seas has a standalone kiosk (like what you may discover at a shopping center) the place you should buy chilly snacks (suppose cake pops, espresso cake and cookies), in addition to the standard gamut of specialty espresso drinks.

A la carte costs are just like Starbucks places on land. (An automated gratuity might be added.) The road’s drink packages do not cowl these drinks, however even the essential package deal will cowl related specialty coffees (made with Starbucks espresso) at close by Cafe Promenade (see above).

The adults-only Solarium Bistro on Deck 15 ahead has its personal restaurant connected. On Attract of the Seas, it provides each solarium and air-conditioned eating.

For breakfast and lunch, it is complimentary, however there is a surcharge for dinner, when the venue turns into Samba Grill and provides a Brazilian steakhouse menu. On my voyage out of Galveston, it was briefly transformed to a fancy barbecue restaurant in partnership with 4 Rivers Smokehouse. Not solely was the meals mouthwatering — the most important shock was the excellent vegan burnt ends — however the ambiance made me really feel like I used to be eating within the Mediterranean.

Different eating places at which you will shell out extra cash embrace 150 Central Park, an upscale institution centered closely on seasonal menus that use regionally sourced substances; Vitality Cafe, an eatery that is situated close to the ship’s Vitality Spa and serves wholesome fare and smoothies; Cups & Scoops, the place you will discover Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and delectable cupcakes in a dozen rotating flavors; and room service, which is offered 24 hours a day however levies a per-delivery surcharge.

Attract of the Seas bars

Bow & Stern is Attract of the Seas’ English-style pub, discovered on Deck 5 within the Royal Promenade. Made to really feel darkish and wood like a stereotypical native pub, it serves a good collection of beers, cocktails (together with ones made with beer), whiskey and scotch. Whether or not you are there for a pint or a ground-level view of one of many promenade events, you possibly can’t go flawed with a desk exterior the pub.

Not too removed from Bow & Stern is the Pesky Parrot, a brand new bar idea carried over from fellow Oasis Class vessel Utopia of the Seas. The Caribbean theme options an animatronic parrot who has a number of alternative issues to say as you order from a menu of beach-worthy cocktails.

Outdoors the Pesky Parrot is the Rising Tide Bar, which slowly travels between decks 5 and eight at common intervals. Because the bar rises upward, it seems to be pushed into the air by an enormous waterfall cascading from beneath it. It is a neat — albeit gimmicky — idea that debuted on Oasis of the Seas and carried by to different vessels within the class.

The Schooner Bar, a Royal Caribbean staple, is tucked right into a sliver of house on Deck 6, overlooking the Royal Promenade. As is typical, it is nautically themed, that includes darkish woods, fishing nets and a large bar with a devoted menu that was not too long ago refreshed. It is the place trivia is commonly held, however be warned: Arrive early and sit close to the host. In any other case, you threat not discovering a desk or with the ability to hear the questions over the deafening white noise of the Rising Tide Bar’s fountain.

The one bar I did not strive was the Trellis Bar, which focuses on gentle, refreshing drinks like spritzes in Central Park on Deck 8.

Attract of the Seas leisure

Attract of the Seas’ leisure is as various as its neighborhoods and its passengers. The plethora of choices is what makes the ship such an excellent match for households and teams who’re prone to have completely different pursuits. Whether or not you like a cocktail and a few trivia, foolish pool video games, a jaw-dropping present or comedy act, or a spin class that can provide help to to burn off final evening’s dessert, there is not any scarcity of actions to maintain you busy.

Attract of the Seas actions

Seeking to store or catch the most recent road social gathering or parade? Head to the Royal Promenade. For carousel rides, fortune telling and arcade video games, the Boardwalk is your finest guess. For those who’re feeling like some bodily enjoyable or an adrenaline rush, make your method as much as the Pool and Sports activities Zone, which homes surf simulators, a sports activities courtroom, desk tennis, a zipper line and miniature golf.

On Deck 14, the cardboard room has been changed by a for-fee escape room, which options an opportunity for a gaggle to unravel puzzles in an effort to go away a room through which they’re locked collectively. The theme is “Apollo 18: Lunar Touchdown,” the place gamers will discover themselves transported again to 1973. They have to use clues to efficiently land the Apollo 18 rocket earlier than time runs out.

Or head all the way down to Deck 4, the place you will discover the on line casino and an ice rink that provides open skating a number of instances per crusing. The ship additionally has free mountaineering and extra-fee cake adorning courses, a full salon and spa and a health heart.

For water infants, Attract of the Seas has 4 swimming pools on Deck 15 midship, overlooking Central Park: the H2O Zone Pool on the starboard aspect close to the children splash space; Sports activities Pool, port aspect, used for occasions like water volleyball; Principal Pool, port, a typical cruise ship pool; and Seashore Pool, starboard, providing a wade-in gradual entry. There are additionally six scorching tubs close to the 4 swimming pools.

The Solarium on Deck 15 ahead additionally provides a pool for anybody 16 or older. It is small and was so crowded on my crusing that you possibly can hardly transfer. Two extra scorching tubs are situated simply exterior the Solarium.

Attract of the Seas has an accessible raise at its Principal Pool, together with a raise at a close-by scorching tub.

Three bars serve the final space: Pool Bar, Sand Bar and The Lime & Coconut. The Lime & Coconut, which seems on a lot of Royal Caribbean’s different vessels, has changed the previous Mast Bar and Sky Bar on Attract of the Seas. There’s additionally a Solarium Bar contained in the Solarium. Moreover, the Wipeout Bar (which now additionally provides shave ice, together with spiked varieties, for a charge) serves the Pool & Sports activities Zone neighborhood and sits all the way in which aft, between Attract of the Seas’ two FlowRiders.

For those who’d quite keep inside and keep away from the solar, a number of lounges provide enjoyable actions and locations to seize drinks. Blaze is the ship’s inferno-themed nightclub on Deck 4. It usually hosts late-night dance events and is a good spot to hit after a comedy present in close by Comedy Stay.

Feeling like some Latin tunes? Boleros on Deck 5 within the Royal Promenade is the place to be. Simply throughout the way in which is the On-Air Membership, which hosts trivia all through the day, although its meant function is karaoke. Select a music, and belt it out because the lyrics scroll by on a digital display screen, paying homage to a inventory ticker, exterior the venue.

For jazz, drinks and trivia — or a quiet place to learn a guide or examine emails when it isn’t in use — Dazzles rises two tales on decks 8 and 9. It overlooks Central Park, making for nice views whilst you’re visiting.

Different every day actions embrace bingo, pickleball play, basketball shootout competitions, dance courses and themed events.

Attract of the Seas exhibits

Nighttime is when Attract of the Seas’ leisure actually shines — and I am not speaking about only one or two first rate exhibits. As an alternative, a number of actually spectacular choices seem a few times all through every crusing.

“OceanAria” is a mix of excessive diving and acrobatics that takes place on the Boardwalk’s aft-facing AquaTheater. Set to music and dancing fountains, the present options the ship’s wake as a backdrop. Though this explicit present would not embrace slacklining, tightrope strolling or aerial acrobatics like those on a number of the different Oasis Class ships, the feats carried out will nonetheless make your breath catch in your throat. It is free to attend, however reservations are a should; make them early.

It nonetheless astounds me that a few of Royal Caribbean’s ships have ice skating rinks on board. Attract of the Seas is one in every of them with its Studio B. Along with complimentary open skating for passengers, a workforce of resident skilled skaters places on “Blades” — an ice efficiency that features solo, group and {couples} routines set to standard songs. Visitor stars, reminiscent of a hula-hooping skater, add to the intrigue.

For years, Royal Caribbean has been recognized for its Broadway prowess, bringing titles like “Saturday Evening Fever,” “Hairspray” and “Cats” to the excessive seas. In Attract’s foremost Amber Theater, you possibly can watch a full 2.5-hour manufacturing of “Mamma Mia!” It is simply as nice because the model I noticed in New York a number of years in the past, full with a rating of songs by common favourite ABBA.

Cruisers may take pleasure in “Blue Planet” in the primary theater. The storyline follows a younger girl who travels to faraway locations — together with beneath the ocean — trying to find methods to guard the planet and its wonders. On this case, mentioned wonders are dancers, singers and acrobats. They’re backed by unbelievable surroundings shrouded in a sheer curtain that serves as a projection display screen.

Attract’s theater additionally hosts a rotating battery of limited-run expertise. My favourite was MO5AIC, a Las Vegas-based five-man acapella group that includes a number of the finest vocal expertise I’ve ever heard — together with a beatboxer who serves as a whole percussion part utilizing simply his throat and mouth.

Comedy Membership on Deck 4 additionally comes alive after darkish, providing two exhibits nearly nightly for adults solely.

Attract of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Attract of the Seas is scheduled for a season of Europe voyages in summer season 2025. The ship will provide seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona earlier than repositioning to Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades in November 2025. From there, it’ll sail six- to eight-night Jap Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.

Costs for seven-night Mediterranean voyages begin from $880 per individual ($126 per individual, per evening) for an inside cabin, and fares for six-night Western Caribbean sailings start at $586 per individual ($98 per individual, per evening) for an inside cabin.

Costs had been correct on the time of publication however are topic to alter with out discover.

What to know earlier than you go

Required paperwork

It is a good suggestion to have a passport for all cruise journey, however in case you’re a United States citizen crusing Attract of the Seas round-trip from a U.S. embarkation port, you possibly can board along with your authentic start certificates and a government-issued picture ID as a substitute. For those who use a passport, it have to be legitimate for a minimum of six months after your voyage ends.

Gratuities

For those who sail on Attract of the Seas, count on service expenses of anyplace from $18.50 to $21 per individual, per day charged to your onboard account, relying in your cabin sort. Though we do not encourage it, you possibly can go to the visitor companies desk to have the quantity adjusted down or eliminated. A further 18% gratuity is connected to all bar, minibar, spa and salon purchases.

Wi-Fi

Attract of the Seas has a number of the quickest Wi-Fi at sea, due to Royal Caribbean’s VOOM, which is powered by Starlink on all vessels within the fleet. On my crusing, I might textual content and not using a drawback and stream Netflix exhibits. I additionally uploaded greater than 200 pictures to Dropbox in only a few minutes. Costs differ by crusing size and the variety of units you want to join.

Observe that you just needn’t buy Wi-Fi to make use of the road’s cellular app, which lets you examine in on your crusing, make reservations, monitor your onboard invoice and keep in contact with journey companions by way of app messaging.

Carry-on drinks coverage

For those who’re crusing on Attract of the Seas, you possibly can carry as much as two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin. The road will cost you $15 per bottle as a corkage charge in case you eat it exterior your stateroom. Passengers may carry as much as 12 cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks like juice or soda.

Smoking coverage

Smoking isn’t allowed in most public areas on Attract of the Seas. Passengers wishing to gentle up — together with e-cigarettes — should head to designated outside areas or the on line casino. And do not even take into consideration smoking in your cabin or in your balcony. It isn’t allowed, and also you face a advantageous of $250 in case you strive it.

Laundry

Self-service laundry is not out there on Attract of the Seas. Nonetheless, you possibly can have clothes despatched out for laundry, urgent or dry-cleaning for charges that vary from $1.99 to press a shirt to $14.99 to have a go well with dry-cleaned and pressed.

Electrical shops

All Royal Caribbean ships provide North American-style 110-volt shops and European-style 220-volt shops in rooms. In my cabin, a duo — one European-style and one North American-style — was hidden beneath the self-importance. On prime of the self-importance, a multi-port set of three North American shops was set right into a spherical base.

Forex

The foreign money on Attract of the Seas is the U.S. greenback. The system on board is totally cashless, which suggests you will use your room key — referred to as a SeaPass card — for charging purchases if you sail. You will need to tie both a bank card or a set amount of money to it earlier than your cruise.

Consuming age

As a result of the ship sails round-trip from a U.S. port, the ingesting age on board is 21 years.

Costume code

Royal Caribbean’s costume code is considerably ambiguous. Typically, informal clothes is okay through the day. Suppose denims or shorts with T-shirts, athleisure put on or swimwear in case you’re on the pool. (Please put on footwear and a coverup in case you enterprise inside, particularly for meals.)

At evening, resort informal is suitable in most eating places on most nights. Meaning Polo-style shirts with good shorts, denims or slacks for males and both a sundress or good denims or slacks with a shirt for ladies.

Weeklong voyages normally have one formal evening, the place passengers are inspired to decorate to the nines. Sailings of greater than seven nights may need multiple of those. I additionally noticed a “costume to impress” costume code listed one evening throughout my cruise (unclear precisely what that meant).

For each kinds of dress-up nights, you will be advantageous with slacks and a blazer, a go well with or a cocktail costume or ball robe if you wish to be fancy. Observe that, on most sailings, you are prone to discover as many individuals dressing down as you will see dressing up.

Some specialty eating places declare to have a costume code, nevertheless it’s not enforced. For instance, Chops, the onboard steakhouse, is meant to be formal. Nonetheless, I dined subsequent to a desk filled with sports activities jersey-clad passengers who did not appear in the slightest degree misplaced.

For those who wish to take part in theme nights, put together by packing gadgets appropriately coloured for the Purple Get together and white evening. Different themes on my voyage included cowboy/nation and ’70s.

Backside line

Royal Caribbean’s Attract of the Seas is not a brand new ship, nevertheless it has stood the check of time. Following its 2025 overhaul, it has the most recent and best facilities the Oasis Class has to supply.

The lineup of scheduled daytime actions is staggering, and it provides one thing for passengers of all ages, pursuits and exercise ranges, whether or not they desire trivia, browsing or one thing in between. At evening, as a substitute of 1 or two standout performances, nearly each single present will make your jaw drop.

Meals is mostly unbelievable, and the truth that the road has discovered a approach to get its fleet to an almost zero-waste standing makes me really feel even higher about having sailed.

General you possibly can’t go flawed with a crusing on Attract of the Seas.

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