Just Back from Wonder of the Seas - Top 3 / Bottom 3

[chodnett]

Hey all!

We just returned from a 7-night Eastern Caribbean + Perfect Day sailing on Wonder of the Seas.

This was Fall Break for our kiddos, and we sailed with extended family, too. For reference, we booked connecting interior staterooms to double our space.

Top 3

• This ship is beautiful. Great flow. Clever pool deck with fun out-of-pocket bars. Everything just felt “right” about this ship’s design.
• Standing alone - this is the best Windjammer design in the fleet. We never had to wait for a table.
• Captain Trym & Cruise Director Ricky were both fantastic and enhanced the cruise experience.

Bottom 3

• We just couldn’t find the desire to book another cruise while on-board. The pricing is just in a tough spot, as Royal continues to climb out the pandemic, financially. 
• The Smoking area on pool deck is large and the smell travels into the Windjammer. 
• This is by far the worst mini-golf course of the fleet. It’s beautiful, but not functional. Some of the gimmicks were not working.

Notes

• Confirmed: No height requirements for Splashaway Bay. Potty trained and comfortability.
• First time I’ve seen the ability to view and purchase cruise photos in the app.
• This was the first cruise I’ve been on where the bars ran out of ingredients.
• We’ve always been overly encouraged to fill out the survey, but on this cruise, they started the pitch on night 2, and it only intensified with each passing day.

 

Hit me with any questions!

[smokeybandit]

2 minutes ago, chodnett said:

We just couldn’t find the desire to book another cruise while on-board. The pricing is just in a tough spot, as Royal continues to climb out the pandemic, financially. 

Also tough timing on booking based on the calendar for schedule extensions.

[OCSC Mike]

Was on Wonder in June but was treated to a GS with extended family so didn't spend much time in the WJ, just popped in during breakfast and lunch a few times. Agree about the layout.

We have several future Wonder cruises booked and we'll be back to sailing frugally. Did you have any dinners there? If so, any highlights? Was there a cook to order station (pasta/wok)?

[chodnett]

22 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Was on Wonder in June but was treated to a GS with extended family so didn't spend much time in the WJ, just popped in during breakfast and lunch a few times. Agree about the layout.

We have several future Wonder cruises booked and we'll be back to sailing frugally. Did you have any dinners there? If so, any highlights? Was there a cook to order station (pasta/wok)?

We had one dinner in the WJ. I prefer dinner in WJ compared to lunch and breakfast, as there is more variety.

I did experience a wok station, but don’t recall pasta.

I really like how they do a Burger of the Day in the WJ on Wonder! Also, the kids corner was a highlight for my little guys.

[OCSC Mike]

22 minutes ago, chodnett said:

We had one dinner in the WJ. I prefer dinner in WJ compared to lunch and breakfast, as there is more variety.

I did experience a wok station, but don’t recall pasta.

I really like how they do a Burger of the Day in the WJ on Wonder! Also, the kids corner was a highlight for my little guys.

Dinner variety is good to hear.

The cook to order station is my picky wife's go-to since she can obviously create her own dish. I like it too, doesn't get much hotter and fresher than cooked right in front of you. They will usually alternate wok with pasta in some fashion so it would make sense if you only went one night that you only saw one.

I had a burger of the day in June and it was much better than the burgers sitting out on the line, IMO. I don't think I've had one of the regular burgers in over a decade.

I don't have kids but I did check out the kids section... I thought it was a great touch for kids and pretty sure I took a few of the dessert items myself.

Thanks for the info. We're not on Wonder again til March, so everything could change, lol, but at least I liked your answers.

We're on Allure in 24 days (last minute cruise) and someone who was on her the past 2 weeks said no more cook to order station at all so I was hoping it was still alive and well on Wonder.

[ChessE4]

20 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Also tough timing on booking based on the calendar for schedule extensions.

Exactly!  We'd rather book when the calendars are first announced, not necessarily when we are on the ship.

[KJ777]

Thank you for this!  We're going on the Wonder December 3 and this is great information.  I'm excited to check out the WJ after hearing your thoughts on it.  Honestly, I love going down there, not just for the food but also the people watching!  

Does the ship have an overcrowded feel or is it pretty open?  

[Va4fam]

Thank you for sharing your experience.   We have a 2025 trip booked on Wonder and will live vicariously through everyone else.  By the time we sail on her, she will be "old!"

[chodnett]

28 minutes ago, KJ777 said:

Thank you for this!  We're going on the Wonder December 3 and this is great information.  I'm excited to check out the WJ after hearing your thoughts on it.  Honestly, I love going down there, not just for the food but also the people watching!  

Does the ship have an overcrowded feel or is it pretty open?  

That’s probably one of the most underrated aspects of Wonder, despite the 6800 people onboard, we never felt the crowd, outside of embarkation day.

We never had to wait for a table, elevator, or pool chair.

I also thought the entertainment and activity team did a great job of balancing the offerings throughout the ship to disperse the crowds.

One thing I noted - they were putting prime shows during peak pool times. Love & Marriage and Battle of the Sexes were both scheduled for 2 pm on Sea Days for this cruise.

[OCSC Mike]

27 minutes ago, KJ777 said:

Does the ship have an overcrowded feel or is it pretty open?  

Have you been on Oasis class before?

It felt like any other Oasis class ship to me in June... pool deck was crowded, WJ was crowded at peak times (although the new layout is much improved), otherwise it handled the insane amount of people as well as any other ship that large... which is pretty damn well, IMO.

[KJ777]

@OCSC Mike yes, we were on Harmony last year, so your analogy is perfect!  Thank you!

@chodnett thank you again!  That's one of the things I was wondering about was crowds.  

And even on Harmony, we never felt overcrowded.  Thank you both!  62 days to go!!

[Magster]

Hi!

"No height requirements for Splashaway Bay"

So no requirements for slides? Are you sure?

[chodnett]

5 hours ago, Magster said:

Hi!

"No height requirements for Splashaway Bay"

So no requirements for slides? Are you sure?

No height requirements for Splashaway Bay slides only. This is back-to-back cruises (on different ships) for us where the lifeguards have told us that Royal made this change in February 2023, and the new restriction is “comfortability.” If the child is comfortable, they can slide.

This is not inclusive of Perfect Storm water slides.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Totally agree with the points about ship design/flow, captain/CD, and mini golf. They ran out of ingredients at bars and Starbucks on our July sailing as well. You would figure that they could plan that out better. At Starbucks, they even said it was because so many kids were on board lol. For some drinks, they could not make them by Day 2. I could not believe it! Also, totally agree with pricing becoming ultra depressing. No comment on the WJ 

@chodnett I noticed on your signature that you are sailing Oasis in March 2024? Any chance you are on the March 10th sailing? 

 

[OCSC Mike]

47 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

No comment on the WJ 

Well yeah, hard to comment if you don't step foot in there. You had comments on the Liberty WJ... sounded like you loved it to me.

It's becoming more and more likely if I blog from Wonder again that it will be nothing but included venue food porn.

[Lovetocruise2002]

4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Well yeah, hard to comment if you don't step foot in there. You had comments on the Liberty WJ... sounded like you loved it to me.

Ah...at least I know that @WAAAYTOOO will get my dislike for the WJ lol

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Ah...at least I know that @WAAAYTOOO will get my dislike for the WJ lol

I get it, you know I don't judge. We all like what we like.

And I liked reading about you being forced to eat there on Liberty. It was very entertaining.

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

being forced

That would be the correct word choice 

[chodnett]

3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Totally agree with the points about ship design/flow, captain/CD, and mini golf. They ran out of ingredients at bars and Starbucks on our July sailing as well. You would figure that they could plan that out better. At Starbucks, they even said it was because so many kids were on board lol. For some drinks, they could not make them by Day 2. I could not believe it! Also, totally agree with pricing becoming ultra depressing. No comment on the WJ 

@chodnett I noticed on your signature that you are sailing Oasis in March 2024? Any chance you are on the March 10th sailing? 

 

Oh shoot. No - we'll be in late March for my kid's Spring Break.

[Mike n Ky]

The best thing in the WJ on Wonder is the kids desert section...they had chocolate covered chocolate chip cookies that were awesome. You either have to be limber to get down low or wait for a kid to help you.

[OCSC Mike]

32 minutes ago, Mike n Ky said:

The best thing in the WJ on Wonder is the kids desert section...they had chocolate covered chocolate chip cookies that were awesome. You either have to be limber to get down low or wait for a kid to help you.

The kids section was great but we didn't see those cookies! They better be there next time!

[deButler]

49 minutes ago, Mike n Ky said:

The best thing in the WJ on Wonder is the kids desert section...they had chocolate covered chocolate chip cookies that were awesome. You either have to be limber to get down low or wait for a kid to help you.

^^^ THIS is what I come to these posts for!!! RCBlog users are the BEST.  Thanks @Mike n Ky
 

I am TOTTALLY finding those cookies next week!!!

[Hoppy2BHere]

We were on this same sailing with @chodnett. Agree with comments that applied to us 55+ cruisers.

-One of the best WJs. Dinner is best variety. No cook in front of you station, but lots of other options. There is a pasta and add your own sauce area.

-Speaking with several bartenders, Bar ingredients are distributed throughout the week from the stores they take aboard on Sunday. Example restocking was late day 2 or 3 for the pub and they sometimes have to go borrow from other locations before then.

-Casino seems to be paying better attention to table games for point credit. Heard this from multiple players, but didn’t check mine onboard and hasn’t appeared on the site yet.

-Seemed to be much fewer kids than the stories of summer and those aboard seemed mostly well behaved.

-Found the ultimate spot in the solarium in front of an AC output! will share the location for a shiny nickel…

-Diamond lounge coffee machine and Coconut ranger cookies!!! The Life!

Will add more as I think about it and have time.

J&S

 

[JimnKathy]

On 10/2/2023 at 4:19 PM, OCSC Mike said:

Have you been on Oasis class before?

It felt like any other Oasis class ship to me in June... pool deck was crowded, WJ was crowded at peak times (although the new layout is much improved), otherwise it handled the insane amount of people as well as any other ship that large... which is pretty damn well, IMO.

I agree.

We've enjoyed sailings on Allure, Symphony and Wonder and never felt the ships were any more crowded than experiences on smaller cruise ships. The Oasis class design is on point for managing crowd flow.

[Qeyton Dude]

Thanks for your feedback, we are on in early NOV, and just had the opportunity to book entertainment.  Can you tell us the day and time for the love and marriage game show?  We don't want any conflicts, but its not listed yet  Thanks

[chodnett]

6 minutes ago, Qeyton Dude said:

Thanks for your feedback, we are on in early NOV, and just had the opportunity to book entertainment.  Can you tell us the day and time for the love and marriage game show?  We don't want any conflicts, but its not listed yet  Thanks

I want to say it was the first sea day, which for us was Tuesday. It took place at 2 pm. 

[deButler]

On 10/3/2023 at 3:05 PM, Hoppy2BHere said:

-Found the ultimate spot in the solarium in front of an AC output! will share the location for a shiny nickel…

-Diamond lounge coffee machine and Coconut ranger cookies!!! The Life!

 

Mrs deButler said she would gladly give you a quarter for your secret location

Only us old cruisers still call them by their original name of Ranger cookies. I used to ask the staff for them in promenade cafe and they would look at me like I had 3 eyeballs. By FAR my favorite thing ever served on RCL ships. 

[deButler]

11 hours ago, chodnett said:

I want to say it was the first sea day, which for us was Tuesday. It took place at 2 pm. 

We have it at the same time on our sailing next week. Really odd that they schedule them that early on the first Sea day. 
 

[Cheryl Celentano]

Was there thyme nite and broad way show is on the wonder

[CruiseGus]

On 10/3/2023 at 5:05 PM, Hoppy2BHere said:

 @chodnett

-Speaking with several bartenders, Bar ingredients are distributed throughout the week from the stores they take aboard on Sunday. Example restocking was late day 2 or 3 for the pub and they sometimes have to go borrow from other locations before then.

Accurate with the exception it also depends on what the Lead Bar tender orders from stores some days before they stock

More senior the Lead more likely his order is fulfilled.  All business is about politics

[chodnett]

6 hours ago, Cheryl Celentano said:

Was there thyme nite and broad way show is on the wonder

Hey Cheryl!

There is no Broadway show on Wonder. Plenty of other great entertainment. The Aqua show, InTense, is second only to Aqua80s IMO.

As for your other question, I’m not sure if you really meant Thyme or Theme. There was no Thyme night. There was an 80s theme night!

[Hoppy2BHere]

We won’t be on Wonder for a while so here goes on the “spot. It’s really not so super secret, but you have to get there early… The two sets of stairs that go down to the lower level have padded lounges to the side. The top tier 4 are right in front of an AC exhaust and were very pleasant even on the really hot days.

Found the cookies regularly in the WJ this trip.  YUM!

 

 

[OCSC Mike]

2 hours ago, chodnett said:

There is no Broadway show on Wonder. Plenty of other great entertainment. The Aqua show, InTense, is second only to Aqua80s IMO.

I really liked the ice show on Wonder. Some of the stage shows weren't for me but in our family of 8 some did so I think it's just what type of shows you like.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, Hoppy2BHere said:

We won’t be on Wonder for a while so here goes on the “spot. It’s really not so super secret, but you have to get there early… The two sets of stairs that go down to the lower level have padded lounges to the side. The top tier 4 are right in front of an AC exhaust and we’re very pleasant even on the really hot days.

Thanks for the tip. Won't be on again until March but have 4 currently booked. Just to clarify, those 4 are still down the stairs, just on an upper tier once down there?

We were treated to a GS in June so we didn't spend time in the Solarium but when sailing alone we spend quite a bit of time there.

[Lovetocruise2002]

10 hours ago, deButler said:

Only us old cruisers still call them by their original name of Ranger cookies. I used to ask the staff for them in promenade cafe and they would look at me like I had 3 eyeballs. By FAR my favorite thing ever served on RCL ships. 

Wait! What? That's what I still call them. What are they actually called now? lol

[OCSC Mike]

58 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Wait! What? That's what I still call them.

Me too.

I'm also a little hung up on being referred to as an "old cruiser."

[Lovetocruise2002]

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

I'm also a little hung up on being referred to as an "old cruiser."

Same. My first thought was, "What are those cookies actually called?" 

My second thought was, "Am I that old?" 

[Hoppy2BHere]

On 10/6/2023 at 7:57 AM, OCSC Mike said:

Thanks for the tip. Won't be on again until March but have 4 currently booked. Just to clarify, those 4 are still down the stairs, just on an upper tier once down there?

We were treated to a GS in June so we didn't spend time in the Solarium but when sailing alone we spend quite a bit of time there.

Yes. They are the first level down that you see going down the stairs. Maybe 8 steps down. There is another mid level below it, but it doesn’t get as much air…

 

[Pattycruise]

On 10/5/2023 at 11:30 PM, deButler said:

We have it at the same time on our sailing next week. Really odd that they schedule them that early on the first Sea day. 
 

It’s so the longest married couple can wake up from their nap and eat before going to the show

[deButler]

On 10/6/2023 at 6:33 AM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Wait! What? That's what I still call them. What are they actually called now? lol

They’re now signed as “Coconut Cookies” and seems that most of the crew only knows them by that. 
 

LOL - “old” was only implied as experienced cruisers