Step aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, a cruise ship so big it has 8 'neighborhoods' spread across 18 decks

Joey HaddenMar 15, 2024, 01:56 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 Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the second-largest cruise ship in the world.
It can hold up to 7,000 guests and has eight "neighborhoods" full of activities and amenities.

In April 2022, I took my first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and it was bigger than I could even imagine. I felt as if I were in a small town in the middle of the ocean. At the time of my sailing, Wonder of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas took over the title in January 2024.

Step aboard the second-largest cruise ship in the world.

Wonder of the Seas, sailing since March 2022, is nearly 1,200 feet long and 210 feet wide with 18 decks. It can hold about 7,000 guests.

Wonder of the Seas in Costa Playa, Mexico.Joey Hadden/Business 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 accessible only for suite guests.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Entertainment Place also has a sushi restaurant, Izumi.

Izumi on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

A view of the Royal Promenade on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

The Bionic Bar on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Boardwalk is an outdoor neighborhood on deck six.

The carousel on Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There are two restaurants on the Boardwalk: a hot-dog stand, which is included for guests, and a Johnny Rockets, which has burgers and shakes, for an added fee.

Restaurants on the Boardwalk.Joey Hadden/Business 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 on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

Vitality at Sea on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

Central Park on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business 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 is free for guests.

Upscale restaurants in Central Park.Joey Hadden/Business 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 is free for guests.

Deck 14 is home to the Youth Zone neighborhood.

The Youth Zone on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Deck 15 is the pool deck. There are three large pools that made me feel as if I were at the beach with water coming up and around the lounging chairs.

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

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

The Solarium on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

Windjammer on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Up on deck 16, there are more lounging areas and a big screen for outdoor movies.

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

Deck 16 is also where guests play games.

A mini-golf course on board Wonder of the Seas.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The eighth neighborhood is the most exclusive — Suite Class Neighborhood.

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

The ship felt bigger than I imagined, especially since I'd never been on a cruise before.

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

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Step aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, a cruise ship so big it has 8 'neighborhoods' spread across 18 decks

Wonder of the Seas, sailing since March 2022, is nearly 1,200 feet long and 210 feet wide with 18 decks. It can hold about 7,000 guests.

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 accessible only for suite guests.

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

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 art on display.

Entertainment Place also has a sushi restaurant, Izumi.

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

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

The Boardwalk is an outdoor neighborhood on deck six.

There are two restaurants on the Boardwalk: a hot-dog stand, which is included for guests, and a Johnny Rockets, which has burgers and shakes, for an added fee.

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

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

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

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 is free for guests.

Deck 14 is home to the Youth Zone neighborhood.

Deck 15 is the pool deck. There are three large pools that made me feel as if I were at the beach with water coming up and around the lounging chairs.

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

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

Up on deck 16, there are more lounging areas and a big screen for outdoor movies.

Deck 16 is also where guests play games.

The eighth neighborhood is the most exclusive — Suite Class Neighborhood.

The ship felt bigger than I imagined, especially since I'd never been on a cruise before.