Hi Bex! You recently spent a few days aboard Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship. What were your first impressions?
The sheer size of her is very impressive. I’ve been lucky enough to experience a few Royal Caribbean ships but when you stand next to Wonder of the Seas, you know you’re about to witness something special. The deck space is like no other and there’s so much to see and do, you need at least a week on board to really take in all she has to offer. The cruise line's incredible innovation is what sets them apart from the rest.
What were the standout features of Wonder of the Seas?
Boardwalk on Deck 6 and Central Park on Deck 8 are not to be missed as you can’t find them on any other cruise line. Central Park is like its own neighbourhood on board. With thousands of plants and flowers creating a natural feel, it’s a lovely spot to sit and watch the world go by. You’ll find lots of speciality dining restaurants (150 Central Park and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar ) as you stroll through Central Park but if you fancy a drink, look no further than Rising Tide Bar. A moving bar that rises between Central Park and the Promenade Deck, the Rising Tide Bar is just another example of incredible innovation on Wonder of the Seas.
Another neighbourhood on board is Boardwalk. Here lies the only carousel at sea which evokes nostalgic memories of the seaside. Elsewhere, you’ll find lots of bites on the Boardwalk with Johnny Rockets and Boardwalk Dog House, if you fancy something sweet, there’s Sugar Beach and for the sports fans, you’ll the iconic Playmakers where you can grab a drink and watch a variety of spots on the plasma screens.
Tell us about the food! Where did you dine?
I had dinner in Coastal Kitchen on Deck 17 where I enjoyed a starter of escargot and a steak main - it was one of the best steaks I’ve ever had! The restaurant had an intimate vibe and the wait staff couldn’t do enough. When our waiter asked how the food was my friend joked that he could it all again. Moments later he was presented with another steak!
I had the best lunch at the Mexican buffet restaurant El Loco Fresh on Deck 16. With a great range of dishes, if you love Mexican food, El Loco Fresh is a must-visit. You can’t go on a Royal Caribbean cruise without checking out the buffet restaurant Windjammer. On Wonder of the Seas, Windjammer has been made much more spacious. Located on Deck 15, it has such a huge choice of foods with something for everyone and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Royal Caribbean hosts some of the most impressive entertainment at sea. What did you think of Wonder of the Sea’s extensive entertainment offering?
There really is something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean ship and Wonder of the Seas certainly did not disappoint. The Royal Theater, which is located on Decks 4and 5, hosts an abundance of shows including Broadway musicals, comedy acts and ice skating shows. The AquaTheater on Deck 6 is a must-see with high divers performing a mixture of dance and diving stunts - you’ll be blown away!
You can also spend time in the Music Hall watching, or dancing, to amazing cover bands. Or, make your own entertainment in any number of the bars on board from piano playing in Schooner Bar on Deck 6 to singing your favourite song in Spotlight Karaoke on Deck 5, Latin dancing in Boleros also on Deck 5 to dancing the night away in the night club.
What was the most memorable part of your voyage?
Hands down, the AquaTheater show! Situated at the rear of the Boardwalk, the AquaTheater is such an impressive show. It mixes dramatics with water, Olympic high divers and plenty of stunts that keep you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend it to everyone. If you’re feeling brave, you must try the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea! Shooting down 10 decks in the dark with flashing lights is an adrenaline rush that will make you want to do it again and again.
Lastly, simply being back on board again after the last few years was a highlight in itself. I would recommend Royal Caribbean to everyone.
Thank you, Rebecca.
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