I finally tried a cruise ship that had been on my radar for years, but it wasn’t as different as I thought.
My first-ever vacation on an Oasis Class ship was over a decade ago, so I've watched the evolution of these massive vessels, from the addition of the Ultimate Abyss to the expansion of dining options.
When Wonder of the Seas launched in 2022, I knew I eventually had to sail on her to see how she compared to the original Oasis Class ships. However, after finally stepping on board, I realized she wasn’t as different as I had expected.
While the cabins were refreshed, new dining venues were added, and the pool deck received a tropical refit, the ship had a similar feel to Oasis of the Seas.
Still, Wonder of the Seas packed plenty of excitement and fresh features that made it stand out in its own right. For example, I loved the AquaTheater's windshield, as it gave the outdoor theater a more modern feel.
I also enjoyed eating at The Mason Jar, a specialty restaurant currently available on two ships in the fleet: Wonder and Utopia of the Seas.
Despite the seemingly endless activities schedule, mega-ships like Wonder of the Seas do have their downsides.
For one, the size of the ship can make it feel like a small city at times. While the scale is certainly impressive, it can lead to long walks between venues and crowded areas.
Plus, the design of Oasis Class ships creates a disconnect from the seas, especially compared to older vessels like Vision of the Seas which feature atriums with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Easy embarkation
If there's one thing I love about Royal Caribbean, it's that embarkation is never a hassle. It’s a relief compared to some of the more chaotic embarkation experiences I’ve had with other cruise lines, such as when boarding Carnival Elation in Jacksonville, Florida.
Having sailed on ships like Vision of the Seas from Baltimore, Symphony of the Seas from Miami, and Quantum of the Seas from Seattle, I've come to appreciate how smooth and efficient the boarding process is, no matter the port or ship size.
After an easy ride with Go Port from Orlando, we breezed through embarkation in less than fifteen minutes. The terminal wasn't crowded at all, either.
Tiny but well-appointed inside cabin
Though I prefer balcony cabins, I was pleasantly surprised by my interior stateroom on Wonder of the Seas. To save money, my partner and I booked the cheapest cabin onboard: a GTY interior stateroom. As such, we had no control over where our cabin was located and were assigned a room at the front of the ship on Deck 9.
Initally, I was worried I'd regret not spending the extra money to choose my own cabin. Though I have a strong stomach when it comes to seasickness, my partner does not, and staterooms in the front of the sip are usually less than ideal for those who get motion sick easily. Thankfully, the seas were relatively calm during our trip.
She still relied on Dramamine, motion sickness patches, and acupressure bands to help ensure she stayed feeling her best, but overall, there was far less rocking in our cabin than anticipated.
The bigger issue with our interior cabin ended up being that it was located directly next to a crew-only area. Because our stateroom was next to the linen closet, we frequently heard crew members outside the stateroom as early as 7:45am as they prepped for the morning shift. My partner also heard them in the afternoon when she returned to the stateroom for a nap.
Aside from the location, I had no problems with the standard inside cabin! The room wasn't as spacious as others onboard, but it was cleverly designed. The efficient layout included enough room for the essentials, including a desk, bed, chair, dresser, and two nightstands.
I was particularly impressed with the number of outlets in the stateroom. The table lamps on the nightstands were outfitted with USB ports and standard American outlets, and the vanity area had three additional American outlets, two USB ports, and two European plugs.
I also loved the light color scheme, as it made the tiny space feel larger than it was. The brighter colors were incorporated into the bathroom, with soft whites and a blue floral backsplash that gave the area a fresh, airy feel.
Speaking of the bathroom, I have no complaints about the shower pressure or temperature consistency. Perhaps my only complaint is that I wish there was a larger shelf in the shower for full-sized products.
Endless dining options
I'll be honest in that I've noticed Royal Caribbean's food quality decline over the past few years. It's especially different from when I was growing up! The food is rarely inedible—it just isn't Michelin-quality, either.
Overall, the food on Wonder of the Seas was fine, with a few dishes really standing out, such as the lobster in the Main Dining Room and Indian cuisine in the Windjammer.
It would be easy to spend a week onboard dining only at complimentary joints like El Loco Fresh, the Main Dining Room, Park Cafe, the Solarium Bistro, Sorrentos, the Windjammer buffet, and Cafe Promenade.
However, while onboard, my partner and I dined at two specialty restaurants: The Mason Jar and Playmaker's.
Playmaker's is available on many ships in the fleet and is a casual sports bar that's perfect for a laid-back evening. The simple menu is packed with classic bar food like juicy burgers, chicken wings, nachos, and crispy onion rings.
Unlike other specialty restaurants, Playmaker's has an à la carte menu, meaning you only pay for what you order rather than a multi-course menu. They don't take reservations, either! We enjoyed our meal at Playmaker's and passed the time with a few friendly games of Connect 4 while taking in the sights of the Boardwalk.
We also tried The Mason Jar, a specialty restaurant exclusively found on Wonder, Utopia, and Allure of the Seas (once her multi-million dollar renovation is complete in April). Because we had onboard credit, brunch at the Southern-inspired restaurant cost $18.40, which was a steal for how much food we were served!
Having been born and raised in the South, The Mason Jar didn't quite win me over, but I'd definitely return for the towering cinnamon roll and red velvet pancakes. I'd pass on the chicken & waffles, though.
Other specialty restaurants on Wonder of the Seas include Izumi Sushi & Hibachi, Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, Hooked, Johnny Rockets, and Wonderland.
In short, whether you're looking to indulge in a casual poolside bite or splurge on an upscale meal, Wonder of the Seas has no shortage of dining options to suit any craving.
While the complimentary venues offer plenty of variety and convenience, the specialty restaurants provide a fun opportunity to explore different cuisines and higher-quality dishes.
Read more: I took a 7-day, $4,200 cruise to the Caribbean. This is exactly where I splurged and saved
Unique entertainment
When I first sailed on Oasis of the Seas in 2014, I was immediately mesmerized by the AquaTheater.
Over a decade later, the high-diving spectacles remain one of my favorite forms of entertainment on any cruise ship. The combination of jaw-dropping acrobatics and synchronized diving creates an experience that sets Royal Caribbean's mega-ships apart.
While on Wonder of the Seas, we watched Aqua Nation! and InTENse. It was a treat to have two shows during a weeklong cruise, and we prioritized arriving early to secure good seats. The choreography and daring stunts had the entire audience holding their breath, gasping, and applauding!
The theater shows didn't appeal to us as much as the Broadway-style musicals on other ships, such as Hairspray, Mamma Mia, and The Wizard of Oz. However, we caught the ice skating show in Studio B after our initial AquaTheater show was canceled due to unsafe performing conditions.
Surprisingly, the ice skating show turned out to be a highlight of our trip. It was full of impressive choreography, graceful spins, and an aerialist who soared above the rink.
Studio B was home to other events throughout the week, such as the Crazy Quest and Majority Rules game shows.
Having seen the Crazy Quest on other ships within the past two years, I was excited to see new quests. The fresh challenges added a fun, unpredictable element to the game and kept me on my toes the entire time.
For example, instead of looking for the best-dressed man to crown "Ms. Wonder of the Seas," the host flipped the script and invited both men and women to participate in a hilarious competition that channeled everyone's inner beauty queen.
The best part? My team won!
My least favorite part about Wonder was the crowds
Because I really only cruised on Oasis Class ships growing up, I became accustomed to cruising with crowds. It wasn't until I started branching out in my early 20s that I realized that not all ships had the same bustling atmosphere.
In fact, intimacy is one of the most appealing aspects of choosing an older, outdated ship like Vision of the Seas. Though older vessels lack the same bells and whistles, it's hard to beat the level of service they offer.
The smaller size of these ships means fosters stronger connections with crew members and fellow passengers. Plus, you’re never far from your favorite spots, whether the adults-only Solarium, Main Dining Room, or coffee bar.
On Oasis Class ships, it's harder to find a place to relax, especially on the pool deck on a crowded sea day. There were sometimes long waits for drinks at the bar, too. My partner even remarked that the crowds were worse than she thought they'd be, resulting in a more overwhelming experience.
While Wonder offers an abundance of things to do and see, the volume of guests means you’re sharing the experience with a lot of people, making it harder to escape the crowds.
Read more: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship
You must manage your expectations when sailing on one of the largest cruise ships in the world
Despite the crowds, I'm still a fan of mega cruise ships. They're a great example of how cruising has evolved throughout the years. The size and amenities are unmatched, and there's always something to do, whether tanning on the pool deck, indulging in fine dining, or enjoying world-class entertainment.
Still, it's important to manage your expectations on a cruise, especially on large ships like Wonder of the Seas. While they're certainly impressive, the size has a few drawbacks.
For example, the food is usually better on smaller vessels. It's hard to produce quality meals on ships measuring over 200,000 gross registered tons (GRT). As such, though there are standout dishes, the overall quality varies depending on where you’re dining and how busy the restaurant is.
The crowds are something to keep in mind, too. On mega-ships like Wonder of the Seas, finding a quiet spot can be a challenge. At night, popular venues, like the pub or Schooner Bar, can feel packed, and reservations for dining or shows require planning ahead.
That said, the trade-off is the variety and options that massive cruise ships offer. Whenever I'm on a smaller vessel, I find myself missing the endless activities, dining choices, and entertainment options. Unless I'm on a cruise solely to relax, they're usually boring to me as someone who enjoys high-energy experiences.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
