By: Donna Bulieris, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Welcome to the newest wonder, The Wonder of the Seas! This is the largest cruise ship in the world and the newest ship in Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s fleet. I was lucky enough to sail on an inaugural two night sailing this December and it was not nearly enough time to see everything. I could spend weeks on this ship and never run out of things to do.
It measures over 1100 feet long, has 18 decks and while this ship can hold up to 7084 passengers it never once felt crowded. I found the layout of the ship very easy to navigate and there was something for everyone. There are so many places to eat and tons of activities, you will never go hungry or bored!
The neighborhood layout found of the Oasis class ships is such a great concept. Each provides unique experiences and dining options. There are eight neighborhoods on Wonder of the Seas, with the newest being the Suite Neighborhood and unique to this ship.
Here is what each of these has to offer:
The Boardwalk- reminiscent of an old-time seaside pier. Here you will find a working carousel, along with fun dining experiences and outdoor seating areas. You will also find the Aquatheater located at the very rear of the Boardwalk. This is an amphitheater style theater and home to the show inTense, which is a must see!
Central Park- This outdoor park is the perfect place for a stroll, complete with live plans and foliage, you will forget you are even on a ship. There are also several restaurants, shops, and live music in the evening. The Rising Tide Bar also makes a stop here.
The Royal Promenade- Home to Starbucks, Sorrento’s pizza, lots of shopping and entertainment. It’s also a great gathering spot. If you are traveling as a large group, this would make the perfect place to meet up with your family and friends for a morning coffee, or after dinner to head out to your evening plans, or at 1 am for a slice of pizza from Sorrento’s. Calories do not count on a cruise!
Entertainment Place- The name says it all! This is where you will find Royal Caribbean’s signature entertainment including an ice-skating rink, comedy club, theater, and the casino.
Pool & Sports Zone- This deck is packed with fun! There are 4 pools which I found to be an upgraded version when comparing to other Oasis class ships, each with plenty of seating in and around them. For the thrill seekers there is The Perfect Storm waterslides. For the little ones there is Splashaway bay complete with eater cannons, smaller slides, and a drench bucket. For the adults there are plenty of bars! This is also the location of the largest poolside movie screen of any of the Royal Caribbean ships.
Oasis Class standards are also found on this deck such as the Flow Rider simulated surf, twin rock-climbing walls, zip line which soars ten decks high, mini golf and the Ultimate Abyss slide. Something new to this ship and found in this neighborhood is the Wonder Playscape, and underwater-themed climb and play area. Little ones will have a blast here!
Youth Zone –Home to Adventure Ocean kids and teen club programs. Your kids will never want to leave here! Programs are available for children starting at age 6 months all the way up to 17 years old.
Vitality Spa & Fitness- Everything you need to relax, recharge, and pamper yourself throughout your cruise is found in this neighborhood. The fitness center features state-of-the-art equipment and is available at no additional cost. You can also book yourself an appointment at the beauty salon or barbershop.
The Suite Neighborhood- This newest concept provides a private neighborhood feel featuring Coastal Kitchen, a dining experience only available to guests staying in a suite, the Suite Lounge, and private suite sun deck. Some of the most fantastic suites can be found on this deck including the Ultimate Family suite which would be a kid’s dream!!
I had such a great time sailing on this ship, it truly blew all the others out of the water! There is so much to do that even a weeklong sailing is not going to be enough to explore and enjoy it all. I will be booking my family on this one. If you are interested in a quote for you and your family or significant other be sure to reach out to your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent or visit: marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus to be connected with an agent. Remember it's the same price to book your vacation with MMT as it is to book it directly through Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, but when you book with MMT you get concierge level vacation planning service completely free of charge!
Reach out to us at www.marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus to be connected with a travel agent.
