15 side-by-side photos show how the world's largest cruise ship transforms at night with vivid, colorful lights

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas during the day and at night.Joey Hadden/Insider

• Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world.
• When the sun goes down, the ship glows with bright, color-changing lights on its outdoor decks.

After sailing on the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, I think it might be even more beautiful at night.

Decks eight and 15 during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Royal Caribbean

Read more: Step aboard the world's largest cruise ship, which is so big it has 8 'neighborhoods' spread across 18 stories

During my nighttime walks across the 1,188-foot-long ship on a recent cruise, I noticed that it was equipped with a variety of lighting that would transform it into a colorful oasis at night.

Deck 16 of the world's largest cruise ship at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Royal Caribbean

The ship has four outdoor decks that all guests can enjoy at night. Kids on the ship have a 1 a.m. curfew.

Deck 15 during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Decks 15 and 16 are the pool decks.

The pool decks at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

All the pools close by 11 p.m., according to Cruise Compass, a daily schedule received on Royal Caribbean cruises.

A pool during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But the decks are stunning in the evenings with lights beneath the water.

A portion of decks 15 and 16 during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Above the pools, more lights change colors. I thought the rainbow glow over everything made the decks feel magical.

Deck 15 during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Even the pool casitas light up at night, adding more to the neon glow.

Casitas on deck 16 during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

From upper decks, guests can see the glows of the Central Park inner neighborhood on deck eight.

Central Park during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The outdoor deck full of plants lights up yellow at night. It reminded me of my own neighborhood at home during the holiday season.

Plants in Central Park during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Down on deck six, there's another outdoor neighborhood, the Boardwalk.

Deck six at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Reminiscent of a carnival, it's even brighter and more colorful at night.

The carousel on deck six during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Some lights in front of restaurants are on during the day, like the ones in front of this candy store.

Sugar Beach during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But above them, additional lights come on at night, making the space even more colorful.

Johnny Rockets during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the back of deck six, the Aquatheater glows neon at night with pictures of stars on the screens.

The Aquatheater during the day and at night.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On my recent cruise, I found that when the night came around, the best place to be was deck 16, for the sunset views followed by glowing pools.

A sunset concludes from deck 16.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I spent 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship. Take a look inside my cabin.

Exploring these mostly-empty, lit-up decks after hours was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

The author takes a selfie as the sun goes down.      Joey Hadden/Insider