LIVE from Wonder of the Seas Transatlantic April 2022

[laurieal]

On 5/9/2022 at 7:41 AM, Teeara said:

Great review.  I think I might try a live review during the WB TA on Wonder this fall.  Never tried one before and I think it would be fun with all the "down" time we'll have ;o)

 

 

 

This was my first time doing it live and I had a lot of fun doing it. Since I was doing it live, I had to be quicker about it and I couldn't spend ages pondering words or pictures like I do if I'm writing a trip report after the trip. Also, I found it easier to write since everything was so fresh in my mind.

 

If you decide to do a live review for your trip, I will be there to follow along!

[laurieal]

Well, I've been back for a couple of weeks now and I finally have some time during this long weekend to gather my thoughts and post my summaries. I'm going to use this opportunity to dive deep into my trip and escape the real world for a bit. I'll be writing summaries about the main topics like my stateroom, the food and drinks, and the entertainment, but depending on how long I want to escape reality maybe I'll do some deep dives on the clothes hangers or the toilet paper in different areas of the ship. We'll see. 

 

Trip Summary - Stateroom 6632

 

I’m probably a bit biased towards my stateroom. It was originally supposed to be an inside view and it turned into a balcony, so of course I loved my stateroom! But putting that aside, I still think it was a very good stateroom.

 

It had plenty of room for me to move around and I feel like someone using a bigger wheelchair or a scooter would also find it roomy enough.

 

 

 

 

The bed was comfortable. I was expecting a hard mattress since it was brand new, but it was actually very nice. Not too firm, but firm enough to offer good support when I was transferring in and out. And speaking of transferring, the height of the bed was good for that, too.

 

 

The bathroom suited my needs very well. The shower bench was sturdy and easy to transfer to. From the bench, it was easy for me to reach the water controls. The water pressure could have been better, but I feel like that’s the same no matter which ship I’m on. The sink had enough room for my knees to comfortably fit under and there were no potentially hot exposed pipes to watch out for.

 

 

 

 

 

Storage in the bedroom area was plentiful. I travel solo and relatively light, so I had plenty of room for my stuff. I think the cupboard with the lowering pole is a good idea, but I wish there was a way to make it stick in the « down » position. If there is a way, please let me know because it’s been seven cruises and I still haven’t figured it out.

 

 

 

 

Bathroom storage was a bit lacking for me. I could only reach two of the three shelves, so I had to leave some of my things in my toiletry bag. I understand they can’t put a shelf under the sink, because that’s where the knees go, but I wish I could have had one extra shelf, even a small one.

 

I really loved how many plug sockets and USB plugs there were in my stateroom. Not only were they available at the desk area, but they also had them on the lamps on both sides of the bed. I usually bring a multi-outlet plug with me because these days I have so many things that need charging, but I didn't need it on the Wonder.

 

 

Being at the start of the hump, my balcony was the biggest I’ve ever had. The ramps to get on and off weren’t too steep and felt very safe. There were a couple of incidents where I got into a bit of a fight with the door, but overall it was relatively easy to open and close. The time I spent on my balcony was very enjoyable, but I don’t think I use it enough to justify paying for one when I’m travelling alone unless I get a very good deal.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2022 by laurieal

[djyellowsub]

I am so glad you are doing this.  I was missing your writing, pictures, and enjoyable descriptions.  You are an expert traveler and reviewer.  

[texmex.ferr]

2 hours ago, laurieal said:

Well, I've been back for a couple of weeks now and I finally have some time during this long weekend to gather my thoughts and post my summaries. I'm going to use this opportunity to dive deep into my trip and escape the real world for a bit. I'll be writing summaries about the main topics like my stateroom, the food and drinks, and the entertainment, but depending on how long I want to escape reality maybe I'll do some deep dives on the clothes hangers or the toilet paper in different areas of the ship. We'll see. 

 

Trip Summary - Stateroom 6632

 

I’m probably a bit biased towards my stateroom. It was originally supposed to be an inside view and it turned into a balcony, so of course I loved my stateroom! But putting that aside, I still think it was a very good stateroom.

 

It had plenty of room for me to move around and I feel like someone using a bigger wheelchair or a scooter would also find it roomy enough.

 

 

 

 

The bed was comfortable. I was expecting a hard mattress since it was brand new, but it was actually very nice. Not too firm, but firm enough to offer good support when I was transferring in and out. And speaking of transferring, the height of the bed was good for that, too.

 

 

The bathroom suited my needs very well. The shower bench was sturdy and easy to transfer to. From the bench, it was easy for me to reach the water controls. The water pressure could have been better, but I feel like that’s the same no matter which ship I’m on. The sink had enough room for my knees to comfortably fit under and there were no potentially hot exposed pipes to watch out for.

 

 

 

 

 

Storage in the bedroom area was plentiful. I travel solo and relatively light, so I had plenty of room for my stuff. I think the cupboard with the lowering pole is a good idea, but I wish there was a way to make it stick in the « down » position. If there is a way, please let me know because it’s been seven cruises and I still haven’t figured it out.

 

 

 

 

Bathroom storage was a bit lacking for me. I could only reach two of the three shelves, so I had to leave some of my things in my toiletry bag. I understand they can’t put a shelf under the sink, because that’s where the knees go, but I wish I could have had one extra shelf, even a small one.

 

I really loved how many plug sockets and USB plugs there were in my stateroom. Not only were they available at the desk area, but they also had them on the lamps on both sides of the bed. I usually bring a multi-outlet plug with me because these days I have so many things that need charging, but I didn't need it on the Wonder.

 

 

Being at the start of the hump, my balcony was the biggest I’ve ever had. The ramps to get on and off weren’t too steep and felt very safe. There were a couple of incidents where I got into a bit of a fight with the door, but overall it was relatively easy to open and close. The time I spent on my balcony was very enjoyable, but I don’t think I use it enough to justify paying for one when I’m travelling alone unless I get a very good deal.

 

 

 

 

 

Hiya,

 

I too found that there was a lack of storage space in the bathroom.    As you know we had a Spacious Oceanview Balcony Cabin on Deck 11, which could accommodate 6 people (there were only 2 of us in the cabin), but storage facilities in the bathroom was sorely lacking even for just 2 of us using it.   In the other ships we've been on, there was a hook on the back of the balcony door, where you could hang your robes (if you had any), or whatever, but there was no hook on these doors, everything seemed to be squeezed to the side of the wash basin, and the towel rails.

 

I struggled to open and close the balcony door, and anyone who did not have a lot of power in their hands would really struggle, and felt it was rather noisy when the door opened to allow the ramp to form on the outside of the balcony, which I thought would be unusable later in the evening

 

Margaret

[laurieal]

14 hours ago, texmex.ferr said:

Hiya,

 

I too found that there was a lack of storage space in the bathroom.    As you know we had a Spacious Oceanview Balcony Cabin on Deck 11, which could accommodate 6 people (there were only 2 of us in the cabin), but storage facilities in the bathroom was sorely lacking even for just 2 of us using it.   In the other ships we've been on, there was a hook on the back of the balcony door, where you could hang your robes (if you had any), or whatever, but there was no hook on these doors, everything seemed to be squeezed to the side of the wash basin, and the towel rails.

 

I struggled to open and close the balcony door, and anyone who did not have a lot of power in their hands would really struggle, and felt it was rather noisy when the door opened to allow the ramp to form on the outside of the balcony, which I thought would be unusable later in the evening

 

Margaret

 

I saw your bathroom and I cannot imagine 6 people sharing the bathroom storage. Some things would have to be stored in the bedroom for sure.

 

That's a very good point about the balcony door. I was lucky on this sailing to have the door open on the "good side", meaning I could position myself in the ideal position to apply strength to the door, which made the process relatively easy for me. I wasn't so lucky on Harmony where the balcony door opened on the opposite side and I remember having a harder time with the door on that sailing. It is a pretty heavy door and if the ramp thing gets stuck it could make the whole process very difficult.

 

I did, however, open my balcony door at night. If my neighbours are here, I'm sorry 🙃

[laurieal]

Trip Summary - Food included in the cruise fare, Part 1

 

MDR

The only time I had breakfast in the MDR was on disembarkation day and I cannot recommend it enough if you have a later disembarkation time. The food was pretty good, but what sold it for me was the ambiance. It was extremely relaxed compared to what I usually experience on disembarkation day in the Windjammer where everyone seems to be in an "I’m going home" mood.

 

 

 

 

 

I only had lunch in the MDR once, because they were serving chicken and waffles. I thought the chicken was pretty good, better than the one I had for dinner one evening. The waffles were very good, fluffy but not soggy. I’m still undecided about the Tabasco-infused honey they were serving with it, but I did eat most of it. The real winner of lunch, however, was the mozzarella sticks. The breading was crispy and flavourful and the mozzarella had the best cheese pull I saw onboard. I will consider going to lunch in the MDR on my upcoming cruise for those mozzarella sticks alone.

 

 

 

I had dinner in the MDR four times and I thought it was ok. The food was served warm and I never had a bad meal there. Also, I will say that when I ordered meat it was cooked just like I had requested it. I had some pretty good appetizers: the escargots are always a highlight for me and I also had some very good shrimp.

 

 

 

 

As for the entrées, nothing really stood out apart from the roasted beef tenderloin and lobster tail I had on lobster night.

 

 

My favourite MDR dessert was the key lime pie with a special mention to the pavlova that I wasn't expecting to like as much as I did.

 

 

 

Overall nothing wrong with the MDR, but also nothing remarkable that made me want to write poems.

 

Windjammer

Space-wise, I think the Windjammer on Wonder is my favourite Windjammer. It’s so big and airy and there’s so much seating with interesting views. Since our sailing was far from full at around 3700 passengers, the Windjammer never felt crowded when I was there. 

 

The few times I visited the Windjammer for breakfast, I found there was a good selection. I thought the eggs were tasty, the bacon was crispy, and they had some varied fruity options. Most days, if I was having breakfast, my goal was not to eat too much, and they had plenty of lighter options to keep me happy and not too full. 

 

 

 

 

We went to the Windjammer three times for dinner and…I don’t know…I just didn’t vibe with it. I think that was mostly a "me" problem and nothing against the offerings at the Windjammer. With breakfast, it’s easy. I have a plan of attack: go straight for the crispy bacon and build from there. For dinner? Not so much. And there are just so many options that I end up confused, and eventually I come back defeated with a plate of spicy cheese. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued...

[laurieal]

Trip Summary - Food included in the cruise fare, Part 2

 

Sorrento’s

I went to Sorrento’s a few times. I'm a big fan of late-night pizza, which to me is the best way to end a good night of game shows, trivia, and cocktails. The pizza was good, standard Sorrento’s pizza. What kept me coming back was the marinated spicy cheese they had every other day as part of their antipasti offerings. My most memorable visit was when they had both spicy cheese and prosciutto. That’s dream snacks right there.

 

 

Solarium Bistro

I only went to the Solarium Bistro once for my first breakfast on board, and I really enjoyed the experience and atmosphere. The selection seemed pretty similar to what was offered in the Windjammer. Eating in the Solarium was lovely, albeit a bit warm when I was there. I personally prefer the Solarium Bistro for breakfast over the Windjammer, not for the food, but for the overall chill ambiance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is a mostly complimentary/included breakfast place on Oasis-class ships. I love eating outside, so I really enjoy that place when the weather is warm enough. I tried the French toast and the cheesy bacon lovers scrambler. While I enjoyed both meals, the scrambler was my favourite out of the two. I can’t recommend it enough if you enjoy a savoury breakfast.

 

 

 

 

Boardwalk Dog House 

I wasn’t very adventurous with the Boardwalk Dog House, but the hot dog I did try (the classic American with onions on everything bread) was delicious. I recommend stopping by if you want a quick meal or a snack, especially on a sunny day when the Boardwalk seems to come alive.

 

 

 

 

Park Café 

I did not try much at the Park Café, only some grab-and-go fruits and the famous royal kümmelweck sandwich, which I enjoyed on three different occasions. They were just as good as they ever are, and you can’t beat having a relaxed lunch in Central Park on a nice, sunny day. I have heard that Café 270 serves those sandwiches on Anthem, and I really hope that’s true. Can anyone confirm?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Loco Fresh

In the end, I ended up only trying ont thing from El Loco Fresh: the chips with beef and bean chili. It was just so good! So much more flavour than I would expect from a chili on a cruise ship! It was the perfect snack and the fact that it had outdoor seating sold it even more for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diamond Lounge

And finally, the Diamond Lounge, which I think counts as an included option, albeit a slightly restricted one. I only visited the lounge in the morning and only for coffee. I’m not that fussy about my coffee, so I thought it was pretty decent and did the trick. I have bought a coffee card in the past, but as long as I have access to an espresso machine in the Diamond Lounge, I don’t think I will again. It really wasn’t a hassle for me to swing by the lounge first thing every morning. I wish I had gone during the evening to check the food offerings later in the day, so I’ll need to do that next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by laurieal

[gumshoe958]

Yes, on Anthem you can get the kümmelweck sandwich at Cafe 270 (it’s pretty much the same menu as Park Cafe on Oasis class).

 

I too loved El Loco Fresh for lunch - especially the burritos and quesadillas.

[truffles2]

I found Park Cafe to be lacking on Wonder.  I did like that El Loco Fresh opened at 11:00 on sea days and we ate there several times, finding everything fresh and tasty.  On the sister ships I have never found El Loco open before 2 PM.  They really should reconsider the hours on the sister ships as it was heavily visited on Wonder.  I am not thinking food at 2 PM...altho I realize many do.

[trotzoll]

Thank you so much for this great review @laurieal! It was so fun to virtually be on the cruise with you. We leave in two weeks and can't wait to see this incredible ship!

 

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

laurieal ~ nice summary too.

I just noticed your question to me & no, Anthem is not my next cruise. It will follow the NCL Star round trip from Southampton that ends the day before.

I'm looking forward to another RCl cruise as I haven't done one since 2016 on Serenade.

I'll turn diamond on Anthem so won't experience the lounge, boo hoo.

See you on the other roll call?

 

Have a great week & stay safe.

 

~ Jo ~ 😊

[October17]

On 5/23/2022 at 8:22 PM, laurieal said:

I have heard that Café 270 serves those sandwiches on Anthem, and I really hope that’s true. Can anyone confirm?

Yes, Café 270 had sandwiches, including the Kummelweck (also as gluten free!) on our cruise this month 🙂

 

Thank you so much for your posts

[cruisequeen4ever]

Loved following your journey! It was really heartwarming to see how well Royal did with accessibility. The swan on the carousel was my favorite. Keep enjoying life; you’re an inspiration! 

[topanga49er]

On 4/26/2022 at 10:43 AM, laurieal said:

I was under the impression that fellow TA cruisers had brought their own snacks 😉 
 

Doggo pictures are also always welcome, especially if they’re of the non-towel variety. 

 

[topanga49er]

On 4/29/2022 at 1:59 PM, crewsweeper said:

Campfire  Cookie  at Playmakers 🤣

Seriously,  Wonderland's Short Ribs. 😋

Those coconut cookies: Think they call them Ranger cookies.  I actually brought two home w me but unfortunately they don't travel well...🤷‍♀️

[joand452]

Since there are current posts on your thread, I can now add my thanks for taking us along!  I really enjoyed your posts, and now an EB TA is now on my list of cruises to research. Would prefer Oasis class, tho!  I get seasick, so I read that the Southern route is better. 
 

As far as great minds think alike…we were in 6632 for a week (our first week was in 9172) in April 2023. We’ll be 6632 for both weeks in 2024.  You can tell we really enjoyed our time on Wonder. Can’t wait to be onboard her again. Next time you go to Cantina Fresca, try the hand-crafted margarita. It was definitely my favorite. But your list has given me lots of new drinks to try!  Although five drinks a day (we’re D+) is hard for us to get through. 😉. But we’ll keep trying!

 

Thank you again for the enjoyable, educational trip.