Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas has been delivered to the company from its shipyard in Finland.
The sister ship to Oasis of the Seas will leave Turku today (Friday) on a 13-day journey to its US homeport of Port Everglades in Florida.
The world’s largest cruise ship, capable of carrying 6,200 passengers, has to pass under the Storebaelt Bridge between the Danish islands of Zealand and Flynn on Saturday with less than three feet of breathing space with its twin funnels lowered.
Architects behind the design of the new ship developed funnels that retract inside the ship to reduce its height by one meter to allow the ship to pass under the bridge.
Allure of the Seas will then travel via the North Sea, Dover Straits and English Channel. The vessel is due to arrive on November 11 ahead of its formal naming on November 28.
A special four-night maiden cruise departs on December 1 before the ship starts its regular seven-night western Caribbean itineraries on December 5.
Meanwhile Royal Caribbean has announced the first Starbucks at sea will feature on board Allure of the Seas.
The coffee shop chain will have an outlet on the 5,400-passenger Royal Caribbean International vessel which enters service from Fort Lauderdale in Florida on December 1.
The line’s hotel operations senior vice-president Lisa Bauer said: “Opening the first ever Starbucks at sea is another example of how Royal Caribbean International is delivering distinctive beverage and dining options to our guests and exceeding their expectations. We are offering something that no other cruise brand can.”
The company will continue to offer Seattle’s Best Coffee, which has been served on Royal Caribbean ships for ten years, throughout the ship including in the Adagio main dining room, conference rooms and specialty restaurants.