Mega-Ship Transatlantic Reality Check: 7 Things No One Tells You About Allure of the Seas

Thirteen years after our first sailing on Allure of the Seas and following a $100 million makeover, we crossed the Atlantic on a 13-day itinerary to see if this mega ship still earns its nickname. The headline: the nightly value is incredible, but the trip exposed a few modern cruise realities—glitches, staffing cuts, and some surprises that can make or break your experience depending on how you prepare.

The real cost: incredible value, with a few extras to budget

Booked smart, a transatlantic on a large ship can be one of the best vacation bargains out there. Our balcony cabin worked out to roughly $130 per person per day after shipboard discounts applied during an onboard sale. That kind of per-night math is hard to beat for a 13-day trip that includes food, entertainment, and transit across the ocean.

Still, factor in these likely add-ons:

Specialty dining packages — The unlimited specialty dining option can be worth it on long sailings if you want daily variety, but make sure the booking system captures your reservations (see the next section).
Wi-Fi — important if you work aboard and want reliable streaming.
Shuttles to town — especially on bigger ships that anchor outside the port. Budget €10–€20 per person in many European ports.
Laundry, excursions, and onboard extras — many ships no longer offer self-service laundry, so plan accordingly.

1. Mega ship myth: it is not sensory overload if you know where to go

Stepping from a small, 600-passenger ship to a 5,000-plus person mega ship is a shock on paper, but the reality is more nuanced. Large ships are designed to disperse crowds across neighborhoods: Central Park offers quiet green space, the Royal Promenade concentrates shops and nightlife, and the Boardwalk hosts attractions and family areas.

If you like variety—multiple restaurants, bars, shows, and places to stretch out—a mega ship can feel roomy rather than claustrophobic. The first embarkation day will be busiest, but most guests find a rhythm after that.

2. Dining systems can fail—bring backups for reservations

The single biggest friction point on our sailing was the dining reservation system. Reservations made on land sometimes did not sync with the ship. That translated into missing bookings at specialty restaurants, long lines at guest services, and a lot of rebooking stress.

Practical steps to avoid the worst of it:

Save confirmation emails and take screenshots of reservations—apps can glitch.
Plan for flexibility—have backup meal times or be willing to dine in the main dining room if needed.
If you buy an unlimited dining package, be prepared to spend time rebuilding bookings once onboard and stay patient with guest services—they will usually help.

3. Specialty dining highlights and misses

When the system worked, there were real wins. Our favorites:

150 Central Park — reliable and elevated; great for special nights (but the menu holds steady, so two visits is often plenty).
Giovanni’s — classic Italian with flexible portioning and friendly service.
The Mason Jar — standout comfort food and brunch; unique on a Royal ship.
Chops Grille — dependable steakhouse in a pleasant Central Park setting.

Less successful experiences included a busy, short-staffed hibachi that felt repetitive and inconsistent, and a Samba Grill concept that suffered from uneven service and dried-out dishes. Staffing levels clearly influenced consistency across venues.

4. Entertainment on sea days

Entertainment remains a core strength of large ships. Big production shows like a full-length musical and water acrobatics deliver spectacle you rarely find on smaller vessels. The entertainment team, music programming, and production values are usually top-notch.

5. Sea days and motion

Although modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers to minimize motion, it’s still the Atlantic and sometimes there are swells and you’ll feel movement, even on a mega ship like the Allure.

Our rule of thumb:

Pay attention to the captain’s daily announcements, and if he says that waves are expected to be higher than 10 feet, that will be your cue to take countermeasures like Dramamine or meclizine (the non-drowsy version of Dramamine) to mitigate the effects.
Use apps like Windy to check ocean conditions in advance and pack ginger tablets or motion bands if you are sensitive.
Use handrails when moving about the ship, even if you think you aren’t having difficulty maintaining your balance, just to be on the safe side.

6. Staffing changes are real—adjust expectations

Many cruise lines operate with leaner staff than pre-pandemic norms. That means fewer housekeeping visits (often once daily instead of twice), slower bar or restaurant service at peak times, and less frequent public-area cleaning in some spots.

Staff generally work hard and provide friendly service, but recognize the difference: some public bathrooms lacked attendants at times, and servers were stretched in busier venues. Being patient and tipping well where appropriate goes a long way.

7. Port and shuttles

While you can easily walk off into town in some ports, often with a mega ship your docking location is further away. Also, security at large ports often limit walkability and require a shuttle outside the port area. The ship will typically make shuttles available for an extra fee, sometimes $10-20 so be ready to pay.

Who should — and should not — book a mega-ship transatlantic

Consider a large-ship transatlantic if you:

Want strong value per night and lots of onboard variety.
Enjoy big production entertainment and multiple dining concepts.
Like having places to escape and spread out across a vessel.

Skip it if:

The thought of thousands of fellow passengers makes you anxious.
You crave a quiet, itinerary-focused voyage with intimate shore experiences every day.

Money-saving moves and booking tips

To get the best deal and avoid surprises:

Book well in advance or take advantage of onboard booking discounts when they appear.
Stack discounts from shipboard offers and travel advisors—these can be combined.
Buy packages early but recheck prices and rebook if they drop.
Travel off-peak for smaller lines and shorter lines onboard.
Check whether all-inclusive options make sense for your group—sometimes they are the better value on long crossings.

Sample deals and timing to watch

Transatlantic repositioning sailings often show the largest discounts: expect rates that can be 25% to 60% off typical retail pricing for a similar-length cruise. Balcony cabins on larger ships frequently land in the $200–$400 per couple per day range on repositioning itineraries. Keep an eye on spring departures from Europe and fall returns to the U.S., and don’t miss occasional summer crossovers that pop up for unique routes.

How much does a transatlantic on Allure of the Seas cost per day?

Expect great value. During our crossing the effective rate was about $130 per person per day for a balcony cabin after shipboard discounts. Typical repositioning fares often fall between $200 and $400 per couple per day depending on cabin and timing.

Are mega ships unbearably crowded on transatlantic crossings?

Not necessarily. Large ships are zoned into neighborhoods that disperse crowds. Central Park and quieter outdoor areas give you escape routes. The first day is busiest, but most guests settle into a comfortable routine.

Is the unlimited specialty dining package worth it?

On a long cruise, yes it can be—especially if you crave variety. It’s valuable when you use it several times, but be prepared for reservation system hiccups and keep email confirmations and screenshots handy.

How should I prepare for sea motion on a transatlantic?

Large ships are generally steady, but rough weather happens. Use an app like Windy to check wave forecasts. For big ships, take precautions if waves approach or exceed 10 feet. Bring ginger tablets or motion bands if you’re sensitive.

Who should avoid a mega ship transatlantic?

If the idea of thousands of people makes you uncomfortable or you prefer quiet, intimate, itinerary-forward voyages, a mega ship may not be the right fit. Consider medium or smaller ships for a calmer experience.

Final take

A mega-ship transatlantic offers unbeatable value and a wide range of onboard experiences, but modern realities—system glitches and leaner staffing—require a little extra planning. Bring backups for reservations, budget for shuttles and extras, and choose the ship size that fits your travel style. Do that and you’ll likely find a transatlantic crossing to be a memorable, affordable adventure.