Royal Caribbean
Allure of the Seas
- Cruises
- 29
- From
- $268
Ship comparison
Allure of the Seas vs Mardi Gras
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
- Cruises
- 12
- From
- $363
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Allure of the Seas is a mega Royal Caribbean ship carrying 5,400 passengers, in service since 2010. Mardi Gras is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,282 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose Allure of the Seas if you want a more active cruise, better-rated entertainment or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Mardi Gras for active (10.0 vs 7.0), entertainment (10.0 vs 7.0) and staterooms (8.5 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Mardi Gras if you want more culture, a more romantic trip or a newer ship: it outscores Allure of the Seas for cultural (5.0 vs 2.0) and romantic (6.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2021 (vs 2010).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Allure of the Seas | Mardi Gras | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Mega | Mega |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2010 | 2021 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2015 | — |
| Gross tonnage | 225,282 | 180,000 |
| Passengers | 5,400 | 5,282 |
| Crew | 2,384 | 1,745 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.3 (better) | 3.0 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 41.7 (better) | 34.1 |
| Decks | 16 | 17 |
| Length | 1,187 ft | 1,130 ft |
| Beam | 198 ft | 137 ft |
| Speed | 26 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 29 | 12 |
| Upcoming sailings | 79 | 102 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 8 nights | 4 to 7 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $268 (better) | $363 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Allure of the Seas leads on 6 of the ten, Mardi Gras on 4.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Royal Caribbean
Allure of the Seas
Up until 2016 when Harmony of the Seas took the title for a time, Allure of the Seas was the world's largest cruise ship, a few inches larger than her twin sister ship, Oasis of the Seas.
Highlights
- The ship's seven districts or "neighborhoods" full of distinctive features
- Several entertainment options
- 25 different dining options
- 10 whirlpools, two of which are cantilevered whirlpools overlooking the ocean
Sailing now
29 cruises on sale, from $268.
About Allure of the Seas Plan my cruise on Allure of the Seas
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
When you step on board Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, which debuted in July 2021, you will see all the great features you have come to expect from Carnival Cruises and then find all the new treasures on this ship.
Sailing now
12 cruises on sale, from $363.
Questions
Allure of the Seas or Mardi Gras?
Which is bigger, Allure of the Seas or Mardi Gras?
Allure of the Seas is bigger at 225,282 gross tons, against 180,000 gross tons for Mardi Gras. Allure of the Seas carries 5,400 passengers and Mardi Gras carries 5,282.
Which ship is newer, Allure of the Seas or Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 2010 for Allure of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Allure of the Seas, with 41.7 gross tons per passenger against 34.1 on Mardi Gras. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Allure of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.3 passengers against one for every 3.0 on Mardi Gras.
Which is better for families?
Allure of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 10.0 out of 10, against 9.0 for Mardi Gras.
Still deciding?
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