World’s Largest Cruise Ship to Receive Upgrade in May

The largest cruise ship in operation, Allure of the Seas, is set to dry dock this May to receive a number of upgrades and revitalisations. The Oasis Class liner will enter into dry dock in Spain after Royal Caribbean reached an agreement with shipbuilding company Navantia.

The shipbuilder has worked with Royal Caribbean on a number of projects including the refurbishment of the Splendour of the Seas, dating back to 2011. Explorer of the Seas is expected to go into dry dock at the same time as the Allure to receive various upgrades and a new lick of paint.

Sister ship, Oasis of the Seas, received a similar upgrade in October last year, when she was treated to new features including the additions of restaurants: American Icon Grill, Silk and The Grande. The ship will also receive upgrades to the theatre to help support the new production of Mamma Mia, starting in June.

Kevin Douglas, Vice President of Technical Projects and Newbuildings for Royal Caribbean Cruises, enthused: “We are very excited to be entering this relationship with Navantia. Our work with them the past few years gone extremely well and we are looking forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Esteban Garcia Vilasanchez, Industrial Vice President of Navantia, added: “We are honored to be the chosen partner of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., a world-class cruise ship owner and operator. Navantia S.A. has over the recent few years, focused strongly on the development of our fast-growing niche markets, one of which is the cruise ship repairs/upgrades and conversion market. Since 2010, Navantia has successfully repaired and upgraded more than 25 passenger ships.”

Cruise ships are required to go into dry dock every five years for inspection, a ruling Royal Caribbean have long used as an opportunity to give their ships a little love. This will be the first dry dock for Allure of the Seas, having first taken to the seas in 2010.

Images sourced via Andreas von Oettingen via Wikimedia Commons and Royal Caribbean Press Center.