Wonder of the Seas - April 1-8 Review

[CaptainBazz]

Hi fellow cruisers, here is the good and bad of our week on the Wonder. This was only our second Royal cruise and first on such a large ship.

We only booked this cruise a couple of weeks before sailing so were only able to get late times for embarkation (1.30) specialty dining (9pm) and main dining 5.30pm (yikes...that's cocktail time!) We had booked 3 specialty restaurants.

We arrived at the port a little before 1pm and because rooms were ready from 1pm we carried on our luggage...went straight through boarding (no real line up) and straight to our room and dropped off our cases. Then over to one of the specialty restaurants to change our reservations from 9pm to 8pm. All much easier than I had expected. Then to the main dining room and was able to get my time dining.

We had a Central Park balcony, room 11207. We had a great view of Central Park and it was so different to an ocean view balcony. With the door closed there was never any issue with noise, even when there was a movie playing. With the door open you had all the sound of the park and the pool area. Always lots of music playing which was actually quite nice. Bed was by the bathroom for those that need to know. Loved the closet space on either side of the bed...so easy to get to everything.

On the first night it was announced that there was 5318 passengers on board. Having said that the ship never seemed overcrowded, busy yes, but we were always able to get into bars and eateries without an issue. The promenade area was never full, always room in the Pub, the Rising Tide bar, Schooners, Boleros...same with the Boardwalk.

My biggest complaint with the Promenade was the music. There is a raised stage and the resident band played there a lot in the evening. Sitting at the bar in Schooners was very loud. In Boleros they always had their own music playing and it seemed they were always competing with each other. I understand the music is for those wondering the Promenade but I much prefer each bar to have their own music.

We ate in Chops, Hooked and 150 Central Park. Chops was excellent...Hooked gave us way to much food (but is was good)...150 Central Park served very small portions so don't go there hungry. We also ate in the main dining room, the service was great and so was the food.

Despite the number of passengers we were always able to get beds beside the pool (or at least close). We also spent a lot of time in the Solarium and again was able to get beds. People were always coming and going.

Ports were all great, first time in Labadee and we really enjoyed it. Coco Cay was so different but we really enjoyed the pool area. There was another ship in as well so close to 9000 people but again we were able to get beds. 

The shows were great...we were lucky to see Taps as it was cancelled after the second night. Ice show and aqua show were excellent.

Overall we really enjoyed the Wonder, lots to do and plenty of space. However, at the end of the week we didn't really feel we had been on a cruise...more like a big all inclusive in Vegas. We rarely saw the sea...only from the pool deck or the solarium if you could get close to the windows. Sitting in Central Park was our favourite spot but you could have been in any Vegas hotel or even in a city surrounded by apartments...you would never have known you were on a ship. We loved the idea of the Promenade but again you couldn't see outside.

A great week and now on to the next cruise.

 

 

[trotzoll]

Great review! Thank you so much for all the information. We're traveling on the WOS in June, so we're looking forward to it.

[Saintsfan007]

Thanks for the review!  We have that ship on our radar, but currently looking forward to the Allure in Galveston at the end of this year, and the Harmony near the end of 2023.  No air fare, Oasis class ships with the new cruise terminal, something to look forward to.  In the meanwhile, will said on the Adventure before she leaves.

 

That being said, we will definitely sail the Wonder, but it will probably be after Utopia sets sail, or after the Saints win another Super Bowl!!  Cheers!!

 

Go Saints!!

[motheroftwocats814]

Thanks for the review

[DeputyDawg46]

Thanks for the review.  Been on the WoS twice already and doing the WoS TA the 20th April.  Nice ship and allot of great staff and service folks.  Enjoy your next one!!