I went back on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas for a quick 4-night cruise, and found a few helpful tips before you sail will benefit almost anyone.
Being one of the biggest Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Wonder of the Seas has so much to do onboard that you really can't squeeze it into just one sailing.
Part of the reason to book a cruise on Wonder is to experience all of the incredible bars, restaurants and activities.
I've sailed on Wonder of the Seas six times, and it's clear there are a few things everyone should know and do before they get onboard.
Do your online check-in to make boarding smooth
Download the Royal Caribbean app before your cruise begins and do the online check-in because it will make getting onboard so fast.
The app allows you to select a check-in time as well as enter everyone's important information. Then at the cruise terminal, all the staff needs to do is verify everything and you'll be on your way.
You can always tell who has done their online check-in and which families are starting off vacation waiting for the staff member to enter your info, take photos, and scan your credit card.
More importantly, doing your online check-in gets you access to the Express Boarding line.
This is a special line for those that did online check-in and they get a shorter line and onboard the ship faster. It's free to get Express Boarding, but you need to complete the steps in the app before embarkation day.
There are alternatives to the buffet that are less crowded
On any Royal Caribbean ship, the Windjammer buffet is usually the first place everyone thinks of for breakfast or when boarding the ship.
However, there are a few good alternatives with shorter lines.
El Loco Fresh (Deck 15) or Park Cafe (Deck 8) are both very good and far less crowded.
You'll find Mexican food at El Loco Fresh, such as quesadillas, tacos, and burritos. Park Cafe has salads, soups, sandwiches, and grab and go snacks. Both restaurants are included in your cruise fare.
I love going here to be able to get in, get something to eat, and then be on my way for more fun.
Reserve shows before the cruise instead of on embarkation day
There are shows every night, but you need reservations. I recommend booking them before the cruise begins in the app or Cruise Planner website.
You can make reservations around 30 days before your cruise begins.
In the AquaTheater you’ll find InTENse. As the name implies, this show features an intense performance of high diving, slack lining, tight roping, acrobatics, and synchronized swimming by an all-female cast.
The ice-skating rink, Studio B, is home to the production of 365: The Seasons on Ice, which transports guests to all four seasons through technology-driven set design and professional performers. You’ll almost certainly be amazed watching the cast perform backflips, triple axels, and aerial performances on ice!
In The Royal Theater you’ll find the original production of The Effectors II: Crash n’ Burn, telling the story of a band of superheroes fighting their arch-nemesis, Crash. Although the storyline might sound cheesy, the combination of technology, drones, singing, and dancing makes this show a must-see while onboard.
Aside from these three main shows are smaller production shows and live music around the ship.
Don't go to the water slides when there are long lines. Try these times instead
There are 3 water slides on Wonder of the Seas, and the best times to try them all is definitely not on a sea day.
I recommend going to the water slides at one of two times for minimal waits: on embarkation day before 1pm, or while the ship is docked in port.
Water slides are very popular with kids, and lines develop when the pool deck is busy.
However, a great cruise hack is to wear (or bring) your bathing suit on embarkation day and then hit the slides in the early afternoon.
Most other passengers packed their bathing suits and their luggage may not be delivered until mid afternoon. This leaves the water slides open and with a short line.
There are public restrooms at the pool deck to change into your bathing suit.
The other really good time to try the water slides is when your ship is docked at a port of call.
Going to the slide when most other passengers are off the ship on a shore excursion means short lines as well.
Another idea is go directly to the water slides when you get back from a shore excursion, as the pool deck isn't usually too busy.
The Mason Jar is the best bar you didn't know about
The best bar on Wonder of the Seas you're not going to is up on Deck 15 at the Mason Jar.
This is a specialty restaurant, but at night the bar becomes one of the most fun spots onboard. They have a country band that plays music and there are some really good drinks to try too.
I love the Mason Jar bar for the fun vibe, and a lot of cruisers completely miss out on the fun here. Get a seat early, because it fills up!
The Crazy Quest is don't miss fun for adults
Want to try something fun without the kids that will surely make you laugh? The Crazy Quest is a must-see show.
This is an event for guests 18 years old or older, and it's a competition. Teams of two work to complete challenges with the help of their seating section to get points.
It's pretty much a scavenger hunt, but with adult tones to it.
The name "crazy" is well deserved given the antics guests get into in trying to complete the various challenges.
Johnny Rockets is free for breakfast
Ordinarily Johnny Rockets costs extra to eat there, but it's free for breakfast.
In the morning hours, you can go to Johnny Rockets for an American style breakfast and pay nothing extra for the food.
You'll only find free breakfast at Johnny Rockets on Oasis Class ships, and it seems like no one else knows about this trick for an uncrowded sit-down breakfast alternative to the Main Dining Room or Windjammer.
Pack pants for ice skating
Did you know you can go ice skating on Wonder of the Seas?
There are open skate sessions, but there are two dress requirements:
- You are wearing socks
- You are wearing long pants
Packing socks is never an issue, but since Wonder of the Seas sails to The Bahamas, it's easy to overlook packing pants.
Bring (and wear) pants to ice skating and enjoy a half hour of fun on the ice!
Book laser tag as soon as you board
Another fun activity in Studio B is laser tag.
Just like ice skating, laser tag has no cost and quite popular. You can book a spot once you get on the ship and open the Royal Caribbean app, connect to the Wi-Fi, and then reserve a time slot.
Watch out for the short kids, because you'll turn a corner and get zapped without noticing them at your eye level!
Kids will love the midnight balloon drop
Photo by Scott Sanders
Children seem to love the balloon drop even more than the adults do.
On the first day of your cruise, there will be nets of balloons along the ceiling of the Royal Promenade.
If you can manage to keep your kids awake until midnight, head to the Royal Promenade when hundreds of balloons are dropped on you.
Kids love this, and they even get the chance to pop the balloons too!
Order these 5 unique drinks
Because Royal Caribbean has so many fun bars on Wonder of the Seas, there are a number of cocktails you should try.
This list of drinks are only available at certain bars, so a bar hop activity should be a must-do for your family:
- PB&J Old Fashioned (Mason Jar)
- Lime and Coconut (Lime and Coconut)
- Cheshire Cat Cosmo (Wonderland)
- She's a Geisha (Izumi)
- Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned (Schooner Bar)
All of these cocktails are included with the Deluxe Beverage Package, and they're mighty tasty!
The Suite Sun Deck is the best in the fleet
If you're booked in a suite, make an effort to hang out in the Suite Sun Deck.
Exclusively for passengers booked in a Grand Suite or higher, the expansive Suite Sun Deck has a private plunge pool, bar, and comfy loungers.
I love the mix of places to sit in the sun and shade. Plus, there are extremely large and comfortable sun beds that have no cost.
The bar means you don't have to go far for a drink.
Pre-book the Royal Beach Club for the best price
Every Wonder of the Seas cruise visits Nassau, where you can experience Royal Caribbean's new exclusive retreat.
The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a shore excursion reserved just for Royal Caribbean cruise guests (and Celebrity cruisers too), but there's limited capacity and the price is higher on the ship.
I recommend booking a day pass (or cabana) a few months before the cruise begins. You could save hundreds of dollars alone by pre-booking!
