A Year of Wonder - Part 2 (Wonder OTS April 10 - 13)

[CruisingAndy]

Hi Friends - for those who followed my blog in February (here), you know that we’re sailing on Wonder three times this year. We’re back this weekend for part 2. 

The main reason for this sailing was the great deal we got on a grand suite, which of course on Wonder are located on deck 17. I’ve always wanted to try #teamdeck17, and this opportunity was too good to pass up. 

The details - 

Who: me and DH

Where: PDCC and Nassau

Cabin: 1714 (Sky Class; grand suite)

Other info: doing the Beach Club at PDCC. The RBC is tempting, but we really want to take advantage of the suite deck, so the RBC will have to wait until June. 

After DD’s obsession with inTENse in Feb, we… won’t be seeing it again . Nor will we be seeing any other shows. The goal is to leave Deck 17 fewer than 5 times the entire weekend. 

The concierges reached out a week before sailing and arranged our CK dinners and Beach Club lunch. Apparently, the Wonder concierges don’t subscribe to the, wait until the day of to communicate method, that Sabrina’s genie did last month . 

Flying direct from IND to MIA on Thursday and looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

[OCSC Mike]

17 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

I’ve always wanted to try #teamdeck17

You picked the right O-class ship for it but you already know that.

18 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

Cabin: 1714

Boooo… I had 1722 in one of my very rare #teamdeck17 experiences. Having the closest cabin to the SL/CK was fun.

21 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

The goal is to leave Deck 17 fewer than 5 times the entire weekend. 

That was my family’s goal and they came pretty close to achieving it… back when Wonder was doing 7N, lol. I was so busy taking advantage of the suite neighborhood that I had to go back 4 times in genpop for the rest of the ship.

Looking forward to another one of your blogs and glad you’re getting a break from InTENse.

[CruisingAndy]

11 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

That was my family’s goal and they came pretty close to achieving it… back when Wonder was doing 7N, lol. I was so busy taking advantage of the suite neighborhood that I had to go back 4 times in genpop for the rest of the ship.

I suggested to DH that we may need to wonder down to ELF a few times. It was then that I learned he doesn’t really care for it all that much… so those maybe solo trips for me

[OCSC Mike]

9 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

I suggested to DH that we may need to wonder down to ELF a few times. It was then that I learned he doesn’t really care for it all that much… so those maybe solo trips for me

As I think you know, I'm very familiar with those solo runs, even while in our usual genpop cabin. The only thing my wife will eat from ELF is tortilla chips. I often take a walk across the pool deck from the Solarium to get my pineapple jalapeno margarita and some tacos. My wife wanted to try the thermal suite after taking a tour last summer and I caught a good sale so she has it for all 7 days in June. That's not my thing so I'll be making even more solo food/drink runs than usual on that one. I'll have to see when she winds up going.

[Lovetocruise2002]

My sister had the UT version of that room last year. The decor and colour scheme is beautiful. I really liked that room she had. This year she had the CL up one deck on WN, and there was major ding dong ditch. Hopefully that doesn't happen to you guys. Be on the look out. 

[CruisingAndy]

16 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

This year she had the CL up one deck on WN, and there was major ding dong ditch. Hopefully that doesn't happen to you guys. Be on the look out. 

I saw that from your blog and remain a little frustrated that they do seem to always leave those doors open on Wonder. It seems completely unnecessary. Here’s hoping it’s not an issue for us. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

6 hours ago, CruisingAndy said:

I saw that from your blog and remain a little frustrated that they do seem to always leave those doors open on Wonder. It seems completely unnecessary. Here’s hoping it’s not an issue for us. 

Do an experiment. Close them every time you walk by and see how fast they open back up again lol. I am hoping it won't be an issue for you guys either.

[CruisingAndy]

4 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Do an experiment. Close them every time you walk by and see how fast they open back up again lol.

I absolutely am going to try this

[CruisingAndy]

We had an incredibly easy travel day. Made it to Miami around 5 pm and to our hotel by 6. We’re staying on Miami Beach this time which is new for us. Had dinner at a little bistro (Panizza) that reminded us so much of Rome. 10/10 - everything was excellent! Definitely would recommend if you’re in the area. 
 

 

[OCSC Mike]

Happy Cruise Day!

[lovetheplaya]

HAPPY CRUISE DAY!!!

We cruised out of Miami a few years ago and it was so fun! 

Hope getting to the port and boarding goes well!

[CruisingAndy]

Miami traffic remains crazy . Took 30 minutes from our hotel to the port. Thankfully, there was next to no traffic once inside the port, which seems crazy considering how badly we’ve seen it backed up before. We had to say hi to our favorite Star Class pier agent. But it was not even 5 minutes from curb to waiting in the suite area. Boarding now!

[CruisingAndy]

Obligatory top shelf Long Island for the first drink. We also went up to try to go to the suite lounge and the outside doors are closed. So back to the Schooner Bar. I’ve not seen that before and found it odd since genies often take SC guests there to wait. 
 

 

[OCSC Mike]

6 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

We also went up to try to go to the suite lounge and the outside doors are closed. So back to the Schooner Bar. I’ve not seen that before and found it odd since genies often take SC guests there to wait. 

That is odd. I don't remember how we got through the doors but we went to the SL twice right after embarkation on Utopia last July and last month to see our concierge friend and drop off her gifts.

We won't count that as "leaving deck 17" since you never really accessed the suite neighborhood.

9 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

Obligatory top shelf Long Island for the first drink.

That makes my standard first drink basically non-alcoholic, lol. Way to start out with a bang!

[CruisingAndy]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

That makes my standard first drink basically non-alcoholic, lol. Way to start out with a bang!

This is why I do it . 
 

Lunch in CK. Caesar salad, scallops, and the blackened Cajun chicken. Everything was wonderful. Better yet, our server was the same one we had in 150CP in February! We’ve requested her for all of our dinners moving forward. Hanging on the suite sun deck until rooms open. 
 

 

[Cactus527]

Happy cruise day! Loving the photos already.

[Ogilthorpe]

I'm late to the party, but Happy Cruise Day!! 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Happy Cruise Day!

[asquared17]

happy cruise day!!!

[Southern Dan]

Happy Cruise Day, looks like a good start so far!

[CruisingAndy]

We spent the afternoon on the suite sun deck and it was busier today than I ever recall in February. 

Left the sanctity of deck 17 to get drinks at Mason Jar and now back for some pre dinner snacks in the SL. We’ve left port and seas are super rocky. 
 

Update on deck 17 doors. DH and I have closed them every time we’ve walked. They’ve been open every time we’ve come back through. 
 

 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

Left the sanctity of deck 17 to get drinks at Mason Jar

A worthy reason to leave the suite neighborhood.

[CruisingAndy]

Dinner in CK. A tad slow but very good. One surprising thing, and no clue if this was known and I just missed it, there is no more filet night in CK on 3 nighters. Slightly disappointed but I guess I’ll survive with the Beach Club filet tomorrow. No plans for this evening other than an early bedtime to ensure we’re up first thing tomorrow to get our preferred spot at the Beach Club. 
 

 

[OCSC Mike]

10 hours ago, CruisingAndy said:

guess I’ll survive with the Beach Club filet tomorrow

I’m usually one of those “a good steak doesn’t need sauce or toppings” guys but I really enjoyed how it comes at the Beach Club last month.

10 hours ago, CruisingAndy said:

early bedtime to ensure we’re up first thing tomorrow to get our preferred spot at the Beach Club

I can always relate to your blogs b/c I feel like we have similar cruising styles, I’m just usually doing the genpop version. We’re up early anyway but generally try to disembark asap to get our preferred spot at Oasis Lagoon… then we get there earlier than need-be & enjoy a peaceful morning until it fills up closer to 10am.

Hope you claim your spot and have a great day!

[CruisingAndy]

We ended up spending some time at the pub last night and the performer (Darla) was excellent! We were up early, grabbed a light breakfast and coffee in the SL and to the Beach Club by 8:10. And we did grab our spot . 
 

 

[CruisingAndy]

The Beach Club is the busiest we’ve seen it in a while and for the OTW cabanas that I can see, most appear to be in use. Had another fantastic lunch. Although I think they routinely overcook the steak, it still has an amazing taste. 
 

 

[Lovetocruise2002]

17 hours ago, CruisingAndy said:

there is no more filet night in CK on 3 nighters.

I noticed on WN in March, they moved it to Night 3 on the 4 nighter.

[CruisingAndy]

3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I noticed on WN in March, they moved it to Night 3 on the 4 nighter.

Jason Liberty cost cutting measures strike again!  

Got back on board around 3:30 and have been bouncing around between the SL and Mason Jar bar. Currently enjoying the calm on our balcony before dinner in CK. 

[CruisingAndy]

Dinner in CK was interesting. We got a great seat that overlooked the Boardwalk. And then 5 minutes into our dinner, with numerous tables open, they sat another couple literally right next to us. Like the tables were maybe 2 feet apart. It was not a huge deal I just don’t get why they do that with tables available. In terms of food, the wedge and lobster meatballs were excellent. DH claims they’ve changed the recipe for the French onion soup but wouldn’t say whether it was better or worse. The Moroccan chicken was good but not great (as was the tiramisu). With no plans for tomorrow, we’ll see how late we can stay up . 
 

 

[GatorCruiser]

Wonder is a great ship. 

[InmyElement]

On 4/10/2026 at 10:43 AM, CruisingAndy said:

Obligatory top shelf Long Island for the first drink

I’m really late, but YES..nothing like a little jet fuel to smooth the edges and flip the brain straight into cruise mode 

#TeamLITea

Really enjoying this blog..great stuff. I’m starting to like these 3Ners…and I cannot lie..thus convincing 

[OCSC Mike]

31 minutes ago, InmyElement said:

#TeamLITea

Haven’t had one of those in forever but I do enjoy “The Pitch” from Playmakers which is a modified Long Island with sprite & midori which gives it a funky green color. Still packs a punch, just a little different flavor.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

but I do enjoy “The Pitch” from Playmakers which is a modified Long Island with sprite & midori

I love Midori in a drink and this sounds interesting.  Thanks for the suggestion, it’s on my list for my upcoming cruise!

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

I love Midori in a drink and this sounds interesting.  Thanks for the suggestion, it’s on my list for my upcoming cruise!

It's still a strong drink like a Long Island (vodka, rum, gin) but the Midori and Sprite give it a bit more fruit flavor than a regular Long Island which can be rough if not made well.

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Haven’t had one of those in forever but I do enjoy “The Pitch” from Playmakers which is a modified Long Island with sprite & midori which gives it a funky green color. Still packs a punch, just a little different flavor.

Is that the same as Tokyo tea? I haven't had one of those in ages but it was also a modified version of Long Island with Midori and Sprite and a few other things.

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Is that the same as Tokyo tea? I haven't had one of those in ages but it was also a modified version of Long Island with Midori and Sprite and a few other things.

Pretty much. I think The Pitch left out a couple ingredients but same idea (I know there's no tequila). I wasn't familiar with Tokyo Tea until I tried The Pitch but you're not the first person who mentioned it.

Before I found more favorites at places like Mason Jar I used to get The Pitch a few times per cruise. I think part of the reason I stopped was that we don't spend much time on the boardwalk unless we're seeing an aqua show or actually getting Playmakers and I usually get my Goal Post margarita with burgers and when I've been going to PM at night for that last snack I'm not looking for a Long Island to go with it, lol. I'm too pre-vintage for that. 11pm means snack and time for bed soon. I usually have a soda or something like a Truly or Twisted Tea with my snack if I want something slightly alcoholic.

The amazing SL bartender we had on Wonder when we were on deck 17 the one time with that amazing crew with Vinay and the others was making them for me after I showed him the recipe in the app... that was fun.

[CruisingAndy]

We were zonked last night, I assume from all the time in the sun. Slept until 8:45 and then rushed to CK for breakfast. Nice, slow morning so far but we are in the solarium as it’s been raining off and on all morning. It’s definitely busier in here than I would’ve guessed so wonder if people canceled their RBC day or are waiting out the rain. 
 

 

[OCSC Mike]

24 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

we are in the solarium as it’s been raining off and on all morning. It’s definitely busier in here than I would’ve guessed

The catch-22 of the enclosed Solarium. Great to have when it's raining but it definitely gets busier. Since our usual routine is to grab our preferred spot there early on ship days, we're set up either way, but I've definitely witnessed how crowded it can get. I also remember watching all the people coming back to the ship from Costa Maya on the long pier there in the middle of a huge downpour that actually flooded that Solarium back when Wonder was still doing 7N from PC.

Hopefully the rain goes away for everyone's sake.

[CruisingAndy]

The rain ended by 11:30 and it turned into a great day. We grabbed ELF for lunch. The beef nearly made me toss my cookies but everything else was good. Spent the rest of the afternoon on the suite sun deck, in the hot tub or lounging. After a quick shower, we grabbed our favorite MJ drinks and now hanging out in the SL. 
 

 

[AshleyDillo]

On 4/11/2026 at 8:14 AM, CruisingAndy said:

We ended up spending some time at the pub last night and the performer (Darla) was excellent!

Glad to hear she's back on board. She is a lot of fun..we love having her on the group cruises!