Cruise ships can’t sail, but the vessels are still a draw

As he pulled up closer to the 225,282-ton Allure of the Seas, the 24 ferry passengers, suddenly dwarfed by the giant blue hull of the ship, lined up to take selfies as if they had just spotted a celebrity. The 6,780-person vessel, operated by Royal Caribbean International, is known to be one of the largest and liveliest ships in the world, but on this day it appeared eerily empty with its lights out and curtains drawn.