I spent a week eating on the world's largest cruise ship. These are the 10 best dishes I had.

Joey HaddenMay 28, 2022, 16:36 IST

Insider's reporter went to more than half of the 20 restaurants onboard Wonder of the Seas and noted the 10 best dishes.Joey Hadden/Insider

I spent seven nights on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the world's largest cruise ship.
The ship has 20 restaurants, and I ate at more than half of them during my cruise.

I took a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, with 20 restaurants onboard.

The author on the world's largest cruise ship.Joey Hadden/Insider

From buffets to upscale dining, the ship offered cuisine from around the world. I filled up on tacos, salads, seafood, and so many desserts at all types of restaurants.

A mix of offerings on the world's largest cruise ship.Joey Hadden/Insider

Some restaurants are complimentary as part of the cruise rate, while specialty dining incurs an additional cost. For the latter, guests often pay a cover charge for a three-course meal, and the cost tends to increase the later into the cruise you reserve a table.

The dining room at Wonderland, a specialty restaurant on the ship.Joey Hadden/Insider

Some restaurants are complimentary as part of the cruise rate, while specialty dining incurs an additional cost. For the latter, guests often pay a cover charge for a three-course meal, and the cost tends to increase the later into the cruise you reserve a table.

During my seven-night cruise, I ate at as many different restaurants as I could — more than half of them. There were 10 stand-out dishes that I'm still thinking about when my stomach grumbles.

The author dines at Solarium Bistro on the world's largest cruise themJoey Hadden/Insider

During my seven-night cruise, I ate at as many different restaurants as I could — more than half of them. There were 10 stand-out dishes that I'm still thinking about when my stomach grumbles.

I made reservations at five specialty restaurants, and I found that meals at both complimentary and specialty offerings made my top list of favorite things I ate.

The author dines at Hooked Seafood — a specialty restaurant.Joey Hadden/Insider

The main dining room on the ship is complimentary for guests and serves breakfast and a three-course dinner each day.

An entrance to the main dining room.Joey Hadden/Insider

I went there for dinner one night and had garlic tiger shrimp with jasmine rice, seasonal veggies, and herb butter. The shrimp was juicy with great flavor, the rice was sticky, which I like, and the asparagus and tomatoes were well-seasoned.

The author's dinner from the main dining room.Joey Hadden/Insider

I went there for dinner one night and had garlic tiger shrimp with jasmine rice, seasonal veggies, and herb butter. The shrimp was juicy with great flavor, the rice was sticky, which I like, and the asparagus and tomatoes were well-seasoned.

At breakfast, the main dining room served thick french toast that was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. A delicious berry sauce on top paired nicely with maple syrup. This was my favorite breakfast of the whole trip.

The author's breakfast from the main dining room.Joey Hadden/Insider

At breakfast, the main dining room served thick french toast that was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. A delicious berry sauce on top paired nicely with maple syrup. This was my favorite breakfast of the whole trip.

Outside of the main dining room, I particularly enjoyed El Loco Fresh, an outdoor DIY taco bar. It's included for guests and serves a selection of meats, cheeses, and so many toppings, like pico de Gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.

An entrance to El Loco Fresh.Joey Hadden/Insider

Outside of the main dining room, I particularly enjoyed El Loco Fresh, an outdoor DIY taco bar. It's included for guests and serves a selection of meats, cheeses, and so many toppings, like pico de Gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.

I grabbed a bowl of chips to make some nachos. I thought the queso was really good, and they had every topping I could want, satisfying my Tex-Mex craving on the ship.

The author's meal from El Loco Fresh.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I wanted an upscale meal, I chose Chops Grille, a steakhouse. I paid $55 for a three-course dinner here.

The entrance to Chops Grille.Joey Hadden/Insider

The highlight was the appetizer — a crispy goat cheese salad with green apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. It was an eclectic mix of textures and flavors, but blended together perfectly in my mouth.

The author's salad from Chops Grille.Joey Hadden/Insider

The highlight was the appetizer — a crispy goat cheese salad with green apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. It was an eclectic mix of textures and flavors, but blended together perfectly in my mouth.

For another upscale meal, I went to 150 Central Park, a restaurant with a variety of meat, seafood, and other "locally sourced ingredients," according to Royal Caribbean. I had a three-course dinner for $50.

The entrance to 150 Central Park.Joey Hadden/Insider

For another upscale meal, I went to 150 Central Park, a restaurant with a variety of meat, seafood, and other "locally sourced ingredients," according to Royal Caribbean. I had a three-course dinner for $50.

The best thing I ate at 150 Central Park was the fried cheesecake, so definitely save room for dessert if you dine here. It was soft, fluffy, and light, with a cream cheese filling. Caramelized popcorn, whipped cream, and Nutella drizzle complimented it perfectly. It was even more satisfying than the main course.

The author's dessert from 150 Central Park.Joey Hadden/Insider

The best thing I ate at 150 Central Park was the fried cheesecake, so definitely save room for dessert if you dine here. It was soft, fluffy, and light, with a cream cheese filling. Caramelized popcorn, whipped cream, and Nutella drizzle complimented it perfectly. It was even more satisfying than the main course.

To get my seafood fix, I went to the New England-style Hooked Seafood restaurant that draws inspiration from Maine to Maryland. I paid $53 for a three-course dinner.

The entrance to Hooked Seafood.Joey Hadden/Insider

The lobster roll was fantastic — loaded with thick chunks of lobster, a nice grill on the bread, and fries on the side. It reminded me of similar meals I've had living on the east coast.

The author's entree at Hooked Seafood.Joey Hadden/Insider

The lobster roll was fantastic — loaded with thick chunks of lobster, a nice grill on the bread, and fries on the side. It reminded me of similar meals I've had living on the east coast.

For dessert at Hooked Seafood, I went with the chef's suggestion: a lemon tart. I took one bite and it was easy to see why it came highly recommended. The lemon custard was tangy with a tad of sweetness, and it filled up a flaky, buttery crust. It was the best lemon tart I've ever had.

The author's dessert at Hooked Seafood.Joey Hadden/Insider

For dessert at Hooked Seafood, I went with the chef's suggestion: a lemon tart. I took one bite and it was easy to see why it came highly recommended. The lemon custard was tangy with a tad of sweetness, and it filled up a flaky, buttery crust. It was the best lemon tart I've ever had.

The Mason Jar is the newest Royal Caribbean restaurant that serves southern comfort food, and it's only on Wonder of the Seas. It cost $40 for a three-course dinner and everything I ordered here made my top 10 list.

An entrance to The Mason Jar.Joey Hadden/Insider

The Mason Jar is the newest Royal Caribbean restaurant that serves southern comfort food, and it's only on Wonder of the Seas. It cost $40 for a three-course dinner and everything I ordered here made my top 10 list.

To start, I ordered the crab beignets. They were the perfect texture — soft and fluffy with a hard outer layer. The crab flavor was subtle with cinnamon on top for an interesting twist. The accompanying crap dip was refreshing, too.

The author's appetizer at The Mason Jar.Joey Hadden/Insider

To start, I ordered the crab beignets. They were the perfect texture — soft and fluffy with a hard outer layer. The crab flavor was subtle with cinnamon on top for an interesting twist. The accompanying crap dip was refreshing, too.

For my main, I had fried chicken with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. The sides had good flavor, as well.

The author's entree at The Mason Jar.Joey Hadden/Insider

The dessert at The Mason Jar was also unique. Called "Gone Bananas!," it included layers of vanilla pudding, graham cracker crumbs, and roasted bananas with whipped cream and toffee on top. It was fluffy, light, and had a rich banana flavor. It was the perfect ending to my favorite meal of the trip.

The author's dessert at The Mason Jar.Joey Hadden/Insider

The dessert at The Mason Jar was also unique. Called "Gone Bananas!," it included layers of vanilla pudding, graham cracker crumbs, and roasted bananas with whipped cream and toffee on top. It was fluffy, light, and had a rich banana flavor. It was the perfect ending to my favorite meal of the trip.

While the specialty restaurants served delicious courses, I thought the food quality was just as high in the main dining room, where I only ate twice. If I were to cruise with Wonder of the Seas again, I'd spend less money on specialty restaurants and more evenings in the main dining room instead since it offers great value.

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

While the specialty restaurants served delicious courses, I thought the food quality was just as high in the main dining room, where I only ate twice. If I were to cruise with Wonder of the Seas again, I'd spend less money on specialty restaurants and more evenings in the main dining room instead since it offers great value.

But I'd absolutely pay to go back to the Mason Jar for all three standout courses.

The author's crab beignets.Joey Hadden/Insider

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I spent a week eating on the world's largest cruise ship. These are the 10 best dishes I had.

I took a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, with 20 restaurants onboard.

From buffets to upscale dining, the ship offered cuisine from around the world. I filled up on tacos, salads, seafood, and so many desserts at all types of restaurants.

Some restaurants are complimentary as part of the cruise rate, while specialty dining incurs an additional cost. For the latter, guests often pay a cover charge for a three-course meal, and the cost tends to increase the later into the cruise you reserve a table.

During my seven-night cruise, I ate at as many different restaurants as I could — more than half of them. There were 10 stand-out dishes that I'm still thinking about when my stomach grumbles.

I made reservations at five specialty restaurants, and I found that meals at both complimentary and specialty offerings made my top list of favorite things I ate.

The main dining room on the ship is complimentary for guests and serves breakfast and a three-course dinner each day.

I went there for dinner one night and had garlic tiger shrimp with jasmine rice, seasonal veggies, and herb butter. The shrimp was juicy with great flavor, the rice was sticky, which I like, and the asparagus and tomatoes were well-seasoned.

At breakfast, the main dining room served thick french toast that was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. A delicious berry sauce on top paired nicely with maple syrup. This was my favorite breakfast of the whole trip.

Outside of the main dining room, I particularly enjoyed El Loco Fresh, an outdoor DIY taco bar. It's included for guests and serves a selection of meats, cheeses, and so many toppings, like pico de Gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.

I grabbed a bowl of chips to make some nachos. I thought the queso was really good, and they had every topping I could want, satisfying my Tex-Mex craving on the ship.

When I wanted an upscale meal, I chose Chops Grille, a steakhouse. I paid $55 for a three-course dinner here.

The highlight was the appetizer — a crispy goat cheese salad with green apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. It was an eclectic mix of textures and flavors, but blended together perfectly in my mouth.

For another upscale meal, I went to 150 Central Park, a restaurant with a variety of meat, seafood, and other "locally sourced ingredients," according to Royal Caribbean. I had a three-course dinner for $50.

To get my seafood fix, I went to the New England-style Hooked Seafood restaurant that draws inspiration from Maine to Maryland. I paid $53 for a three-course dinner.

The lobster roll was fantastic — loaded with thick chunks of lobster, a nice grill on the bread, and fries on the side. It reminded me of similar meals I've had living on the east coast.

For dessert at Hooked Seafood, I went with the chef's suggestion: a lemon tart. I took one bite and it was easy to see why it came highly recommended. The lemon custard was tangy with a tad of sweetness, and it filled up a flaky, buttery crust. It was the best lemon tart I've ever had.

The Mason Jar is the newest Royal Caribbean restaurant that serves southern comfort food, and it's only on Wonder of the Seas. It cost $40 for a three-course dinner and everything I ordered here made my top 10 list.

To start, I ordered the crab beignets. They were the perfect texture — soft and fluffy with a hard outer layer. The crab flavor was subtle with cinnamon on top for an interesting twist. The accompanying crap dip was refreshing, too.

For my main, I had fried chicken with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. The sides had good flavor, as well.

But I'd absolutely pay to go back to the Mason Jar for all three standout courses.