Review: Wonder How This Will Go? The Sixth Sailing Ever of Wonder of the Seas

[RCCL Fan]

On 4/25/2022 at 7:04 PM, soremekun said:

Did the kids have any reservations, even initially, in Wonderland?  Some of the food items are "weird" looking.

 Nope  we prepared them at home.  Watched lots of videos on youtube, got them excited for it.

 

My youngest didn't eat much,  my oldest is just as picky but she tried a lot! 

[RCCL Fan]

Day 3 - Cozumel

Trying Out Paradise

 

 

Woke up this morning backed into the pier at Cozumel with Mariner parked next to us.   Kinda laughed because we were supposed to be on mariner but switched to Wonder when this 5 night pre-transatlantic sailing was announced.    It was a cost effective way to get on the big new ship... even if it meant coming back to Cozumel which almost feels like our second home we're here so much.

 

 

We've been on a beach club rotation lately trying to try them all and figure out which one was right for us.  Today it was Paradise Beach.  Crew was super helpful getting my daughter down the gangway in her knee scooter, and then off we went.

 

 

Water was decent, not clear blue but not murky brown like we experienced at Playa Mia in November.  Already felt this place was going to be nicer.

 

We got seats right up front, near the water toys.  

 

 

Ordered a pitcher of sangria...  it was more like just a bottle of rose with some fruit slices in it, so I had to order some juice to pour in there to wake it up a little.

 

 

Paradise has a taco truck and it did not disappoint  great tasty street tacos. We really enjoyed them 

 

 

 

 

 

Our server even brought my oldest a chair to sit in right in the water....   She enjoyed it while I got buried in the sand by my youngest and my wife went snorkeling. 

 

 

We tried out the kayaks and i switched to mojitos which were very yummy. My youngest prefers pools than the ocean.... so I agreed to take her over to the pool for a bit.   Didn't take any photos but it was very nice.   I would have loved some bar service there, but didn't see any.   

 

 

We headed back to the ship...  and thought i'd bring up the exhaust.  I'm not sure if RCI is doing something different with fuel but we noticed on sea days on our balcony that there was always a heavy trail of white smoke following the ship, something we rarely would see. 

 

We met two couples in the solarium who were in suites and said the suite deck wasn't enjoyable because there was so much smoke up there, so they moved to the solarium.   I don't know if it was random or what but the ship seemed to give off exhaust more than others I've been on.  It was definitely something we and others noticed.

 

 

Back on board we showed up and headed to our 5:30pm dinner.   I really wish they'd figure out a way to move this to 6pm  it's always a rush.   This was our first night in the dining room.   Our servers were kind, efficient, and got it right.   We joked that our assistant waitet kept calling my muscato.....  mosquito,   Even the server was chuckling over it.   We enjoyed sailaway from our big window as we said by to Mariner...and headed back.    

 

 

We said we thought maybe we mixed up formal nights, because the more formal night menu was in service tonight....steak and shrimp for me, it was fantastic.  Not as high quality as chops of course, but very very good food, I was super impressed with the food quality and the service in the main dining room. 

 

 

 

It was Easter Sunday so maybe that's why the moved the menu... but there was no special menu like we had on Allure for Thanksgiving.

 

 

We decided to swing by the bionic bar, something we haven't experienced on a ship yet   The kids especially were loving it.... working on the ipad coming up with creations and waiting for the robot to make it happen.

 

 

The software could be a bit more user friendly... but once we got the hang of it there was so stopping us.   Especially when we realized it was free with our packages as long as we didn't put alcohol in the drinks....  the kids were able to get drinks  and it was a fun creative after dinner spot. 

 

 

 

 

I thought it was a great improvement to the champagne bar that used to be here, but my wife loved that place and was quite annoyed it was gone.  It was her nightly spot after dinner for martinis    but this was more of a fan favorite.

 

Kinda like my feelings on Viking Crown Lounge, I know it wasn't popular but I loved it and really miss having that spot.

 

 

My girls were done this night and wanted to turn in early.  Those beach days drain you.   I popped into the theater to watch the tap show, but then was asked to come back to the room to help with something or the other and missed it.    They told me to go back but I decided to join everyone for an early night's sleep before our sea day back.

 

 

[crewsweeper]

Love that last picture.  What a great day in "Paradise"👍.

 

Quick question, in your wanderings around the ship, do you perhaps recall in the gym if they had rowing machines, and if those were Concept 2 rowers?  Thus far my pictures search of the Wonder haven't spotted them.  But loving everything else about the ship that I've seen.

[CaroleC]

Loving the review. We’re on Wonder in July sailing out of Barcelona, can’t wait!

[RCCL Fan]

2 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

Love that last picture.  What a great day in "Paradise"👍.

 

Quick question, in your wanderings around the ship, do you perhaps recall in the gym if they had rowing machines, and if those were Concept 2 rowers?  Thus far my pictures search of the Wonder haven't spotted them.  But loving everything else about the ship that I've seen.

 

Sorry can't help you on the rowers

[RCCL Fan]

1 hour ago, CaroleC said:

Loving the review. We’re on Wonder in July sailing out of Barcelona, can’t wait!

 

We're on Odyssey in July first new class ship in a while for us. 

[soremekun]

Will anyone be trying out the Zipline on the ship?

[perfect match]

2 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

We're on Odyssey in July first new class ship in a while for us. 

I saw on the thread about Junior Suites on Odyssey that you were booked or planning to book JS 10724. Is that your room for your July cruise? I’m asking because we have it in April, and I’d love to see more pictures!
 

I’m really excited about Odyssey, and about JS 10724 specifically. We do love our aft cabins! I think I’m more excited about 6 days on Odyssey in April than I am about 7 days on Harmony in September. I guess because Odyssey is a new and different class ship for us, too. I think 6 of our past 7 cruises have all been Oasis class, so as much as I love Oasis class ships I’m looking forward to the change.

[RCCL Fan]

26 minutes ago, perfect match said:

I saw on the thread about Junior Suites on Odyssey that you were booked or planning to book JS 10724. Is that your room for your July cruise? I’m asking because we have it in April, and I’d love to see more pictures!
 

I’m really excited about Odyssey, and about JS 10724 specifically. We do love our aft cabins! I think I’m more excited about 6 days on Odyssey in April than I am about 7 days on Harmony in September. I guess because Odyssey is a new and different class ship for us, too. I think 6 of our past 7 cruises have all been Oasis class, so as much as I love Oasis class ships I’m looking forward to the change.

 

I'll get some more pics or video for you when we get on board in July.

[RCCL Fan]

1 hour ago, soremekun said:

Will anyone be trying out the Zipline on the ship?

 

I'll spoil that fun for you now.  Nope.

Oldest kid not allowed due to ankle injury,  youngest too short.

My wife and I have been there, done that, several times.

[perfect match]

47 minutes ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

I'll get some more pics or video for you when we get on board in July.

Thank you! 😎
 

Does that mean there will be a review? 🤞🏻

Edited May 2, 2022 by perfect match

[crewsweeper]

12 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

We're on Odyssey in July first new class ship in a while for us. 

Be sure to sign up for iFly and the Northstar.  And do the bumpercars. You'll find the Odyssey layout a bit different from the Oasis class ships.  But the Two70 venue is amazing.  And you'll get a chance to see the taps dancing.

[LuCruise]

Loving your review (and I remember your other ones from the past).  Seems like you had a great cruise.  We have Wonder booked in the future so always fun to hear of others experiences.  

[CaroleC]

16 hours ago, soremekun said:

Will anyone be trying out the Zipline on the ship?

Definitely would have if I was 20 years younger! I miss doing stuff like that. I would love doing the Zipline, Abyss, water slides etc, unfortunately, I don’t think my back/neck would take very kindly to those sort of activities these days 😔😆

[RCCL Fan]

14 hours ago, perfect match said:

Thank you! 😎
 

Does that mean there will be a review? 🤞🏻

 

Ha, I usually do them each trip, but interest has seemed to wane lately.   But if you really want one, i can make it happen.

 

 

[xtremegk]

11 minutes ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

Ha, I usually do them each trip, but interest has seemed to wane lately.   But if you really want one, i can make it happen.

 

 

 

Your interest has waned? Because I think I speak for many on here when I say that we love reading your reviews.

[Sea Dog]

@RCCL Fan So what do you prefer in Cozumel, Paradise, Nachi Cocum or Mr. Sanchez? How was the sargassum?

[RCCL Fan]

33 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

@RCCL Fan So what do you prefer in Cozumel, Paradise, Nachi Cocum or Mr. Sanchez? How was the sargassum?

 

We've never done Mr. Sanchez. It just looked a little too wild for our tastes.  Nachi had good  food and was super quiet but the service wasn't as good. 

 

Playa Mia was one and done for us.

 

Chankanaab was great, just no water meets sand area for the kids to play in

 

For us the sweet  spot so far has been Paradise.

[cruisingpeople]

Hi Wayne... Great review as always. Can't believe it's been almost a year since we were with you on the Adventure.  Looks like all is well with you and the family, (sans the ankle), and can't wait to sail with you again in the future.

 

Joe

[RCCL Fan]

Day 4

Sailing Back East...

 

 

 

Fitting that many of you asked about my upcoming cruise on Odyssey... because we woke up this morning and saw her sailing relatively close to us.   Headed West as we go back east.  We were excited to see her, and noticed that like us she seems to be leaving a long trail of smoke behind her too. 

 

I know RCI is really big on being environmentally friendly these days....   this smoke is more white, than black maybe it's just a new cleaning burning fuel but it' stands out more?  i dunno...   but she's puffing white smoke too. 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning we have plans for brunch in the new RCI restaurant, The Mason Jar.  Now right off the bat, I'll tell you this place wasn't someplace I really thought I'd like.   I'm from New Orleans originally and I'm very very picky on New Orleans cooking.... and many "southern" restaurants.    I just knew I wasn't going to like the place.   But my wife and kids were all excited upon all things new on Wonder, and they really wanted to go. 

 

I booked brunch thinking breakfast dishes would be easier. 

 

Now I know getting a table is tough, very tough, everyone on my roll call was so frustrated.   Let me say this to you,  The place is divided up unto two sections,  one is pure restaurant, the other is bar/live entertainment and needs no reservations.  Go ahead and do the bar,  You'll be fine!  They have great drinks and some bar food I believe and we got in there with no issues earlier this week.

 

 

But nonetheless today is about the brunch.   Right off the bat they brought us a plate of cornbread and fancy butter. I don't like cornbread so I didn't try it.  But my wife enjoyed it. 

 

 

I asked for a plate of biscuits instead and they were amazing.  Perfectly done I was very very impressed, I could have sat there and eaten biscuits all day.

 

 

The ladies all went with the chicken and waffles.... southern brunch staple with a side of honey and maple syrup.  My wife enjoyed hers, the kids not so much.  I sampled and felt it needed more spice... fried chicken needs a kick.   But I grew up in New Orleans so we're heavy on the spice.

 

 

We got some deviled eggs for the table and they were fancy and tasty!

 

I got the shrimp POBOY and that was a mistake.  Too much lettuce and not enough seafood.  It was a lettuce poboy with a few shrimp on top.

 

 

I wanted to take them on a field trip to my hometown and show them how the bread is crunchy and when you open up the wrapper of a fried shrimp poboy you see shrimp spilling out the wrapper.  They open face the bread, dump shrimp  close it, and put a few more on top.   This was lettuce and maybe like 5 shrimp  it was more lettuce  than anything else it wasn't for me at all. 

 

We left with a bit of a C grade for Mason Jar.   It's popular people are fighting to get in, so they'l do great but if you don't make it in,  don't worry, You'll survive. 

 

After brunch --- everyone felt a little too full for a pool day... and the kids (mainly the youngest ) were complaining there wasn't much to do. We insisted she try Adventure Ocean again.

 

 

Adventure Ocean has been a thorn in this kids side.

 

She's just had horrible luck with it.

 

On Vision, her first AS,  RCI did kid sail free spring break week in Texas. There were 800 kids on board and no room in a very tiny vision class AO.  It was too much for the staff and kids were fighting and my daughter  wanted out and refused to go back.

 

We didn't push her on other cruises then finally she agreed to try again on Allure a few months back. I think it was worse.  COVID times.   They made the kids sit on a circle and color alone and they couldn't leave their circle and interact with others or anything.   She was teary when we picked up her.  Had to go to the bathroom but didn't think she was allowed to leave her circle,  sat there for hours.   

 

So....   this time I was convinced she needed to try it, back to normal, bigger ship.   She dug her heels in and refused.   We had a pure meltdown as we all begged her to try.  My oldest daughter who LOVED adventure ocean as a kid tried so hard,  said she would go with her if they would let her.    We finally told her she was going to try it even though she didn't want to.   We promised to stay outside and be at the window in case she needed us but she needed to try it. 

 

What a mess.   it more hurt us,  all 3 of us hated that she hated AO  knowing how much my older daughter loved it.  

 

She did her time, came out, still vowing never to go back.

 

 

We did some time in the karaoke bar playing "Who wants to be a Royal Caribbeanaire?" my daughter convinced I would clean sweep.   She was close... I got  19 out of 20.      FYI -- Barbados means bearded one.

 

 

After this  we went to try our hand at the ultimate abyss slide.  I wasn't so crazy about this but my wife and daughter really wanted to do it.    Turns out  You have to have sleeve and shoulders covered and so they couldn't ride, but guess who could.

 

 

 

I didn't want to do this.  All I could think of was all 240 pounds of me stuck halfway through and hyperventilating inside.   I thought about making my youngest try AO.... and so I did it.  There was another guy being urged by his wife and he had the same fears as me.   I convinced him to try it and we'd go down together.   I didn't get stuck... but i wasn't moving super fast either! lol    He and I got down at the same time and both barely got out of the tube when we came to a stop.   hahaha   

 

 

I didn't take photos apparently but after this we had dinner at Giovannis.  Absolutely love the new location in Central Park, it's open, more casual and just has a nice vibe.   We met a nice couple at the next table.  I had a calzone it was good.   

 

 

I had tried to reach the loyalty ambassador on  Wonder but she was hard to get a hold of,  fortunately one of the head waiters hooked us up.  I have joked many times that my wife married me just for status match in royal caribbean.   But I called up C&A for something before the cruise and realized that she not had enough point that she and the kids were diamonds on their own me or not they had enough points from their own sailings.   

 

I asked them to bring a little pin to the restaurant which they did and the kids loved their pins. 

 

 

 

Tonight was aquatheater night!

 

Again much like the ice show, feel like this one gets boring after a while, and I wasn't planning to be into it.... I was wrong. So Wrong.

 

 

 

A new cast, new show, and a new excitement to this show.   It was an all female cast plus, two guys who were brought in (i think for the crossing) to perform on their own as well.  

 

 

 

The first walked a tightrope while tumbling and spinning and splashing into the water and back up to the rope  it was impressive.   The second, was a very good juggler!

 

It was a great performance. 

 

 

 

We did another lap or so around the ship, before calling it a night because tomorrow.... is bound to be a perfect day!

 

 

 

 

[Sea Dog]

3 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

 

For us the sweet  spot so far has been Paradise.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. We will be in Cozumel 3 times coming up so I'm thinking one time Paradise the other Nachi and the 3rd time something different or one that we like.

 

[RCCL Fan]

2 hours ago, cruisingpeople said:

 Can't believe it's been almost a year since we were with you on the Adventure. 

This year flew by!  It does seem like that was just a few months back!!    Congrats on the award!!!

[cruisingpeople]

19 minutes ago, RCCL Fan said:

This year flew by!  It does seem like that was just a few months back!!    Congrats on the award!!!

Thank You.... I didn't expect it... It was a complete shock.

[c-leg5]

On 5/2/2022 at 3:49 PM, Sea Dog said:

 

Thanks for your thoughts. We will be in Cozumel 3 times coming up so I'm thinking one time Paradise the other Nachi and the 3rd time something different or one that we like.

 

Paradise is good for families or if you want something more active. 
 

have you tried the Bar Hop, or one of the resort hotel day pass?

[RCCL Fan]

Day 5

The Perfect Day

 

 

I always feel so cheesy saying it, but I can't disagree with the marketing people....  it does always seem like a Perfect Day at Coco Cay.... even on a day I was feeling sick on a previous cruise,  it was still pretty darn close to amazing. 

 

So I woke up this morning the perfect way.  My wife and youngest, the early risers, got up and off the ship first thing.   They went to stake our claim to our spots on the beach  while me and the pre-teen woke up more leisurely and joined them mid morning.

 

 

We headed down to the pier only to see the world's longest line waiting for the trams to drive you down the pier to the beach.  It was like holy long line.  My daughter said, "Dad, I can make it with my scooter"  I do have to say Royal disappointed me a bit with their handling of people with disabilities.  Watching so many able bodied people waiting forever for a tram while my kid and several others in wheelchairs got no priority kinda sucked.  We set out on foot for the island.   

 

 

Turned back and got a shot of Wonder and our unwelcomed guest, Freedom.   Wonder was scheduled to be the only ship here, and then just a few weeks before departure there was a schedule change of some sort for Freedom and now she was joining us for the day. 

 

 

We got to the end of the pier and then waited for the Tram to take us to the other side of the island...  same thing here. Large crowds, workers not really giving any priority to those in wheelchairs and some guests just pushing right past us to be the first to jump in the tram.   I just never understand that whole, "me first, me now mentality"

 

 

After getting shoved out the way for the first tram, I said to the agent, "We need help for her to get on the tram."   She then held people back so two seniors, my daughter, and a guy with a broken leg could make our way on board.

 

 

We got to that wonderful entrance to Coco Beach club, walking through the lush trees and flowers to the entrance.  Our noon lunch was confirmed and then we stopped at the bar for a drink.   

 

 

I was surprised to see strawberry daiquiri mix.   Some folks on board were having mini-meltdowns as there was no strawberry daiquiri mix onboard Wonder that week.... global shortage.  I don't really drink the stuff, but was hopeful those who had been looking for it were getting their fill on CocoCay. 

 

 

We met up with the family who were oddly enough in the exact same chairs we had last time we were here a few months back. The water was PERFECT.  It was a great temp, cool and refreshing, and there were a ton of marine life swimming around,  schools of baby fish, big sharks,  little sharks,  big fish, stingrays.   Lifeguards were watching out, but I loved getting out there and floating on the mats with the fish!

 

Apparently they met a family with a cabana who welcomed them up to check it out, slide down the slide whatever they wanted.   It was so kind, I don't think they slid, but did check the place out a bit. 

 

 

My youngest as usual wasn't so keen on the ocean, and everyone talking about the marine life in the water didn't help.   The rest of us hopped in and enjoyed it while she collected shells at the shore. Eventually we got her in a little bit. 

 

 

 

Lunch was at high noon and we were ready!   The usual smorgasboard of starters was there... and since my group doesn't eat seafood I had my fill of shrimp cocktail.

 

 

Service at the beach club was... well... slow.   Nothing like our last time here.   We had empty plates, and empty glasses, and long waits for food.  i was quite disappointed in the time it took to get things....  but everything that came was,  you guessed it, perfect...(well almost)!

 

 

If you remember I had the surf and turf on my last visit and felt the lobster was a little dry.  I was going to do the grouper this time, but I was encouraged to give the lobster another try.   My server also threw some prawns on there too just in case.   Well this time the lobster, prawns, and filet were all great.  

 

 

My filet was overcooked.  Ordered it medium and there was no pink.  I looked at the receipt it was listed as medium well but even that was a stretch.   It was still yum and I enjoyed.

 

 

After lunch I headed back out to the beach.  I still haven't enjoyed the pool here.  My wife took my daughter to it this time since I did the honors in Cozumel.  However I was finally able to talk the tiny one on a raft. I kept her out there the rest of the afternoon.

 

 

We floated and talked and had catchup time.   Next thing I knew we had drifted way down beach to the other cabanas.  I had a lovely conversation with a family down there as we drifted right onto their dock! hahaha.  They were on Freedom and  hadn't heard of Wonder and were asking a million questions. 

 

 

We closed down the beach club, and got outside to the tram attendant saying, "i don't know if any more are coming"   Really? I was like "Well she can't walk so I think you're going to need to call one"   A crowd had developed.  So many of us leaving the beach club that we  filled the empty tram she reluctantly called for us. lol

 

 

Back on board...  we got some balcony time today for sailaway.  Lots of waves to the folks on freedom and shouts and yells to each other as we sailed away.

 

 

 

  I saw truck loads of dirty laundry leaving cococay and being loaded onto freedom.  I guess they do the laundry onboard and bring it back on the next visit.   It was interesting!

 

This was the first time I had ever had a port day the day before we get off the ship.   It felt weird.   We quickly packed and got luggage out in the hall before heading to dinner that night. 

 

We got to the table in the dining room and watched as a Disney ship sailed by heading toward Castaway Cay  "man they're early, we all thought"   My wife remarked on how we saw so many cruise ships this trip.  She was right we seemed to always be sailing close to someone.   

 

At dinner, the dining staff announced that Wonder had the highest ratings for best service and food of any ship in the fleet.  They were proud and made their little pitch to hope everyone was happy and their scores stayed on top. 

 

We couldn't complain, we only had a few dinners here but each were awesome, as was our service.   no hiccups at all.

 

You kept feeling like the best staff was on this ship,   gotta love those new ships!

 

 

We ran around for last night activities.... handing out extra tip envelopes, and buying stuff to take home.  This is where I really had a bad taste in my mouth, the first real bad one of the cruise, all the tags on the merchandise in the logo shop had the price cut off the tags.  Just lopped off.   So you had to ask what everything cost and practically everything was $49.99 or higher.  They had jacked up the prices verbally and were hand typing the cost in when you bought stuff.  

 

Many shoppers were demanding why they were no prices and we were given no real answers.  It felt very used car salesman like.  The same t-shirts I paid $29.99 on Allure were $59.99 on Wonder.  

 

Much like coco cay cabanas, despite the bizarre pricing people were still buying it in droves.  They had no merchandise and as fast as they put stuff out, it was getting grabbed.  I really really wanted a ship model. I have one of almost every cruise I've been on.   I was told they've been sold out since the first cruise. 

 

 I wanted an inaugural season shirt,  nope.    I know there's a shortage of everything, but the price gouging was uncool. 

 

 

We got photos ordered, thanked everyone, and got a few last slices of pizza before heading to bed, and returning back to Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

 

 

Day 6  - wrapup

 

 

 

We had no issues getting off the ship the next morning.   Quick and easy departure and transfer to FLL airport.  We flew home from FLL thinking, lets just get out of there quickly and easily.    It was kinda a mistake. American Airlines doesn't have a ton of service out of there, since there big hub is MIA so we had a bit of a wait.... a long wait.... with a million really loud announcements.   Once we got onboard, the flight was PACKED.    But we got home in one piece.

 

 

Wonder was wonderful.  She's there were a few snafus,  but that's with anything.  This cruise felt NORMAL.  Great service, happy passengers,  happy crew,  Fantastic service,  No masks.

 

I loved it. 

 

It felt so nice to be back, I was a little bummed we weren't staying onboard from the crossing!

 

Happy to answer any questions.

 

 

 

Until we meet again!