A Wonder-full Time at Sea: My Experience Sailing with Royal Caribbean for the First Time EVER!

Posted:  Cruises Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Trip Reports

I recently had the opportunity to sail on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Wonder of the Seas, and it was a wonder, indeed! Not only was it my first time on Wonder of the Seas, but it was also my first time sailing with Royal Caribbean! There were many first impressions to go around on the trip!

The white exterior of Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas cruise ship is seen docked in port under a sunny blue sky.

As you are welcomed aboard, you are immediately immersed in what feels like a downtown hub. From the music to the dining, to the shops that were soon to open, it felt like stepping into a new city that I would be calling home. The feeling of excitement greeted me instantly, and I knew right away that this would be unlike any other ship that I had sailed on before.

The Royal Promenade on Wonder of the Seas is seen as guests walk up and down the red and white lit space full of shops and dining locations.

As I continued to stroll around the ship, I soon spotted many of the neighbourhoods that Royal Caribbean has to offer. Some of my personal favorites were Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the Solarium. And, of course, anywhere that served food, which luckily, all of them did! 

David’s Vacation Club Rentals Team Member Tiffany sits at a table with a drink in the Central Park neighborhood onboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

Central Park had to have been one of the most beautiful and relaxing areas on the ship. It’s not too often that you feel like you are at a park when out at sea! Whether you’re there to cozy up to a book you have been trying to finish, grab a bite at Park Café or Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, or just simply walking through, you are bound to feel instant tranquility the moment you are surrounded by Central Park’s beauty.

A red bicycle is parked in some green foliage front of a white-tiled wall with the sign for Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

I also loved visiting the Boardwalk neighborhood. This area of the ship is as timeless as the name suggests! From the carousel to the smell of hot dogs cooking on the grill from the Boardwalk Dog House, and the Sugar Beach candy store filled with bright, colorful treats, this is the perfect area to escape to at any time of day. You can also see The Ultimate Abyss slide towering above you here at the ride’s exit, but you will have to go all the way up to Deck 16 if you want to slide your way down!

The purple tubes of The Ultimate Abyss slide swirl down from the upper decks under a sign reading “Wonder of the Seas” in navy blue lettering.

With all of the excitement onboard, if you need a moment to wind down, my next favorite place to go is the Solarium. This adults-only area is the perfect place to see the waves sparkle in the sunlight, but from a temperature-controlled dome that offers endless ocean views. With the Solarium Bistro just steps away to grab a snack and a drink, there is no better place to enjoy a moment of peace. Whether you are there to start the day off gazing at the morning sunrise, to settle in for a mid-day break, or to watch the sun set on the horizon at night, there is no wrong time to visit the Solarium. 

The colorful waterplay area and waterslides onboard the Wonder of the Seas cruise ship are seen under a hazy blue sky.

Though these were some of my top favorite places on the ship, there are so many other adventures to be had onboard! Whether you want to spend the day riding The Perfect Storm waterslides over and over again, lounging on one of the in-pool chairs, or cap the night off with your whole group singing their hearts out in karaoke, there is truly something for everyone. No two experiences will look the same! Perhaps most importantly, one thing that I noticed was that even if everyone in your party is doing something different, you’re never really too far apart from each other!

Next, let’s talk about one of the main reasons why we all love to cruise – the food! Wonder of the Seas brought a whole new world of dining options that I have never experienced on any other cruise line before. I could write a whole blog post just on everything that I ate on this trip, but for now, let’s start with some of my favorites.

A overly large clockface with a purple hat on top, along with oversized colorful flowers, a playing card, and other Alice in Wonderland-themed items are displayed next to the sign for Wonderland. The sign is written in silver script, with white tree-like cutouts behind it.

On embarkation day, I found myself down the rabbit hole at Wonderland. To say that this was a restaurant full of experimental cuisines seemingly as mad as the Hatter himself is an understatement! During this specialty dining experience, you are given a menu and guided to choose one selection from each of the following categories: Sun, Ice, Fire, Earth, and Sea. Though many of these choices are quite exotic, fear not! If you are uncertain of which direction to go, the staff will be more than happy to act as a guide as you make your way through Wonderland. 

The menu for the Wonderland restaurant is displayed in a silver picture frame with filigree designs. In front of the menu sits a blue paintbrush on a black napkin, as purple lights twinkle in the background.

I will save some of the details here so you can experience the magic for yourself with a few surprises, but I am certain that nothing on the Wonderland menu appears anywhere else on the ship. This unique experience is perfect for those who want their dinner to be an unforgettable memory, not just another meal. 

Next, for those times when you want a quick bite to eat without having to change out of your bathing suit, I absolutely loved and highly recommend El Loco Fresh. The selection at El Loco Fresh was certainly fresh! From tacos to burritos to chips and queso, they have everything you need to crush your cravings on a sunny day in the Caribbean. I am someone who strongly believes that tacos are for so much more than Tuesdays, so I found myself here just as much as I did at the Windjammer buffet!

A quesadilla, nacho bowl, guacamole, and a pink fizzy drink from El Loco Fresh onboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

Speaking of the Windjammer, this buffet was far beyond ordinary! One of my favorite aspects was that the dinner selections each evening mirrored those available in the main dining room. This allowed me to enjoy the delicious offerings available each night, while remaining in a more casual setting than that of the Main Dining Room. I especially loved having this option after spending the day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, when I wanted to have a laid-back, “mermaid hair, don’t care” kind of evening. 

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas cruise ships are docked next to each other at Perfect Day at CocoCay under a sunny sky as guests walk down the pier to enjoy the private island.

Beyond the entree selections, there were a few options at the Windjammer that really stuck out to me. First, there was a kids’ counter! This adorable section of the buffet was lowered for the littlest sailors on the ship. But I’ll have you know, this section is not just for the little ones! As a grown adult, I often found myself there, peeking through for some of my favorite items like fruit cups, chocolate lollipops, and sandwiches decorated with smiley faces made out of toppings! 

A large display of colorful cupcakes is seen in the Windjammer buffet. Above the cupcakes there is a blue sign reading “Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas”, as crew members prepare the desserts for guests.

Last, but definitely not least, I loved the warm desserts offered each evening on the buffet. From warm cobbler to warm chocolate cake, I found some of my favourite desserts on the cruise in the Windjammer. This area is easy to pass by, so be sure to look out for it on your next sailing and let us know what treats you find!

It is important not to head to bed before enjoying some of the incredible entertainment offerings available! With nightly shows that capture the attention of all ages, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has some of the most unique and innovative entertainment that I have seen on any cruise line. 

One of my favourite shows was inTENse – a breathtaking show that takes place in the AquaTheater, featuring acrobats performing stunts so spectacular that they can only be performed in water. Another favorite of mine was 365: The Seasons On Ice – a stunning skating performance that takes you through a year’s worth of beauty. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is known for their groundbreaking entertainment and special effects technology, and their offerings did not disappoint. These are shows that you need to see to believe and you’re sure to be amazed! 

Guests take their seats at the AquaTheater ahead of an inTENse show performance using the pool and diving platforms. Signage for the show is displayed in the venue on a screen to the right under the open-air night sky.

Beyond these landmark shows, there is still so much more entertainment to experience on the ship. Between late-night comedy, musical performances, and other programming scheduled each evening, you will not want to go to bed early!

Though you will never want to sleep on a Royal Caribbean sailing, I have to admit that the mattresses onboard were another favorite for me! It’s not uncommon to have some of the best sleep of your life while sailing the ocean, but after this sailing, I am convinced that they have the most comfortable beds at sea. They are so popular that they even offer a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Bedding Collection online! 

Two twin beds, both with solid white bedding are seen in a stateroom onboard Wonder of the Seas. There is also a wooden storage cupboard next to the beds on the right.

Staterooms on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s ships offer everything you need to settle into your home away from home. With enough storage for all your essentials (and the treasures you pick up along the way!), you will have the comfort and space to truly relax. 

The sun illuminates the sky with shades of yellow, orange and blue, as it sets over the ocean horizon, as seen from the stateroom balcony onboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean offers everything that you need for everyone you are travelling with, so much so that I could hardly scratch the surface on just one sailing. Whether traveling with a big group or taking a solo trip to recharge, there will always be something to satisfy any mood you are in. I know for certain that this will not be my last Royal Caribbean sailing, and I cannot wait for the next adventure.  

~Tiffany

 

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