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  4. I sailed on the world's largest cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's 9,300-person Wonder of the Seas — and it's my new favorite

I sailed on the world's largest cruise ship Royal Caribbean's 9,300-person Wonder of the Seas — and it's my new favorite

Brittany Chang   

I sailed on the world's largest cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's 9,300-person Wonder of the Seas — and it's my new favorite
Brittany Chang/Insider
  • Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on its new Wonder of the Seas for two nights in early December.
  • The world's largest cruise ship had unique amenities I had never seen on a ship before.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean International's new world's largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean International
Brittany Chang/Insider

And to my surprise, the behemoth vessel made me forget that I don't like cruises.

And to my surprise, the behemoth vessel made me forget that I don
Brittany Chang/Insider

I've been on several cruises across several brands for work.

I
Brittany Chang/Insider

And so far, sailing on this new floating city has been my favorite trip.

And so far, sailing on this new floating city has been my favorite trip.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Amenities like its eight neighborhoods, three water slides, and expansive pool deck provided more entertainment than I could have consumed during my two nights at sea.

Amenities like its eight neighborhoods, three water slides, and expansive pool deck provided more entertainment than I could have consumed during my two nights at sea.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And moving forward, it'll be one of the only cruise vessels I'll recommend when people ask me for suggestions.

And moving forward, it
Brittany Chang/Insider

Royal Caribbean International invited me to sail on its newest mega Oasis Class cruise ship in early December during a non-revenue sailing for media and travel agents.

Royal Caribbean International invited me to sail on its newest mega Oasis Class cruise ship in early December during a non-revenue sailing for media and travel agents.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Before I dive into the positives, let's start with the most glaring negative: my $1,400 balcony stateroom.

Before I dive into the positives, let
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

My spacious hotel room at sea had grand views of the ocean and the most storage I've ever seen in a stateroom.

My spacious hotel room at sea had grand views of the ocean and the most storage I
Brittany Chang/Insider

But its bland decor, poorly designed sink basin that constantly splashed water onto the countertop …

But its bland decor, poorly designed sink basin that constantly splashed water onto the countertop …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and lack of toiletries — specifically conditioner and a separate body wash and shampoo — were disappointing, especially on such a wildly hyped cruise ship.

… and lack of toiletries — specifically conditioner and a separate body wash and shampoo — were disappointing, especially on such a wildly hyped cruise ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

Despite its hefty price tag, the stateroom didn't feel luxurious enough to compel me to spend more time in my home at sea.

Despite its hefty price tag, the stateroom didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

It provided the essentials and nothing more.

It provided the essentials and nothing more.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But maybe a stateroom as boring as this is justifiable aboard a ship like the Wonder of the Seas.

But maybe a stateroom as boring as this is justifiable aboard a ship like the Wonder of the Seas.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

Why spend excess time in your stateroom when you have a massive vessel with eight neighborhoods to explore?

Why spend excess time in your stateroom when you have a massive vessel with eight neighborhoods to explore?
Brittany Chang/Insider

Ultimately, two nights aboard the ship wasn't enough time to experience all it had to offer even with a packed itinerary.

Ultimately, two nights aboard the ship wasn
Brittany Chang/Insider

Even though I didn't get to drink at every bar, dine at every restaurant, and lounge in every hot tub, the floating resort was still the most fun I've ever had on a cruise ship.

Even though I didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

So I'll just review what I was able to see and do during my two short nights aboard the ship.

So I
Brittany Chang/Insider

The Wonder of the Seas has eight neighborhoods all with their own amenities, services, design, and activities.

The Wonder of the Seas has eight neighborhoods all with their own amenities, services, design, and activities.
Brittany Chang/Insider

One is exclusive to guests staying in suites, which I can't speak to.

One is exclusive to guests staying in suites, which I can
Brittany Chang/Insider

But neighborhoods like Central Park and Boardwalk were the big standouts.

But neighborhoods like Central Park and Boardwalk were the big standouts.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Both looked nothing like a typical cruise ship.

Both looked nothing like a typical cruise ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, Central Park resembled an outdoor mall filled with plants, shops, restaurants, and live music …

Instead, Central Park resembled an outdoor mall filled with plants, shops, restaurants, and live music …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… while the Boardwalk looked exactly like what you'd expect.

… while the Boardwalk looked exactly like what you
Brittany Chang/Insider

Central Park had an energetic but quiet hum, creating a peaceful open-aired neighborhood.

Central Park had an energetic but quiet hum, creating a peaceful open-aired neighborhood.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was one of the most relaxing spaces aboard the ship.

It was one of the most relaxing spaces aboard the ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider

All of the plants, surrounding staterooms, live music, and dining venues made Central Park feel like a peaceful cocoon separate from the hustle and bustle of other neighborhoods.

All of the plants, surrounding staterooms, live music, and dining venues made Central Park feel like a peaceful cocoon separate from the hustle and bustle of other neighborhoods.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And the only reminder that I was at sea was the balcony staterooms that formed a wall around the neighborhood.

And the only reminder that I was at sea was the balcony staterooms that formed a wall around the neighborhood.
Brittany Chang/Insider

I didn't eat at any of the restaurants. But just walking around and enjoying the space was enough for me to call this one of my favorite neighborhoods aboard the ship.

I didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

The Boardwalk also became my go-to neighborhood.

The Boardwalk also became my go-to neighborhood.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But unlike the getaway feeling of Central Park, this neighborhood was far from peaceful.

But unlike the getaway feeling of Central Park, this neighborhood was far from peaceful.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, I was impressed by how much it resembled a real wood-planked boardwalk filled with colorful accents …

Instead, I was impressed by how much it resembled a real wood-planked boardwalk filled with colorful accents …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… a carousel …

… a carousel …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… a Johnny Rockets, and a hot dog stand.

… a Johnny Rockets, and a hot dog stand.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, you can find children playing arcade games, crawling through the suspended and netted playground, and traversing the two rock climbing walls.

Here, you can find children playing arcade games, crawling through the suspended and netted playground, and traversing the two rock climbing walls.
Brittany Chang/Insider

All the while, their parents can catch a game at the sports bar.

All the while, their parents can catch a game at the sports bar.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It's a wholesome and exciting neighborhood.

It
Brittany Chang/Insider

And the hot dog stand and candy store were a nostalgic touch that reminded me of weekends at the beach with my family.

And the hot dog stand and candy store were a nostalgic touch that reminded me of weekends at the beach with my family.
Brittany Chang/Insider

I've never seen spaces like the Boardwalk and Central Park aboard a cruise ship before.

I
Brittany Chang/Insider

And I found this creativity refreshing for a cruise brand.

And I found this creativity refreshing for a cruise brand.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It made me forget I was on my least favorite form of travel. And they're two of the main reasons I now consider the Wonder of the Seas my favorite cruise ship.

It made me forget I was on my least favorite form of travel. And they
Brittany Chang/Insider

However, the other neighborhoods weren't as distinct in design and activities.

However, the other neighborhoods weren
Brittany Chang/Insider

This includes the Royal Promenade, home of the ship's Starbucks, grab-and-go dining like the pizza shop, more shopping …

This includes the Royal Promenade, home of the ship
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and some standout bars and lounges.

… and some standout bars and lounges.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Fans of classic English pubs can grab a pint at Cask and Clipper …

Fans of classic English pubs can grab a pint at Cask and Clipper …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… while those looking for something more unique can go to the bar manned with robotic arms instead of bartenders.

… while those looking for something more unique can go to the bar manned with robotic arms instead of bartenders.
Brittany Chang/Insider

There's also a karaoke bar across from another watering hole with live music and space to dance.

There
Brittany Chang/Insider

And if you're indecisive about which deck you want to spend more time on, you can always drink at the Rising Tide bar. It's a platform that rises and lowers between the Royal Promenade and above Central Park.

And if you
Brittany Chang/Insider

These are all unique drinking venues for a cruise ship.

These are all unique drinking venues for a cruise ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But the decor and intention of the Royal Promenade too closely resembled a typical cruise ship atrium for my taste.

But the decor and intention of the Royal Promenade too closely resembled a typical cruise ship atrium for my taste.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And I'm still not sure why there's an out-of-place giant metal cowboy hat ...

And I
Brittany Chang/Insider

... and a Ford Mustang parked in this neighborhood.

... and a Ford Mustang parked in this neighborhood.
Brittany Chang/Insider

To me, this was a "flyover" space. I spent little of my leisure time here.

To me, this was a "flyover" space. I spent little of my leisure time here.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But I definitely can't say the same for the Wonder of the Seas' pool deck.

But I definitely can
Brittany Chang/Insider

There were expansive rows of bright lounge chairs surrounding the multiple pools.

There were expansive rows of bright lounge chairs surrounding the multiple pools.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And the colorful water slides, decor pieces, and bright accents all made this the most exciting pool deck I've ever seen.

And the colorful water slides, decor pieces, and bright accents all made this the most exciting pool deck I
Brittany Chang/Insider

The multicolored structures and decor made it difficult to visually focus on just one slide or pool.

The multicolored structures and decor made it difficult to visually focus on just one slide or pool.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was admittedly an overwhelming and confusing sight even after two nights at sea.

It was admittedly an overwhelming and confusing sight even after two nights at sea.
Brittany Chang/Insider

So it's no wonder there were always guests here during the day.

So it
Brittany Chang/Insider

Young children could spend time together at the water playground …

Young children could spend time together at the water playground …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… while their older siblings can race each other down the dual water slides.

… while their older siblings can race each other down the dual water slides.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The interior of these slides becomes completely dark mid-ride, adding an exhilarating and claustrophobic touch to the quick journey down.

The interior of these slides becomes completely dark mid-ride, adding an exhilarating and claustrophobic touch to the quick journey down.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But the third waterslide, which ends in a large toilet bowl-like structure, wasn't nearly as exciting.

But the third waterslide, which ends in a large toilet bowl-like structure, wasn
Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, like other travelers, I got stuck and had to scoot myself toward the "drain" of the bowl.

Instead, like other travelers, I got stuck and had to scoot myself toward the "drain" of the bowl.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: YouTube

But at least I was able to simmer off some of this embarrassment at one of the several hot tubs.

But at least I was able to simmer off some of this embarrassment at one of the several hot tubs.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: YouTube

These water slides made me feel like a young child running around the water park with my friends.

These water slides made me feel like a young child running around the water park with my friends.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in years. And like the Boardwalk neighborhood, I was hit with pleasant nostalgia.

It was a feeling I hadn
Brittany Chang/Insider

During the day, this deck saw plenty of foot traffic as children splashed around and adults lounged with their mai tais and margaritas.

During the day, this deck saw plenty of foot traffic as children splashed around and adults lounged with their mai tais and margaritas.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was only ever quiet at night. And even then, the pool deck remained vibrant with plenty of multicolor accent lights.

It was only ever quiet at night. And even then, the pool deck remained vibrant with plenty of multicolor accent lights.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was an unnecessary touch given how empty the pool deck becomes after the sun sets.

It was an unnecessary touch given how empty the pool deck becomes after the sun sets.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But I still appreciated how exciting and photogenic it made the space look.

But I still appreciated how exciting and photogenic it made the space look.
Brittany Chang/Insider

This pool deck was impressive but the family-friendly fun didn't stop there.

This pool deck was impressive but the family-friendly fun didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

The deck above this had even more activities, albeit a bit drier.

The deck above this had even more activities, albeit a bit drier.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, the activities looked more similar to Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Prima, which I sailed on in early October.

Here, the activities looked more similar to Norwegian Cruise Line
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

Similar to the Prima, the Wonder of the Seas had an underwater-themed mini golf course …

Similar to the Prima, the Wonder of the Seas had an underwater-themed mini golf course …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and a 10-story dry slide hidden tucked inside the mouth of a formidable anglerfish structure.

… and a 10-story dry slide hidden tucked inside the mouth of a formidable anglerfish structure.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But unlike Norwegian's new vessel, the world's largest cruise ship also had a large children's playground, sports court, surf simulator, and zipline that flies over the Central Park neighborhood.

But unlike Norwegian
Brittany Chang/Insider

I've never been on a cruise ship with this many outdoor activities for families — it's enough to keep any family entertained for an afternoon.

I
Brittany Chang/Insider

And it was a stark contrast to the adults-only Solarium section of the vessel.

And it was a stark contrast to the adults-only Solarium section of the vessel.
Brittany Chang/Insider

A Solarium with swimming pools and hot tubs isn't a novel concept aboard a cruise ship.

A Solarium with swimming pools and hot tubs isn
Brittany Chang/Insider

But here, the dome-covered lounge was flooded with natural light that graced the large lounge chairs, animal topiaries, and multi-level pool.

But here, the dome-covered lounge was flooded with natural light that graced the large lounge chairs, animal topiaries, and multi-level pool.
Brittany Chang/Insider

It was unnecessarily spacious, which I recognize is not a common critique of cruise ship spaces.

It was unnecessarily spacious, which I recognize is not a common critique of cruise ship spaces.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But a cruise ship of this size definitely needs common spaces that can accommodate hundreds to thousands of people at once.

But a cruise ship of this size definitely needs common spaces that can accommodate hundreds to thousands of people at once.
Brittany Chang/Insider

After all, the Wonder of the Seas can sail up to 7,084 guests and 2,204 crew.

After all, the Wonder of the Seas can sail up to 7,084 guests and 2,204 crew.
Brittany Chang/Insider

So to feed this many mouths, the vessel has over 20 dining venues.

So to feed this many mouths, the vessel has over 20 dining venues.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But it should be noted that over half of them are specialty restaurants that come at an additional cost.

But it should be noted that over half of them are specialty restaurants that come at an additional cost.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The Wonder of the Seas has options like a teppanyaki restaurant, a taco and burrito buffet, and an 18-person restaurant.

The Wonder of the Seas has options like a teppanyaki restaurant, a taco and burrito buffet, and an 18-person restaurant.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But the Royal Caribbean team scheduled me for Hooked Seafood and the Mason Jar. The latter is a new-to-brand Southern restaurant with a live band.

But the Royal Caribbean team scheduled me for Hooked Seafood and the Mason Jar. The latter is a new-to-brand Southern restaurant with a live band.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Hooked Seafood was satisfactory with dishes like lobster and fish with a side of butter.

Hooked Seafood was satisfactory with dishes like lobster and fish with a side of butter.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But the Mason Jar was unfortunately disappointing.

But the Mason Jar was unfortunately disappointing.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The cocktails — including one topped with a mini peanut butter and jelly sandwich — had a unique twist on classics.

The cocktails — including one topped with a mini peanut butter and jelly sandwich — had a unique twist on classics.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But my main entree, fried chicken, was dry and flavorless. It was difficult to finish, and not just because the portions were massive.

But my main entree, fried chicken, was dry and flavorless. It was difficult to finish, and not just because the portions were massive.
Brittany Chang/Insider

However, I'm surprised to say the Wonder of the Seas had the best cruise ship buffet I've ever eaten at.

However, I
Brittany Chang/Insider

There were all-you-can-eat options like octopus and salmon tartare. I don't think I've ever seen these on a cruise buffet before.

There were all-you-can-eat options like octopus and salmon tartare. I don
Brittany Chang/Insider

It made a simple complimentary buffet feel otherwise luxurious.

It made a simple complimentary buffet feel otherwise luxurious.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And I never thought I would say that about a dining venue like this.

And I never thought I would say that about a dining venue like this.
Brittany Chang/Insider

I'm just as shocked to say that I genuinely enjoyed the entertainment aboard the Wonder of the Seas.

I
Brittany Chang/Insider

The majority of cruise ship shows I've seen have been song-and-dance performances, which I often find boring and unoriginal.

The majority of cruise ship shows I
Brittany Chang/Insider

Before the Wonder of the Seas, I thought the Norwegian Prima — shown below — had the most well-executed and engaging onboard entertainment.

Before the Wonder of the Seas, I thought the Norwegian Prima — shown below — had the most well-executed and engaging onboard entertainment.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But now I'm not convinced.

But now I
Brittany Chang/Insider

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