Wonder of the Seas Inaugural
Ever think about what it must be like going on the world’s largest cruise ship? Well, *wonder* no more! Recently, Haley was invited to spend some time onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, the Wonder of the Seas, during the inaugural events, and she had the best time soaking it all in. Keep reading to see what she thought about this dazzling ship.
We headed down to Port Canaveral, Florida to board the Wonder of the Seas. We flew down the night before and stayed at a hotel right near the Port (there are plenty to choose from) which had a shuttle from the hotel to the ship the morning of our cruise which was super helpful. (The Cruise Express is also a great way to get your cruise ship.) That morning, we boarded the ship around noon and couldn’t wait to start exploring this brand new ship!
As you can imagine, this ship truly has so many fun features, activities and places to relax and enjoy yourself onboard. Our cruise was quick- only three days in total- so we really packed in the exploring!
One of the first places we checked out was Central Park. This open air park in the middle of the ship located on deck eight was lush with live plants throughout the entire space. There was plenty of space to sit and enjoy a beverage from the Trellis Bar, and there were even some places to grab a bite to eat here. The Park Café is a complimentary dining space that serves breakfast and lunch right in the park, it’s a casual deli that you can pop by and grab your favorites from whenever you feel like it!
Other dining options in Central Park include specialty restaurants Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Chops Grille and 150 Central Park. Specialty dining at these restaurants, or others onboard are NOT to be missed- make sure you book one of these on your next cruise!
Deck eight is also home to the Music Hall, one of the entertainment venues onboard the Wonder. Cover bands play here at night so you can take in the music from the bar, pool tables or lounge tables inside after dark.
The next place we checked out had to be the Boardwalk. Located on deck six, the Boardwalk is an entertainment hub for all ages! When you enter the Boardwalk, you’re greeted by the carousel, which you can hop on at any time on your cruise when it’s running! Continue walking through the Boardwalk and you’ll eventually make it to the Aquatheater on the aft of the ship.
The Aquatheater is home to one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen on the high seas- and is a highlight of any Oasis Class ship. The talented dancers, acrobats, divers and trapeze artists blend dancing, synchronized swimming, diving and more into one action packed show. It was mesmerizing and my favorite show that I saw onboard the Wonder, and one that you definitely need to add to your calendar when you book your cruise too.
The Boardwalk is also where the Ultimate Abyss Slide ends. The dry slide starts on deck 16 and winds you down and around ten stories until you make it back to deck six. This is for thrill seekers of any age who are looking to add a bit of adrenaline to their day and is complimentary, so you can do it as much as you desire!
In addition to all of the fun activities on the Boardwalk, there are also some great places to eat here. The Boardwalk Dog House has crafted hot dogs for you to grab for lunch or dinner, or whenever you’re in the mood and gives you that classic boardwalk feel. On top of that, there are some specialty dining options here as well, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Johnny Rockets and Sugar Beach Candy Shop.
Keep walking forward on deck six and you’ll find some other fun places to check out, like the Schooner Bar. Walk all the way to the front of the ship and find the Vitality Cafe, which has plenty of fresh smoothie and juice options for you to try, and the entrance to the Fitness Center and Spa. Here, you can book a relaxing spa service like a massage or facial, or get a sweat session in at a fitness center class or on your own.
Next, we ventured down one deck to find the Royal Promenade. This open space has everything you could think of here- places to eat & drink, places to shop and places to play! The promenade has retail shops for clothing, jewelry, beauty and more (tax and duty free as well!)
If you’re looking for a fun place to grab a drink, the promenade has plenty! Rising Tide Bar is one of the coolest on the ship. You can consider the bar a wet elevator, since it starts on deck five and rises to deck eight. Stay on and enjoy the deck-to-deck views or hop off at the top!
Other bars in the Royal Promenade include some Royal Caribbean classics like Bolero’s, the English Pub and the Bionic Bar. For the coffee lovers onboard, Starbucks is located here as well. Spotlight Karaoke is an all new venue where karaoke masters and novices alike can test out their pipes in front of the crowd.
There are some included dining locations in the Royal Promenade too. Café Promenade is open 24 hours a day, and has favorites for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late night snacks. Speaking of late night, our favorite late night spot to get a bite to eat is Sorrento’s Pizza, located right across the promenade.
Some other things located on deck five include the running track for everyone who likes to get those laps in even at sea, and the Royal Theater. This theater is home to more Broadway-style shows. We were lucky enough to check out The Effectors 2. You might remember reading my thoughts on The Effectors from Julie’s Manager’s Cruise last December onboard the Odyssey of the Seas, and this original production from Royal Caribbean did not disappoint either.
This show is so technologically advanced, with screens onstage and the use of drones throughout the show, we were captivated and loved the show that incorporated a lot of well known music.
The Main Dining Room is also located on deck five. The dining room spans three decks and is where you can go each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Main Dining Room has menu staples that stay put each night, but also has specials that change each day and are delicious! The Main Dining Room is complimentary, and you can order as many courses as you like, so you never have to decide between two of your favorite dishes.
Going down one deck to deck four, there are even more entertainment hubs to be enjoyed! The Casino Royale is a Vegas-style casino located mid-ship. There are slot machines galore, along with plenty of table games like poker and roulette to test your luck in, with a bar to keep the liquid luck flowing. During sailings, there are tournaments at seas, which makes the casino a very popular spot to be.
Continuing forward on deck four, you’ll find Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, the specialty hibachi and sushi restaurant onboard the Wonder, along with the art gallery and the center ice rink. Enjoy ice skating with friends and family during the day, and at night enjoy one of the ice skating shows, including 365: The Seasons on Ice, which we saw and loved!
Across from the ice rink is The Attic, the comedy club onboard the Wonder. We had so many laughs in The Attic during our cruise and loved the comedians onboard, this is definitely a spot you want to check out after the kids have gone to bed for the night.
On the Wonder, there are a lot of staterooms located on decks six through fourteen. As you work your way up the decks on the ship, you’ll find hidden treasure tucked away, like the specialty restaurant Wonderland. I had the pleasure of enjoying this restaurant on the Odyssey of the Seas, and it really is unlike any other dining experience I’ve had. If you’re looking for a unique specialty dining experience, this is the one for you, located on decks 11 and 12.
Deck 14 forward will be a hot spot for the kids in your group! Adventure Ocean is the kids club onboard the Wonder. There is space here for kids to roam around and explore the play place full of climbable creations and games. Things like the interactive tinker time at Workshop, friendly competition arena, video game areas and dedicated programs for specific age groups will have the littles pumped to go back each day. There are even Adventure Ocean Babies programs and late night parties for additional fees.
Head up one deck and find the Solarium & Solarium Bistro at the forward of deck 15. The Solarium is a cozy, warm and comfortable place to enjoy the views. Take them in from of the multiple whirlpools inside or maybe from the Vue Bar. The Solarium is for adults only and is one of the most serene places onboard the ship. The Solarium Bistro is a complimentary buffet that you can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at. Fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors make every bite delicious!
Exit the Solarium and you’re greeted with action & fun for the kids and kids at heart. The perfect storm waterslides and Splashaway bay will keep everyone in the family entertained on those warm sunny days at sea. Splashaway Bay has so many fun water activities for the littles and the Perfect Storm slides will get your heart racing while cooling off. Keep moving toward the aft of the ship and you’ll come across the main pools, located right next to beloved Royal Caribbean poolside bar the Lime and the Coconut. Sipping tropical drinks poolside and lounging in the sun is my idea of a great vacation, and you can certainly get that here.
Located on deck 15 aft is the Windjammer Restaurant. This complimentary buffet has breakfast, lunch and dinner covered and was our go-to for breakfast. The open-aired and bright space had plenty of tables for groups of different sizes and has food from all over the world, so whatever you’re craving, you can definitely find it here. When you enter, you’ll find a hand-washing station to keep the germs away, and then you’re good to go explore all the food you can eat!
Next to the Windjammer is the Mason Jar, one of Royal Caribbean’s newest restaurants. The Mason Jar is a specialty restaurant that serves southern cuisine for brunch or dinner. The dishes on the menu here for brunch or dinner look amazing, and we can’t wait to try it out on our next cruise!
Deck 16 is a hidden gem for all the fun! The entire back of the ship has things to keep you and your kiddos coming back for more every day. There is a sports court where pickleball and basketball can be played daily, the flowrider to test your surfing skills, the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss Slide, the zip line over the boardwalk and the Wonder Playscape where the littles can get their energy out and Wonder Dunes- the ocean-themed mini golf course on the ship.
The Wipe Out Bar is located in the middle of all the action so you don’t miss any of the fun. Keep walking forward and you’ll find Cantina Fresca and El Loco Fresh. El Loco Fresh is complimentary dining for lunch and dinner where you can indulge in your favorite Mexican classics like tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more! Cantina Fresca is the bar located just next door so you can grab a margarita to go with your Mexican munchies.
Step inside and you’ll find the arcade. This arcade is huge and has a ton of games to play, whether you’re a ski-ball fan, like to race or play everything in between, this spot’s for you! Social 100 is across the hall from the Arcade and is the dedicated space onboard for teens ages 13-17. The space has a gaming lounge, music, movies and plenty of comfortable space indoors and outdoors for teens to hang out at.
At the front of the ship on deck 16 is Hooked Seafood, a specialty dining restaurant for the seafood lovers on the ship. Get everything from crab cakes to lobster rolls to oysters and more at the prix fixe restaurant!
Deck 17 is where many suites are located on the Wonder. When you book a suite on the Wonder, you get a lot of different perks and amenities that don’t come with other staterooms, like:
With these amenities in mind, deck 17 is also home to Coastal Kitchen and the suite lounge. On deck 18, the top deck of the ship, you’ll find more suites and the Suite Sun Deck.
Speaking of suites, I had the pleasure of being able to tour quite a few different rooms onboard the Wonder, including suites, here’s my rundown on all of them.
Interior Stateroom with Virtual Balcony- For being an interior stateroom, the virtual balcony did its job to make you really feel like the ocean was right outside your room. I really liked the space in this room and think if you’re looking to save some money on certain parts of your trip and don’t mind having an interior room, this is one way to do that.
Oceanview Room- This room had a lot of useful space, and did not feel cramped even during the tour. If not having a balcony isn’t a huge deal to you, this could be a great way to save money on your trip as well without sacrificing room space, plus you still get some great views!
Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony- This was the room I stayed on the trip, and I loved it. I thought there was more than enough room and storage for two people in the room, and the extra spacious balcony was a perk we loved. The double closets, drawer space and bathroom storage allowed us to keep the room tidy and could definitely fit another person or two. There is an accessible version of this stateroom as well for those who need wheelchair access. There are also staterooms with balconies that look into either Central Park or the Boardwalk- these cost less than the Oceanview balcony staterooms and still give you great views!
Grand Suite- The Grand Suite is the first level of suites that you can book on the Wonder. The suite has one bedroom, with a couch and chairs, along with a spacious balcony and all the amenities mentioned above.
Owner’s Suite- The Owner’s Suite has one bedroom plus a double sofa bed and sleeps four total. The bathroom has a walk-in shower and full bathroom and is incredibly spacious. The balcony is large and offers plenty of seating for the entire group staying in the suite with lounge chairs and a table and chairs.
Crown Loft Suite with Balcony- This two level loft is designed with modern comfort in mind. The living room has a couch, along with a table to sit at. The private balcony is spacious and offers expansive views. Head upstairs and find the open bedroom, with the primary bathroom that has a full tub and shower. There’s extra closet space upstairs along with a vanity. Head back downstairs to find the guest bathroom with a shower.
AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony- This suite is great for a lot of reasons, but the large balcony may be the selling point! When you walk out onto your large balcony, you have a front row view to the AquaTheater. In addition to the amazing views, this suite sleeps 8 guests and has two bedrooms and bathrooms with a dining area. There are other variations of this AquaSuite on the Wonder, some that have smaller balconies, or some that are more spacious inside.
Royal Loft Suite- This is one of the most impressive suites onboard the Wonder. At 1,524 square feet, this two-story suite can sleep up to six guests. Walk into the suite and find an expansive living area with a table and chairs, couches and comfortable chairs (and grand piano, too.) Step outside through the sliding doors and find the massive balcony complete with multiple seating areas and a private hot tub. The primary bedroom is upstairs with a Royal King bed, vanity and expansive primary bathroom with a walk-in shower and deep tub, with double sinks. Head back downstairs and find the second bedroom and bathroom.
Ultimate Family Suite- This room is the crème de la crème of suites for families. This suite sleeps up to nine guests and is a massive two-story suite that has three bedrooms, a cinema room, gaming area, in-suite slide, living and dining room and a giant balcony with a private hot tub. The suite is so fun, with stairs that play like giant piano keys and the dining room table has a digital tabletop that you can play games on. There is no shortage of fun in this suite and it is a kid’s dream!
After a day packed with exploring the ship, we got a good night of sleep and woke up refreshed, and ready to take on Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. We grabbed breakfast at the Windjammer Marketplace before heading off the ship and to the beach. We were incredibly grateful to be in the warmth of the Bahamas in the middle of December, considering the alternative in the Capital Region would be much, much colder.
We started our day off at Chill Island, lounging on the beach and soaking in the sun with some tropical drinks from the Wacky Seagull Bar. For lunch, we stopped by Captain Jack’s for a drink and then went to Skipper’s Grill to get some food. There were burgers, hot dogs, tacos and more to munch on and we loved it! After lunch we took on some slides at Thrill Waterpark. We started at Daredevil’s Peak, which is the tallest waterslide in North America, and believe me- it was fast! We also tried out Sling Shot which was a family tube ride and that one was so much fun too!
There really is no shortage of fun for all ages at Perfect Day. Some of my favorite things about the private island is that a lot of the amenities you pay for on the ship can be used on the island, including internet and drink packages.
After soaking in the sun a little bit more poolside at Oasis Lagoon, we headed back to the ship to get ready for our last evening of fun on the ship.
The Wonder of the Seas absolutely lived up to its name and is a *wonder*ful option for your family’s next cruise! From the entertainment and amenities onboard, to spending a day at Perfect Day at Coco Cay and everything in between, there has never been a better time to cruise with Royal Caribbean. Learn about all of the Wonder’s sailings and book your next cruise with one of our advisors on our website today.
