Cruise Overview
Big, bold, and high-tech, Wonder of the Seas is exactly that -- a wonder upon the seas. The biggest ship in the world offers more activities, entertainment, dining and experiences than any person could reasonably pack into a single week -- or two.Despite its leviathan appearance, this surprisingly accessible ship distinguishes itself by offering up uncommonly subdued experiences, like evenings at the outdoor Central Park Boardwalk and quiet days at sea in the 180-degree, three-story Solarium at the bow of the ship. You'll need to be on top of things, however: entertainment and specialty dining reservations book up well in advance, and pricing for the ship's most interesting dining venues is higher than industry average, with most venues starting above $50 per person before drinks and gratuity. Still, Wonder of the Seas -- the fifth Oasis-class ship to debut since the 2009 introduction of Oasis of the Seas -- emerges as Royal Caribbean's best offering yet.
Cabin Details
Across the board, Royal Caribbean has stepped up its game aboard Wonder of the Seas. From cleverly-designed bathrooms that feature magnetic doors instead of the old clunky latch-and-lock variety to the crisp décor and abundant storage options, staying aboard Wonder of the Seas -- even in an economically-priced inside stateroom -- is no hardship.Interior rooms are the smallest at 172 square feet -- still generous even compared with Royal Caribbean's older ships, which can be downright cramped in this category (although small if you're comparing it to the average U.S. hotel room, which is generally 330 square feet) . Oceanview cabins add an oversized picture window and sitting area, while balcony rooms extend that space even further, offering an oversized sofa (convertible to additional berths in some categories) and a generously-sized outdoor balcony.You can bring all your gadgets with you, too: electrical outlets are plentiful, and come in North American, European and USB flavours. A series of five pegs are placed on the wall underneath the flat-panel television -- perfect for storing hats, masks and other varied items. Royal Caribbean's VOOM internet is strong throughout all cabin categories, too -- making connectivity at sea a snap.
Dining Details
The Main Dining Room: Located on Decks 3, 4 and 5, this three-story venue serves up breakfast, dinner, and lunch on sea days. Menus change daily, and cruisers can select whether they would like early, late, or anytime dinner seating options. This is where all the standard cruise staples -- escargot, shrimp cocktail, steak and lobster on select nights -- can be found. The room, however, is on the cramped side despite its size; expect to be sitting very close to your fellow diners.
Activities Details
The Royal Theatre on Decks 4 and 5 forward showcases comedians, vocalists, magicians and performing bands on a nightly basis. Reservations are required for some shows, which can be made via the Royal Caribbean app. Unlike other ships in the fleet, there is no standard, Broadway-style show aboard Wonder of the Seas.
Studio B is one of Royal Caribbean's most-popular big ship venues, hosting spectacular ice-skating performances on select evenings. The ice surface can be covered up, however, to turn Studio B into a venue for entertainment options like "Royal Friendly Feud" and "Battle of the Sexes." One night per voyage, Studio B becomes a late-night club known as RED. Advanced reservations for ice shows are required.
The AquaTheatre is the most spectacular venue aboard Wonder of the Seas, and features a daring aquatic show in the vein of Cirque du Soleil. The all-female cast aboard Wonder of the Seas puts on superb performance, though the exact show was still being developed during our sailing. Shows are 50 minutes long, and early and late performances are offered. Reservations are absolutely required for this popular (and rewarding) venue.
Nightlife aboard Wonder of the Seas is "wonderfully" varied. You can dance all night in Bolero's, sing karaoke to your heart's content at Spotlight Karaoke, or take in one of the many live musical acts interspersed throughout the ship's public rooms -- not to mention the evening performances in Studio B or the Aqua theatre. But Wonder of the Seas can also be surprisingly quiet and tranquil by night -- take a stroll through the Central Park area on Deck 8 or enjoy a glass of wine amongst the trees at the charming Trellis Bar. The ship's Solarium at night turns into a space of quiet wonder as well, with its soft blue mood lighting and central bar area that is a draw for those looking for conversation in a superb space unlike any other at sea.