My $1,400 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas wasn't impressive despite being on the world's largest cruise ship

Brittany ChangDec 19, 2022, 17:19 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

Royal Caribbean International invited me to spend two nights in the Wonder of the Sea's balcony stateroom.
My stateroom — which starts at $1,400 for 2023 itineraries — had all the essentials but minimal decor.

I spent two nights in a balcony stateroom aboard Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas.

Brittany Chang/Insider

At 1,188 feet-long, it's currently the world's largest cruise ship.

The Wonder of the Seas.Royal Caribbean

But for a ship this grand, I was underwhelmed by my stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Before I dive into the negatives, I have to start on a positive note.

Brittany Chang/Insider

My balcony stateroom was in a great location on deck eight, home of the ship's Central Park neighborhood.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This open-aired walkway was lined with live plants, music, speciality dining venues that looked like everyday restaurants, and shopping.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And given its proximity to my stateroom, this tranquil park — which looked nothing like the rest of the ship — felt like my temporary backyard.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But besides this optimal location, I don't have an endless index of high praises to give my hotel room at sea.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Fair warning, I do have a handful of trivial complaints even though my stay was covered by the cruise line. Royal Caribbean hosted the two-night non-revenue sailing for travel agents and media.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Fair warning, I do have a handful of trivial complaints even though my stay was covered by the cruise line. Royal Caribbean hosted the two-night non-revenue sailing for travel agents and media.

But given the price tag of this stateroom — which starts at $1,400 in 2023 — I believe these grievances are warranted.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Like any typical cruise ship stateroom, the bathroom was well-sized for one person.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Luckily I was traveling alone — This bathroom would've been uncomfortably small for two people.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite its size, it had all the expected amenities.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There were shelves that held my toiletries as the waves rocked the ship …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… a glass-walled shower next to the toilet …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and a long countertop that led to the narrow sink.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The clothesline and hooks in the shower were perfect for drying off my bathing suit.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the two-in-one body wash and shampoo felt cheap, although I am glad it was provided in a refillable dispenser.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I acknowledge that I shouldn't be too judgemental given the ship's 7,084-guest capacity. That's a lot of body wash and shampoo to provide.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I'm just glad I brought my own conditioner.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The deep shelves provided plenty of storage for my toiletries. This became a necessity as the countertop was too narrow to hold more than a few of my belongings.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The sink was equally small. And because the faucet head was positioned close to the edge of the sink, water splashed out of the basin whenever I washed my hands.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This is definitely more of a personal pet peeve. But it felt like an issue that could've been easily fixed during the design phase.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Outside the bathroom, I don't have too many complaints about the bedroom. The "room" in "bedroom" is used loosely in this context.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, the comfortable queen bed was lined with plush pillows that enveloped me the moment I laid down.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And the bed faced a wall-mounted television that provided some background noise while I worked and scrolled through my phone.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There were small design features that made me appreciate the stateroom …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… specifically the row of hooks to hang items like jackets and bags …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and the bedside lamps with built-in outlets and USB ports.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Both sides of the bed were also lined with large closets, giving me more storage space than I would've ever needed …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… even if we were sailing on one of the cruise ship's 2023 six to eight-night itineraries.

Brittany Chang/Insider

These closets were full of racks, hangers, shelves, and drawers to make unpacking and organizing easy.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And it was uniquely placed compared to other staterooms I've seen.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Stateroom closets are often tossed off to the side by the entry door or bathroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But here, they separated the bed from the bathroom and living "room."

Brittany Chang/Insider

There was also a separate dresser in this living room space.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This, combined with the two large closets by the bed, provided what may have been the most storage space I've ever seen in a traditional stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The large dresser was located next to a desk facing the light-up vanity. I used this mirror more than the full-length one by the entry door.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Having a desk was convenient but I ended up doing most of my work on the couch parallel to the desk.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This couch could have pulled out into a bed to accommodate another two or so travelers.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It was so comfortable, I spent more time here than on my balcony.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The furnished balcony, located at the far end of my hotel room at sea, was like any other.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Some of the ship's balcony staterooms faced the Central Park neighborhood, giving travelers a view of the peaceful outdoor walkway and other people across the park.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Luckily, mine was located outwards, giving me an unobstructed view of the ocean.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The balcony wasn't too large, which was to be expected.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And like the bathroom, it would've been a tight squeeze for four travelers.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But for one guest, it was perfect.

Brittany Chang/Insider

That's not to say the stateroom isn't equipped to handle a full family.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There are definitely enough storage spaces to keep guests from fighting over the closet.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And like any stateroom on a new ship, my room had all the furniture families could want while vacationing at sea.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the balcony stateroom was missing something all of the other staterooms I've been in had: robust decor.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Royal Caribbean's newest mega cruise ship is definitely one of the flashiest and most colorful vessels I've ever been on. Exploring it was a sensory overload.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the same couldn't be said for my room.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It followed a general color scheme of neutral tans, blues, and whites.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And besides a small cluster of negligible art on the wall above my couch, the walls were barren.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The living room's ombre curtains, patterned carpet, and decorative pillows added some liveliness.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And there was a sliver of a blue and white backsplash between the bathroom's counter and mirror.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the remainder of the stateroom felt muted and unexciting compared to the rest of the ship.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I understand there's only so much decor that can be placed in a small stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But in the past, I've stayed in ones with colorful murals …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… wall panels …

The Infinite Veranda stateroom on the Celebrity Apex.Brittany Chang/Insider

… and framed artwork that reflected the destination or cruise brand.

Brittany Chang/Insider

So I was surprised a stateroom created by a brand as big as Royal Caribbean on a ship as giant as the Wonder of the Seas didn't provide this same excitement and decor.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Maybe this is justifiable. There are endless activities in the common spaces, including multiple water slides and pools, a zipline …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… an ice skating rink …

Brittany Chang/Insider

... and a boardwalk.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I spent two days exploring the ship and barely had a grasp of where everything was.

Brittany Chang/Insider

In the end, I didn't spend much time in my private space.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the Wonder of the Seas' balcony stateroom has a double occupancy starting rate of $1,400 for 2023 itineraries.

Brittany Chang/Insider

So maybe I'm being too picky. But at this price and aboard one of 2022's most highly anticipated cruise ships, I wanted more than just the essentials. I wanted to be wowed.

Brittany Chang/Insider

So maybe I'm being too picky. But at this price and aboard one of 2022's most highly anticipated cruise ships, I wanted more than just the essentials. I wanted to be wowed.

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My $1,400 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas wasn't impressive despite being on the world's largest cruise ship

I spent two nights in a balcony stateroom aboard Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas.

At 1,188 feet-long, it's currently the world's largest cruise ship.

But for a ship this grand, I was underwhelmed by my stateroom.

Before I dive into the negatives, I have to start on a positive note.

My balcony stateroom was in a great location on deck eight, home of the ship's Central Park neighborhood.

This open-aired walkway was lined with live plants, music, speciality dining venues that looked like everyday restaurants, and shopping.

And given its proximity to my stateroom, this tranquil park — which looked nothing like the rest of the ship — felt like my temporary backyard.

But besides this optimal location, I don't have an endless index of high praises to give my hotel room at sea.

Fair warning, I do have a handful of trivial complaints even though my stay was covered by the cruise line. Royal Caribbean hosted the two-night non-revenue sailing for travel agents and media.

But given the price tag of this stateroom — which starts at $1,400 in 2023 — I believe these grievances are warranted.

Like any typical cruise ship stateroom, the bathroom was well-sized for one person.

Luckily I was traveling alone — This bathroom would've been uncomfortably small for two people.

Despite its size, it had all the expected amenities.

There were shelves that held my toiletries as the waves rocked the ship …

… a glass-walled shower next to the toilet …

… and a long countertop that led to the narrow sink.

The clothesline and hooks in the shower were perfect for drying off my bathing suit.

But the two-in-one body wash and shampoo felt cheap, although I am glad it was provided in a refillable dispenser.

I acknowledge that I shouldn't be too judgemental given the ship's 7,084-guest capacity. That's a lot of body wash and shampoo to provide.

I'm just glad I brought my own conditioner.

The deep shelves provided plenty of storage for my toiletries. This became a necessity as the countertop was too narrow to hold more than a few of my belongings.

The sink was equally small. And because the faucet head was positioned close to the edge of the sink, water splashed out of the basin whenever I washed my hands.

This is definitely more of a personal pet peeve. But it felt like an issue that could've been easily fixed during the design phase.

Outside the bathroom, I don't have too many complaints about the bedroom. The "room" in "bedroom" is used loosely in this context.

Here, the comfortable queen bed was lined with plush pillows that enveloped me the moment I laid down.

And the bed faced a wall-mounted television that provided some background noise while I worked and scrolled through my phone.

There were small design features that made me appreciate the stateroom …

… specifically the row of hooks to hang items like jackets and bags …

… and the bedside lamps with built-in outlets and USB ports.

Both sides of the bed were also lined with large closets, giving me more storage space than I would've ever needed …

… even if we were sailing on one of the cruise ship's 2023 six to eight-night itineraries.

These closets were full of racks, hangers, shelves, and drawers to make unpacking and organizing easy.

And it was uniquely placed compared to other staterooms I've seen.

Stateroom closets are often tossed off to the side by the entry door or bathroom.

But here, they separated the bed from the bathroom and living "room."

There was also a separate dresser in this living room space.

This, combined with the two large closets by the bed, provided what may have been the most storage space I've ever seen in a traditional stateroom.

The large dresser was located next to a desk facing the light-up vanity. I used this mirror more than the full-length one by the entry door.

Having a desk was convenient but I ended up doing most of my work on the couch parallel to the desk.

This couch could have pulled out into a bed to accommodate another two or so travelers.

It was so comfortable, I spent more time here than on my balcony.

The furnished balcony, located at the far end of my hotel room at sea, was like any other.

Some of the ship's balcony staterooms faced the Central Park neighborhood, giving travelers a view of the peaceful outdoor walkway and other people across the park.

Luckily, mine was located outwards, giving me an unobstructed view of the ocean.

The balcony wasn't too large, which was to be expected.

And like the bathroom, it would've been a tight squeeze for four travelers.

But for one guest, it was perfect.

That's not to say the stateroom isn't equipped to handle a full family.

There are definitely enough storage spaces to keep guests from fighting over the closet.

And like any stateroom on a new ship, my room had all the furniture families could want while vacationing at sea.

But the balcony stateroom was missing something all of the other staterooms I've been in had: robust decor.

Royal Caribbean's newest mega cruise ship is definitely one of the flashiest and most colorful vessels I've ever been on. Exploring it was a sensory overload.

But the same couldn't be said for my room.

It followed a general color scheme of neutral tans, blues, and whites.

And besides a small cluster of negligible art on the wall above my couch, the walls were barren.

The living room's ombre curtains, patterned carpet, and decorative pillows added some liveliness.

And there was a sliver of a blue and white backsplash between the bathroom's counter and mirror.

But the remainder of the stateroom felt muted and unexciting compared to the rest of the ship.

I understand there's only so much decor that can be placed in a small stateroom.

But in the past, I've stayed in ones with colorful murals …

… wall panels …

… and framed artwork that reflected the destination or cruise brand.

So I was surprised a stateroom created by a brand as big as Royal Caribbean on a ship as giant as the Wonder of the Seas didn't provide this same excitement and decor.

Maybe this is justifiable. There are endless activities in the common spaces, including multiple water slides and pools, a zipline …

… an ice skating rink …

... and a boardwalk.

I spent two days exploring the ship and barely had a grasp of where everything was.

In the end, I didn't spend much time in my private space.

But the Wonder of the Seas' balcony stateroom has a double occupancy starting rate of $1,400 for 2023 itineraries.

So maybe I'm being too picky. But at this price and aboard one of 2022's most highly anticipated cruise ships, I wanted more than just the essentials. I wanted to be wowed.