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Wonder of the Seas cruise ship review: What to expect on board

Is Wonder of the Seas the ultimate cruise ship for family vacationers? As a mother of two, I am well aware that my friends with kids seek out Royal Caribbean 's enormous, attraction-laden Oasis-class cruise ships when they want to take their kids on a cruise. But I'd never sailed on one of these world's largest cruise ships and was curious if I'd find a 6,988-passenger behemoth endlessly entertaining with tons of fun for kids and adults or an overcrowded mess.

The other burning question I had about Wonder of the Seas was how it treated its highest-paying guests. I had a conversation on a small luxury ship once with an avid Royal Caribbean cruiser who said she preferred sailing in the mass-market line's most expensive cabins because it made her feel like a VIP, getting special perks and privileges other cruisers did not.

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When Wonder of the Seas debuted in March 2022, I had the opportunity to finally get my Royal Caribbean Oasis-class questions answered. I set sail with my 8-year-old daughter in a Grand Suite to discover what the largest ship in the world has to offer kids, grown-ups and travelers of all budgets.

Overview of Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas currently holds the title of largest cruise ship in the world. It carries 5,734 guests at double occupancy (i.e., if every cabin held only two people) and 6,988 passengers when completely full. Add roughly 2,200 crew members, and you could be sailing on a ship with 9,000-plus people on board.

It has 16 passenger decks, which are divided into eight neighborhoods. It also has two "holes" in the middle of the ship, so certain interior areas of the ship are actually open to the sky.

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

I discovered that the neighborhood concept is what makes a ship of this size easily navigable. Like attractions are grouped together, and the different neighborhoods have different vibes. Instead of having to remember where individual restaurants or theaters are, you learn where each neighborhood is and quickly can get oriented within the huge ship.

The Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods are:

Entertainment Place (Deck 4)

This neighborhood holds the ship's main theater, comedy club, ice skating rink and casino. The Diamond Club for high-level Crown & Anchor loyalty club members is here as well.

Royal Promenade (decks 5 and 6)

Royal Caribbean's interior mall area features shops, bars and food outlets, and is encircled by an outdoor running track. Don't miss the kitschy Bionic Bar, where the bartenders are robots, or the Rising Tide Bar, which travels elevator-style between the Royal Promenade and Central Park above. Free pizza at Sorrento's and extra-charge coffee are here as well.

Vitality Spa and Fitness (decks 5 and 6)

Forward of the Royal Promenade is Wonder of the Seas' Vitality spa and fitness center, with a salon, barbershop and thermal suite. Guests can order fresh juices and protein smoothies for a fee at the on-site Vitality Cafe before or after their workout or treatment.

Boardwalk (Deck 6)

This open-air neighborhood brings a carnival atmosphere with its carousel, hot dog vendor, candy store, sports bar and arcade, and Johnny Rockets outpost. The main attraction is the AquaTheater, which is flanked by two rock climbing walls and the exit of the Ultimate Abyss slide.

Central Park (Deck 8)

The second open-air neighborhood is possibly my favorite on board. Central Park is a calm oasis on the bustling ship and is filled with living trees and plants. By day, you can shop for high-end jewelry or grab a bite at the indoor-outdoor cafe or Italian restaurant. At night, it's the perfect date night destination for a steak dinner or drinks at the wine bar.

Youth Zone (Deck 14)

If you're cruising with young kids, you'll quickly get to know the sprawling Adventure Ocean kids club area. It's got a drop-off nursery for babies and toddlers, a family play structure area and a huge youth lounge with art and science areas and lots of game space. The Puzzle Break escape room is right outside. Note that the arcade, Social100 teen club and outdoor patio are not in this neighborhood, but on decks 16 and 17.

Pool and Sports Zone (decks 15 and 16)

Three pools and numerous hot tubs, an adults-only solarium, a kids splash area, waterslides, a surf simulator, playground, minigolf, sports deck, zip line and entrance to a 10-deck twisting mat slide make Wonder of the Seas' upper decks a popular destination for nearly everyone on board. There are plenty of food and beverage options here, including the huge Windjammer buffet, which means you don't have to leave your lounger for long when you get hungry or thirsty.

Suite Neighborhood (decks 17 and 18)

Wonder of the Seas is the first Oasis-class ship to bring all the suite amenities together into a dedicated neighborhood. It houses many, but not all, of the ships' top suites, an exclusive restaurant and lounge with bar and concierge desks, and a sun deck with a wading pool and hot tubs.

I've heard many people say they'd never set foot on a floating city like Wonder of the Seas, but the truth is the ship doesn't feel overly crowded because there are so many places for people to go. The Promenade feels as bustling as any popular mall or Vegas casino resort you've ever strolled through, and yes, the pools are often full to the brim with people soup. You will need to line up early for AquaTheater shows to get a reasonable seat.

But I never struggled to find a lounge chair or buffet table, and Central Park always felt peaceful. Don't let the size of the ship intimidate you. There's space for everyone.

What I loved about Wonder of the Seas

Things to do.

I am not the type who can lie in the sun all day – I get bored, dehydrated and sunburned. So my favorite thing about cruising on the world's largest cruise ship was that there was always something to do.

If I was feeling active, I could try the zip line or Ultimate Abyss dry slide or take a brisk walk around the promenade. If I wanted to linger with friends over a drink, I could try a different bar every time. Even up on the pool deck, I was always moving back and forth from one of the main pools to the splash playground to the water slides and back. My daughter and I spent an hour ice skating, and I would have attempted to summit the rock wall if it hadn't been closed due to high winds when we had time to go.

My colleague Ashley Kosciolek, also on the sailing with us, made a point to try every activity on board , and it took her more than a day to sample everything.

I'm also a theater buff and love to watch shows of all kinds. The quality of cruise ship shows can vary, but Royal Caribbean excels in this department.

My daughter (and everyone else on board) was in awe of the acrobatic and high-diving show at the AquaTheater; you haven't lived until you've seen someone slackline high above a ship at sea. The ice skating show was so fun, with such colorful costumes, we saw it twice. The one main theater show we saw ("Voices") was mediocre, but the preview of "The Effectors II," which is now playing, looked amazing.

I wasn't about to take a young kid to a comedy club, so I missed that experience, but it's another fun option for folks who aren't big on musicals.

Suite Neighborhood

The Suite Neighborhood was also a big success, and cruisers who like to book suites should choose Wonder over the other Oasis-class ships for this reason. Every meal we ate at Coastal Kitchen, the suite-exclusive restaurant open for every mealtime, was superior to the main dining room, and the staff went out of its way to pay attention to my daughter and accommodate any need.

The sun deck was lovely, and if I hadn't been traveling with a young child who preferred the splash park, I'd have spent all my sun time lounging there. The concierges were a great help getting us show tickets and restaurant reservations, and whisking us off the ship in the easiest debarkation of all time.

Plus, the proximity of the Suite Lounge to our suite meant that we could easily pop over for a drink or snack whenever we wanted. My 8-year-old even ventured over there on her own to pick up some breakfast one morning, and the staff was kind and helpful to her.

Related: 5 things I love about Royal Caribbean's new suite neighborhood

Family-friendliness

Royal Caribbean has been paying closer attention to the needs of families with children, and it shows on Wonder. (The culmination of this focus will be the next biggest ship at sea, Icon of the Seas , debuting in 2024.)

All family-friendly cruise lines have kids clubs and food options for kids, but Royal Caribbean really thought about the arrangement of things on the ship. On the Boardwalk, you can find outdoor seating for Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports Bar (which has an extra-fee burger menu) and a complimentary hot dog venue next to the carousel and a climbing structure for kids. While I waited for food to arrive, my daughter could run, climb and ride around to get the wiggles out.

There's a splash area for diapered kids, so they have a cooldown option since they're not allowed in the main pool, and a grown-up can find a lounge chair between the splash pool and the water slides and let the kids go back and forth. A new playground space bleeds into the minigolf course, which is next to the grab-and-go Mexican venue and near the multistory slide entrance, so it's an easy place for families to set up shop.

Plus, the Adventure Ocean youth facilities are huge, with space for multiple activities to take place at the same time. My daughter is not always a fan of the kids clubs, often because older kids would monopolize the video games or because everyone in the club had to do the same activity without choice. On Wonder of the Seas, she could choose to do art or watch the science experiment if she didn't feel like running around and playing games.

Related: Why Wonder of the Seas is awesome for families

What I didn't love about Wonder of the Seas

Small pools

Every large cruise ship suffers from the problem of overcrowded pools, but even three pools couldn't handle the sea-day crowds on Wonder. If you feel like taking a dip, know that you're going to share the pool with everyone from splashing, often unsupervised kids to adults on their first or fifth drink of the day. The pools are packed and bustling and not at all serene. At least they do have lifeguards monitoring the waters.

No Broadway show

For years, Royal Caribbean has been putting condensed versions of popular Broadway shows on its ships. I'd seen "We Will Rock You" on Anthem of the Seas and was impressed by the quality of the performance (the script, less so – but that's not Royal's fault). So I was disappointed to learn there'd be no big-name musical on Wonder of the Seas, despite its sister Oasis-class ships offering them.

Late-night food

Food waste is a big deal on cruise ships, and the industry as a whole has been moving toward fewer late-night food options that people tend to order and not finish. (Think of the death knell of the infamous midnight buffet and increased room service fees.) On this cruise, however, I found that when your kid eats dinner at 6 p.m. and then plays in the kids club until 10 p.m., she will be ravenous when she gets out, yet pickings are slim.

If I picked her up early, we could perhaps hit the buffet before it closed. Otherwise, the options were limited to Sorrento's 24/7 pizza and the pastries and fancy little sandwiches at the Cafe Promenade. I would have liked some fruit or something that was not greasy but also kid appropriate, and it was definitely hard to find – especially if I didn't want to pay (which I didn't). Really, I wish the buffet stayed open just a tad later to accommodate Adventure Ocean's closing hours.

Wonder of the Seas cabins and suites

Wonder of the Seas offers an array of cabins and suites to suit any price point, from windowless inside cabins to ocean-facing balcony rooms and a plethora of suites, including two-story loft accommodations, suites with large balconies facing the AquaTheater and the Ultimate Family Suite. Like its Oasis-class sisters, it has unique-to-Royal interior-facing rooms with picture windows or balconies that overlook the Boardwalk and Central Park.

My colleagues on board were booked into inside and balcony cabins, and reviewed their rooms favorably. I booked my daughter and myself into a Grand Suite, the lowest level of suite that qualified for Sky-class perks, including full access to Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge.

Related: Wonder of the Seas 3 ways: Inside, balcony and suite compared

Our suite was a two-room suite, with the sleeping area separated from the living area by a floor-length curtain that could be pulled across the entire width of the room. That meant I could read or work on the couch with the lights on while my daughter slept in the dark on the other side of our suite. This setup is a bonus for family travelers with different bedtimes.

Our room had two twin beds, but those can be pushed together into a queen for couples. We each had our own nightstand with drawers and bedside lights, as well as U.S. and European outlets and USB ports by the bed. The layout works better with the beds together; my daughter's pillows were blocking her outlets, should she have wanted to use them.

Our suite was technically an accessible room, which I hadn't realized when booking. There was an emergency pull cord by one of the beds. The left side of the bed is too close to the bathroom wall to fit a wheelchair or walker, so travelers using mobility devices are limited to the right side.

Across from the beds was a desk with drawers, topped with a Lavazza coffee maker and flanked by two narrow closets with limited shelving. Another closet stood kitty-corner to the bathroom door. The storage was sufficient for a weeklong Caribbean cruise, but I was disappointed there wasn't a bureau with deeper drawers (as there was in my colleague's balcony room) or additional shelf space for underwear and bathing suits.

We didn't discover the best part of the sleeping area until halfway through our cruise – a TV that comes down from the ceiling!

The living area had a three-seat couch and two easy chairs with a coffee table in between. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV was affixed above another desk, this one with three deeper drawers and the minifridge.

The entire room was done up in neutrals with some gold highlights. It definitely felt more like a luxury hotel than a standard Royal Caribbean cruise cabin, but to be honest, I found the decor a bit bland.

Our bathroom was enormous (thanks, accessible room), with a roll-in shower and grab bars around the toilet. (And a phone, for when nature calls ...) The bathroom vanity only had one sink, not two, but did have a ton of shelf space behind the large mirror.

The shower was equipped with wall dispensers of Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner and body wash, which smelled lovely. I tried to set up the pull-down shower bench for leg-shaving purposes, but I couldn't figure it out; not sure if it was broken or I'm just helpless.

If I had one regret about our cabin, it was that I spent next to no time on the enormous balcony. It had a dining table for four, surrounded by cushioned wicker chairs, as well as two even more cushy wicker chairs with footstools flanking a drinks table. It was the perfect spot to read a book or enjoy room service breakfast, but we were always on the go.

And that would be my biggest takeaway tip for folks choosing cabins on Wonder of the Seas. With so much to do on board, you're not going to be in your room much. Consider trading down and staying in the smallest or cheapest room you're happy in and saving your money for restaurants and experiences on board or excursions ashore.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

That said, I appreciated the perks that came with the Grand Suite perhaps more than I did the extra-large room. We received complimentary Wi-Fi, priority embarkation and disembarkation, free drinks and snacks at a nightly happy hour in the lounge, concierge service and priority show seating (if you showed up early), and complimentary room service.

We also had exclusive access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Sun Deck and Coastal Kitchen restaurant. We only stopped briefly at the sun deck because I forced my daughter to go; its upscale vibe and lack of a swimming pool make it less attractive to children than the main pool deck, but for adults, it's a lovely place to order a drink and chill on a lounge chair or in a hot tub.

We used the Suite Lounge to make requests of the concierge and to enjoy nibbles throughout the day, but the happy hour snacks were too fancy for my kid, so we only made it to the bar for free drinks once. If you're coming to Coastal Kitchen for dinner, come a little early to pick up a free cocktail or glass of wine, and take it with you to your table.

Both my daughter and I agreed that Coastal Kitchen was the best part of the suite experience. It was a calmer sit-down dining experience than the main dining room, and it was fun to look out over the sports deck and Boardwalk while we waited for our food. Everything I ate was delicious, from some of the best gnocchi I've ever tasted to delightful balls of cheesecake.

The service here was outstanding. The waiters treated my daughter like a princess, bringing her bowls of berries and making her special chocolate milk. When I asked for something other than Tabasco for my scrambled eggs one morning, they ransacked the galley and brought me both salsa and sambal to spice things up.

Wonder of the Seas restaurants and bars

Wonder of the Seas has more restaurants than you could hope to dine in on a seven-night cruise and an equally large number of bars – all with their own vibes and specialties. Pick your favorites and don't worry about experiencing it all.

Restaurants

Royal Caribbean's main dining room is perfectly fine, but nothing special. You can eat here every night and have an array of options, or you can skip it for the extra-fee specialty restaurants and not feel like you've missed anything.

The Windjammer buffet is large and split into two sections, each overlooking the Boardwalk nine decks below. Food items are set out in stations to keep queues to a minimum, and I was pleased with the selection whenever I ate there. Some cruise ships have long and narrow buffets, where you can't see beyond the section you're in, so you have to do laps to make sure you haven't missed anything. The Windjammer is all set up in one open space, so you can see all the stations at once; it feels more open and less claustrophobic this way.

Wonder of the Seas has several included-in-your-fare cafe-style venues that are perfect for fast meals or snacks. El Loco Fresh by the minigolf course is a favorite for a quick lunch of tacos and quesadillas. Sorrento's Pizza serves pies all day and night on the Promenade; the pizza is fine but nothing special. The Dog House hands out hot dogs and sausages on the Boardwalk, but we never found them open when we were hungry.

Central Park Cafe is a lovely place to grab a bagel or muffin for breakfast or a premade salad at lunchtime; the Promenade Cafe was our go-to for late-night pick-me-ups like cookies and finger sandwiches. I never made it to the Solarium Cafe in the solarium for Mediterranean fare (though I heard it was a good place to go for healthy salads).

And, of course, the world's largest ship has an enormous soft-serve ice cream station in the middle of the pool deck.

Extra-fee restaurants range from casual to elegant, so you've got options on how much you want to spend on meals and what style of eatery you prefer. If burgers are your thing, you have competing options on the Boardwalk, both with indoor and outdoor seating.

Johnny Rockets offers all manner of burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches, but is known for its milkshakes and dancing waiters. My daughter would have eaten here daily if I was willing to keep paying for hot dogs and milkshakes.

Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade focuses on your bar-food apps, like wings and nachos, with a few burgers and two megadesserts worth forking over the extra cash. My daughter and I split the Campfire Cookie and she's still talking about that cookies-s'mores mashup.

Central Park is the hub for date night, with 150 Central Park (the fanciest restaurant on board), Chops Grille (steakhouse) and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen.

We ate lunch at Giovanni's, and the pizza put Sorrento's to shame. The giant meatball is apparently amazing (I don't eat pork, so didn't partake), and I admit to ordering the Nutella and banana stromboli for dessert off the kids menu and not regretting one bite. At night, don't miss the wine bar across the park.

For a surreal experience with the Mad Hatter and molecular gastronomy, Wonderland is a reservation must. Sushi fans can hit up Izumi, tucked away on Deck 4 by the casino.

Hands down, our favorite restaurant on board was The Mason Jar , Royal Caribbean's new Southern comfort food restaurant only available on Wonder of the Seas. It was such a hit I hope they roll it out on other ships.

The extra-fee venue is open for brunch and dinner and has a lively bar and often a live country music band. The bar area is themed around a front porch, with rocking chairs, a swing and tables tucked into window spaces, while the dining area in the back feels homey and relaxed.

The Mason Jar is not a place to count your calories; we had brunch there and it was an indulgent feast. My daughter loved her chocolate, peanut butter and banana French toast so much she wouldn't share a bite; I adored the creative cocktails and the jalapeno cornbread with pimento cheese spread and whipped honey butter.

Book early for a reservation or come off-hours for a seat at the bar. The main drawback is the venue gets loud, especially when the band is playing, so be prepared to yell all your conversations.

Solo parent travel with an 8-year-old gave me many reasons to drink but few opportunities to actually spend time in Wonder of the Seas' many bars.

I was a fan of Giovanni's Wine Bar, with indoor and outdoor seating in Central Park; it was a romantic spot, as is the all-outdoor Trellis Bar nearby. I never got to ride the Rising Tide Bar and was disappointed, but it's not an interesting bar beyond its kitschy ability to levitate.

You have to stop by the Bionic Bar to watch the robotic arms mix drinks. However, the robots have a predilection for sweet cocktails, and their drinks aren't the best. Better to head to one of the many Lime & Coconut outposts on the pool deck. Its signature drink is delicious and refreshing (and you can get them in colorful souvenir pails), and the outdoor seating has a fun resort vibe.

Some of my favorite drinks came from restaurant bars. I didn't want to splurge for a meal in Wonderland, but I met friends at the bar and enjoyed a very pink cotton candy-topped Cheshire Cat Cosmo from the creative cocktail menu.

The drinks at Mason Jar were hands-down my favorite; my PB&J Old Fashioned came with a mini crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a garnish. And, yes, you can get smoky drinks at both restaurant watering holes.

The Vue Bar is a new venue, cantilevered over the side of the ship and replacing a hot tub found on sister ships. I only passed by, but word from my friends was that it was overly windy and the drinks were the standard ones, not a special menu.

If you like to dance the night away, the Music Hall is a two-story club with live and DJ music and two bars. Catch the game and a beer at Playmakers Sports Bar; there's an arcade here, too. The Cask & Clipper often has live music; the nautical-themed Schooner Bar is the place for trivia and a pianist; and the Latin-inspired Boleros is the place to get your salsa on.

You can get your caffeine fix at Starbucks or Cafe Promenade. Both serve Starbucks coffee for a fee, but the snacks at Cafe Promenade are free, while the ones at Starbucks cost extra. You can order smoothies and juices for a price at the Vitality Cafe in the spa.

Related: Cruise ship drinks packages: A line-by-line guide

Wonder of the Seas activities

Wonder of the Seas is the perfect ship for folks with short attention spans or who need to keep active to stay happy. There is always something to do, and I'm not just talking bean bag toss and music trivia. Even better, the majority of the activities are fee-free, so you can play to your heart's content without worrying about running up a huge bill.

Most of the fun is found on the uppermost decks of the ship. In addition to multiple pools and hot tubs, you'll find a splash playground for kids (plus a mini splash area for tykes in diapers) and three waterslides. Adults can bask in pools and hot tubs at the indoor 16-plus solarium.

Crank the adrenaline up a notch at the back of the ship. I declined to try the FlowRider surf simulator , nor did I join a game on the sports court, but I did fly across the ship on the short zip line that soars above the Boardwalk. (You have to look down — it's wild.)

My daughter and I tried the Ultimate Abyss 10-story slide (dry, not wet) multiple times. You ride down on a mat, with your feet tucked into a fold at the bottom. Don't be nervous about it; it's much slower than you think it would be from the tube's length. I actually wished it were a bit faster.

New on this ship is the Wonder Playscape climbing structure and play area for young kids. Watching my daughter scramble up and down, I thought that Royal Caribbean could have done more to make this area more fun for elementary-school-age kids. As it stands, it's focused more on the preschool set. However, don't miss the captain's wheel that looks over the bottom floor of the play space. Spinning the wheel turns on some hilarious pirate audio.

Another odd choice is that the top of the Wonder Playscape climbing area opens onto the Wonder Dunes minigolf course. Because the whimsical, underwater-themed putting area is multicolored and not green, many families don't realize at first that it's a golf course, and little kids were climbing all over the obstacles.

The only main outdoor activity not on a top deck is Wonder's twin rock climbing walls. They flank the AquaTheater at the far end of the Boardwalk. Wind prevented us from harnessing up and having a go, so be flexible if this is a top attraction on your sailing.

The activities continue indoors, too. At select times (usually on sea days), the entertainment staff offers ice skating sessions and laser tag in Studio B, the ship's indoor ice rink. (Not at the same time, obviously, and a floor and inflatable obstacles are added for laser tag.) Both are popular, so sign up or get in line as early as possible. For ice skating, we waited in line to sign the waiver, but then were given a time to return to do the actual skating.

A designated escape room is located next to Adventure Ocean, but it wasn't yet ready on the maiden voyage. Arcade games are available by Playmakers and on Deck 16 next door to El Loco Fresh. And if you like to sing, a dedicated karaoke lounge with both public and private sessions can be found on the Royal Promenade.

For those who like gaming, there's a casino on Deck 4 that I don't think I ever saw.

I never made it to the Vitality spa and fitness center on decks 5 and 6, but it offers all the R&R options, from massages and saunas to yoga classes and treadmill runs.

And, of course, the ship's entertainment crew will lead trivia and other activities, especially on sea days.

Wonder of the Seas shows

Royal Caribbean is known for its amazing entertainment, and the cruise line offers shows that cannot be found on any other line. We found that they live up to the hype.

The AquaTheater show, "inTENse," was full of high diving, slacklining and synchronized dancing and swimming in varying-height pools. My daughter couldn't get enough of it, and I have to say, neither could I. Fun fact: It's the first all-female AquaTheater cast. Arrive at least a half-hour early if you care where you sit. We sat at Playmakers one evening and watched the line for the theater stretch all the way down the Boardwalk – and that was just people with reservations.

The ice skating show, "365: The Seasons on Ice," is a whimsical romp through the seasons, with fun music, colorful costumes and spunky personality. Don't expect Olympic-caliber triple axels; it's more impressive that the group manages to stage on a tiny rink on a moving ship.

My daughter allowed me only one number of the main theater show, "Voices," though friends who stayed weren't overly impressed. We did see a preview of "The Effectors II" show and its light-up synchronized drone dance number, and that superhero-themed show looked more appealing.

Also not yet ready for prime time on our sailing were the parades down the Royal Promenade. We did catch part of a rehearsal for a pirate-themed parade, and the "floats" and costumes were fun. If you've got little kids, keep an eye out for the parade in your daily planner.

Across from the Studio B ice rink is The Attic, which hosts comedy shows. Cruise ship comedy tends to be hit or miss; whether you enjoy it depends on your sense of humor meshing with that of the comedian.

Wonder of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Through at least April 2025, Wonder of the Seas will sail alternating weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando). Every cruise calls at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay .

Eastern Caribbean sailings visit St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Perfect Day. Western Caribbean cruises stop at Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Labadee, Haiti (a private beach destination); and Perfect Day.

A few one-off sailings are six or eight nights or stop in alternate ports.

Currently, starting prices for windowless inside cabins range from $780 to nearly $1,400 per person, based on double occupancy. Christmas and New Year's sailings are even more expensive. Starting prices for balcony cabins range from $1,000 to $1,700 per person, but winter holiday and other popular vacation weeks can top $2,000.

Suites start at $2,200 per person and take off from there, based on sail date and suite type. The ship's sole Ultimate Family Suite (a spacious two-deck loft suite tricked out with kid-friendly games and attractions) will set you back at least $20,000 for the week.

What to know before you go

Required documents

Since Wonder of the Seas is currently sailing round-trip from Florida, U.S. citizens can sail with either a current passport or an official copy of their birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo I.D. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

The name on your reservation must be the same as what's printed on your passport or other official proof of nationality. Double-check if you've recently gotten married or go by a different version of your name.

Wonder of the Seas guests will find an automatic service gratuity of $16 to $18.50 per person per day, depending on your cabin category, added to their onboard account and final bill. You are allowed to adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking, but TPG does not recommend this, even if you are disappointed by the service.

An 18% gratuity is added to bar and spa/salon bills. You should not feel pressured to add an additional tip.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems at sea , and you can take advantage of this on Wonder of the Seas. Currently, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth start at $17.99 per day per device; however, prices do change over time. If you're traveling with family or sharing a room with friends, look for multidevice packages that are less expensive on a per-device basis. Certain suite guests receive complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks before you sign up for a package.

Related: How fast is the internet on Royal Caribbean ships? We put it to the test

Carry-on drinks policy

Every passenger of drinking age can bring a single bottle of wine or Champagne onto Wonder of the Seas at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas. You can enjoy your wine at no extra cost in your cabin or suite, but you'll need to pay a $15 corkage fee if you choose to drink it at a restaurant, bar or lounge.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 cleaning fee.

Passengers can smoke in Wonder of the Seas' casinos (cigarettes only) and designated outdoor areas of the pool decks; there is a separate nonsmoking section of the casino. The Central Park and the Boardwalk neighborhoods, though open to the sky, do not offer smoking areas, nor does the jogging track.

Wonder of the Seas does not offer self-service launderettes. Passengers can pay extra for laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

You'll find North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets in cabins, along with USB ports, in all cabins. I liked having outlets by the bed, as well as the desk area.

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. You won't need cash on Wonder of the Seas, though. Use your SeaPass card to charge any onboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions, etc.) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will charge your credit card on file once the cruise ends. You can check your onboard bill in the cruise line's app, at Guest Services or via your in-cabin television.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Wonder of the Seas.

During the day, people dress casually. T-shirts, shorts, athletic wear, casual sundresses and bathing suits are commonly worn on board and ashore. Bring a cover-up to go from the pool back indoors.

An evening dress code only applies to Royal Caribbean's main dining room. On most nights, casual dress is acceptable, with jeans and shorts acceptable in the main dining room. (Swimwear, bare feet and tank-type T-shirts are not allowed.) One night on our cruise was supposedly Caribbean-themed, but it wasn't enforced. Still, a Hawaiian shirt is never out of place on a tropical cruise.

Two nights were deemed "dress your best" or formal, and you'll find a range of interpretations of dressy attire. Women lean toward cocktail dresses or stylish pants outfits, though you'll see some floor-length gowns. Men wear suits or sports coats or simply button-down shirts with nice slacks. People certainly get away with jeans if they're a dark color and paired with a jacket or dressy top.

Kids can get away with almost anything, so don't worry about convincing your preschooler to put on a button-down shirt.

Dressier nights tend to be on sea days, often the second and fifth or sixth night of the cruise.

Related: What to pack for your 1st cruise

Bottom line

Wonder of the Seas is a cruise ship that appeals to active families, couples and friend groups. While most of the fun activities on board are included in the fare, you will pay extra if you want to sample many of the restaurants on board.

Cabins cover a range of price points, but this popular new ship will command a higher price for a weeklong cruises than older ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Cruisers looking for more luxurious digs and less fuss over chasing after reservations and waiting in line for seats have a solid option if they want to book a Suite Neighborhood cabin, with access to exclusive dining and deck areas.

The biggest concern I had about Wonder was crowding and getting lost on such a huge trip, but I found my fears to be unwarranted. Sure, you'll find competition for the best dining times and show tickets, but the ship didn't feel more crowded than other big ships, and the neighborhood layout made it easy to find your way around.

I had a blast with my daughter on Wonder of the Seas and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for an active, big-ship vacation in the Caribbean.

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Press Releases

It’s official: world’s newest wonder joins royal caribbean international.

MIAMI, Jan. 27, 2022 – Adventures aboard the world’s newest wonder are on the horizon for vacationers of all ages. Today, Royal Caribbean International took delivery of Wonder of the Seas , the next highly anticipated and innovative ship in the cruise line’s award-winning lineup. Marking the completion of three years of construction, a traditional flag-changing ceremony took place in Marseille, France, with shipyard partner Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Wonder will make its official debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , on March 4, to begin sailing 7-night cruises to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona, Spain ; and Rome to offer summer adventures in the Mediterranean .

Welcoming Wonder to the Royal Caribbean family was Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

“ Wonder of the Seas will energize cruising in a bolder and bigger way. Adding this ship to our already best-in-class fleet elevates the company in continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This is one more way that we’re delivering world-class and memorable vacations, responsibly, to guests around the world.”

“Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year. The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our latest and most innovative ship the world’s newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe.”

“ Wonder of the Seas represents a new step forward in the Oasis Class ships. Our teams have worked under difficult conditions but in a very united way to finally make major changes that enhanced the ship performance,” said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “ Wonder is really an outstanding new ship.”

Highlights to Uncover on Wonder The fifth in Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Oasis class of ships, Wonder has adventures across eight unique neighborhoods – a Royal Caribbean first – in store for vacationers of all ages. The young and the young at heart can discover, wonder and make memories in a variety of ways and places designed for family bonding and me time, including:

• Suite Neighborhood – The new, eighth neighborhood offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck in a new location, complete with a plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks to kick back; along with favorites such as Coastal Kitchen, the private restaurant; the Suite Lounge, and the largest  Ultimate Family Suite yet to host a family of 10.
• The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar – The new hotspot serves up southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and in the late night, including savory johnnycakes, southern fried chicken, crab beignets, and shrimp and grits. Completing the experience is live country music, farmhouse-style decor, a collection of American whiskeys and spiked shakes.
• Wonder Playscape – The underwater-themed play area for kids is a whole new adventure with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and imaginative puzzles.
• Vue Bar – The happiest of happy hours can be found at the new cantilevered bar that offers panoramic ocean views by day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy.
• Caribbean pool deck – At the center of the Caribbean vibes is The Lime & Coconut, alongside the trio of high-speed waterslides, The Perfect Storm; kids aqua park Splashaway Bay,   Casitas, in-pool loungers, live music; and more.
• El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca - The grab-and-go spot for Mexican delights, like made-to-order tacos, burritos and quesadillas, now debuts Cantina Fresca. The dedicated bar serves a selection of "aguas frescas," margaritas and other Mexican staples.

Other returning favorites on board Wonder include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar , Royal Caribbean’s latest twist on the Italian trattoria; the tallest slide at sea,  The   Ultimate Abyss ; the newly designed, dedicated kids and teens spaces at  Adventure Ocean ,  Social100  and  The Patio ; the  FlowRider  surf simulator, twin  rock climbing walls , the Central Park neighborhood lined by more than 20,000 real plants; and more.

Upcoming U.S. and Europe Cruises

• Sailing from Fort Lauderdale – Wonder will set sail to the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022. The 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries include visits to the cruise line‘s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Sailing from Barcelona and Rome – Starting in May, the new Oasis Class ship charts course for summer vacations in the Mediterranean. The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises will visit marquee destinations like Naples and Florence , Italy ; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.
• Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida – Year-round adventures on Wonder begin in November 2022, when the newest addition to the Royal Caribbean lineup cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. The destinations vacationers have in store range from Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Cozumel, Mexico.

For more details about Wonder , including sailings now open for bookings, visit Royal Caribbean’s website .

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International , owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay , the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 19 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

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Royal Caribbean International Wonder of the Seas Deck Plans & Reviews

Royal Caribbean International Wonder of the Seas

Activities & entertainment

• Ice Skating
• Art Gallery *
• Casino Royale *
• Golden Room *
• Fitness Center
• Running Track
• Spotlight Karaoke
• Royal Promenade
• Promenade Shops *
• Next Cruise *
• Guest Services
• Picture This *
• Focus Gallery *
• Shore Excursions *
• Luckey Climber
• The Ultimate Abyss
• Rock Climbing Walls (2)
• Central Park
• Whirlpools (4)
• Waterslides (4)
• The Perfect Storm
• Splashaway Bay
• Adventure Ocean - Kids Club
• Puzzle Break Center *
• Wonder Playscape
• Wonder Dunes
• Sports Court
• Social 100 - Teens Club
• Social 100 Patio - Teens Terrace
• Suite Sun Deck - Suite Guests
• Suite Lounge - Suite Guests
• Diamond Club - Diamond Guests
• Loyalty Desk
• Dance Parties
• Conference Center
• Royal Theater
• Entertainment Place
• AquaTheater
• Water Shows
• Production Shows
• Film Screenings
• Stand-Up Comedy
• In-Room Entertainment
• Main Dining Room - Main
• Izumi - Japanese *
• Boleros - Latin Bar *
• Starbucks - Coffee Bar *
• Pub - Pub *
• Sorrento's - Pizza
• Cafe Promenade - Coffee & Snacks
• Rising Tide Bar - Niche Bar *
• Bionic Bar - Robotic Bar *
• Vitality Cafe - Healthy Fare
• Schooner Bar - Nautical Bar *
• Boardwalk Hot Dogs - Hot Dogs
• Sugar Beach - Candy and Ice Cream *
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade - Sports Bar *
• Johnny Rockets - Burgers *
• Giovanni's Wine Bar - Wine Bar *
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen - Italian *
• Park Cafe - Light Fare
• Trellis Bar - Garden Bar *
• Chops Grille - Steakhouse *
• 150 Central Park - Gourmet *
• Wonderland - Tasting Menu *
• Solarium Bistro - Light Fare
• Solarium Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Vue Bar - Scenic Bar *
• The Lime and Coconut - Pool Bar *
• The Mason Jar - Southern *
• Windjammer - Buffet
• Hooked Seafood - Seafood *
• El Loco Fresh - Mexican
• Cantina Fresca - Scenic Bar *
• Wipe Out Bar - Scenic Bar *
• Coastal Kitchen - Suite Guests
• Room Service *
• Excellent 23
• Very Good 17
• Terrible 11
• All languages ( 69 )
• English ( 63 )
• Spanish ( 2 )
• German ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

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Wonder Of The Seas

Cruise line Royal Caribbean

• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
• Miami (Florida)

Wonder Of The Seas current position

Wonder Of The Seas current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 21.62776 N / -68.99467 W) cruising at speed of 19.6 kn (36 km/h | 23 mph) en route to Port Canaveral. The AIS position was reported 11 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Wonder Of The Seas

Wonder Of The Seas current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise . Prices start from USD 1470 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 28 Apr, 2024 and ends on 05 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Wonder Of The Seas

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Wonder Of The Seas Itineraries

Wonder of the seas review, review of wonder of the seas.

The 2022-built Wonder of the Seas cruise ship is the third RCI "Oasis-Plus" class liner, with sisterships Harmony OTS (2016), Symphony OTS (2018) and Utopia OTS (2024). Wonder OTS just slightly exceeds in size the original Oasis-class vessels Oasis OTS (2009) and Allure OTS (2010). The vessel has a building cost of USD 1,35 billion (2019 shiporder rates).

The vessel (IMO number 9838345) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001033) and registered in Nassau .

Wonder OTS is the 14th vessel delivered to Royal Caribbean by the French shipbuilding company Chantiers de l'Atlantique (St Nazaire, France) , and RCI fleet's 28th liner.

In mid-July 2020, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (via its subsidiary Royal Caribbean Cruises Asia) announced that due to delayed delivery from the shipbuilder, Wonder OTS' China debut (planned for 2022-Q1, with homeporting in Shanghai) is postponed "until further notice". In mid-September 2021 was announced that the ship's inaugural season will be in the Caribbean and Europe-Mediterranean.

Wonder OTS is now the world's ever-biggest cruise ship by both GT-tonnage/volume and passenger capacity .

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 5700-passenger ship Wonder OTS comprises 8 neighborhoods - Royal Promenade, Central Park, Boardwalk, Entertainment Zone, Sports Zone, Youth complex, Wellness complex, Suite complex. Wonder also has the new RCI "Family Suite" (2-level / on 2 decks), redesigned Boardwalk, several new venues.

In comparison to the other sisterships, Oasis-Plus Class boats are heavier, wider and with bigger passenger capacity. Wonder is nearly 330 ft (101 m) longer than RMS Titanic and 165 ft (50 m) longer than Eiffel Tower ( Paris City ). The liner has several promenades, 1x FlowRider, 2x Rock-Climbing Walls, an Ice-Skating Rink, world's largest theatre at sea.

Among Wonder OTS' most prominent features is the multi-deck waterslide "The Ultimate Abyss". Introduced first on Harmony OTS, the waterslide swings down 10 decks, at over 150 ft (46 m) above sea level.

Wonder OTS is also the third Oasis-class liner with robot bartenders serving drinks at the Bionic Bar (introduced in 2014 on Quantum OTS ). Wonder has bigger cabins than Allure and Oasis (in some categories) and windowless interior cabins (Virtual Balconies) offering real-time views (introduced in 2014 on Navigator OTS ).

The next YouTube video shows the most prominent features and the shipbuilding process of the "Oasis 3 class"/Oasis-Plus.

Wonder's Suite passengers benefit from exclusive new areas including a Suite Bar Lounge, a private restaurant (Coastal Kitchen), a full-service Suite Sun Deck. New restaurants include the Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine eatery which first debuted on Quantum. Also added to Wonder is the new Mexican restaurant El Loco Fresh.

A total of 24 elevators (12x forward + 12x aft) provide access all the way to deck 16, while decks 17 and 18 are accessed by 6 lifts. Two escalators (1x forward + 1x aft) interconnect decks 2-3.

Decks and Cabins

Wonder Of The Seas staterooms (2874 total, in 37 categories) include 175x Suites, 1435x Balcony, 155x Oceanview, 527x Inside, also 477x Boardwalk-Central Park Balcony, 70x Boardwalk-Central Park Interior, 26x Promenade View. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 44.

Most cabins are sized 150-180 ft2 / 14-17 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 55 ft2 / 5 m2. The largest accommodation is the Royal Loft Suite (1530 ft2 / 142 m2, with terrace sized 850 ft2 / 79 m2 - a wraparound balcony with a Jacuzzi).

The boat has 17 decks , of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

The Ultimate Family Suite is unique for RCI loft suite featuring a slide (from the kid's bedroom down to the living room), floor-ceiling LEGO wall, hidden nooks for a chilling, air-hockey table. A 3D movie theatre-style TV room is fitted with a popcorn machine and a library of video games. The 210 ft2 wraparound balcony has a bumper pool table, kids climbers and a full-size whirlpool. Currently the largest "Family Suite" at sea accommodates up to 8 passengers.

Unlike the other Oasis-Class ships, Wonder OTS has an additional (8th) neighborhood that houses Suites and Suite-only facilities. The "Suite Class Neighborhood" (located midship-aft on decks 17-18) is designed as an exclusive VIP accommodation complex with its own Restaurant, Bar Lounge, Sundeck.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Wonder OTS' 3-tiered dining room, the Quantum is designed as three separate restaurants situated on different decks - American Icon Grill (Deck 3), The Grand (Deck 4) and The Chic (Deck 5). Wonder also houses some Quantum restaurants, such as Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, Coastal Kitchen. Ship's Bionic Bar is famous for its dancing robot bartenders. Its location is on the Royal Promenade. Izumi Teppanyaki Restaurant features a la carte hibachi, teppanyaki and sushi menu.

A total of 25 onboard dining options (14 complimentary, including room service) are available to choose from.

Follows the complete list of Wonder of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• American Icon Grill (a la carte restaurant which offers open seating breakfast, lunch, "Brasserie 30" menu; with two assigned dinner seatings and Private Dining area.)
• The Grande Restaurant (serves themed breakfasts and dinners / two fixed seatings and "My Time Dining")
• Chic (features an expansive menu of dinner options; two seatings and "My Time Dining" program)
• Johnny Rockets (128-seat fast food restaurant, complimentary)
• Windjammer Marketplace buffet restaurant (offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 am, Breakfast between 7-11:30 am, Lunch 11.30-3:30 pm, Dinner 6:30-9 pm)
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen (96-seat specialty restaurant/reservations recommended)
• El Loco Fresh (complimentary restaurant) offers fresh-made Mexican food. It is located in the Sports Zone and replaces Mini Bites (on Harmony OTS). Adjacent is the Cantina Fresca (bar-restaurant).
• Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine (extravagant gourmet dishes)
• Hooked Seafood is a specialty restaurant (in the Solarium) offering fresh seafood and a raw bar.
• Sugar Beach Candy and Ice Cream (replaces the retail outlets on Johnny Rockets side of the ship's Boardwalk)
• Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade (located on Boardwalk neighborhood it spans the entire length of Boardwalk neighborhood. Playmakers took the space of Sabor and Starbucks (on Harmony OTS).
• Starbucks Coffee Shop is on the Royal Promenade.
• Chops Grille (steakhouse/seafood)
• Izumi Teppanyaki (Asian/Japanese restaurant for hibachi-style dining)
• Solarium Bistro (healthy dining)
• Vitality Cafe (spa/food and beverages)
• Coastal Kitchen (Grand Suites and above passengers, Pinnacle members)
• WipeOut Cafe (fast food bar)
• Boardwalk Dog House (complimentary)
• Park Cafe (deli food bar, casual dining)
• The Lime & Coconut

The Mason Jar ( deck 15 -aft/adjacent to Windjammer) is a fleet-first bar-restaurant (specialty/a-la-carte menu) offering Southern American cuisine specialties - comfort food, BBQ classics, salads, sides, burgers, sandwiches, cakes, pies, beverages (including spiked cocktails and American brand whiskeys and bourbons) as well as live country music (has its own band of three musicians performing in the evenings). The late-night menu (served after 9 PM) has various items priced between $3-9, including Fried Green Tomatoes, Blue Crab Beignets, Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich. Per person pricing/cover charges are US$25 (Brunch) and US$40 (Dinner), children 6-12 dine for US$11, kids under 6 dine for free.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Wonder OTS is a novelty mixture of Oasis-class deck layout and Quantum-class technology and design innovations. The additions include the first-ever Royal Caribbean waterslides (created by ADE/Aquatic Design and Engineering), Wonder Playscape (2-deck kids playground), Suite Sundeck (keycard-access-only/exclusive sundeck with plunge pool, bar, sunbathing area), Starbucks Coffee Shop and Arcade (in the Boardwalk neighborhood), The Mason Jar (fleet's first Southern American-cuisine restaurant), 15x Studios (single cabins designed for solo travelers).

The 10-deck-high Atrium is marked a purple dragon statue spanning the entire Atrium. Numerous original artworks are displayed in every hallway and stairwell.

Among the modern technologies implemented on the Royal Caribbean's Wonder ship are the RFID wristbands or "WOWbands" - an optional choice to replace the SeaPass cards, allowing passengers to do purchases onboard and to access their cabins.

When arriving in the port, passengers can use their mobile phones to check-in and board the liner via just a security checkpoint between the ship and the curb. The new process leverages a combination of bar codes, beacons, and facial recognition, to make boarding fast. Guests check-in via the new mobile app of the brand.

New Broadway-style musical productions and live show programming were planned to be developed exclusively for Wonder OTS's Chinese customers. Among the onboard amenities are complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, supervised Youth Program for children of different age groups (Voyagers 9-11 yo, Explorers 6-8 yo, Aquanauts 3-5 yo), Royal Babies and Tots (complimentary nursery for toddlers 6 months to 3 years), shipwide Internet (WiFi access), self-serve laundry rooms.

Follows the complete list of Wonder of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Royal Theater (capacity 1401 seats) offers 3D movies, aerial acrobatic performances and Broadway-style productions like Hairspray, Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, and Flight, one-of-a-kind show taking guests through the history and future of flying and the evolution of air travel which ends with a homage to the famous Wright Brothers). Exclusive Wonder OTS shows are "Voices: An Intimate Performance on a Grand Scale" (virtual-live hybrid music and dance show) and "The Effectors II: Crash n' Burn" (superheroes battle the archnemesis Crash).
• Studio B Lounge (indoor ice-skating rink; also serves as a spot for ice shows, cooking demos, game parties; 1977 is a spectacular adventure on ice taking ice-surface video projection technology to a brand new level, pushing the limits of what's possible technologically; Laser Tag is a state-of-the-art and special effects ultimate laser tag arena to battle over the fate of the galaxy's last planet)
• AquaTheatre (2-deck-high) features 600 seats, a deep swimming/dive pool and partial shelter (partially enclosed) for cooler temperatures. AquaTheatre's two new shows HiRo and inTENse (all-female) combine cutting-edge technologies, aerial acrobatic stunts and future-forward choreography.
• (deck 4) Entertainment Place nightclub; "The Attic" Comedy Club; Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club Lounge & Bar for past guests only, has 2x virtual balconies); Golden Room (non-smoking Casino Room with 40x slot machines, 1x blackjack table, 1x poker table); On Air Club (doubles as Spotlight Karaoke bar/nightly); Boleros (Latin Bar-Lounge; Cask & Clipper (English Pub); Rising Tide Bar (moving cocktail bar); Bionic Bar; Schooner Bar (piano bar); Starbucks Bar; Giovanni's Wine Bar; Dazzles Music Hall (2-deck disco nightclub); Suite Sun Deck (plunge pool, bar, sunbathing area with loungers), Social100 Patio (teen lounge and sundeck/decks 16-17, with a bar, spa pool, games); The Lime & Coconut (2-deck poolside bar lounge)
• Adventure Ocean's Escape Room provides "puzzle break" team gaming experience, where teams race against the clock and work toward escaping the submarine-themed room before their time runs out.
• Art Gallery; Focus Photo Gallery and Shop
• Boardwalk neighborhood (with games and attractions)
• Carousel (with handcrafted wooden figures)
• Casino Royale with a VIP Gaming Room; Card Room
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 9 jacuzzis (2 cantilevered); 4 swimming pools
• Royal Promenade Boutiques (perfumes, jewelry, duty-free alcohol, general store, logo/souvenirs)
• Solarium Lounge (includes Solarium Cafe, pool bar and adults-only pool area); Solarium Bar
• Video Games Arcade; Explorers, Aquanauts, Adventure Science Lab; The Living Room and Night Club teen areas; Fuel Teen Disco; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area; Kids Avenue; Workshop (family venue); H2O Zone family and kids area
• Sports Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer; tennis tables); 1x FlowRider (surf simulator); Zip Line (82 ft/25 m); Jogging Track; 2x Rock-Climbing Walls; Wonder Dunes (Mini-Golf Course).
• The ship has a total of 19 pools.

Central Park is an outdoor relaxation zone (within the ship's interior) with ~21000 live plants. Central Park's huge garden features multi-deck-high metal columns and green walls (covered in vines and ferns), several pathways, recordings of various species (birds, insects, animals) played, live seasonal plants (flowers, shrubs, trees). Signage boards provide detailed info on all Central Park's trees and plants.

Adventure Ocean (kids complex) consists of several themed spaces/rooms: AO Babies (nursery for toddlers 6-36 months), AO Juniors (3-5 yo, open-play area), AO Kids (6-12 yo, open-play area, video games, interactive touch-screen tables), AO Play Place (indoor playground with climbing equipment), AO Theater (kids cinema/event space for talent shows, puppetry and dance classes, games, trivia, watching movies), AO Workshop (laboratory for arts-crafts and science activities, also houses the Escape Room).

New for RCI's Oasis-Class design are "The Vue Bar" (Deck 15 forward-portside/cantilevered pool bar) and "Wonder Playscape" (aft-starboard on decks 15-16/2-deck interactive indoor kids playground with mini-golf, slides, climbing walls, rope nets, jungle gyms, puzzles, various games, a touch-activated interactive mural).

(NEW) Unique shipboard features

RCI's OASIS-Plus ships have some unique features not currently available on the other Oasis-class ships. These brand-new for Royal Caribbean venues were revealed in October 2017 (during the vessel's construction) and include:

• "Ultimate Family Suite" is a new cabin type (8-passenger, 2-bedroom loft suite sized 125 m2 / 1350 ft2) featuring exclusive / in-cabin slide from the kids bedroom (upper level) down to the living room (lower level), floor-ceiling LEGO wall, air-hockey table, 2 hanging egg swing chairs, separate TV room (3D movies, popcorn machine, media library, video gaming consoles with games), large wraparound balcony (sized 20 m2 / 210 ft2, fitted with bumper pool table, small climbing wall, full-size whirlpool).
• "Hooked Seafood" - New England-style seafood specialty restaurant for lunch and dinner. It is located in the fully-eclosed Solarium complex (forward on Pool Deck 15) and offers fresh seafood and also has a cantilevered raw bar (The Vue Bar) where raw shucked oysters can be ordered.
• "El Loco Fresh" is a Mexican restaurant (capacity over 100 seats) offering fresh-made favorites. It is located in Sports Zone (Pool Deck 15) replacing "Mini Bites" (food bar on Harmony OTS). El Loco Fresh offers Mexican fare with fresh-made mole sauce and salsa verde, made-to-order burritos and tacos.
• "Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade" has 30 large-sized TVs for watching live sporting events, as well as a video games section fitted with arcade machines. The sports bar/arcade is located on Deck 6 (Boardwalk). It spans the neighborhood's entire length and takes the place of Sabor and Starbucks (on Harmony OTS). Starbucks was relocated on Deck 5 (Royal Promenade). Playmakers Sports Bar menu offers fast-food classics like chicken wings, burgers, popcorn shrimp, sliders, sundaes.
• "Sugar Beach Candy and Ice Cream" is a premium shop for sweet treats located on Deck 6 (Boardwalk). The shop has colorful walls packed with candies, premium ice-cream, a huge variety of toppings and also offers family-friendly activities and workshops. Sugar Beach replaced "Johnny Rockets" (fast-food bar).
• "Battle for Planet Z" / Laser Tag experience) is available at "Studio B" complex (Deck 3) and offers glow-in-the-dark laser tag gaming with top-notch special effects.
• "Escape Room" (submarine-themed, located on Boardwalk Deck 6) provides puzzle-breaking team gaming experience.
• On Deck 15 are installed three 24-hour, self-service vending machines (by Pharmabox Franchise). They allow purchasing of select merchandise, including Tech Shop (electronics, gadgets, batteries, headphones, walkie-talkies, Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles), Splash Store (sunscreens, skincare products, swim accessories) and Health Essentials Store (toiletries, medicines).

Among Wonder OTS' show productions are the newly developed by RCI musicals:

• "1977 "(at Studio B / ice-rink theater) - themed on time traveling and dimension-jumping, with Panasonic-developed video projection technology
• "Flight - Dare to Dream" (at Royal Theater) - themed on the history of flying, featuring 3D video and automation technologies
• "Hairspray" (at Royal Theater) - themed on the Broadway musical
• "HiRo" (at AquaTheater) - themed on heroes combat fighting, with high-flying acrobatics, diving and extreme-sport stunts.

Itineraries

Wonder of the Seas itinerary program was originally based on year-round deployment in Asia as RCI's first OASIS-Class liner specifically designed for the Chinese source market.

For the inaugural season (starting March 2022) were scheduled 4-5-8-night itineraries from China to ports in Japan ( Kobe-Osaka , Shimizu-Shizuoka , Tokyo , Hakata-Fukuoka City , Kagoshima , Yatsushiro-Kumamoto City , Naha , Sakishima-Ishigaki Island ) with roundtrip departures from homeport Shanghai Baoshan .

• With delivery planned for 2022-Q1, Wonder OTS' Maiden Voyage was scheduled for March 26, 2022 (5-day roundtrip from Shanghai to Fukuoka and Kumamoto). RCI mentioned that Wonder OTS could be also seasonally deployed in the Southern Pacific Ocean (Australia and New Zealand), with relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) via Singapore .
• Bookings on Wonder's China sailings opened in mid-April 2021.

However, in mid-September 2021, RCI announced that instead of China, Wonder OTS' inaugural season will be in the Caribbean, with homeporting in Florida USA ( Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale 's Terminal 18).

• The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for March 4, 2022. Followed an eastbound Transatlantic crossing for the Western Mediterranean season (May 8-Oct 27, 2022) with homeporting in Barcelona Spain and Civitavecchia-Rome and 7-day roundtrips.
• In Europe (2022), Wonder OTS replaced Allure OTS, with all Allure bookings automatically transferred to Wonder.

The Caribbean voyages were open for booking on Sept 15th, the Mediterranean voyages - on Sept 22nd.

In February 2024, RCI opened for booking Wonder OTS' short Caribbean voyages. Starting September 1st, 2025. the ship changes homeports (Port Canaveral to Miami ) offering 3- and 4-night roundtrips out of PortMiami. Previously, from Port Canaveral , were operated 7-day roundtrips.

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Wonder Of The Seas Wiki

Wonder OTS is Royal Caribbean Group's 5th Oasis-class liner (ordered in December 2016), with sisterships Utopia , Harmony , Symphony , Oasis , Allure . These are currently the world's biggest passenger liners ever constructed. constructed. The shipowner planned the OASIS-Plus vessel's cost per berth to be lower compared to Allure and Oasis.

Like her sisterships, Wonder OTS has telescoping funnels to be able to sail under bridges. Unlike the original/smaller Oasis-class ships, Wonder has no Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine (specialty restaurant) and 150 Central Park (dinner-only specialty restaurant), while the adult-only Solarium complex has a swimming pool and 2 additional whirlpools.

The following aerial photo shows an Oasis-class vessel (as looked from above).

The vessel's construction officially started with the steel-cutting ceremony (shipyard/hull number C34) held on April 24, 2019. The keel-laying was on October 10, 2019, held at Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire (STX France) . A 65x155 ft (20x47 m), 970-ton keel block (part of the midship hull section) was lifted by a 1400-ton gantry crane and placed into the shipyard's building dock. During the ceremony, under the first hull block were placed newly minted coins - to stay there until the end of the ship's construction. The steel-cutting ceremony was attended by Joseph Pineau (RCCL's Director Newbuilds), Beatrice Siri (RCCL's Associate VP, Architectural Design and Outfitting), Jean-Yves Jaouen (shipyard's SVP Operations), Florence Mauduit (shipyard's Oasis Contract Director) and Laurent Castaing (shipyard's General Manager).

On February 18, 2019, RCI signed a shipbuilding order with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for a 6th Oasis-class liner (planned delivery 2023-Q4). This was the shipyard's 23rd vessel built for Royal Caribbean.

Next RCI official YouTube video shows Oasis-Plus ships' fun statistics and best features.

The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on September 5, 2020. The complex operation started at ~at 7 am. With the assistance of 7 tugboats, the engines-free vessel was moved from the shipbuilding yard's Basin B to Basin C. The 500-m (1640-ft) long maneuvering was completed in ~1 hour.

Sea trials (in the Bay of Biscay) were conducted on August 20-24, 2021. The 4-day operation tested all systems (navigation, propulsion, engines, etc) prior to the delivery (November 5th). Then the vessel was relocated to Marseille-Fos Port (France) and drydocked for further outfitting. During the drydock, the ship's name (on the hull) was enlarged and positioned lower than on the sisterships. Wonder OTS was officially delivered on January 27, 2022, in Marseille. The ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCG's Chairman), Jason Liberty (RCG's President and CEO), Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO), and Laurent Castaing (shipbuilder's General Manager).

Wonder OTS is the third Oasis-Class boat built by STX France - after Harmony OTS (2016) and Symphony OTS (2018). A fourth vessel (Utopia OTS) is currently on order and planned for inauguration in 2024-Q2.

Wonder OTS has as namesakes the cruise liner Disney Wonder ( Walt Disney ) and the cruiseferry Moby Wonder ( MOBY LINES ).

CURIOUS: In the period May 6-16, 2022, RCI conducted a TikTok contest (#SearchForWonderMom / 16000+ videos were submitted) for finding a godmother for Wonder OTS. The contest was open only to Americans (USA and Puerto Rico), at least 16-years-old. The winner (Marie McCrea/Pennsylvania resident) and his/her family received a 7-night cruise (to CocoCay Bahamas) and will be accommodated in the largest stateroom (Ultimate Family Suite), in addition to first-class flights, 3-night accommodation in a 5-star hotel (pre-cruise) and US$1000 in OBC/onboard credit.

The ship's christening ceremony was held on December 9, 2022, dockside at Port Canaveral. The naming event (led by godmother Marie McCrea) was in the evening and attended by Royal Caribbean executives (including Jason Liberty and Michael Bayley) and partners, VIPs, and travel agents.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022-2023

In September 2021, RCI changed the ship's inaugural deployment from Asia (China to Japan itineraries) to the Caribbean (homeporting in Fort Lauderdale) and Europe-Mediterranean (homeporting in Barcelona and Civitavecchia-Rome).

The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from March 22, 2022 (5-day 5 days Shanghai China to Japan) to March 4, 2022 (7-day Eastern Caribbean from Port Everglades). Prices started from just USD 950 (EUR 810 / GBP 695) per person with double occupancy.

(Inaugural Transatlantic crossing) 14-day from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona (from $1440 pp)

(Inaugural Mediterranean cruise) 7-day Western Mediterranean roundtrip from Barcelona (from $1200 pp)

Inaugural China itineraries 2022 (canceled)

With RCI planning to deploy the boat year-round in Asia (China homeporting), Wonder OTS' Maiden Voyage was initially scheduled for March 26, 2022 (5-day roundtrip from Shanghai-Baoshan ), priced from USD 1280 pp.

Royal Caribbean China's schedule for Wonder OTS included 4-5-8-night roundtrips from China to ports in Japan - Kobe-Osaka , Shimizu-Shizuoka , Tokyo , Hakata-Fukuoka , Kagoshima , Kumamoto-Yatsushiro , Naha , Sakishima-Ishigaki Island .

The boat's inaugural program (March 2022 through January 2023) included the following itineraries (themes, length, call ports), with prices in USD per person (Inside cabin rates with double occupancy).

• 4-Night "Chan May Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong (5 PM), visiting Danang-Chan May, Vietnam (7 AM - 7 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (7 AM). Prices started from USD 645 pp.
• 4-Night "Fukuoka Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Fukuoka-Hakata Japan (7 AM - 7 PM), and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 700 pp.
• 4-Night "Okinawa Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Naha-Okinawa Island Japan (7 AM - 7 PM), and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 700 pp.
• 4-Night "Taipei Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong (5 PM), visiting Keelung-Taipei Taiwan ((7 AM - 7 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (7 AM). Prices started from USD 890 pp.
• 5-Night "Okinawa and Ishigaki Cruise" - leaving from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Naha-Okinawa Island Japan (7 AM - 7 PM) and Sakishima-Ishigaki Island Japan (9 AM - 7 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (7 AM). Prices started from USD 640 pp.
• 5-Night "Okinawa and Ishigaki Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Naha-Okinawa Island Japan (7 AM - 7 PM) and Sakishima-Ishigaki Island Japan (9 AM - 7 PM) and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 820 pp.
• 5-Night "Okinawa and Ishigaki Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong (5 PM), visiting Naha-Okinawa Island Japan (11:30 AM - 9 PM), Sakishima-Ishigaki Island Japan (10 AM - 8 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (7 AM). Prices started from USD 800 pp.
• 5-Night "Okinawa Overnight Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong (5 PM), visiting Naha-Okinawa Island Japan (overnight/ Day 3 arrives at 11:30 AM - Day 4 departs at 3 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (7 AM). Prices started from USD 845 pp.
• 5-Night "Fukuoka and Kagoshima Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Fukuoka-Hakata Japan (7 Am - 6 PM), Kagoshima Japan (10 AM - 8 PM) and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 730 pp.
• 5-Night "Fukuoka and Kumamoto Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Fukuoka-Hakata Japan (7 AM - 7 PM), Kumamoto Japan (7 AM - 6 PM), and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 780 pp.
• 6-Night "Best Of Japan Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Kobe Japan (overnight/Day 3 arrives at 12:30 PM - Day 4 departs at 4:30 AM), Osaka-Kyoto Japan (7 AM - 6 PM), Aburatsu-Miyazaki Japan (11 AM - 7 PM) and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 1420 pp.
• 8-Night "Best Of Japan Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Shanghai (5 PM), visiting Kobe Japan (overnight/ Day 3 arrives at 12:30 PM - Day 4 departs at 4:30 AM), Osaka-Kyoto Japan (7 AM - 4 PM), Shimizu Japan (10 AM - 8 PM), Tokyo Japan (8 AM - 9 PM) and ending in Shanghai (6 AM). Prices started from USD 1190 pp.
• 9-Night "Best Of Japan Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong (5 PM), visiting Naha-Okinawa Japan (11:30 AM - 10 PM), Osaka-Kyoto Japan (9 AM - 9 PM), Kochi Japan (9 AM - 7 PM), Aburatsu-Miyazaki Japan (7 AM - 7 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (7 AM). Prices started from USD 1900 pp.
• 9-Night "South Korea and Japan Cruise" - leaving roundtrip from Hong Kong (6:35 PM), visiting Jeju South Korea (7 AM - 7 PM), Busan South Korea (7 AM - 6 PM), Fukuoka-Hakata Japan (7 AM - 5 PM), Kagoshima Japan (10 AM - 8 PM) and ending in Hong Kong (6 AM). Prices started from USD 1460 pp.

Bookings on Wonder OTS China cruises opened in mid-April 2021.

However, in mid-September 2021, RCI announced that the newbuild will be redeployed (from Asia to the Caribbean and then Europe/Mediterranean) for its inaugural season 2022-2023, starting with homeporting in Fort Lauderdale. The decision was based on a significant increase in the company's bookings in the USA and Europe, which prompted to introduce this new/world's largest ship on these markets first.

All Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships are with a DNV Green Passport. This is a key element for the Clean Ship Design certificate. The certificate is not compulsory, but it shows the environmental commitment of the operator line Royal Caribbean International. Another interesting feature is that the hulls have a special non-toxic covering that minimizes friction and saves fuel.

Follows a list of fun facts about the RCI Wonder ship - the world's ever-largest passenger vessel.

• Draught: 31 ft (9,3 m)
• Depth (below the waterline): 74 ft (22,6 m)
• above the waterline height: 236 ft (72 m)
• Deadweight Tonnage 19950 tons
• Engines/powerplant (total output 96 MW): three Wartsila diesel (type 12V46D, power output 13,86 MW each), plus three Wartsila diesel (type 16V46D, power output 18,48 MW each)
• Diesel-electric propulsion: 3x ABB thrusters (type Azipod XO, power output 20,5 MW each), plus 4x Wartsila bow thrusters (type CT3500, power output 5,5 MW each)
• All Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships are the world's first cruise vessels with a DNV Green Passport. This is a key element for the Clean Ship Design certificate. The certificate is not compulsory, but it shows the environmental commitment of the operator line Royal Caribbean International. Another interesting feature is that their hulls have a special non-toxic covering that minimizes friction and saves fuel.
• Ultimate Abyss slide is at 150 ft (45,70 m) above sea level, featuring 31 sections, two 360-degree circles, 27-degree slide incline, a 28 m (92 ft) serpentine-like drop, 13,14 seconds average sliding time (top to bottom), around 300 small LED lights and graffiti artworks.
• Aquatheater has two diving boards installed 10 m (33 ft) above its swimming pool.
• The ship was constructed out of 500,000 individual pieces (27 times the pieces used for the Eiffel Tower's construction).
• The shipboard art collection has more works than the Louvre museum (in Paris) has paintings. The onboard art's worth is over USD 7 million.
• The ship has a total of 23 "water areas" (swimming pools, large-size outdoor jacuzzies, waterslides, flowriders).
• The ship has 20 restaurants and offers over 300 individual menu options. Eight specialty restaurants offer over 200 different dishes daily. Total restaurant seating is 4908 seats.
• The onboard bars menus have a total of 127 specialty cocktails, in addition to all the classics.
• Each day are made 110,000 ice cubes.
• Each day are consumed 480,000 gallons (1,87 million liters) of freshwater.
• Daily food consumption statistics show chicken (9,730 lbs / 4,4 tons), eggs (10,000), beef (15,000 lbs / 6,8 tons), ice cream (700 lbs / 320 kg), baking potatoes (20,000 lbs / 9,1 tons), flour (12,600 lbs / 5,7 tons), salmon (2500 lbs / 1,1 tons), french fries (5000 lbs / 2,3 tons), bacon (5300 lbs / 2,4 tons), limes (800 lbs / 360 kg), pineapple (4000 lbs / 1,8 tons), oranges (5000 lbs / 2,3 tons), lemons (1000 lbs / 450 kg), cherries (40 jars), olives (20 jars).
• The ship's food and drinks dedicated staff are 1056 in total, including 249 (culinary), 184 (beverage), 91 (kitchen stewards).
• The ship weighs more than 17,000 African elephants. Note: Male elephants weigh between 10,360 - 13,330 lbs (4,7 - 6 tons).
• Around 2350 tons of water is needed to be filled all the ship's 23 water facilities (swimming pools, jacuzzis, 2 FlowRiders, waterslides, the aqua park Splashaway Bay).

In September 2018, RCCL trademarked the Oasis-Class ships smokestack area (located top-deck midship). The design features a crown-shaped bottom section with 2 slanted funnels above. In October 2018 was trademarked ship's oblong-shaped stern. The design features AquaTheater Suites (with balconies), Ultimate Abyss (2 cascading waterslides) and RCCL's logo.

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An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Wonder of the Seas Trip Log Day 6: 7-Night Western Caribbean Royal Caribbean Cruise – Costa Maya, Mexico – March 15, 2024

Trip log, day six. Costa Maya, Mexico (7:30 AM – 2:30 PM). 7-Night Western Caribbean Royal Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida  March 15, 2024 Cruise Compass – Day 6  |  The Social Feed – Day 6 Wonder of the Seas Deck Plan

Up early with pretty much an empty schedule for the day. No plans onboard, and no plans ashore other than a casual walk around the port. I haven’t been taking regular photos around the ship and decided this morning would be a great opportunity to walk around. I started at the Boardwalk and checked out the Aqua Theatre. I caught a glimpse of a show earlier in the cruise, but didn’t spend anytime in this area.

Flanking the Aqua Theater and Abyss slide are rock walls which our daughter’s friend climbed later in the day while we were ashore. I heard it was challenging, but fun. Our daughter wanted to do it, but even with 7-nights, we ran out of time.

I think the Abyss slide looks the best in darkness, it just looks so cool when viewed from different vantage points.

I didn’t have a decent photo of the exterior of Playmakers to go along with our dinner pictures the other day, so here is a look at Playmakers from the Boardwalk with tables outside with open windows looking inside. I wasn’t kidding about this being a great place to watch sports, even early in the morning, they were running replays, as well as some live events from around the world.

My photo walk consisted mostly of the Boardwalk as I soon made my way back to Vitality Café for my morning caffeine craving while Emily was working out. While Startlink was still connecting to a data center in Mexico, my VPN was working allowing me to do some work!

For the most part, the boring was chill. We headed to Central Park for a coffee refill at the Park Cafe (you can get the complimentary drip coffee here, but they do not serve any specialty coffees) and a light breakfast. On our way, we saw a lovely table with chess pieces setup waiting for guests to play. There was also a medallion in the pavers with the ship name and build year.

Park Cafe offers a selection of breakfast items in a quick service fashion, or made to order while you wait.

Yes, the plants in Central Park are real!!! There are horticulturists tending to the plants and there is even a built in irrigation system. I really don’t know why I am so fascinated by this, but I am. I know big resorts have live plants indoors, but I guess I am stunned a cruise line is willing to spend the resources necessary for the staff and upkeep when they could easily go the cheap route and use fake plants. I guess real plants is some consolation for not being able to see the ocean from most places onboard, at least you can see some nature. We really loved this area and all of the details.

Just before 9:30 AM, we made our way to the gangway.

To say it was windy would be an understatement. We felt the ship moving while onboard (Emily remarked that she was rocking and rolling in the gym), and didn’t think much of it until we were ashore and felt the wind coming ashore and saw the ship rocking. 

The video below includes some speed up footage that exaggerates the rocking, but it does provide an interesting look at the motion while tied up to the dock.

We haven’t been to Costa Maya since December 11, 2012. So I just had a vague idea what the port had to offer. Essentially, I knew it was a compound with shops, food and beverage locations, and a pool along with meeting areas for port adventures. I dug into the into my archives to share the following gallery of images from that 2012 cruise on the Disney Fantasy.

As you can see, right off the bat, there have been some changes to the color palate as well as some physical changes and additions.

Below is a look at the site map posted at the Costa Maya Port .

We began our time ashore walking around looking for souvenirs for the good folks back home. This was the place for NCAA and NFL merchandise.

Minutes after purchase, my new hat was stolen by my kid even though she is a Buccaneers fan.

We continued to walk around the port shops. I mostly stayed outside in the walkways, and occasionally walked off here and there to take photos or look out at the water while the girls wandered in the shops. Thankfully, the port area isn’t that big so even though we lost line of sight contact with each other, we still managed to reconnect.

One of the new features since my last visit was a bird aviary that you could explore for a small fee. I was hooked by the flamingos, especially one that was napping. This was outside the aviary which anyone can enjoy for free.

I just placed my camera on the fence post and let it record while I was waiting for the family. This one flamingo was not interested in entertaining the crowd like the others in the exhibit.

Not sure how often the Costa Maya port’s wifi password changes, but it was easy to guess. All caps, COSTAMAYA .

There are a number of options for food and beverage around the port if you so choose to eat and drink ashore. The pools have swim up bars which will be pictured later.

We made our way around the port shops and ended at a bar without a line. We ordered a beer and a margarita on the rocks served in a souvenir palm tree cup. 

By this point, we covered the port property and moved near the main pool area finding a few chairs. Although we wore swim suits ashore, we did NOT bring any towels. The weather was fantastic so it would be a shame to skip out on the pool experience.

The pool rules mention for use only by patrons of the bars and restaurants, but even as busy as it was, I did not see any enforcement of this policy.

As much as I wanted to join in the swimming, I didn’t really want to air dry, so I just relaxed on the loungers while the family enjoyed the dip in the water.

There is another pool area that is a little more on the quiet side, but not technically quiet.

When the pool time was over, we started to make our way back to the ship stopping at a few shops to buy a few souvenirs we spotted earlier.

Once again, I wondered off and climbed up the stairs where folks were taking group photos. There is a nice view of the port area at the top.

Another popular photo op was the Costa Maya sign near security checkpoint at the pier.

I encourage you to take a minute on your walk back to the ship to enjoy the view of your ship from pier.

We made it back onboard a little after 1PM, roughly 90 minutes or so before all aboard time.

This next part goes against my typical recommendation of eating lunch ashore at a local restaurant. There was a great looking spot along the water that was calling our names, but for the sake of research, we had other plans. We were trying to fit in lunch at El Loco Fresh, the quick service location on the ship.  As great as Donald’s Cantina is on the Disney Wish and BlueIguana Cantina on the Mardi Gras , El Loco Fresh was a disappointment & we should’ve opted to eat ashore.

The balance of the afternoon was spent on the pool deck where I finally found a pool with warm water, and even discovered an actual hot tub! To be fair, I wasn’t out searching each day, so this isn’t a ‘woe is me’ statement on day 6.

It was “Wear Your Best” night, and since we already had Formal night earlier in the cruise, we treated this as semi-formal (which just meant it was another opportunity to bring out the tux).

The main dining room was serving the Royal Night Menu.

The cod just as disappointing as my lunch burrito, others at the table said the tortellini was tasty with others enjoying the lobster. Our server brought a second lobster tail to those at our table who ordered lobster without anyone asking.

The desserts were solid and its required that someone must order the Baked Alaska when served on a cruise ship. Overall, the pies were great in the main dining rooms. It was also great to be out of the dining room in about 45 minutes every night, leaving time to do other things around the ship (especially for those of us that are not out late and are early-to-bed and early-to-risers).

After dinner, the adults and the teens went in different directions. The adults headed up to deck 12 to one of the themed restaurants called Wonderland for some after dinner drinks at the bar. It is not difficult to find since the theming spills out into the hallway and even to the elevator doors.

The entrance to Wonderland is an archway with whimsical flowers and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland inspired elements.

According to Royal Caribbean’s description, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine is all about pushing the culinary envelope. Dishes are designed to tantalize your taste buds and present a visual feast. Find crispy crab cones topped with fluffy avocado mousse, gazpacho served with pepper spheres and bread foam, and dreamy desserts that will take your breath away. Pair your meal with cocktails described as “magical” elixirs crafted to deliver full-sensory experiences.

I found the ceiling lights to be quite wonderful, so much I started taking random pictures of the lights while others at the bar looked on wondering if I consumed the wrong magical elixir. By others I mean my wife and our friend.

The special cocktail menu was very concise with 4 themed offerings.

Actually, there are technically 5 drinks, Down the Rabbit Hole is available with either the red or blue pill.

There was a big group of folks at the bar which were also from Central Florida. They requested blue eyed blonde shots from the bartender who made them in flutes. At some point, they added us in to the order which was cool, and all until we realized they were all on the drink package and they assumed were are as well… there went another punch on my drink card.

While we didn’t go to any of the evening shows during the cruise, we did reserve spots for an adult comedy show in the Attic, which is just where you’d think you find a venue named after the space under the roof of a house, on deck 4.

The show was fun; there were two comics that performed and both were great. While we had reservations, we casually showed up and found seats. Once a certain time hit, they start allowing guests in from the standby line (which we realized was available for most of the reservation required experiences).

Since The Attic was on a lower deck, obviously, we were near the casino which managed to take back $20 in just under a minute. The multipliers and bets on the slot machines are too complicated for this noob. Basically, I learned the hard way to reset the bet amounts when sitting down to a slot machine. The old one arm bandits are more my speed.

As our night wound down, we temporarily forgot on demand movies were not included when we decided to watch Disney’s Wish. At this point in time, the Disney+ streaming date for Wish was still a few weeks away, so we streamed Hangover 2 to close out the night.

This was a much needed day of not doing much after nearly a full day ashore touring Roatan. It’s vacation after all, and doing nothing at times is something I like to fit into my vacations.

With tonight’s room cleaning, we received some documents on the bed including a tip envelopes and tips for an easy departure along with luggage tags.

Remember that time I said to enjoy the view from the pier as you walk back to your cruise ship? Well, I found this gem of the Disney Fantasy in Costa Maya from our December 2012 Western Caribbean Cruise. Looking back, our all aboard time was 1:00AM on the 13th. While not that late, I did head back out around 10PM to take some pictures of the ship, including this gem which has been sitting unseen on a hard drive for well over a decade.

Complete Trip Log Index

• Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida
• Day 2 – Perfect Day at Coco Cay
• Day 3 – At Sea
• Day 4 – Cozumel, Mexico
• Day 5 – Roatan, Honduras
• Day 6 – Costa Maya, Mexico
• Day 7 – At Sea
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I went on 2 of Royal Caribbean's largest and newest cruise ships. I enjoyed them, but they're not for everyone.

• I've sailed on Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships , Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.
• Both megaships are jam-packed with people, amenities, and dining options.
• But if you want a quiet cruise to unique destinations, they might not be for you.

Before booking a vacation at sea, travelers should always research the best cruise line and ship for their needs.

If you're looking for a cheap and fast trip, try Margaritaville at Sea . Craving something more upscale? Consider Oceania Cruises.

But if you're looking for high-end sailing to unique destinations, I'd suggest avoiding Royal Caribbean's megaships .

Royal Caribbean has become synonymous with giant, family-friendly cruise ships

By 2028, Royal Caribbean wants one-third of its fleet to be megaships.

The latest addition, the 1,196-foot-long and 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas, entered service in January, unseating Wonder of the Seas as the world's largest cruise liner.

Together, the two vessels can fit over 19,000 people — about 4,500 crew and 14,500 guests. Each ship has eight neighborhoods and there are 29 bars and 48 eateries between them.

I've attended complimentary sailings on both Wonder and Icon, the longest of which was three nights on the latter. From their colorful pool decks to the inescapable crowds, as a solo-adult traveler, I was equal parts entertained, overwhelmed, and overstimulated.

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But admittedly, I had fun. I do love a good waterslide; Wonder has three of them and Icon has six.

If you want to go on a cruise with your children — and if they, like me, love activities like rock climbing and mini golf — Royal Caribbean's megaships could be your best option.

Wonder and Icon are jam-packed with activity spaces like ice-skating rinks and ziplines.

But don't expect a peaceful retreat. The rowdy, bar-hopping adults and screaming children at the water playground aren't conducive to a relaxing vacation.

Megavessels might not be for you if you want a quiet cruise

If you want a relaxing vacation — maybe one that doesn't involve crowds of children — you shouldn't stay on either Royal Caribbean yacht.

There are many ways to have a luxury vacation on Icon of the Seas . But unless you want to pay for upcharged amenities at every turn, you'd be better off spending more upfront to reserve a premium cruise line — especially if you're interested in cruising for the destinations, not the ships.

After all, like most of Royal Caribbean's largest vessels, Icon and Wonder exclusively sail in the Caribbean.

Some destinations, such as French Polynesia, have set restrictions on which cruises can travel there amid concerns about pollution and overcrowding.

If stopping at these ports — or, really, anywhere outside the Caribbean — is at the top of your vacation wish list, you'll have to travel on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship or go with a different cruise line like Oceania , Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas.

You might not get a waterpark, but you'll get a quieter vacation to locations no megaship will likely be allowed to visit.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

M odern cruise ships continue to grow in size, with the biggest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas , launching at the start of this year, and her sister ship the Star of the Seas expected to surpass her in size.

Both of these ships are operated by Royal Caribbean International, which operates five of the ten largest cruise ships in the world. Carnival Corporation, arguably the biggest cruise company in the world, features three times on the list through its subsidiaries P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.

All of the heaviest cruise ships in the world were built within the last 20 years, although the majority – six of the ten – were built within the last five years.

So, here are the top ten biggest cruise ships in the world, by gross tonnage. 

10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia : 185,581 gross tonnes

The MS Arvia is P&O Cruises’ fourth ship to be built by German shipyard Meyer Werft. Weighing in at 185,581 gross tonnes, the 345m (1,130-foot) Arvia is slightly larger than her sister ship, the MS Iona . The 20-deck ship is the largest ship commissioned for the British cruise market and has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,264 passengers, with 1,800 crew onboard. 

The ship is the second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Excellence-class vessel for P&O, following the Iona . Arvia is powered by a 61,760kW LNG drive system, with a propulsion power of 37 megawatts. The LNG-powered propulsion system allows the vessel to sail at a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.

After being floated out in August 2022, the Arvia mainly operates itineraries around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.

9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda : 185,010 gross tonnes

The Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Costa Cruises fleet. With a gross tonnage of 185,010gt, the 20-deck Excellence-class ship measures 337m (1,106 feet) in length. The second LNG-powered cruise ship to enter operation in the world, she has a maximum capacity of 6,554 passengers with 1,646 crew and a service speed of 21.5 knots.

Construction of the Costa Smeralda began at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, in September 2017. Meyer Turku collaborated with the Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard to develop and integrate the LNG propulsion plant for the ship. She is fitted with four 16-cylinder, Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, with 15.4 megawatts (20,710 horsepower) output per engine, resulting in a maximum power of  37 megawatts (50,000 horsepower).

The ship, which was named after the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, entered service in December 2019 , departing Savona on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, where it has sailed since.

8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana : 186,364 gross tonnes

The Costa Toscana is the sister ship of the Costa Smeralda and is also powered by LNG . measuring 337m (1,106 feet) long and weighing in at 186,364 gross tonnes, the Toscana has a maximum capacity of 6,338 passengers and 1,678 staff across her 20 decks.

Like her sister ship, the Toscana was also built at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, with construction completed in 2021. She is also powered by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, with a total power of 57.2 megawatts (76,706 horsepower), and two ABB Azipod motors , resulting in a service speed of 17 knots.

Named in homage to the Tuscany region of Italy, Costa Toscana mainly sails around the Mediterranean Sea but Costa Cruises has also used the ship to sail itineraries further afield, such as around Brazil and the UAE.

7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa : 215,863 gross tonnes

The only entry in the top ten from MSC Cruises, MSC World Europa measures 333m (1,094 feet) in length. With 215,863 gross tonnage, she can house more people than any other ship in the MSC fleet: up to 6,762 passengers across 2,633 cabins spread over 22 decks, in addition to 2,138 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Europa ’s LNG-power propulsion system was subcontracted to Finland-based Wärtsilä. Five LNG-powered, 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines power the vessel, with a propulsion power of 44 megawatts ( 59,005 horsepower). She also features nitrogen oxide reduction (NOR) units, two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven thrusters, and two fixed-pitch propellers. 

The MSC World Europa was floated out at the end of 2021 and was initially used as an accommodation vessel for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the ship berthed at Doha Port in Qatar during the tournament. Following the competition, the ship subsequently travelled several routes around the UAE, before sailing to the Mediterranean, where it has sailed itineraries since.

6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas : 225,282 gross tonnes

The first of many entries on this list operated by Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas weighs in at 225,282 gross tonnes. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet), she is only 50mm (2 inches) longer than her sister ship the Oasis of the Seas . The Allure has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew across 18 decks.

Built at the Turku Shipyard in Finland, the Allure took two years to build , floating out in 2010. She features six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines with a total power output of 97 megawatts (130,053 horsepower). It is propelled by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters. The ship can travel at a cruising speed of 22 knots.

With a homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US, the Allure mainly serves itineraries around the Bahamas but she is scheduled to sail routes around the Mediterranean in 2025.

5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas : 226,838 gross tonnes

The oldest ship on this list, the Oasis of the Seas has been in service for over a decade. She was the biggest cruise ship at the time when floated out in 2009, with a gross tonnage of 226,838gt and a length of 360m (1,181 feet). The Oasis has a maximum capacity of 6,699 passengers and 2,181 staff across 18 decks.

The Oasis took two years to build at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, with the keel laid on 12 November 2007 and the ship arriving at her homeport of Port Everglades in Florida, US, on 13 November 2009.

The Oasis is powered by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines, which generate 5.6 megawatts (7,500 horsepower) each, alongside four bow thrusters. The main propulsion system consists of three 20-megawatt (26,820 horsepower) electric Azipod motors, resulting in a combined propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and a standard cruising speed of 23 knots.

The Oasis mainly operates routes around the Caribbean, but occasionally repositions to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean.

4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas : 226,963 gross tonnes

The third Oasis-class ship built by Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas weighed in bigger than her existing sister ships at launch in 2016, with 226,963 gross tonnage, but she has since been surpassed by newer vessels. With a total length of 362m (1,188 feet), Harmony has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,300 staff across 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean placed an order with STX France for the construction of Harmony of the Seas in December 2012. The first steel for the ship was cut at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in September 2013, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in May 2014.

The Harmony is powered by three 18.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46 12-cylinder engines producing 13.9 megawatts each. The propulsion power is provided by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters and manoeuvring is assisted by four 5.5-megawatt Wärtsilä CT 3500 tunnel thrusters. The propulsion system results in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enables the ship to sail at a standard speed of 23 knots.

Harmony of the Seas embarked on her inaugural seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain, in June 2016, and currently operates itineraries around the Western Caribbean from her homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US.

3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas : 228,081 gross tonnes

At launch in 2018, the Symphony of the Seas surpassed the Harmony as the biggest cruise ship, weighing in at 228,081 gross tonnes. Measuring 361m (1,185 feet), the Symphony has a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers and 2,200 staff across 18 decks and was the testing ground for Royal Caribbean's new muster drill . With a total length of 361m (1,185 feet), She is roughly 30 metres (98 feet) longer than the largest military ships , the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the USS Gerald R. Ford .

The keel-laying ceremony for the Symphony of the Seas was held in October 2015 at STX’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France, and the ship sailed out in June 2017. She is powered by six diesel sets, each composed of three Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, as well as three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines – resulting in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) of propulsion power and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Symphony commenced her seven-day maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2018, and since then has mainly operated itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

2. Royal Caribbean International – Wonder of the Seas : 235,600 gross tonnes

Royal Caribbean's flagship, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis-class cruise ship built for the cruise company. Weighing in at 235,600 gross tonnes, the Wonder was the largest ship in the world when she was completed in January 2022. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet) in length, the 18-deck Wonder has a maximum capacity of 7,084 guests across its 2,867 staterooms, as well as housing 2,369 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, Wonder is powered by two Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and four Wärtsilä 12V46D engines; and uses three 20-megawatt electric Azipod engines for propulsion, combining for a propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Wonder sailed her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since served itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami and Cape Canaveral.

1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas : 248,663 gross tonnes

Weighing 248,663 gross tonnes and measuring 365 metres (1,1967 feet), the Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Christened on 23 January 2024, the Icon has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew across 20 decks. She is the lead ship of the new Icon-class, with a sister ship the Star of the Seas due to be delivered in 2025 and another ship planned for delivery in 2026.

Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, the Icon is the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that can be powered by LNG. It uses three Wärtsilä 14V46DF and three Wärtsilä 12V46DF for its main generator engines, which provide 67.5 megawatts of energy to run the ship. She is propelled by three 20-megawatt Azipod thrusters as well as five 4.8-megawatt Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters, with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

After sailing her maiden voyage on 27 January 2024, the Icon now sails year-round itineraries of seven-night trips around the Eastern and Western Caribbean from her homeport of Miami, Florida.

"The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world" was originally created and published by Ship Technology , a GlobalData owned brand.

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