Why Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas Sells Itself

Royal Caribbean debuted Wonder of the Seas — its fifth Oasis-class vessel — this week, after the monumental undertaking of building the world’s largest ship during a global pandemic. The ship is an impressive sister to Symphony of the Seas, which debuted in March 2018, with a few new offerings. First-in-class features to Wonder include an expansion of the Lime and Coconut bar concept; the addition of Cantina Fresca, a bar at El Loco Fresh; a Southern-style restaurant called Mason Jar; an outside deck area for kids called the Wonder Playscape; and a reconfiguration of Royal’s popular and comprehensive suite class, which gives guests in the 188 onboard suites more of a separate complex to enjoy their own restaurant, lounge, and wraparound sun deck.

The kickoff cruise is sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, though the ship will reposition to Barcelona for the summer season and then on to Orlando (Port Canaveral) for November 2022. It’s a long way from China, where the ship was originally slated to debut; the Covid-19 pandemic delayed an Oasis-class ship in the Pacific for now, but talks of Oasis 6 and 7 are underway.

Who’s Wonder for?
It all about having options on hand, and for fussy families or attention-deficit adults, a ship with 16 passenger decks loaded with activities might mean the difference between a good vacation with compromises and a vacation where everyone finds that perfect balance. That being said, it’s an excellent

What’s for sale?
Of course the additional bars, the new dining venue, and some of the most spacious suites at sea will cost cruisers — but it’s all built toward the luxury of the option. Wonder of the Seas and its Oasis siblings offer guests, and especially groups, the beauty of choice. You do not have to pay for the bells and whistles to eat or enjoy the ship (but of course bells and whistles are what clients are here for). So it’s possible not to overdo the budget if expectations are set, but with 17 public bars, 14 restaurants, arcades, an escape room (set to debut in July due to supply chain issues), shops, and a sprawling spa — it’s silly to not expect a few added expenses. If you’re perusing the Boardwalk area with kids, focus their attention on the free carousel in the center; in the periphery, there are blinking arcade games, a fortune teller, a souvenir shop just for kids, and a dazzling candy store. Sugar Beach offers an impressive array of sweets, but at prices that might hurt your teeth. There is a lot to take advantage of onboard — and even more, is available for the right price.

Why is it worth the price?
We especially love that the onboard entertainment and performances are included in the cruise fare, so the skating shows, stage productions, comedy, magic, music, and high-flying divers, are all fair game with a quick reservation on the app. The value of the evening entertainment alone makes Royal a compelling choice — and then add in open decks with pools, cantilevered hot tubs, waterslides, an eye-popping dry slide, rock wall, movies, and more, and you start to tally up how it is that so many generations can sail together and each feel like the ship was designed with them in mind.

What’s new?
Oasis ships are a top pick for all the reasons we’ve mentioned, but if you’re wondering where Wonder of the Seas stands out, we’ve toured and tried some of the ship’s all-new features to see what’s worth its rim salt.

New shows in the Royal Theater, Studio B ice rink, and AquaTheater
We’ve seen the world premieres and previews of three Wonder of the Seas productions. 

“Voices” is one of the featured stage shows, and the voices were not the problem, with exceptional vocalists and a range of popular music from across the decades. But when anything starts with a definition, especially when it includes the words “vocal folds” in the first 20 seconds, it raises a flag. Visual choices continued to be questionable, with a background that was almost too busy competing with hydraulic platforms lifting and lowering the singers, then a sprinkling of dancers, and of course the prerecorded vocalists who make up the rest of the musical ensemble but are present in larger-than-life video recordings of their studio sessions. We began to tune out with a number that felt very “We Are the World,” which seemed to insinuate if we band together and sing, humanity could cure hunger and injustice. Please bring back the Broadway-style productions.

The “365” ice skating show drawing from the concept of the four seasons is ever more impressive knowing the performers put it together in three weeks and it’s missing 90 percent of the show’s props. You wouldn’t know by the level of talent and the energetic performances. The music is pumping, the costumes are chaotic, and there is even a number glorifying selfies and emojis. As someone in their 30s, I felt borderline “too old,” for some of the vignettes, but by the end, it all came together, and you can’t help but be won over by the exuberant skaters.

Crowning Royal Caribbean’s entertainment offerings is “InTENse,” its new AquaTheater show. The audience was treated to what was labeled a “preview” by Nick Weir, VP of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean. A sampler or not, it was hands down one of the most wow-worthy shows that I’ve seen and I mean that genuinely. The lighting effects are the equivalent of four times that of IMAX; the music is modern and compelling; and of course, the 20 all-female performers displayed a fearless show of skill, flipping, diving, kicking, and balancing on a slackline, which left my jaw planted firmly on the ground for the entirety of the routine. Not to mention the AquaTheater as a venue remains one of the most inventive performance spaces at sea.

Expanded Lime and Coconut — Including Vue Bar
The Lime and Coconut concept came about with the Royal Amplified refurbishment program, first on Navigator of the Seas. On Wonder of Seas, it’s at the equivalent of four bars spread across Decks 15 and 16. You’ll likely first find the round Lime and Coconut bar perched colorfully on Deck 16 overlooking the pools. But there are two shadier, typically more quiet outfits in the middle of the pools on Deck 15. They are well-sized and not afterthoughts, offering the delicious signature Lime and Coconut cocktail in a tiny, amusing plastic bucket.

If you couldn’t get enough tropical cocktails in your life, Wonder of the Seas’ featured bar is the Vue Bar on Deck 15 at the front of the ship, which replaces a cantilevered hot tub found on Symphony of the Seas. It offers said views, especially while the ship is docked, and at night its pastel-patterned overhang becomes a glowing kaleidoscope of color. It’s not a particularly large space, but we felt it warranted its own specialty concoction. After all, every bar on the ship has drinks you can’t get anywhere else. While it only serves the Lime and Coconut menu on this sailing, we’re told a marquee cocktail is coming called The Perfect Vue.

Mason Jar: Brunch, Cocktails, and Barbecue
The Mason Jar is an instant hit, with a bright, warm space that is supposedly modeled after grandma’s house on the weekend, but we felt it was more akin to a country chic brunch venue somewhere in Charleston. Either way, it works. Brunch is a pretty new concept for Royal, offering sweet and savory Southern-style dishes from 10 to 2, and dinner from 5 to 9:30. The space is inviting and the food is on point; our table ordered some very shareable deviled eggs, country biscuits in gravy, a giant cinnamon roll, and blueberry johnnycakes with pulled pork and chicken skin (there were two small portions with coleslaw that we felt were just enough). Dinner has a bit more of a focus on entrees like gumbo, catfish, and of course a fried chicken platter. For the price, we much prefer the variety and atmosphere of brunch ($24.99) to dinner ($39.99).

We also think the bar at Mason Jar is one of the best venues on the ship to grab a drink. It’s well separated to the left of the dining room with ample seating and a small stage for a country group who performs occasionally throughout the sailing. Kentucky bourbon barrel ale is served on tap — a fantastic dessert beer — along with an inventive menu of cocktails that include smoke, sandwich garnishes, and a healthy dousing of powdered sugar. Try the PB&J Old Fashioned. Drinks are $13 and included in the deluxe beverage package.

The Suite Neighborhood
Of the 2,867 cabins onboard Wonder of the Seas, 188 are suites spread across Decks 17 and 18. Seven percent of cabins doesn’t sound like a lot — but considering how sprawling some of the staterooms can be, with multiple levels and rooms, it’s a bit more of a believable number. There is still an over-the-top Ultimate Family Suite with a few original touches to Wonder and tons of suite categories. But whether you’re considered Sea, Sky, or Star Class, the all-new neighborhood concept invites anyone in the Royal Suite Class to take advantage of Coastal Kitchen, their own dedicated restaurant inspired by the flavors of California and the Med, with an adjacent bar, lounge, and concierge desk. Perhaps the best feature of this reimagined space is the suite sun deck, which features a bar, loungers, clamshell beds, and a fantastic half-moon pool that offers shallow waters to cool down with in-water loungers.

While your cabin category still determines certain suite perks, like breakfast in the restaurant or access to the Royal Genie, it’s never been a better time to consider the suite life with more dedicated space to the upper echelon of cruisers.

Wonder Playscape
Wonder of the Seas is the first ship with an underwater-themed play area for all ages, now on Deck 16 near Wonder Dunes mini-golf course and right above the pools and splash park so kids can easily walk-not-run back and forth. It features a cavern with climbing walls and interactive puzzles and games that respond to touch. Parents love it because they can grab the same loungers and set up camp on deck, not having to move their belongings in a zigzag across the ship just to access the various play areas on deck.

Cantina Fresca
Another venue with a custom cocktail menu is the new bar adjacent to El Loco Fresh on Deck 16 aft. Mexican-themed drinks include premixed frozen margaritas and sangria, but we recommend the “handcrafted margarita” without the mix. Agua frescas at $3.50 are a fun nonalcoholic option in watermelon, pineapple, and cantaloupe.