I sailed on the largest cruise ship in the world that feels like a small town. Tour its 8 'neighborhoods' and all 18 stories.

Joey HaddenApr 21, 2022, 03:57 IST

The author took her first cruise on the largest cruise ship in the world, Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

I sailed on the largest cruise ship on the world, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
The ship was even bigger than I imagined with 8 "neighborhoods" full of activities and amenities.

I recently set sail on my first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the largest cruise ship in the world — and I felt like I was in a small town in the middle of the ocean.

The author aboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently set sail on my first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the largest cruise ship in the world — and I felt like I was in a small town in the middle of the ocean.

Sailing since March 2022, Royal Caribbean reports that Wonder of the Seas is nearly 2,000 feet long and 210 feet wide with 18 decks. It can hold about 7,000 guests.

Wonder of the Seas docked in Costa Playa, Mexico.Joey Hadden/Insider

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced for $3,000.

The author in her stateroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Playa in Mexico; as well as Royal Caribbean's own private island in the Bahamas.

Wonder of the Seas docked in Roatán, Honduras.Joey Hadden/Insider

But a lot of the fun took place on the enormous boat with eight communal areas that Royal Caribbean calls "neighborhoods." Each neighborhood had its own activities.

The pool deck onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

To get up and down the ship's many decks, there are 24 elevators taking guests to 16 of the 18 levels. (The top two decks are only accessible for suite guests.)

A view of the elevators looking down from the 16th floor.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my experience, the elevators were packed during busy parts of the day, so I found it faster to take the stairs on either side of the elevators.

Staircases onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Decks seven, 10, and 11 only hold staterooms, but most decks have a combination of staterooms, restaurants, venues, and activities.

A hallway of staterooms onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Decks two and three have boarding areas to enter and exit the ship. Deck three is the lowest deck with staterooms on it.

Decks two (L) and three R) onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

The main dining room spans levels three, four, and five.

The main dining room onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck four is home to Entertainment Place, a "neighborhood" with fun venues surrounded by framed artworks on display.

The entrance to Studio B on deck four.Joey Hadden/Insider

One of the venues, Studio B, is used for shows and activities that take up a large space, like ice skating and laser tag.

An ice skating show inside Studio B.Joey Hadden/Insider

Down the hall from Studio B is the casino, where guests can gamble on a floor full of game tables and slot machines.

The casino onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Entertainment Place also has a sushi restaurant, Izumi. At this point, you may be wondering if food and entertainment were included — while most of the shows were free, many of the restaurants like Izumi cost extra.

Izumi onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Entertainment Place also has a sushi restaurant, Izumi. At this point, you may be wondering if food and entertainment were included — while most of the shows were free, many of the restaurants like Izumi cost extra.

The Attic is another venue on deck four that has a bar and hosts comedy shows.

The Attic onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Royal Theater hosts shows on decks four and five.

The entrance to the Royal Theater.Joey Hadden/Insider

On deck five, there's another "neighborhood" called Royal Promenade with restaurants, bars, and stores.

A view of Royal Promenade onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

One of the bars is Bionic Bar, where robots make drinks.

The Bionic Bar onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There are two more bars in Royal Promenade, Cask and Clipper and Boleros, as well as a karaoke venue.

Cask and Clipper (L) Spotlight Karaoke (R) and Boleros.Joey Hadden/Insider

The neighborhood has two coffee shops — Starbucks and Cafe Promenade.

Starbucks (L) and Cafe Promenade (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

Guests can grab a pizza from Sorrento's in Royal Promenade for free.

Sorrento's onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Upstairs on deck six is Schooner Bar and a studio for getting pictures taken.

Decks five and six onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Next to Schooner Bar, there's an entrance to the Boardwalk, an outdoor neighborhood on deck six.

The entrance to the Boardwalk.Joey Hadden/Insider

This deck caters to kids with a carousel.

The carousel onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There's also a candy store.

The candy store on deck six.Joey Hadden/Insider

And don't forget the two rock-climbing walls.

One of the rock climbing walls onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There are two restaurants on the Boardwalk: a hot dog stand, which is free for guests, and a Johnny Rocket's, which has burgers and shakes.

Restaurants on the Boardwalk.Joey Hadden/Insider

Across from the restaurants is Playmakers, a sports bar.

Playmakers onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

The Boardwalk ends with the Aquatheater, where Royal Caribbean puts on outdoor movies and a water show featuring dancers, divers, and acrobats.

The Aquatheater onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Like all of the outdoor decks, the Boardwalk is illuminated at night.

The Boardwalk at night.Joey Hadden/Insider

A waterslide from deck 16 ends right in front of the Aquatheater on deck six.

A waterslide exit on deck six.Joey Hadden/Insider

On the other side of deck 6 is the spa and fitness center neighborhood, Vitality at Sea.

Vitality at Sea onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Just past the entrance is a cafe before the spa area and gym.

Vitality Cafe onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

The gym felt huge. It was full of the cardio and strength machines I've seen in most fitness centers.

People work out onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

From the fitness center, there's access to an indoor track.

A running track onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Up on deck eight, there's another outdoor "neighborhood," Central Park.

The entrance to Central Park.Joey Hadden/Insider

This deck is home to 20,000 plants, according to Royal Caribbean, and I thought it was the most relaxing area on board.

Central Park onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There are many spaces to chill in this neighborhood, from benches to outdoor couches.

Lounging areas onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

At night, the cozy area serves as a music venue.

Musicians perform in Central Park.Joey Hadden/Insider

Central Park is home to three upscale restaurants — Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian. There's also Park Cafe, a casual eatery that happens to be free for guests.

Upscale restaurants in Central Park.Joey Hadden/Insider

Central Park is home to three upscale restaurants — Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian. There's also Park Cafe, a casual eatery that happens to be free for guests.

The deck has two bars — Trelli's and Rising Tide, a moving bar that goes up and down floors five through eight.

Bars in Central Park.Joey Hadden/Insider

On the other end of deck eight, there's the Music Hall, a venue that spans up to deck nine.

The Music Hall onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck 12 has a restaurant called Wonderland that's inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

The dining room of the Wonderland restaurant.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck 14 is home to the Youth Zone neighborhood, a kids' area with an escape room.

The Youth Zone onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Decks 15 and 16 are known as the Pool and Sports Zone neighborhood. These decks are mostly outdoor.

A wide view of half of the pool deck.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck 15 is the pool deck. The three large pools made me feel like I was at the beach with water coming up and around the lounging chairs.

One of the pools on deck 15.Joey Hadden/Insider

The deck also has a handful of whirlpools and small plunge pools for relaxing.

A plunge pool overlooking a larger pool.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck 15 also has a water playground called Splashaway Bay.

Splashaway Bay onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Surrounding each pool are rows of lounge chairs, both in and out of the shade.

Lounging chairs on deck 15.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the middle of the pool deck, Sprinkles has all-you-can-eat soft-serve ice cream with vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and mixed flavors. It's free for guests.

Sprinkles onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck 15 is also home to the Solarium, an adults-only indoor lounge with pools, a bar, a complimentary bistro, and stunning views.

The Solarium onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Outside of the Solarium, there's a bar called Vue with more ocean views.

The Vue onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Windjammer, a complimentary buffet that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is on deck 15, too.

Windjammer onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Upstairs, deck 16 has a seafood restaurant called Hooked and another free buffet called El Loco Fresh.

El Loco Fresh onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

The Lime & the Coconut is a bar that spans over decks 15 and 16.

The Lime & the Coconut onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Up here, there are more lounging areas and a big screen for outdoor movies.

Deck 16 of Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There are also covered casitas guests can reserve.

Casitas onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Deck 16 is where guests play games. The arcade and sporting areas are on this deck.

The arcade onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There are places to play table tennis on this level, too.

Table tennis courts onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There's even a basketball court.

A basketball court onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

Plus, a whole mini-golf setup.

A mini-golf course onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

There's also a surfing simulator where guests can practice riding waves.

Flow Rider onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

At the back of deck 16, there's Wipeout Bar, stunning ocean views, and the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss, the "largest waterslide at sea," according to Royal Caribbean. It slides down ten stories.

The back of deck 16.Joey Hadden/Insider

At the back of deck 16, there's Wipeout Bar, stunning ocean views, and the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss, the "largest waterslide at sea," according to Royal Caribbean. It slides down ten stories.

As previously mentioned, decks 17 and 18 are only accessible for guests with suites. This is where the eighth neighborhood, Suite Class Neighborhood, is. Fancy.

The top decks onboard Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Insider

The largest cruise ship in the world felt way bigger than I even imagined, especially since I'd never been on a cruise before this one. As we left the port to start our journey, I marveled at how the ships passing by looked like toy boats in comparison.

A view of passing ships at the port in Fort Lauderdale.Joey Hadden/Insider

The largest cruise ship in the world felt way bigger than I even imagined, especially since I'd never been on a cruise before this one. As we left the port to start our journey, I marveled at how the ships passing by looked like toy boats in comparison.

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I sailed on the largest cruise ship in the world that feels like a small town. Tour its 8 'neighborhoods' and all 18 stories.

I recently set sail on my first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the largest cruise ship in the world — and I felt like I was in a small town in the middle of the ocean.

Sailing since March 2022, Royal Caribbean reports that Wonder of the Seas is nearly 2,000 feet long and 210 feet wide with 18 decks. It can hold about 7,000 guests.

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced for $3,000.

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Playa in Mexico; as well as Royal Caribbean's own private island in the Bahamas.

But a lot of the fun took place on the enormous boat with eight communal areas that Royal Caribbean calls "neighborhoods." Each neighborhood had its own activities.

To get up and down the ship's many decks, there are 24 elevators taking guests to 16 of the 18 levels. (The top two decks are only accessible for suite guests.)

In my experience, the elevators were packed during busy parts of the day, so I found it faster to take the stairs on either side of the elevators.

Decks seven, 10, and 11 only hold staterooms, but most decks have a combination of staterooms, restaurants, venues, and activities.

Decks two and three have boarding areas to enter and exit the ship. Deck three is the lowest deck with staterooms on it.

The main dining room spans levels three, four, and five.

Deck four is home to Entertainment Place, a "neighborhood" with fun venues surrounded by framed artworks on display.

One of the venues, Studio B, is used for shows and activities that take up a large space, like ice skating and laser tag.

Down the hall from Studio B is the casino, where guests can gamble on a floor full of game tables and slot machines.

Entertainment Place also has a sushi restaurant, Izumi. At this point, you may be wondering if food and entertainment were included — while most of the shows were free, many of the restaurants like Izumi cost extra.

The Attic is another venue on deck four that has a bar and hosts comedy shows.

Royal Theater hosts shows on decks four and five.

On deck five, there's another "neighborhood" called Royal Promenade with restaurants, bars, and stores.

One of the bars is Bionic Bar, where robots make drinks.

There are two more bars in Royal Promenade, Cask and Clipper and Boleros, as well as a karaoke venue.

The neighborhood has two coffee shops — Starbucks and Cafe Promenade.

Guests can grab a pizza from Sorrento's in Royal Promenade for free.

Upstairs on deck six is Schooner Bar and a studio for getting pictures taken.

Next to Schooner Bar, there's an entrance to the Boardwalk, an outdoor neighborhood on deck six.

This deck caters to kids with a carousel.

There's also a candy store.

And don't forget the two rock-climbing walls.

There are two restaurants on the Boardwalk: a hot dog stand, which is free for guests, and a Johnny Rocket's, which has burgers and shakes.

Across from the restaurants is Playmakers, a sports bar.

The Boardwalk ends with the Aquatheater, where Royal Caribbean puts on outdoor movies and a water show featuring dancers, divers, and acrobats.

Like all of the outdoor decks, the Boardwalk is illuminated at night.

A waterslide from deck 16 ends right in front of the Aquatheater on deck six.

On the other side of deck 6 is the spa and fitness center neighborhood, Vitality at Sea.

Just past the entrance is a cafe before the spa area and gym.

The gym felt huge. It was full of the cardio and strength machines I've seen in most fitness centers.

From the fitness center, there's access to an indoor track.

Up on deck eight, there's another outdoor "neighborhood," Central Park.

This deck is home to 20,000 plants, according to Royal Caribbean, and I thought it was the most relaxing area on board.

There are many spaces to chill in this neighborhood, from benches to outdoor couches.

At night, the cozy area serves as a music venue.

Central Park is home to three upscale restaurants — Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian. There's also Park Cafe, a casual eatery that happens to be free for guests.

The deck has two bars — Trelli's and Rising Tide, a moving bar that goes up and down floors five through eight.

On the other end of deck eight, there's the Music Hall, a venue that spans up to deck nine.

Deck 12 has a restaurant called Wonderland that's inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

Deck 14 is home to the Youth Zone neighborhood, a kids' area with an escape room.

Decks 15 and 16 are known as the Pool and Sports Zone neighborhood. These decks are mostly outdoor.

Deck 15 is the pool deck. The three large pools made me feel like I was at the beach with water coming up and around the lounging chairs.

The deck also has a handful of whirlpools and small plunge pools for relaxing.

Deck 15 also has a water playground called Splashaway Bay.

Surrounding each pool are rows of lounge chairs, both in and out of the shade.

In the middle of the pool deck, Sprinkles has all-you-can-eat soft-serve ice cream with vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and mixed flavors. It's free for guests.

Deck 15 is also home to the Solarium, an adults-only indoor lounge with pools, a bar, a complimentary bistro, and stunning views.

Outside of the Solarium, there's a bar called Vue with more ocean views.

Windjammer, a complimentary buffet that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is on deck 15, too.

Upstairs, deck 16 has a seafood restaurant called Hooked and another free buffet called El Loco Fresh.

The Lime & the Coconut is a bar that spans over decks 15 and 16.

Up here, there are more lounging areas and a big screen for outdoor movies.

There are also covered casitas guests can reserve.

Deck 16 is where guests play games. The arcade and sporting areas are on this deck.

There are places to play table tennis on this level, too.

There's even a basketball court.

Plus, a whole mini-golf setup.

There's also a surfing simulator where guests can practice riding waves.

At the back of deck 16, there's Wipeout Bar, stunning ocean views, and the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss, the "largest waterslide at sea," according to Royal Caribbean. It slides down ten stories.

As previously mentioned, decks 17 and 18 are only accessible for guests with suites. This is where the eighth neighborhood, Suite Class Neighborhood, is. Fancy.

The largest cruise ship in the world felt way bigger than I even imagined, especially since I'd never been on a cruise before this one. As we left the port to start our journey, I marveled at how the ships passing by looked like toy boats in comparison.