Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean – Allure of the Seas

In August 2025, we went on a seven-night family cruise aboard Allure of the Seas by Royal Caribbean, departing from Rome with our two daughters, Maya, aged five and a half, and Sophie, aged two and a half. It was also possible to board in Barcelona. We spent two nights in Rome before the cruise, then headed to the port, and after returning, we stayed another four nights in Rome. I’ll share a detailed post about recommended things to do in Rome with kids.

We booked the cruise at the end of November 2024 and chose two adjacent ocean-view balcony cabins, as there were no connecting rooms left. We slept in pairs, one adult and one child, so it didn’t bother us that the rooms weren’t connected since the girls don’t sleep alone yet. It’s worth mentioning that Allure of the Seas will be moving to Florida in 2026, and a newer and more expensive ship called Legends of the Seas will replace it on the Rome and Barcelona routes.

Although this post is about Allure of the Seas, much of what I’m writing here is relevant to other Royal Caribbean cruises and even to other cruise lines, so it’s worth reading if you’re planning a cruise, especially the tips at the end. I should also mention that this was our third cruise. We had done one without kids and another with the girls when they were younger, and I’ve written about those as well in posts about a European cruise with stops in Montenegro and the Greek Islands, and another about a summer cruise with kids from Cyprus.

Table of content hide

1 How to get from central Rome to the cruise port

2 Rooms and cost

3 What’s on board the Allure of the Seas

4 What’s included in the cruise price

5 Additional expenses

6 Cruise destinations

6.1 Naples

6.2 Barcelona

6.3 Palma de Mallorca

6.4 La Spezia

7 Important tips for those going on a cruise

8 Pin below to save on Pinterest

How to get from central Rome to the cruise port

To get from central Rome to the cruise port, we took a taxi, which turned out to be less of a good idea because the ride cost 190 euros for less than an hour. On the way back, we combined a train and a short taxi ride, which was much cheaper. The trip took about an hour and a half, and even with kids it was perfectly doable. Our girls actually preferred the train ride over the car.

Rooms and cost

We paid 7,300 dollars for the two adjacent balcony rooms facing the sea (via the official Royal Caribbean website). Prices vary depending on when you book, the cruise dates, cabin type, and number of travelers. It’s possible to have four people in one cabin, which reduces costs, but for us that would have been too crowded, so we opted for two rooms.

The ship offers interior rooms with no window, rooms with a window, rooms with balconies facing the inside of the ship, rooms with balconies facing the sea, and suites. Selecting a specific room type, such as an adjoining room or a higher floor, increases the price.

What’s on board the Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas underwent a massive renovation in March 2025 costing 100 million dollars, so it feels completely new and of the highest standard. This was our third cruise, and without a doubt, it’s the most impressive ship we’ve been on. The ship is packed with activities for all ages. There’s a water park with giant slides, a toddlers’ area, kids’ clubs, and a baby club. For adults and children, there are endless attractions such as a casino, mini golf, zip line, climbing wall, surf simulator, ice skating rink, tennis and basketball courts, running tracks, and even a carousel. For those seeking relaxation, there’s an adults-only area with a bar and jacuzzis, as well as open jacuzzis for all ages. Every evening there are shows including Broadway productions like Mamma Mia, water shows, stand-up comedy, and more. There’s also a gym, beauty salon, spa, and numerous restaurants and bars of a high standard.

What’s included in the cruise price

The cruise fare includes almost everything. Food is available all day in several restaurants including a buffet, à la carte restaurant, pizza place, hot dog stand, soft-serve ice cream machine, café in Central Park, and a Mexican food stall. There are also specialty restaurants with an extra charge. Filter coffee and tea are included, while alcohol and specialty drinks such as cappuccinos cost extra. Most attractions onboard are free, including shows, ice skating for twenty minutes, the slides, zip line, carousel, kids’ and teens’ clubs, mini golf, and the surf simulator.

Additional expenses

There are additional costs to keep in mind. Tips are one of them, and though they might seem minor, they add up for an eight-day family trip. Royal Caribbean currently charges $18.50 per person per day in a standard cabin and $21.00 per person per day in a suite. For the four of us, that totaled $592 for the entire cruise. The charge is per person, not per cabin, and it’s mandatory, automatically billed to your credit card daily, though you can pay in advance if you prefer.

Alcohol and soft drink packages are available for purchase separately, but we didn’t buy them.

Internet for two devices cost us $303, with a discount for booking early through the Royal Caribbean app.

Specialty dining can be purchased individually or as a package for several restaurants, often with a pre-booking discount.

Shore excursions are usually an additional cost, as are the baby club for children under three and some workshops like cooking or crafts.

Cruise destinations

Our cruise stopped in Italy and Spain, with ports of call in Naples, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and La Spezia. In all the ports, the ship docked directly, so we didn’t need a tender to reach shore. In La Spezia and Barcelona, there were shuttles to the city center, and from there we continued by taxi, bus, or train depending on where we wanted to go. In Naples and Palma de Mallorca, the port was right in the city center. You can book excursions through the cruise line or arrange your own independently. We always prefer to plan our own itinerary after a bit of research. I wrote detailed posts about each destination, but here’s a brief summary.

Naples

We started at the impressive Castel Nuovo right next to the port, continued to Piazza del Plebiscito, where the girls ran around happily, and stopped at a local café for pastries and coffee. We visited the Royal Palace and walked along the seaside with views of the bay. We also stopped at a small park where Maya and Sophie enjoyed watching the birds and having space to play. It wasn’t enough time to explore everything Naples offers, but it was a pleasant and varied day. We already know we’ll want to return, maybe to visit Pompeii or take a ferry to Capri next time. Naples with Kids

Barcelona

We started the day with the hop-on hop-off tourist bus, which turned out to be a convenient way to get around with kids when time is limited. We stopped at Jardins Miramar and took the cable car down to the beach for a short break. Then we visited Poble Espanyol, an open-air museum that was interesting and enjoyable for the kids. Afterward, we went to the aquarium, one of the girls’ favorite places, especially for the sharks and fish feedings. We ended the day at Park Güell, which is always a lovely spot even if we’ve been before. It was a full but relaxed day that confirmed how family-friendly Barcelona can be, offering plenty of activities for kids while still allowing time to enjoy the city at an easy pace.
Recommended Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids

Palma de Mallorca

We began at the stunning cathedral, which the girls immediately called “the princess’s castle.” They loved the surrounding pools and statues. From there, we wandered through the narrow alleys of the old town, full of small shops, cafés, and restaurants, and took a short rest in the public garden Jardins de la Plaça de la Reina. We then strolled along the promenade, enjoying views of the port and the huge ships, and found a small playground that made a perfect stop for the girls. Our final stop was the beach, Platja de Can Pere Antoni, with soft sand and shallow water perfect for young children. We sat on a towel while the girls played in the water and we sipped cold sangria from the nearby beach restaurant – a perfect ending to a summer day.
Palma de Mallorca with Kids

La Spezia

Until we booked the cruise, I hadn’t even heard of La Spezia and considered skipping it, as it’s often described only as a gateway to Pisa or Florence. But after doing a bit of research, I discovered a charming city with a lovely promenade and a local, relaxed vibe. It’s also the starting point for a short train ride to the magical Cinque Terre villages. We started with a small tourist train around the city, then took a taxi to the station and continued by train to Manarola, one of the most beautiful Cinque Terre towns. We wandered through the narrow streets, admired the clear blue water, and had a wonderful lunch overlooking the sea, with cheese and charcuterie and a glass of wine. Back in La Spezia, we took the tourist train again for a short city tour. It turned out to be a great day and a destination well worth visiting.
La Spezia with Kids

Important tips for those going on a cruise

Booking shows, internet reservations, and gourmet restaurants in advance
I highly recommend booking shows, internet, and specialty dining in advance through the Royal Caribbean app. The app provides access to the full cruise schedule, including shows, workshops, and kids’ activities. Even for free events, the number of spots is limited, so it’s best to reserve early. Early booking also gives a 20–30% discount on internet and specialty restaurants, and prices rise closer to the sailing date.

Breakfast and dinner
During the first few days, we had breakfast and dinner at the buffet on the upper deck. The food was excellent and the variety huge, but the downside was that you have to find your own table. During busy hours – after 9 a.m. or around 8 p.m, we sometimes wandered for 15 minutes looking for a place to sit with the girls, which was frustrating. On the third day, we discovered the restaurant on deck 3 (sometimes deck 4, depending on your cabin). There, you’re seated by a host and can choose between buffet and à la carte. You can order as many dishes as you like without searching for a table, and it completely changes the experience, especially with young kids. It’s best to arrive a few minutes early, even with a reservation.

Sunbeds by the pool
On sea days, when the ship isn’t docked, the pool area gets crowded. Guests tend to reserve sunbeds early in the morning with towels or personal items, which makes finding a spot difficult. It’s worth coming early to secure at least one chair. Another tip is to look for quieter pool areas, especially near the adults’ section, where it’s usually less crowded.

Lunch and coffee
For lunch or coffee, Central Park on deck 8 is a peaceful area with a few bars and a café. We always found seating there, even during busy hours. You can make your own salad or sandwich and sometimes enjoy cake and filter coffee, all included at no extra charge. The pizza place and hot dog stand are also good options for a quick bite or takeaway.

Kids and baby club
Since Sophie was under three, she could only attend the baby club, where they are very strict about age. Even if a child is just a few days shy of turning three, they won’t be accepted into the older kids’ club. Maya was in the kids’ club for ages three to six. Every evening, we booked an hour for Sophie at the baby club from 7 to 8 p.m., costing eight dollars per hour. This gave us a small window of couple time to enjoy the adults’ area with a jacuzzi and a cocktail. After picking up the girls, we went to dinner together. It’s important to know that both the kids’ and baby clubs close between 5 and 7 p.m. and don’t provide food, so plan accordingly.

Onboard app / Cruise app
The app was extremely useful during the cruise. Each day you can see all scheduled activities by time, including puppet shows, crafts, pool parties, quizzes, creative workshops, and live performances, all at no extra cost. It’s worth checking the app each morning to see what’s planned and to reserve the things that interest you. The app also sends reminders before each activity so you don’t miss anything.

Additional Tips

• Bringing beverages on board is not allowed, except for water (alcohol cannot be purchased outside and brought on board, even at port stops).
• Prepare a list of activities that interest you in advance and check them in the app before the cruise.
• Arrive early to shows or popular activities to secure a spot, even if you haven’t booked in advance.
• Check the app daily, as new activities or shows may sometimes be added.
• Familiarize yourself with the cruise itinerary and use the app to know where to be on the ship each day.

In conclusion, Our cruise on Allure of the Seas was an amazing family experience filled with attractions, scenery, and great food. Even with two young kids, we managed to balance activities for them, relaxing moments for us, and independent sightseeing at every destination. It truly felt like a vacation where everyone found something to enjoy, from toddlers to adults, from Broadway shows to surfing simulators and mini golf. Planning ahead, especially through the app and booking restaurants and internet in advance, made a huge difference, particularly when traveling with kids. If you’re looking for a vacation that combines adventure, comfort, and entertainment for all ages, a Royal Caribbean cruise is definitely a wonderful and worthwhile option.

I hope this post was helpful. If it was, I’d love for you to leave a comment below, and if you have more questions, feel free to ask in the comments or message me on the blog’s social media channels –Facebook or Instagram.

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