Wonder of the Seas – Cruise Guide

Are you looking for a unique and exciting vacation for the whole family? Look no further than Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. Wonder of the Seas is currently the largest cruise ship in the world, and is part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships. With a capacity of 7,000+ passengers across 2,867 staterooms on 16 passenger decks (18 total), everything on Wonder is state-of-the-art. This luxurious cruise ship is packed with thrilling activities, shows, dining options, and neighborhoods that will make your trip unforgettable. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this one-of-a-kind cruise ship such an amazing family vacation destination!

Neighborhoods

Wonder of the Seas runs on a “Neighborhood” concept. Neighborhoods are areas of the ship where different activities are organized. Wonder of the Seas has 8 neighborhoods in total. Here is a brief overview of each Neighborhood:

  • Boardwalk (Deck 6): The Boardwalk neighborhood is a step back in time to a classic carnival atmosphere. Stroll along the seaside boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. This neighborhood features a carousel, delicious restaurants like Johnny Rockets and Playmakers, classic arcade games, and live entertainment for all ages. As evening falls, watch out for surprise performances and interactive shows at the AquaTheater that will keep you entertained long after dark.
  • Pool and Sports Zone (Deck 15/16): Ready to hit the waves? The Pool and Sports Zone is home to plenty of aquatic attractions like the FlowRider surf simulator and a rock climbing wall! Challenge your family to a nine-hole miniature golf course or test their skills playing basketball, volleyball or pickleball at one of several sports courts. If you want more adrenaline, ride the zipline above 10 stories, go down the Ultimate Abyss slide from Deck 16 to Deck 6, or ride down one of the 3 waterslides! Don’t forget to take some time out to relax in one of many pools or whirlpools scattered throughout this neighborhood. For the little ones, Splashaway Bay can provide hours of fun as well.
  • Central Park (Deck 8): For those who appreciate nature’s beauty, Central Park offers a tranquil respite from all the hustle and bustle onboard. This area features lush gardens surrounded by winding pathways with plenty of benches for taking in the sights. This area brings a beauty and calm to the ship and includes many restaurants like Giovanni’s and 150 Central Park.
  • Royal Promenade (Deck 5): Step into Royal Promenade and feel like royalty! This is where you will first enter the ship. This neighborhood features everything from premium stores showcasing high-end fashion products to charming cafes serving up delicious treats throughout the day. Whether you’re shopping or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll along this bustling boulevard while soaking in its unique atmosphere—the Royal Promenade has something for everyone. Popular destinations here include Boleros Latin Lounge & Nightclub, which hosts nightly events featuring Latin music and flavorful cocktails. Schooner Bar gives guests a place to come together over ice cold drinks and live piano performances. Spotlight Karaoke is the place where the family can showcase their singing skills during both family and adults only sessions. Finally, there are plenty more shops & eateries located along this lively promenade!
  • Vitality Spa & Fitness Center (Deck 5/6): Here guests can indulge in treatments ranging from facials & massages to acupuncture & sleep therapy services offered by certified professionals who will ensure relaxation & rejuvenation during your stay onboard. Don’t forget about the fully equipped gym featuring state-of-the-art exercise equipment perfect for those wanting a workout session to burn some calories.
  • Entertainment Place (Deck 4): This area is where nightly entertainment and performances occur. Studio B is the main location for entertainment as it is where ice skating, laser tag, and dances (like the can’t-miss Red Nightclub) occur. There is also the Casino, which is filled with slot machines and table games. The Attic is another location in Entertainment Place that is a comedy club with live stand up which sometimes offers a Silent Disco party as well.
  • Suite Neighborhood (Deck 17/18): Guests staying in Royal Suite Class cabins have access to exclusive amenities within their own private lounge areas, along with 24/7 concierge services or complimentary breakfast buffets served daily by staff members. This all happens just steps away from their stateroom doorsteps – talk about luxury living at its finest!
  • Youth Zone (Deck 14): With tons of activities geared towards children aged 13-17 years old, there is something fun here for everyone to enjoy. From video game arcades to teen clubs complete with music & dancing – kids won’t want to leave this exciting place after they’ve experienced it all!

Activities

Honestly, there is an overwhelming amount of activities that are offered every day, and it’s very unlikely that you’ll get to do them all. One tip is to always check the Cruise Compass (or the Royal Caribbean app) to see what activities or venues are open at which times.

Here are a list of our favorites:

  • The FlowRider: whether you want to boogie board or surf, it is truly an amazing time. There are specific hours for beginner-level boogie boarding, or more advanced times for surfing and skills development. There’s also a FlowRider competition towards the end of each cruise, where it’s really great to see passengers showcase their skills and try to win a prize.
  • Adventure Ocean: This is Royal Caribbean’s kid’s club, and an absolute highlight for our kids. There are several rooms depending on your kids’ age, and the staff keep the kids happy, busy and entertained with multiple activities, games, and arts/crafts.
  • Wonder Dunes: The perfect place to challenge a family member to putt-putt golf. This is located on the 16th Deck and has a nautical theme, complete with blue turf and marine animal décor and obstacles on its 9 holes.
  • Wonder Playscape: The ultimate dry playground for kids with slides and climbing walls. This activity is brand-new to Royal Caribbean and is only available at Wonder of the Seas. For the adults, there’s a bar right next to Wonder Playscape where you can enjoy a drink while the kids have their own fun.
  • The Ultimate Abyss: A dry racer slide that takes you down 10 decks to the Boardwalk. The slide itself is not too intense; you go down on mats and there are several lighted areas that provide really cool immersive effects.
  • Rock Climbing: the kids always love to see who can climb the furthest up the wall.
  • Zip Line: an adrenaline inducing zipline that flies 10 stories above the Boardwalk.
  • Waterslides: Whether you want to ride Typhoon or Cyclone (individual speed slides) or the Supercell, which starts as a normal slide and ends in a “toilet bowl” that loops you around, they all are so fun!
  • Pools: With several pools to choose from this is always a great option for a hot day. And if the kids are at Adventure Ocean, you can enjoy adults-only time at the Solarium.
  • Splashaway Bay: This area is perfect for younger kiddos to have fun in the water. With slides, water cannons, dump buckets, and more, kids can have fun for several hours while other family members spend time at the pools.
  • Carousel: Have a nostalgic moment by hopping on the beautiful free carousel at the Boardwalk.
  • Arcade: Our kids LOVE spending time in the arcade. It’s a simple classic with basketball games, claw machines, and other fun arcade games.
  • Ice Skating: Can you believe you can take your kids ice skating on the ship? Studio B on Deck 4 sometimes gets opened up for ice skating, so check the Cruise Compass for the times that it happens.
  • Karaoke: Join a family Karaoke session to let your kids take the stage, or sing your heart out during the nighttime adults karaoke times.
  • Silent Disco: This may be a family favorite of ours. Pop on some headphones and dance your heart away! The family Silent Discos usually take place at The Attic, while the adults-only Silent Disco party happens at the Solarium.
  • Laser Tag: Some fun family competition is always a great idea with a game of laser tag! Make sure to check the times that this is available, since it happens at the multi-purpose Studio B.
  • Sports Courts: If you want to have fun and be active play a game of basketball or soccer at this multi-purpose space. There’s usually organized times for several sports, so check the schedule for the sport of your choice.
  • Casino: 
  • Nightlife: Whether you want to go party at “Red”, listen to live music, dance the night away at Boleros, or participate in the best adult scavenger hunt ever “Quest”. There are a ton of options to what you can do after you drop off the kids at Adventure Ocean!

To be honest, the activity list at times seems endless and we may have even missed a few! There is so much to do that we have never been able to complete it all during a week-long sailing. So if relaxing doesn’t sound like the perfect vacation to you, try to do them all and let us know which one is your favorite!

wonder of the seas inTENse

Shows

When it comes to nighttime entertainment, you won’t be disappointed. Wonder of the Seas boasts what I believe to be the best entertainment at sea.

  • InTENse: An all-woman cast show that is always a highlight to our trip! The cast will amaze you with their dives from up to 55 feet, dancing, slacklining, and more surprises than we ever expected. If you want a very immersive experience, make sure to sit in the front row (“Splash Zone”) where you’ll get a little wet but it’ll be totally worth it (just bring a towel). This show is one you should not miss!
  • 365:The Seasons on Ice: This ice skating show takes you through a unique story of the Earth’s changing seasons. There are some fun surprises in store and overall a great show!
  • Voices: An Intimate Performance on a Grand Scale: This show is unique. I expected Acapella singing, but it was a beautiful mix of voices and technology for a wonderful musical production. The singing talent on this show is simply incredible!
  • The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn: Royal Caribbean’s very own superheroes battle against their arch nemesis Crash and his sidekick Burn. We found the storyline of this show to be pretty bizarre, especially since we didn’t see the first Effectors. However, the incredible use of technology like lasers and screens, as well as amazing singing makes it absolutely worth it.

Dining

Wonder of the Seas has some incredible food! Whether you choose to only eat at complimentary restaurants or indulge in a dining package, you will never be hungry.

If you want to go above and beyond what is included you can purchase a specialty dining package.  The cost of those packages is roughly $44 per night for a 3-night package and $37.00 per night for the whole cruise on sailings of 6-9 nights. Note that the unlimited package doesn’t include Starbucks or Chef’s Table. We personally love eating at Izumi’s and Giovannis.

 

Room service is also available 24 hours a day. Continental breakfast is complimentary from 6 to 11 am. All other orders have a $7.95 service charge (plus 18% gratuity).

Summary

As you can see, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas has something for everyone in your family! From thrilling rides and activities to delicious dining options and cozy lounges, there’s truly no better way to experience all that life at sea has to offer. So what are you waiting for? Book your ticket today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure on board the Wonders Of The Sea!

Wonder of the Seas - Cruise Guide