Someplace between bites of limitless guacamole and watching the sundown from my Boardwalk balcony, I knew I made the best determination to guide a cruise on Attract of the Seas. Regardless of the ship typically being referred to as essentially the most “outdated” of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, I could not have requested for a greater expertise onboard.
Attract of the Seas is at present the fifth largest cruise ship on this planet and she or he debuted in December 2010. The ship was set to obtain a $165 million amplification in 2020 so as to add options like waterslides and new eating places, however this has been placed on maintain.
Associated: Attract of the Seas Information & Evaluation
As a consequence of her amplification being postponed, the 12 yr previous ship has obtained damaging feedback on-line about her relative “lack” of recent facilities. In reality, she is the one “authentic” Oasis Class cruise ship left following the amplification of Oasis of the Seas in 2019.
Due to this, I seen a number of folks commenting how Attract of the Seas feels outdated, how she lacks new actions, and the way the staterooms and furnishings all through the ship are in determined want of an replace.
Whereas on-line feedback ought to at all times be taken with a grain of salt, I couldn’t assist however surprise if they might be true or not.
Subsequently, I took issues into my very own fingers and booked a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Attract of the Seas to see for myself whether or not or not that is the “worst” Oasis Class cruise ship.
First impression of Attract of the Seas: my cabin
After I entered my stateroom for the primary time, I discovered it clear and well-maintained. Whereas it could not have had as many shops as newer Oasis Class cruise ships, it was almost an identical to my cabin on Oasis of the Seas earlier this yr.
There have been simply two minor indicators that my stateroom could possibly be in want of some upgrades.
Upon coming into my cabin, I seen my closet door was caught and wouldn’t slide open accurately. Fortunately, this was resolved with a easy name to housekeeping and I didn’t encounter any points the remainder of the cruise.
Second, the upholstery on my sofa was fairly worn out and will undoubtedly use an improve.
Did these minor particulars have a damaging influence on my cruise? In no way. Whereas I might say the cabins on ships like Concord, Symphony, and Surprise of the Seas seem newer and extra trendy, my cabin decor didn’t influence my cruise expertise in any way.
What’s “lacking” on Attract of the Seas?
Most comparisons of Attract of the Seas to different ships within the Oasis Class revolve round the truth that the ship is “lacking” a number of actions, bars, and eating venues discovered on different ships. These embody:
- The Final Abyss, Royal Caribbean’s dry slide which plummets company 100 ft from the Sports activities Courtroom right down to the Boardwalk neighborhood
- Waterslides
- Bionic Bar, the futuristic bar serving cocktails made by robotic bartenders
- Escape Room
- Laser Tag
- Wonderland, an eclectic specialty restaurant
- Playmakers Sports activities Bar & Arcade
Personally, having these options lacking doesn’t make Attract of the Seas any much less fascinating to me. I not often use the onboard waterslides or Final Abyss, and whereas an escape room is enjoyable, I can preserve busy with different actions onboard. Plus, you may nonetheless discover a zip line, sports activities court docket, 2 FlowRiders, Journey Ocean programming, a carousel, and different kid-friendly actions on the ship.
That being stated, not having waterslides could possibly be thought-about a draw back of Attract of the Seas for some passengers. Whereas different Oasis Class ships have three waterslides along with small slides at Splashaway Bay, Attract of the Seas doesn’t have even one.
Whereas there may be greater than sufficient to maintain children entertained on Attract, in case your children can’t wait to take a look at the waterslides onboard a cruise ship, it’s most likely finest to choose one other ship within the Oasis Class or spend the day at Thrill Waterpark in case your Attract cruise visits Good Day at CocoCay.
So far as eating and lounge venues are involved, I didn’t have any complaints with what was accessible on Attract of the Seas. Being an Oasis Class ship, Attract of the Seas has a ton of locations to eat and drink onboard even when she hasn’t been amplified.
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As somebody who cruises continuously, it was refreshing to see a variety of eating choices on Attract of the Seas not discovered as generally on different Royal Caribbean ships. I most well-liked my meals at Samba Grill and Sabor on Attract of the Seas way more than my eating expertise at Wonderland (which could be discovered on different Oasis Class ships).
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So maybe we shouldn’t take a look at Attract of the Seas within the context of what’s lacking, however what makes the ship distinctive.
What I liked about Attract of the Seas
Diamond Lounge location
The most effective perks of being a Diamond member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society is entry to the Diamond Lounge.
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On each different Oasis Class ship, the Diamond Lounge is tucked right into a room on Deck 4 with no home windows. It’s not someplace I take pleasure in spending time, as I’d slightly be hanging out someplace with an out of doors view.
On Attract of the Seas, nevertheless, this area has huge home windows overlooking the Boardwalk neighborhood and ocean.
Sabor Mexican restaurant
One thing else I liked on Attract of the Seas was Sabor, Royal Caribbean’s Mexican specialty restaurant.
I didn’t have the very best expectations once I made a reservation at Sabor. Not solely do I reside in an space of the US with fantastic, genuine Mexican meals, however I used to be on a cruise visiting Mexico. Certainly the meals at Sabor couldn’t compete with the meals I loved in port, proper?
In actuality, Sabor exceeded my expectations and I used to be kicking myself for ready till the final day of the cruise to dine there.
We savored a meal of guacamole (personalized to your spice choice!), pico de gallo, quesadillas, fish and hen tacos, and queso fundido.
Regardless of feeling utterly stuffed after manner an excessive amount of guacamole, I made room for a mouthwatering dessert of cinnamon churros, banana and chocolate chimichanga, flan, and cafe con leche.
Countless guacamole, tacos, and churros? Sure, please!
Leisure choices
The ship’s AquaTheater present, OceanAria, could have been the perfect AquaTheater present I’ve seen but. It had an enormous give attention to acrobatics, together with an insanely spectacular acro yoga efficiency. I want I had seen the present greater than as soon as! Whereas all AquaTheater exhibits on Oasis Class ships are entertaining, I loved OceanAria essentially the most.
Moreover, the ship’s Studio B present, Ice Video games, was one in every of my favourite ice skating exhibits so far. I’ve a tough time understanding the plot of most ice skating exhibits, however Ice Video games was simple to observe. The present revolved round a Monopoly sport wherein the forged members (or company!) rolled a die that may transport the set to an space of Attract of the Seas.
The ice skating rink modified from Giovanni’s Desk to the Boardwalk and Arcade, and the entire present was past enjoyable to observe!
Central Park
One thing I like about crusing on the “older” ships within the Oasis Class (Oasis of the Seas and Attract of the Seas) is that the vegetation and timber in Central Park have had over ten years to develop. The park is filled with tall, lush timber and large plant partitions which might be way more spectacular than on the newer Oasis Class ships.
As somebody who loves spending time in Central Park, I favored how the area felt extra built-in with nature on Attract of the Seas in comparison with the newer ships.
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Cheaper pricing
Maybe the perfect advantage of cruising on Attract of the Seas is that costs are sometimes the bottom of any Oasis Class ship. As a result of she has not been amplified and thus lacks actions like waterslides and new eating venues, Royal Caribbean costs her itineraries at an inexpensive value.
My 6-night cruise, for instance, was $1152 for 2 company in a Boardwalk balcony cabin together with gratuities. At $192 per night time ($96 per individual, per night time), I felt it was an important deal for crusing on one in every of Royal Caribbean’s greatest cruise ships.
Last ideas
Whereas the amplification of Attract of the Seas has been postponed indefinitely, I might nonetheless, undoubtedly, advocate a cruise on the ship.
The one time I seen the ship’s age in comparison with different Oasis Class ships was in a few of the furnishings, as new upholstery would have possible been on the agenda in the course of the amplification. This extraordinarily minor element, nevertheless, didn’t have an effect on my cruise in any respect!
I liked the distinctive options discovered solely on Attract of the Seas, such because the Champagne Bar on the Royal Promenade and spacious Diamond Lounge. The specialty eating venues have been unbelievable, too, and I didn’t have a single dangerous meal on the ship.
Honestly, there is no such thing as a “worst” cruise ship, particularly when evaluating a few of the largest and most fun ships on this planet. What’s a dream ship for some cruisers could not enchantment to others. For me? I had a unbelievable week onboard Attract of the Seas and didn’t as soon as really feel this ship was any “worse off” than different ships within the Oasis Class.
If you would like to study extra about Attract of the Seas, try our FULL ship tour to expertise the ship deck by deck:
