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10 things to do before you board Wonder of the Seas

In:
20 Jun 2022

Have a cruise booked on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and excited to get onboard for all the fun?

Wonder of the Seas in Labadee

Before you get your cruise started, it's a good idea to plan a few things and prepare for everything Wonder of the Seas has to offer.

While there are important things to do before any cruise you go on, Wonder of the Seas has its own considerations (as do all the Oasis Class ships). 

Have Royal Caribbean app installed and ready to use

The Royal Caribbean app is a must-have for any cruise, but super important for a new ship like Wonder of the Seas.

The reason why the app is so important is Royal Caribbean puts so much of its cruise planning tools once onboard in the app.

The app is free to download, so get it on your phone and then log in and ensure everything is ready to go. 

Even if you're the "I don't want to carry around my phone all the time" type of person, the advantages of having the app installed for even just embarkation day make it totally worthwhile.

Get a check-in time

Check-in-time

Now that you have the Royal Caribbean app installed, get a check-time assigned.

Royal Caribbean opens check-in times up to 45 days before your cruise.  If you are still more than 45 days out from boarding, set a calendar reminder so you can get one later.

Wonder of the Seas docked at CocoCay

The nice thing about using the Royal Caribbean app is you can choose a check-in time without completing the rest of the check-in process on the app.  Be sure to complete it, but in the meantime, get an early check-in time.

Remember, the earlier you check-in, the earlier you get onboard and start the fun.

Watch a ship tour

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To get an idea of where everything is, it's a good idea to watch a walkthrough video tour of Wonder of the Seas.

Getting your bearings on an Oasis Class ship is always important for new cruisers, and a video tour is an easy way to know where everything is located before you ever get onboard.

Luckily, we have a great video that takes you around the ship with nothing but views of where everything is located and helpful descriptions of what to expect.

Pre-purchase a drink package

The Vue

If you think a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it for your family, then buy it now and lock in the price.

You can purchase a drink package on Royal Caribbean's cruise planner website.  Yes, it will be cheaper than if you wait to buy it onboard the cruise.

Book dining times

Mason Jar

It seems like everyone knows about how amazing the specialty restaurants are on Wonder of the Seas, so do yourself a favor and pre-book dining times early.

Just like the drink package, you can book specialty restaurants via the Royal Caribbean cruise planner.

These restaurants book up the quickest and almost always sell out:

  • Mason Jar
  • Izumi Hibachi
  • Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Skip the Windjammer

El Loco Fresh

On embarkation day, you can avoid the crowds by skipping the Windjammer buffet.

When you watch our Wonder of the Seas tour, you'll see how many great alternatives there are for embarkation day lunch.

My top choices for a quick bite to eat after you get onboard are:

  • Park Cafe
  • El Loco Fresh
  • Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade (has an extra cost)

Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on bag

Wonder of the Seas pool deck

The best time to ride the water slides and FlowRider is on the first day of the cruise.

Pack a bathing suit in your carry-on bag so that you can change into the bathing suit after getting onboard and having lunch. Most people will have packed their bathing suit in their checked luggage, which means very few people can go in the pool or enjoy the slides.

There are large restrooms on the pool deck you can change in, and then take advantage of the short waits.

Read moreThe Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Pack pants and socks

Speaking of things to pack, make sure you pack socks and pants.

If your Wonder of the Seas cruise is going to the Caribbean or Mediterranean, you might overlook bringing socks or long pants, but they're necessary if you want to try either the rock climbing wall or free skating sessions in the ship's ice skating rink.

Email the suite concierge

If you are in a Grand Suite or higher cabin, then you'll have access to the suite concierge.

About a week before your cruise, the concierge should email you to welcome you onboard and give you the basics of what to expect.

Instead of just glancing at the email, email back the concierge and ask them to book dining times, reserve a cabana, or anything else you can think of to book before the cruise begins.

One of the best benefits of staying in a suite is the added service the concierge gives you.

Plan to see all the shows

Intense in AquaTheater

Regardless if you are a patron of the arts at home or not, plan to see all the shows onboard.

Wonder of the Seas has a few signature shows onboard that are must-sees, so plan your evenings accordingly.

This includes:

  • inTENse (AquaTheater)
  • Effectors II (Royal Theater)
  • 365: The Seasons on Ice (Studio B)
  • Voices (Royal Theater)
Aquatheater

You won't be able to pre-book entertainment before your cruise (unless you have a Royal Genie), but you can book show times as soon as you get on the ship and connect to the wifi.

Then open up the Royal Caribbean app, and you'll be able to book show times.

More helpful information

Royal Caribbean updates: New show on Wonder of the Seas, biggest ship to visit Nova Scotia, & more

In:
09 Jun 2022

Ready to catch up on Royal Caribbean news from this week?

Oasis of the Seas in Nova Scotia

There's always things happening you should know about in Royal Caribbean beyond just the big headlines, so here's a quick look at what's new lately.

Oasis of the Seas becomes largest cruise ship to ever visit Halifax

The residents of Nova Scotia, Canada welcomed the largest cruise ship to ever enter their waters this week.

Oasis of the Seas arrived in Halifax on Tuesday morning.

About 175 vessel calls are expected during the cruise ship season in Halifax, which peaks in the fall.

Credit to the Port of Halifax for sharing these great photos!

Sneak peek at new show on Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas arrives in U.S. for her first sailings | Royal Caribbean Blog

It's no secret that Royal Caribbean will be adding a new show to Wonder of the Seas this summer.

"Effectors 2" is the sequel to the Effectors show first seen on Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas. It's a show based on Royal Caribbean's own team of super heroes that use sound and music to fight the forces of evil.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, tweeted a video update with a look at the show.

No date yet exactly when Effectors 2 will open on Wonder of the Seas, but it should be sometime this summer.

Spectrum of the Seas will soon start sailing to Malaysia

Cruises from Singapore that sail to no ports are about to change.

Beginning on June 30, Spectrum of the Seas will start offering cruises to port calls in Malaysia.

Kuala Lampur

Royal Caribbean announced the ship will start visiting Kuala Lumpur and Penang with its new three- and four-night itineraries.

"We are thrilled to be the first cruise line in Singapore to reconnect holidaymakers with Asia’s beautiful destinations once again," said Angie Stephen, Royal Caribbean Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific.

 

Subtle changes Royal Caribbean made on Wonder of the Seas

In:
30 May 2022

You probably heard about the new suite neighborhood, shows, and restaurants Royal Caribbean added to Wonder of the Seas, but the cruise line also tweaked a few things that I really liked.

Wonder of the Seas night lit up

With each new cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's teams look for ways to improve the guest experience, and not just on a grand scale. Tweaking, swapping, and trying new ideas is part of the new build process. Often, these changes aren't heralded in reviews, but people that cruise a lot are sure to notice them when they run across it and say something like, "That's different."

Read moreWonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

Besides the amazing new shows and areas you wont find any other Oasis Class ship, here are a few subtle changes Royal Caribbean made to Wonder of the Seas that I noticed (and most of them I liked).

Magnetic bathroom doors

Bathroom door on Wonder of the Seas

The first time you use your cruise cabin bathroom, you'll probably notice it's missing that typical "ka-chunk!" sound the door makes when slamming shut.

The bathroom doors in your cabin are magnetically sealed on Wonder of the Seas. I assume it's so that the door is quieter when it closes, but I don't know that for a fact.

The bathroom doors use a magnetic element which pulls shut the the door when it's within about 1/2 -1” from closure. 

Read more: 8 things you should know about your cruise ship cabin

Some showers have dual showerheads

Keeping with the "changes in the bathroom" theme, another pleasant change was my balcony cabin had two different showerheads. 

Not all cabins have this, but there is a handheld showerhead and a standard showerhead that you can alternate between in the balcony room I stayed in. While you can't use them both at the same time, it is nice to be able to switch as needed.

Keep in mind if you do switch showerheads, the water coming out will likely be initially cold until the warm water comes rushing through the pipe.

Read moreA look at the big suites on Wonder of the Seas

More USB outlets

USB plug near bed on Wonder of the Seas

A trend Royal Caribbean has embraced is adding USB outlets to more places, and that continues on Wonder of the Seas.

There are more USB outlets in bars than I've seen on any other Royal Caribbean ship. This is great for being able to charge your phone while you hang out (and not have to drag around a battery pack).

USB plugs in cabin

In the cabin, there are more USB outlets than normal.  In addition to the USB outlets at your desk, they've finally added USB outlets near the beds.

Read moreThe Mason Jar Southern food restaurant on Wonder of the Seas

Wall hooks

Wall hooks on Wonder of the Seas

One of my favorite cabin hacks has been to recommend bringing your own magnets with hooks, but Royal Caribbean has offered some hooks on Wonder of the Seas.

Below the television are a series of hooks that came installed already.

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Wall hooks are very helpful in a cabin because you can use them to keep apparel off the ground, and more importantly, free up drawer space.

Read moreMy favorite Royal Caribbean cruise hacks

Jazz music in Central Park

When we learned there would be no Jazz on 4 on Wonder of the Seas (it was replaced with a casino space), it seemed like an entertainment loss, but that's not the case.

Wonder of the Seas was designed with a high roller casino area in lieu of a jazz club to appeal to the Asian cruise market. When Royal Caribbean changed plans to keep Wonder of the Seas in the United States, they decided to keep the VIP room.

Royal Caribbean moved the jazz performers to Central Park to offer music each evening. There's also jazz music from time to time in Music Hall.

Read moreInteresting facts you might not know about Wonder of the Seas

More helpful articles

A look at the big suites on Wonder of the Seas

In:
28 May 2022

What does a suite on the world's largest cruise ship look like?

Accessible Loft Suite

Staying in a suite means enjoying the finest accommodations on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which come in variety of configurations and prices.

When you book a suite, you're getting the most space available in a cruise cabin on board both inside and on your balcony. That means space to spread out and take full advantage of your home away from home.

In addition, a suite gets you additional benefits such as concierge service, priority boarding and departure privileges, and dedicated entertainment seating.

Royal Loft Suite

Whether you choose to book a suite or not, it's always fun to look at what these giant cabins look like, just so you can get an idea of what it gets you.

Royal Caribbean recently shared remarkable photos from some of the suites on Wonder of the Seas. Keep in mind this isn't every type of suite, but there's a few varieties to give you an idea of what it's like.

From the spacious to the stupendous, here's a look at some of the suites on Wonder.

Accessible Loft Suite

Accessible Loft Suite

Loft suites are the two-level cabins first introduced on the Oasis Class cruise ships that truly stand out for the fact it encompasses more than one floor.

This particular suite is a wheelchair accessible cabin (there's an elevator to bring the wheelchair up to the second level near the cabin entrance). 

Royal Caribbean has accessible rooms are available in: Crown Loft Suite, Junior Suite, Ultra Spacious Ocean View with Large Balcony, Ocean View Balcony, Central Park View Balcony, Ocean View, Interior, Interior with Virtual Balcony

Loft Suite
Loft suite balcony

Crown Loft Suite

Crown Loft Suite

Here's a look at the standard loft suite on Wonder of the Seas, without the accessibility option.

The Crown Loft Suite (category L1) has two levels and has a Royal King bed upstairs and a sofa bed downstairs.

Crown Loft Suite

Royal Loft Suite

Royal Loft Suite

If you're looking to move up from a standard loft suite, the Royal Loft Suite provides more living space as well as Star Class benefits, such as your own Royal Genie.

Read moreWhat is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?

Royal Loft Suite
Royal Loft Suite
Royal Loft Suite

The Royal Loft Suite comes in at 1,524 square feet of living space, plus 843 square feet of balcony space. Compare that to 545 square feet in a Crown Loft Suite!

Two-bedroom AquaTheater Suite

AquaTheater suite on Wonder of the Seas

Another Star Class cabin is located on the end of the ship with sweeping views of the ocean and AquaTheater below it.

If you love a good balcony, this cabin arguably has the best one because of how massive it is.

On deck 8, the AquaTheater suite has  823 square feet of living space and an additional 772 square feet of balcony space. That's almost double the inside space.

Ultimate Family Suite

Ultimate family suite

Have you heard about the most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean?

The Ultimate Family Suite is massive on Wonder of the Seas, offering kid-centric design and 1,134 square footage indoors and 212 on the balcony. 

Ultimate family suite
Ultimate family suite
Ultimate family suite

The location of the suite is different on Wonder of the Seas compared to Symphony of the Seas, too. Whereas on Symphony the suite overlooks the sport area, the Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder faces the forward and starboard sides of the ship.

Ultimate family suite
Ultimate family suite
Ultimate family suite

If you're ready to book this bad boy, it won't come cheap. The price will vary depending on the sailing, but prices usually begin around $25,000 and go up quickly from there.

Suite Neighborhood Sun Deck

Plunge pool on Wonder of the Seas

There are many benefits that come with a suite on Wonder of the Seas, including access to the Suite Neighborhood sun deck.

Exclusively for suite guests, the sun deck offers a special area to enjoy ocean views that has a plunge pool, lounge chairs, and a bar.

Wonder of the Seas is the only Oasis Class cruise ship that has its own suite neighborhood, which required the company to put fewer suites on the ship so that they had space for the area.

More information

Royal Caribbean is looking for a mom from TikTok to be godmother to its newest cruise ship

In:
06 May 2022

The search for a ceremonial role on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship is headed to social media.

Wonder of the Seas aerial aft

Royal Caribbean announced it is looking to find a godmother for Wonder of the Seas by searching through TikTok.

Wonder of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship and the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship. She's currently sailing in Europe, but will return to Florida in November.

Every cruise ship has a godmother, which serves as a ceremonial position.  Other ships have had women hold the role, including renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

Woman using TikTok

The godmother's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it.  She will also be present for the ship's  naming ceremony in Port Canaveral, Florida, in December. 

U.S. users of the popular video-sharing platform can now take part in the #SearchForWonderMom contest by nominating a mom who inspires those around them to discover, wonder and make memories. 

The call for submissions is open through Monday, May 16, at 11:59 p.m. ET, and the winner will be announced on Royal Caribbean’s TikTok this summer.

Ultimate family suite

The winner and their family will set sail on an exclusive cruise to the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

They will also stay in the Ultimate Family Suite and receive first-class flights, three nights in a five-star hotel before the cruise and up to $1,000 in spending money. 

In addition, four finalists can enjoy all Wonder has to offer on a 7-night cruise in a balcony stateroom for up to four guests.

How to enter the contest

Wonder of the Seas at sea aerial

Think you might want to be the godmother? Here's what you need to know:

  • Users must follow @RoyalCaribbean on TikTok.
  • Submissions must be posted on TikTok and share why their nominee would be the ideal Godmother for the world’s largest cruise ship.
  • Uploaded videos must use Royal Caribbean’s original #SearchforWonderMom contest audio track pinned on the cruise line’s profile.
  • Entries must tag @RoyalCaribbean and include #SearchForWonderMom and #Contest
  • Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty United States, including the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico who are at least sixteen  years old at the time of entry. 
    • Nominees must be at least 21 years old.

You can read the full rules and requirements here.

Royal Caribbean updates: Wonder arrives in Europe, executive changes & more

In:
04 May 2022

Ready to catch up on this week's Royal Caribbean news?

There's always a lot of changes happening, big and small. In order to keep everyone up-to-date, this post has a wrap up of what's new this week.

Check out all of the updates so far this week.

Wonder of the Seas begins European cruise season

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship arrived in Barcelona and is ready to begin her summer cruise season in the Mediterranean.

Wonder of the Seas will begin offering 7-night cruises from Barcelona and Rome beginning May 8th.

During her time in Europe, the ship will visit destinations such as Florence, Naples and Capri, Italy; Provence, France; and Malaga, Spain.

Wonder’s western Mediterranean sailings will continue through October.  In November, Wonder will return to the U.S. to sail from its new year-round home in Port Canaveral, Florida, 

New Galveston cruise terminal ahead of schedule

Progress is so good at Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal in Galveston that construction is actually ahead of schedule.

During a webinar with travel agents on Wednesday, Royal Caribbean Director of Sales for the Central Region, Galen Matthews, provided an update.

"We are super excited that the Galveston terminal construction is actually ahead of schedule," Ms. Matthews shared. "The terminal is now 50% complete and the berth expansion is about 80% complete."

"We will be open for business and ready to receive your clients for the first Allure of the Seas sailing, which is on November 13, 2022."

Terminal 3 cruise terminal will cost $125 million, and is located at Pier 10 for exclusive use by Royal Caribbean.

Executive moves

Two notable Royal Caribbean executives have announced they are departing the company.

Royal Caribbean International Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, Mark Tamis, is leaving Royal Caribbean International. His replacement will be Sean Treacy, who was working as the Senior Vice President of International Sales.

Mr. Tamis has worked as the head of Hotel Operations since February 2015. He came to Royal Caribbean after serving as senior vice president, Guest Operations with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Royal Caribbean headquarters in Miami

In addition, Vice President of worldwide port operations, Captain Hernan Zini is also leaving the cruise line to go work for Amazon.

Captain Zini also served as Vice President of talent management for Royal Caribbean Group. Many cruise fans may remember him best as the fleet captain and being the start-up Captain for Allure of the Seas when she first debuted.

Royal Caribbean will look for a new person to be appointed to Captain Zini's former role.

New crew member recruitment drive in Antigua

Just days after Royal Caribbean announced it would hire more crew members from Barbados, the cruise line said it will also do a hiring push in Antigua & Barbuda.

Royal Caribbean Group Vice President of Government Relations in the Americas, Russel Benford, announced the news at the Seatrade conference last week.

Royal Caribbean hopes to hire thousands of people from the Caribbean islands during an employment fair in June.

Openings in operations include

  • storekeepers
  • cruise staff
  • youth staff
  • sports staff
  • laundry and restaurant attendants
  • bar waiters
  • wait staff, bakers
  • butchers
  • casino
  • entertainment
  • photographers

Glacier visits

Royal Caribbean's first ships of the Alaska cruise season are visiting glaciers this week.

Photos of Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas are checking out the Southeast Alaska glaciers, and there's new photos of both ships.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader twangster shared this photo of Radiance of the Seas, as seen from Serenade of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet posted photos of Radiance as well.

 

Wonder of the Seas departs on transatlantic to begin inaugural European season

In:
21 Apr 2022

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship is on her way to Europe.

Wonder of the Seas departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Wednesday to begin her transatlantic crossing.

Wonder of the Seas' departure concludes a brief stay in North America for her inaugural sailings, and she now heads across the pond to sail the Mediterranean waters this summer.

Wonder of the Seas departing Fort Lauderdale

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Larry Richman is onboard the crossing and shared some interesting facts about the guests onboard:

  • 3648 passengers, which is about about 52% occupancy
  • 2102 Americans and 1546 from 50 other countries (53% vs 47%)
  • On night seven, Wonder of the Seas will have Royal Caribbean's first balloon drop since before the pandemic and a New Year's Eve party. 

The itinerary has already been changed due to rough weather predicted. Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet shared an update that explained Wonder skipped a scheduled stop in Nassau, Bahamas to get ahead of a storm system that is predicted to develop on April 25.

 

Mr. Van Fleet said Wonder of the Seas will sail a bit further south than originally planned to avoid the path of the storm and to avoid seas as high as 5 meters for multiple days in a row.

Wonder of the Seas side view

The move across the Atlantic also caught the attention of Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, who took to social media to celebrate the milestone.

"It's a BIG day," Mr. Bayley wrote on his Facebook page. "Wonder of the Seas has departed Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to begin her 14-night transatlantic crossing for her first season in Europe!"

"I want to thank the crew onboard Wonder for their work in launching the world’s largest cruise ship! Your passion is what drives our success!"

"Cheers to what lies ahead, and to an amazing season of European explorations! Wonder of the Seas will be back in Florida in November 2022!"

Summer in Europe

Mediterranean cruise in Rome

Once Wonder of the Seas arrives in Europe, she will begin offering cruises from Barcelona & Rome (Civitavecchia) in May 2022.

From May 8, through October 23, Wonder of the Seas will visit La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples, Marseille, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca.

Royal Caribbean will have six cruise ships operating in the Mediterranean this year, including another brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas.

AquaTheater suite on Wonder of the Seas

Guests sailing onboard Wonder of the Seas can expect from Spain or Italy can expect similar protocols to that of cruises from the United States, with vaccines required for all passengers 12 years or older.  Boosters are required if the second dose of the vaccine was administered more than 270 days ago.

For cruises sailing from Italy, all fully vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than one day before boarding day. For Spain, this timeline is extended by an extra day, so testing two days before boarding day. 

Protocols for these Mediterranean cruises are valid through May 31, at which point they will be extended and/or updated.

Return to Florida

When the European cruise season wraps up in October, Wonder of the Seas will return across the Atlantic to offer year-round cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Beginning in November 2022, Wonder of the Seas will offer Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Planning a cruise? Here's some helpful articles:

 

Top desserts to try on Wonder of the Seas

In:
28 Mar 2022

A Royal Caribbean cruise offers endless opportunities to try new and exciting desserts. From a sundae with twelve scoops of ice cream to a s’mores cookie and tiramisu, there is a dessert fit for every guest onboard.

As someone with a sweet tooth, trying new desserts is one of my favorite parts of a cruise. Being able to order a dessert I may otherwise be hesitant to try, or one that I have never heard of before, is always a highlight of my meals onboard.

On my recent cruise on Wonder of the Seas, I took up the challenge of finding the best desserts to eat onboard. After much “strenuous” dessert research, I’ve put together my list of the top six desserts to try on Wonder of the Seas.

Fried Cheesecake from 150 Central Park

Starting off our list of top desserts is perhaps the most delicious of all: fried cheesecake from 150 Central Park.

Fried cheesecake is a dessert I never knew I needed until I tasted it. Rich, creamy cheesecake covered with a crunchy, powdered sugar-coated shell and doused with fresh whipped cream and caramel sauce? Yes, please!

150 Central Park exceeded my expectations as soon as I tasted my first course, but they really went above and beyond with the fried cheesecake. This may be one of my favorite desserts of all time.

If you’re considering dining at 150 Central Park on your next cruise, don’t hesitate to order the fried cheesecake for dessert (and bring your stretchy pants!).

Warm Bread Puddin’ from The Mason Jar

I was so full after my hearty dinner at The Mason Jar that I actually skipped dessert. Due to my aforementioned sweet tooth, skipping dessert on a cruise is unheard of!

Because of this, I had major FOMO (fear of missing out), so I made sure to return to The Mason Jar later in the cruise to try a dessert.

Luckily The Mason Jar bar features a late night menu after 9PM, so I could order menu items without eating a full meal at the restaurant. With fried oreos, Georgia peach ice cream, and chocolate pecan pie on the menu, choosing a dessert was a difficult task in itself.

Ultimately, after hearing a few guests rave about it, I decided on the Warm Bread Puddin’.

Soft, sticky, and sweet, the warm bread pudding is made from buttery croissants and soaked in vanilla-bourbon custard. To top it all off is a serving of rich vanilla bean ice cream, offering the perfect balance between warm and cold.

Bread pudding is not a dessert I would typically order, but I was definitely glad I did.

Note: the Warm Bread Puddin’ isn’t technically on the late night menu, but I was still able to order it without a problem.

Campfire Cookie from Playmakers

I first tasted the campfire cookie on my first cruise on Mariner of the Seas and it has been one of my go-to desserts ever since. In fact, I love this dessert so much that I’m (very slightly) upset whenever I’m on a ship without Playmakers!

The campfire cookie is one of two desserts at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. In simple terms, the campfire cookie is a chocolate chip cookie with marshmallows on top.

A dessert of this caliber, though, deserves a more thorough description. Let’s take a deeper dive into the three components of the campfire cookie:

  • Layer 1: a warm, gooey, extra-chocolatey chocolate chip cookie cooked in a skillet
  • Layer 2: a generous coating of marshmallow, toasted to perfection and topped with nutella and caramel sauce
  • Layer 3: a side of rich vanilla ice cream and milk to add to the cookie

What’s great about Playmakers is that, while it is a specialty restaurant, the menu items are priced a la carte. Therefore, there’s no need to sit down for a lengthy three course meal in order to try the campfire cookie.

At $6, it’s a dessert well worth the cost.

Baklava from Solarium Bistro

Solarium Bistro is one of my favorite complimentary dinner options on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship. Not only is it usually much less crowded than other venues, but it offers cuisine not available elsewhere onboard.

From hummus and pita to lamb chops and babaganoush, the Mediterranean-style cuisine at Solarium Bistro always hits the spot.

If you have room in your stomach after your eighth serving of hummus, be sure to head to the dessert station. My favorite dessert at Solarium Bistro is also one of my favorites onboard, and that is the nutty, sugary, and sticky baklava.

For a complimentary dessert that is tricky to make, the baklava onboard is surprisingly good. I’ve never seen baklava anywhere else on a Royal Caribbean ship other than Solarium Bistro, so don’t miss it on your next Quantum or Oasis Class cruise.

Crispy Sesame Balls from Izumi

Overshadowed by Izumi’s mochi ice cream are the Crispy Sesame Balls. Unassuming yet unique, the sesame balls are the star of Izumi’s dessert menu.

The sesame balls are made from glutinous rice flour and sugar, which brings a chewy, mochi-like texture to the dessert.

Each sesame ball is then filled with a small amount of red bean filling, which is slightly sweet yet not overpowering. Red bean is a common dessert flavor in Japan, often used as a filling for steamed buns and mochi.

Lastly, each sesame ball is coated in sesame seeds and fried. The crunchy sesame coating gives each bite a toasted, nutty flavor that blends perfectly with the sugary, chewy consistency inside the sesame ball.

Each order comes with four sesame balls which are served warm.

The majority of guests dining at Izumi tend to order mochi ice cream without considering other desserts on the menu. During your next meal at Izumi, step out of your comfort zone and try the Crispy Sesame Balls. You’ll thank me later!

Pool deck soft serve

The last dessert on our list is also the most simple: a heaping cone of complimentary soft serve from the pool deck.

On every Royal Caribbean ship is a soft serve ice cream/frozen yogurt station where guests can enjoy unlimited and free ice cream cones. The most common flavors are vanilla, chocolate, and twist, although strawberry (my personal favorite) may be available as well.

While a cold ice cream cone is extremely satisfying on a warm Caribbean day, there are a few ways to take your soft serve game up a notch:

  • Add soft serve ice cream to a cup of soda for a soda float
  • Bring a cookie or brownie from the Windjammer and add ice cream on top
  • Put ice cream in a cup and add chocolate milk. Mix it together for a DIY chocolate milkshake!
  • Make an Italian affogato by filling a cup with vanilla ice cream and adding a shot of fresh, warm espresso

There are a few runner-ups I should add to my list: Key Lime Pie from Chops Grille, Go Bananas from Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, and coconut cookies from Cafe Promenade.

What is your favorite dessert on a Royal Caribbean ship? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our FULL ship tour of Wonder of the Seas to learn more about Royal Caribbean’s newest ship:

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Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

In:
18 Mar 2022

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but she has several key differences that make her stand apart from other ships in the class.

Photo by @AdamsAway

In some ways, Wonder of the Seas can be looked at as an “Oasis Plus” class compared to just an Oasis Class ship. While she shares many of the same restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues as other Oasis Class ships, significant enhancements were made to her design and layout.

Whether you’re simply curious as to what Wonder of the Seas is like or you are planning a cruise on the ship, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of how Wonder of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships.

Suite Neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas

The biggest difference between Wonder of the Seas and other Oasis Class ships is the addition of an eighth neighborhood onboard: the Suite Neighborhood.

The Suite Neighborhood is an exclusive enclave onboard just for suite guests. Within the suite neighborhood is the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and suite concierge. Hallways and entrances to most suites are located within this area as well.

The most upgraded enhancement to the Suite Neighborhood is the Suite Sun Deck. On other Royal Caribbean ships, the sun deck is usually quite small with lounge chairs available. The sun deck on Wonder of the Seas, though, is complete with a private bar, plunge pool, in-pool loungers, and a variety of comfy seating for guests.

While not entirely a “ship within a ship” concept, the Suite Neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas can really enhance the cruise experience for suite guests by offering private, quieter areas onboard to relax and dine.

Staterooms on Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas shares the same stateroom categories as other Oasis Class ships. From interior rooms to extravagant suites, there is a cabin to fit any budget.

She does have a few differences in layout, location, and offerings of staterooms, though.

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, where many loft suites face the Sports Court, this area is now taken by the Suite Sun Deck on Wonder of the Seas. Therefore, most suites located in this area of the ship face the ocean instead.

Wonder of the Seas, like Symphony of the Seas, has the Ultimate Family Suite. Designed to be the most kid-friendly stateroom onboard, the Ultimate Family Suite has its own in-suite slide, jacuzzi, step climbers, piano key stairs, and private game/movie room. The Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder of the Seas is larger than on Symphony, with three bedrooms and the option to convert the game room into a fourth.

Like all Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas has Boardwalk and Central Park balconies. One important thing to note before booking a Central Park balcony on Wonder of the Seas, however, is that the jumbo television screen from the pool deck overlooks Central Park.

As movies and music are often playing loudly on the screen during the day and evening, a Central Park balcony on Wonder of the Seas may be less peaceful than on other Oasis Class ships.

Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas

When Royal Caribbean originally designed the Oasis Class ships, the Windjammer was not held to the same importance as on previous classes of ships. With so many other new complimentary dining locations onboard, such as Solarium Bistro and Park Cafe, Royal Caribbean thought the Windjammer would be less important to guests. 

Therefore, on other Oasis Class ships, the Windjammer is smaller and tends to get crowded during meal times.

When designing Wonder of the Seas, though, Royal Caribbean recognized that even with a plethora of other dining options onboard, the buffet remains an extremely popular dining venue. Rather than keeping the venue small, they decided to create the largest Windjammer in the fleet.

The Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas wraps around the entire Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 15, which differs from other Oasis Class ships both in deck number and layout.

There is also a standalone vegetarian section available at the Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas, making dining as a vegetarian a breeze.

Solarium on Wonder of the Seas

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, where the Solarium is only partially covered for shade, the Solarium on Wonder of the Seas is totally enclosed and climate-controlled.

The Wonder of the Seas Solarium resembles the Solarium on a Quantum Class ship more than that of other Oasis Class ships. Quantum Class ships have a fully enclosed Solarium, allowing them to sail in both warm and cold regions of the world, whereas Oasis Class ships tend to stick to warm weather climates.

The Solarium has plenty of padded pool chairs and other comfy seating as well, giving guests a relaxing, adults-only oasis that can be enjoyed rain or shine.

Pool deck

Wonder of the Seas brings a more upgraded pool deck experience compared to other Oasis Class ships.

Like Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas has a Caribbean style pool deck, featuring colorful decor, The Lime and Coconut bar, and private casitas.

Aside from decor, though, the pool deck has a few layout differences from other Oasis Class ships. First is the movie screen viewing area, where guests can relax on padded theater chairs during the day and night, whether to watch a movie or catch some sun.

Speaking of a movie, the TV screen on the pool deck is the largest television on any Royal Caribbean ship.

On either side of the theater chairs are padded pool chairs. This area resembles the Suite Sun Deck found on Voyager and Freedom Class ships, but is available to all guests onboard. 

While more of a design difference than an amenity, Wonder of the Seas has an exterior shell at the sides in the middle of the pool deck which is used as support for the ship’s giant Crown & Anchor logo.

Activities and entertainment on Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature the Wonder Playscape, an underwater-themed climbing playground for kids. Here kids can enjoy slides, climbing nets, and games. The Wonder Playscape is connected to the Wonder Dunes mini golf, offering an area of the Sports Court filled with activity for young cruisers.

The Wonder Playscape has taken the spot of what would have been a second FlowRider. Therefore, unlike other Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas only has one FlowRider.

In regards to entertainment, Wonder of the Seas is currently the only Oasis Class ship without a full-length Broadway show onboard. Instead, she has two headliner shows in the Royal Theater: Voices and The Effectors II.

A second entertainment difference found on Wonder of the Seas is the lack of Jazz on 4. Unlike other Oasis Class ships which have a standalone venue for live jazz music, Wonder of the Seas has a high-roller casino in its location.

The Golden Room is a high-roller casino space designed for top casino guests. Currently this area is open to all guests, offering slot machines as well as table games such as roulette. It is also currently a non-smoking casino.

The Golden Room is likely a leftover design choice from when Wonder of the Seas was being built for the Asian cruise market, as ships sailing from China tend to have more casino space onboard.

New bars and restaurants on Wonder of the Seas

Cantina Fresca is a new bar found only on Wonder of the Seas. Connected to El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca offers a Mexican-inspired drink menu with the best margaritas you’ll find onboard. This has proved to be a popular bar on Wonder of the Seas, with many guests grabbing a drink while eating at El Loco Fresh or hanging out on the sports deck.

The Vue is the second new bar on Wonder of the Seas, which takes the spot of what would have been a second cantilevered hot tub near the Solarium. The Vue extends over the side of the ship and a signature drink menu specific to the bar is coming soon.

The Mason Jar is the third new venue on Wonder of the Seas, as well as the first southern-inspired restaurant on a Royal Caribbean ship. One side of the venue is a restaurant open for brunch and dinner, which offers a diverse range of dishes from around the American south.

The other side of the venue is The Mason Jar Bar, focusing on drinks made from bourbon and moonshine and featuring a live country band.

While not a new restaurant, Wonder of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship to have Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. The menu at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen tends to lean more towards Italian-American cuisine compared to traditional Italian food, and offers a selection of homemade pastas, pizzas, and meat dishes.

Miscellaneous differences on Wonder of the Seas

The Diamond Lounge has virtual balconies, so guests can see outside in the venue as there are no windows in the space.

Located on the Boardwalk is a kids-only souvenir store with apparel, games, legos, stuffed animals, and more.

The AquaTheater has a more enclosed design compared to other ships, and the AquaTheater show is the only one to feature an all-female cast.

The Social100 Patio for teens on Wonder of the Seas has its own non-alcoholic bar and jacuzzi.

What would have been the Suite Sun Deck area on other Oasis Class ships (deck 17 forward) is now seating space available for all guests.

The casino has sliding doors that open and close as you enter, which helps to keep smoke contained.

Elevators on Wonder of the Seas use a touchscreen feature, and several floors have images or graphics next to the number to help guests remember what is on each floor.

There is a room with vending machines, selling everything from toiletries to headphones, located on deck 15 near Social100.

The most Instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas

In:
18 Mar 2022

The largest cruise ship in the world offers plenty of picture taking opportunities. From pictures of the ocean at sunset to selfies with astronauts, there are an abundance of places to capture your vacation memories on Wonder of the Seas.

Whether you are looking for a classic cruise shot of the ship’s aft or one that showcases the impressive design and architecture of Wonder of the Seas, you will have no trouble taking excellent photos onboard.

Get your camera ready and discover the most instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas. 

(Warning: these are guaranteed to make everyone at home jealous!)

Astronaut on the pool deck

There are three astronauts found on Wonder of the Seas, which are scattered throughout the ship. Finding the astronauts can be a fun scavenger hunt activity for guests onboard, and it also provides a perfect photo opportunity!

The most accessible astronaut for photos is found at the pool deck's movie screen viewing area, where an astronaut is sitting and watching the pool deck's jumbo television.

Taking a photo with the astronaut is a fun vacation memory, and it's a lot easier to get a picture with the pool deck astronaut than the one climbing the rock climbing wall!

Location: between decks 15 and 16, midship

Butterfly wings on the sports deck

A butterfly wing mural is a classic Instagram shot, with street art painted in the shape of wings and a space in the middle for someone to stand.

Royal Caribbean recognized this photo trend and added a butterfly wing mural to Wonder of the Seas. When walking from the upper pool deck to the Sports Court on deck 16, you’ll run into the butterfly wings on the wall. You may have to move a few chairs around to get the best picture possible.

Location: deck 16, aft & starboard

Central Park at night

While Central Park is a peaceful oasis on Wonder of the Seas no matter the time of day, its beauty really shines through once the sun goes down.

At night, Central Park is lit with lights of all colors. From gold twinkle lights on the shrubs to blue light shining from the Royal Promenade, it’s certainly one of the most picturesque places onboard.

The best photo taking opportunity at Central Park is before you go to dinner on a formal night, when you’ll be dressed in your best clothes and ready to capture a memory on camera.

Location: deck 8, midship

The Vue bar at sunset

The Vue is one of the new bars on Wonder of the Seas and is perhaps the most instagramable of all bars onboard.

The Vue extends over the side of the ship to offer fantastic ocean views. The best time to take a photo at The Vue is during sunset, where not only the sky lights up, but also the mosaic canopy over the bar.

Location: deck 15, forward

Swing at The Mason Jar Bar

Another new bar on Wonder of the Seas is at The Mason Jar. The Mason Jar Bar was designed with comfort in mind. Rocking chairs and padded seating dot the bar, offering a comfy place to relax while tasting the bar’s signature cocktails and listening to the live country band.

Located in the bar is a large swing covered with pillows in front of a row of flowers. While not a stereotypical cruise photo showing the ship or ocean, the swing offers a cute spot for friends, couples, and families looking for a group photo.

Location: deck 15, aft

Pool deck photo overlooking Central Park

Oasis Class cruise ships have a split pool deck where you can look into the Central Park neighborhood below. 

If you walk on the upper pool deck on deck 16 near The Lime and Coconut Bar, you'll reach a fantastic view of the pool deck with the park below you. This is a classic instagramable spot on any Oasis Class ship, and it really puts into perspective just how big the Oasis Class truly is.

Pro tip: use a wide angle lens or selfie stick in this area to ensure you capture the entire pool area in your photo.

Location: deck 16, midship

Views of the ship’s wake

A classic cruise photo is standing at the back of the ship with a view of the ship's wake. There are a few places to take this photo on Wonder of the Seas.

The best spot to take this picture is from the back of the jogging track on deck 5. As the jogging track reaches the back of the ship, it opens up to an expansive view of the ocean, offering close-up views of Wonder of the Seas moving through the sea.

Another top location for a photo of the ship's wake is from the back of the sports deck. While further away from the water than the running track, this area offers more angles for your photos.

The back of the sports deck or running track can also be good spots to take photos during sailaway or while Wonder of the Seas is in port.

Outside the spa overlooking the Royal Promenade

Right near the entrance to the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center on Wonder of the Seas is a scenic overlook of the Royal Promenade. This spot gives a full view down the entire Promenade, offering a great location to take photos of the ship.

Whether you want to take a selfie, pose for a photo, or take a picture of the Promenade itself, this is one of the best places to do so on Wonder of the Seas.

Location: deck 6, forward

Solarium bridge wings

One of the hidden secrets on Wonder of the Seas are the Solarium bridge wings. Located all the way forward in the adults-only Solarium are two platforms that extend over the side of the ship.

This area is usually not very crowded and offers unobstructed views of the ship's exterior and ocean. This area does tend to get extremely windy, though, so keep that in mind for your photo session!

The bridge wings provide an even better photo opportunity when you are sailing into or out of port, offering the chance to capture pictures of the beautiful destinations Wonder of the Seas visits.

Location: deck 15, forward

Looking for more instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas? Check out our full ship tour to discover more of the ship

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