Royal Caribbean International's Allure of the Seas - which edges out its sister ship Oasis of the Seas as the world's largest - will spend summer 2015 sailing in Europe from Barcelona.
The 5,400-passenger, 225,282-gross-ton ship will depart every Sunday starting May 24, 2015, on seven-night cruises to Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; and Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples/Capri in Italy. Bookings open on Feb. 12 to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members and a week later to the general public.
It will be the first time Allure of the Seas has been in Europe since its delivery in late 2010 in Turku, Finland, although Oasis of the Seas is operating a few cruises in Europe this fall on its way to and from dry-dock maintenance in the Netherlands.
Previously, some industry observers wondered if these mammoth ships could operate in waters outside the Caribbean. When the line announced the Europe cruises by Oasis of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean spokesman said the line works with the ports in advance to "ensure a seamless experience for our guests" and will "refine the process" as needed.
The spokesman said the sophisticated Mediterranean seaports easily handle the line's Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, which accommodate more than 3,000 passengers each.
Oasis of the Seas has operated out of Port Everglades since it entered service in late 2009; it was joined by Allure of the Seas a year later. Both are based in a terminal built specifically for them.
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