The gentle breeze across my cabin balcony came rustling through the elegant greenery of New York’s Central Park as we were cruising south from Florida and towards the Caribbean.

It wasn’t the first time I had to suspend my powers of disbelief on the world’s biggest cruise liner. At just over 225,000 tonnes, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’s Allure Of The Seas is comfortably the largest cruise ship ever built – the equivalent to about five Titanics.

Along with her full complement of 5,400 other passengers, I joined the ship for a preview at Fort Lauderdale. Around 2,400 crew looked after us as we tackled crazy adventures like simulated surfing on a FlowRider, teeing off on the mini golf course, or scrambling up a rock climbing wall.

Despite the stupendous scale of this ship, you aren’t – usually – too aware of all the other people on board. They spread out pretty well across 16 passenger decks.

Central Park, for example, is a football pitch-sized expanse with more than 12,000 trees and plants. Many cabins look over this mind-boggling triumph of creative landscaping, rather than the sea.

It also houses perhaps the most exclusive of all 26 ‘dining experiences’ – or restaurants, as they are usually called – namely 150 Central Park.

With a creative menu and extensive wine selection, the restaurant – named 150 – challenges the senses. Though for this humble bon vivant it was the six types of salt gathered from across the globe that especially caught my eye and palate.

Royal Caribbean wants to challenge the notion that cruises are geared for the elderly. The average age of passengers on sister ship Oasis Of The Seas, launched in 2009, has fallen steadily from 55 to 45, and the new ship might well accelerate this trend.

Entertainment for all ages is very much at the forefront for this floating pleasure palace.

There’s a stage to put several in the West End to shame, a 3D cinema, ice rink, AquaTheatre and 21 pools of assorted sizes – more than enough to keep you entertained on a week-long voyage.

The dedicated provision of facilities for children on board is impressive, too. In the Adventure Ocean area, an entertainment team offers a schedule with a range of activities for all age groups.

Seeing the ship for the first time, towering more than 200ft above the water line, is an unforgettable moment.

Perhaps her designers tweaked their plans after lessons learned from Oasis, for Allure, at nearly 1,200ft long, features several new additions.

One such example is Rita’s Cantina, on part of Deck 6 known as The Boardwalk. Its lively Mexican theme surprisingly fits the seaside coastal feel reminiscent of a 1950s British resort, while also evoking a flavour of Americana with a doughnut stall, candy store and Jonny Rocket’s Fifties-style diner. It’s a great place for a rejuvenating brunch after partying at one of the late-night bars the previous evening.

Coffee lovers can also enjoy the latest Americano at the world’s first Starbucks at sea.

If it’s a lively atmosphere you want, you won’t be disappointed. There are 17 bars, from poolside watering holes such as the Sky Bar, to more atmospheric hideaways including Jazz on 4, Bolaros and a particular favourite of mine, Dazzles. Two floors dedicated to dancing the night away with Eighties and Nineties disco hits, plus the odd Michael Jackson-themed evening, certainly kept me entertained.

Royal Caribbean prides itself on delivering entertainment for young and old alike. Building on its collaboration with Dreamworks, the makers of blockbuster films Shrek and Madagascar, the ship presents a parade of costumed characters. Children will also love the ship’s production How To Train Your Dragon On Ice.

Adults might prefer the more theatrical productions, which are splendid in scale and talent, judging by the version of Chicago I saw.

Between highlights like these are simpler pleasures. Stay fit, eat well or just fill your time with family fun on this self-styled entertainment ship.

Moments of tranquillity might be harder to find than you think, but it’s easy to face your lounger out to sea to let the broad expanse of azure bring on a Zen-like state of calm.

TRAVEL FACTS

- Adam Blaxhall travelled with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Virgin Holidays Cruises, which offers an eight night Miami Stay & Cruise from £1,349 in 2012, including room-only overnight at The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, and seven nights on Allure Of The Seas calling at Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico. Prices based on two sharing, including flights to Orlando ex-Manchester. Call 0871 7819893 or visit virginholidayscruises.co.uk.