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

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

I spent a week eating on the world's largest cruise ship. These are the 10 best dishes I had.
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 took a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, with 20 restaurants onboard.

I took a cruise on Royal Caribbean
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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Insider paid for the specialty meals per our reporting standards.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Outside of the main dining room, I particularly enjoyed El Loco Fresh, an outdoor DIY taco bar. It
An entrance to El Loco Fresh.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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

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 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

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.

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 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
The author's entree 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.

For dessert at Hooked Seafood, I went with the chef
The author's dessert at Hooked Seafood.      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.

The Mason Jar is the newest Royal Caribbean restaurant that serves southern comfort food, and it
An entrance to 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.

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

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.

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 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

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.

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

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

But I
The author's crab beignets.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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