cruise director wonder of the seas

Press Releases

A wonderous debut: royal caribbean’s wonder of the seas sets sail from us.

Feb. 21, 2022 – Yesterday, Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas arrived in the U.S. for the first time. The new ship will debut on March 4 in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades in Florida and set sail to the Caribbean and the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

The all-new Wonder Playscape, an underwater-themed, outdoor play area for families with kids. With 11 different ways to play day and night, including multilevel slides, climbing walls, imaginative puzzles, an interactive mural that comes to life by touch and light shows, the adventures join the lineup of signature experiences that engage young travelers from bow to stern on Wonder of the Seas .

A vibrant pool deck with Caribbean vibes, live music and more is on deck aboard Wonder of the Seas . From one sun-soaked destination to the next, vacationers can enjoy the new, cantilevered Vue Bar, signature bar The Lime & Coconut, The Perfect Storm high-speed waterslides,   kids aqua park   Splashaway Bay, casitas, the largest poolside movie screen on a Royal Caribbean ship, and more.

Where Southern comfort food meets Royal Caribbean’s hospitality and creativity, The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar is the newest addition to the array of 40-plus restaurants, bars and lounges aboard  Wonder of the Seas . The dining venue serves up staples and classics with a twist for brunch, dinner and late at night, including savory johnnycakes, crab beignets, 19 American whiskeys, spiked floats and shakes, and an array of Southern cocktails.

The happiest of happy hours can be had at the new, cantilevered Vue Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas . With an array of cocktails, including a signature drink, the poolside hotspot offers panoramic ocean views by day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy.

• Suite Neighborhood – The new, eighth neighborhood welcomes Royal Suite Class guests to a private Suite Sun Deck in a new location, which features a plunge pool and bar, in addition to favorites such as exclusive restaurant Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge and the grandest Ultimate Family Suite yet for a family of 10.
• The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar – Where Southern comfort food meets Royal Caribbean’s hospitality and creativity. On the menu are staples and new twists on classics for brunch and dinner, and late at night, along with live country music, farmhouse-style decor, a robust collection of 19 American whiskeys and other Southern libations.
• Wonder Playscape – Day and night, the underwater-themed play area is a whole new, outdoor adventure for families with kids. Slides, climbing walls, games, interactive activities that come alive by touch, imaginative puzzles and light shows engage young travelers in more ways than one. Plus, nearby is Royal Caribbean’s signature mini golf course, Wonder Dunes , with a new look and features.
• Caribbean Pool Deck – At the center of the Caribbean vibes is the pool deck, where the new cantilevered Vue Bar joins the lineup of poolside hotspots, including the popular Lime & Coconut, live music; The Perfect Storm, a trio of high-speed waterslides; kids aqua park Splashaway Bay; and the adults-only Solarium.
• Fan favorites – Thrill-seekers can chase the waves on the FlowRider surf simulator, race down the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss ; brave the 10-story-high zip line ; scale twin rock climbing walls; explore any one of the eight neighborhoods, like Central Park and its 20,000-plus real plants; or take in original entertainment across four "stages": air, ice, water and theater, including inTENse, which features high-diving feats, slacklining, aerial acrobatics and more performed by the first all-female cast in the AquaTheater, the one-of-a-kind amphitheater.

Wonder’s Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises through April 2022 include visits to Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Roatan, Honduras ; and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Just in time for summer vacations, the world’s newest wonder will then welcome travelers to sail on 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises to destinations like Naples and Florence , Italy ; Palma de Mallorca , Spain ; and Provence , France . After completing an inaugural Europe season, Wonder will return to homeport in Cape Canaveral, Florida , to offer year-round Caribbean adventures. For more details about Wonder , visit Royal Caribbean’s website. About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International , owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay , the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 19 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards. Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com . For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com ; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Related Videos

Related Images

The Suite Neighborhood, the new, eighth neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas , debuts the grandest Ultimate Family Suite yet for a family of 10. From an in-suite slide to a cinema and karaoke area, as well as a private balcony and whirlpool, the one-of-a-kind suite redefines family time with a variety of ways to make memories across two floors of luxury.

Wonder of the Seas ’ new, eighth neighborhood, the Suite Neighborhood, welcomes Royal Caribbean guests to the ultimate Royal Suite Class experience. The private escape includes the Suite Sun Deck, complete with a plunge pool and bar; Coastal Kitchen, the exclusive restaurant; and the grandest Ultimate Family Suite yet for a family of 10.

Related Stories

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Wonder of the Seas Sets Sail Today…11 ‘Insider’ Details Revealed About the World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Wonder of the Seas starts sailing with passengers today, marking the first journey with paying guests for what is now the world’s largest cruise ship.

For literally years — even before the health crisis — Royal Caribbean fans have looked forward to the arrival of the new ship. Wonder begins sailing from Fort Lauderdale, but will  be in the United States for just a few months before heading back over to Europe for the summer season. Don’t worry if you miss your chance to sail, however. The ship will return in the fall to sail from Port Canaveral.

While the cruise line has revealed plenty of the major highlights about the ship and what passengers can expect, more and more smaller details are being revealed as Wonder makes its debut.

During a recent “Coffee Talk” with travel partners hosted by Vicki Freed — the Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service — members of the Royal Caribbean staff, including the ship’s captain, the cruise director, and the Vice President of Food & Beverage, all shared some insider details about the ship that many people may not know…

The “Kidjammer” Makes Its Debut

Any person that’s sailed aboard Royal Caribbean is familiar with the Windjammer. This is the ship’s buffet where breakfast and lunch are most often eaten.

But Wonder of the Seas has a new twist: Kidjammer.

“The really interesting and fun thing is we’ve added a Kidjammer,” said Linken D’Souza, Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations. “The Kidjammer is a little station that’s at the right height so your kids can come right in and grab their own food. It’s kind of fun. We’ve tried to make the food as playful as possible for the young ones to enjoy, and I think that’s going to be a new, fun introduction to all of our Windjammers moving forward.”

In other words, while Wonder of the Seas may be the first spot with this new feature, don’t expect it to be the last.

Largest Buffet at Sea Ever

Speaking of the Windjammer, it would make sense that the world’s largest cruise ship would also have the largest buffet at sea.

On Wonder of the Seas, the buffet has 1,048 seats, which is roughly 300 seats larger than any other Windjammer in the fleet.

In addition, D’Souza says there are lots of customizable food options like freshly-made wraps, avocado toast at breakfast. There is even a machine serving fresh popcorn.

What the Heck Is “Elvis French Toast”?

A new restaurant on Wonder of the Seas is The Mason Jar, which caters to southern fare like Nashville hot chicken, chicken and waffles, bourbon milkshakes, po-boys, and something called “Elvis French Toast” that should be a popular item at brunch.

What’s that? It’s French toast with banana pudding and served with caramel bacon and bananas.

So if you’re worried about your waistline, then The Mason Jar likely isn’t for you. “This is not the low-calorie restaurant, but I guarantee you every bite is going to be brilliant,” D’Souza said.

No Jazz on 4… Replaced With Golden Room

One popular spot on some other sister ships is Jazz on 4 — a spot to hang out and listen to live music in cozy surroundings. On Wonder of the Seas, that’s been replaced.

That space is now the Golden Room, which is a VIP casino area designed for high-roller customers.

“As some of you may recall, this ship was designed originally for a different market. So we brought that [the Golden Room] here to the U.S. to see how that casino experience does here in the U.S.,” D’Souza said.

But the cruise line isn’t set on leaving that spot if it’s not popular.

“But like always, we’ll follow the market trend. If enough people say ‘where’s the jazz club?’ then we’ll put it back,” added Nick Weir, the Senior Vice President of Royal Entertainment.

Shows Will Continue to Be Upgraded Over Six Months

The spike in Omicron hit the cruise industry just like everything else. One area that was impacted were the shows that were being prepared for Wonder of the Seas. As a result, the productions will continue to be made bigger and better as time goes on.

“Because our studio facility in Miami was somewhat interrupted by Omicron, we are actually going to be creating entertainment on this ship for the next six months and guests who are lucky enough to be with us over the next few months will literally be able to see our shows come to life,” Weir said. “Every night we’ll be adding layers. Every night we’ll be adding scenery and costume.”

For example, a sequel to The Effectors ( currently aboard Odyssey of the Seas ) will open on Wonder in the summer.

Godmother of Wonder of the Seas? No One Knows Yet

It “normal” times, a ship has a naming ceremony and a godmother chosen before she begins sailing. In this case, however, that’s being pushed off until later in 2022.

There’s no word yet on who the godmother of Wonder of the Seas will be, but it was said that there will be a naming ceremony in December. At that time the ship should be back from sailing Europe and be ported in Port Canaveral.

Astronauts Are Everywhere Around the Ship

If you’re a Royal Caribbean fan, then you know the cruise line likes to incorporate little surprises around the ship. Maybe it’s a fun piece of artwork, or in the case of Oasis of the Seas, the “Small Wonders” viewing stations for you to peek into.

On Wonder of the Seas, there are the astronauts:

#Lovestronaut pic.twitter.com/TBk0rWfE3k — Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) January 30, 2022

“What’s kind of cool is you have these astronauts,” D’Souza said. “We have these astronauts all over the ship. I think there are nine or twelve, something like that. But you’ve got to go search for them because there are astronauts everywhere.”

Nearly 10,000 People When Completely Full

You already know that Wonder of the Seas is big. But how big? How about nearly 10,000 people when at absolutely full capacity .

According to Captain Rob Hempstead, there are currently 2,184 crew members on the ship. And if the ship is completely full (meaning more than two passengers to some rooms), it can hold 6,988 passengers. Added up, that’s 9,172 people.

Of course, it’s unlikely that ship will be sailing with that many people right at the start. At double occupancy (meaning two passengers to every cabin), 5,734 guests can board.

Here’s the Captain’s Favorite Spot on the Ship…

No person knows Wonder of the Seas as well as the master of the ship, Captain Rob Hempstead. He actually said he has been onboard since October 2021!

So what is his favorite place on the ship? When asked, the captain pointed to Central Park — the green park with winding paths in the middle of the ship.

Speaking about the crossing of the Atlantic from Cadiz to Fort Lauderdale, the captain mentioned how as the weather warmed up he noticed that Central Park “came alive” as flowers bloomed and trees put on leaves.

A Jacuzzi and Virgin Bar for Teens

One of the major draws to sailing is that there is something for everyone. Mom and Dad can hit the Solarium or the casino while kids have their own hangouts.

On Wonder of the Seas, the teen area is Social 100. There, you can expect a hangout lounge area, but also something a little different — there’s a patio for teens, complete with a bar serving non-alcoholic “mocktails” and their own jacuzzi .

Entry is controlled via their SeaPass card that’s programmed to allow them entry. Sorry parents, Wonder of the Seas Cruise Director Mike Szwajkowski says that Mom and Dad can’t get in.

The AquaTheater Show? It’s All Female

If you’ve never experienced a show in the AquaTheater on Oasis-class ships like Wonder of the Seas, then you’re truly missing out. Performers are diving from overhead, walking a tightrope above the audience, doing water acrobatics and more. It’s like nothing else on any other cruise ship.

On Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean says they are taking things to another level. The ship’s newest show is called “InTENse.” Of the 20 performers in the show, for the first time all are women and of those, five have performed in the Olympics .

“It’s an all female cast, but it was completely organic,” entertainment guru Nick Weir said. “We were looking for the most extreme, most brave, most fierce performers we could find, and we just happened to notice as we were auditioning them, they were all girls!”

A little piece of history for us… The is our first ever female #Highliner , 70 feet above the deck, on her first highline walk. #WonderoftheSeas #inTENse , right now. Go Giada! pic.twitter.com/QfEfZq1mPF — Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) February 28, 2022

Much More to Experience Aboard Wonder

Of course, all of these details are just the icing on the cake. The main attraction is the ship itself, and all the things that can be packed onto a vessel that’s larger than any other cruise liner in history.

From stunning suites, dozens of bars and restaurants, lounges, entertainment venues and more, Wonder of the Seas looks to set the bar higher again when it comes to what’s possible on a cruise ship. ( We’ve covered more on what’s onboard here. )

As mentioned, the ship begins sailing from Fort Lauderdale before heading over to Europe for the summer. Wonder of the Seas then returns to Florida later in 2022, where the ship will sail from Port Canaveral.

If you’re a Royal Caribbean fan, it looks to be another ship that you don’t want to miss.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, how to enjoy cococay… without spending a dime, six icon-class cruise ships royal caribbean signs agreement for that option, what to do on a cruise 70 fun things to do on the ship, world’s second-largest cruise ship debuts this weekend (see how big), cococay: 21+ tips & things to know for royal caribbean’s island (prices, what to do, and more), the best (and worst) royal caribbean ship health inspection scores, according to the cdc, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

12+ Fun Cheap (or FREE) Things to Do in Nassau on a Cruise

How to watch football on a cruise (nfl and college games), hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

• Find a Cruise​ Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations​ Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay​ Make a Payment Crown & Anchor Society​ Royal Caribbean Blog Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-1-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Last Minute Cruises​
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• Mini Cruises
• First Time Cruisers
• What's Included
• Cruising Guides
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-3-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Deck Plans​
• Cruise Dining 
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms​
• The Cruise Experience​
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports​
• Shore Excursions​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Caribbean Cruises​
• European Cruises​
• Greece Cruises​
• Italy Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Book a Flight
• Check-In for My Cruise​
• Make a Payment
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• Update Guest Information
• Beverage Packages​
• Dining Packages​
• My Account​
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-6-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

10 BEST ACTIVITIES ONBOARD WONDER OF THE SEAS

The biggest cruise ship in the world is finally here, and it’s packed with bow-to-stern thrills, chills and fleet firsts.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on September 15, 2022

SWOOP DOWN THE TALLEST SLIDE AT SEA

WEATHER A PERFECT STORM

SOAR THROUGH SPACE 10 DECKS UP

FIND YOUR FOOTING ON FLOWRIDER®

TRY TEEING OFF AT SEA

PLAY AWAY THE DAY

TASTE YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD

CUE THE JAMS AT MUSIC HALL

BECOME A KARAOKE SENSATION

Settle In For Live Show-stopping Performances

With a spectacular playbill of original entertainment on stage, ice and water, Wonder of the Seas features a world-class ensemble of singers, dancers and performers. Discover the largest–and most impressive–theatrical venue at sea during Voices: An Intimate Performance on a Grand Scale. Experience inTENse, a new AquaTheater production where divers and aerialists perform mind-defying stunts, teetering across tightropes and plunging into the deepest pool at sea. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the four seasons during 365: The Seasons on Ice, as inspired performers dazzle on skates. Of course these and all other onboard shows are included in your fare. 

While we have touched on 10 of the top things to do onboard Wonder of the Seas , many other surprises and discoveries await you. So go ahead, start planning your 2022 cruise sailing on the world’s largest cruise ship. We’re pretty sure you are in for the voyage of a lifetime!  

7 NIGHT CARIBBEAN cruises from Orlando

STARTING FROM 

Sail on Wonder of The Seas

Starting from 

7 Night Caribbean &

Perfect Day 

STARTING FROM 

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

Why Wonder of the Seas is awesome for families

The fresh-from-the-oven, oversized Campfire Cookie at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade took nearly an hour to arrive. My 8-year-old daughter was not pleased. But instead of launching into an epic tantrum or begging for my phone to watch Minecraft videos on YouTube, she rode the nearby carousel and played on the Sky Climber, from which she could also watch the AquaTheater show without tickets.

Those options meant she stayed entertained until our special dessert made it to the table. So, thanks to some smart ship designing, we got to enjoy an ooey-gooey giant cookie with no tears.

Every big-ship cruise line claims to be family-friendly, but Royal Caribbean 's Wonder of the Seas truly is designed with families in mind. I admit I was nervous that going on the world's biggest cruise ship would be overwhelming and overcrowded, but in many ways, it was an ideal family trip.

Here are seven things I loved about traveling as a family on this ship.

For cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The upper decks are as ADHD as your kid

A typical afternoon on board with my daughter went like this: Head to the top of the ship and ride the Ultimate Abyss slide several times in a row. Come back up to scarf a quesadilla at El Loco Fresh and climb around the Wonder Playscape playground and the Wonder Dunes golf course (but not actually play mini-golf because that takes too long). Run to the cabin, change into swimsuits, and head to the Deck 15 Splashaway Bay water play area.

Pretend to be ninjas while going down kiddie water slides, aiming water cannons at imaginary enemies and racing around in the wading pool. Get bored and move to the other side of the deck where to search for Water-Type Pokemon in the swimming pool. Fuel up with soft-serve ice cream before trying all of the big water slides then relaxing in a hot tub. Complain about being forced to take bathroom and hydration breaks.

Related: How I had the busiest 2 days ever on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas cruise ship

The brilliant planning of Wonder of the Seas' Pool and Sports Zone is that all your active favorites are close by. For families with older kids, the sports court, FlowRider surf simulator and zip line are also in this area; for families with tots, a separate water play area is reserved for the swim diaper crowd (who otherwise can't go into pools). Lifeguards are stationed at every pool, so while I did follow my kid around, parents can feel comfortable setting up a base on a lounge chair and letting kids explore freely across all of the zone (which covers much of decks 15 and 16).

My kid wanted to go to the kids club

I have sailed on cruise ships where my kids refused to go to the kids club or were too young, and it was tough. On Wonder of the Seas, my daughter adored Adventure Ocean and played there for a couple of hours every day, usually after dinner so I could get a drink or see a show.

Parents can tour the kids club on embarkation day. The main Adventure Ocean area for the 6- 12-year-old set is a multi-room play area with a science lab, theater, game play room, screening room for movies and video games (with cool, interactive digital-play tables) and a crafts area. Kids can choose the activity they want to do (versus on smaller ships, where only one activity takes place at a time). Video game playing time is limited to 15 minutes.

Related: Best cruise ships for kids

The larger kids complex also houses a nursery for babies and toddlers and a play space for preschool-aged kids. A lighthouse-themed family play area is ideal for parents needing an indoor play space for their kids. Tweens and teens have their own hip hangouts, including a tricked-out sun deck for teens that I wish I could chill at.

And when the kids are occupied at "cruise camp," that means parents can sneak away for a fancy meal or a glass of wine in Central Park, a massage at the spa or a relaxing soak at the Solarium.

Kid food favorites are everywhere

My daughter's diet on board Wonder of the Seas consisted of steak, fruit plates, hot dogs, pizza, quesadillas and sugary baked goods. I'm not sure a vegetable crossed her lips during the entire week on the ship.

Wonder of the Seas may have some high-priced date-night restaurants on board, but it has an equal number of fast-food, kid-friendly options. Families can enjoy a variety of places to eat – even if your kid orders the same thing every night for dinner.

Many of the family favorites are free. The included main dining room has a kids menu with the requisite pasta and chicken fingers, and the buffet is the fleet's largest, with multiple options and a kiddie-height section stocked mainly with fun desserts.

Related: The Mason Jar: A review of Royal Caribbean's Southern comfort food restaurant

Sorrento's Pizza is open 24/7 (great for a post-kids club pickup pick-me-up), and El Loco Fresh serves up quesadillas and burritos right by all the sports fun. The Promenade Café and Park Café offer grab-and-go breakfast, sandwiches and snacks. On the Boardwalk, Johnny Rockets charges a small fee for all the burgers, hot dogs and French fries you can eat (milkshakes are extra); Playmakers across the way prices its burgers a la carte. Your kids have tons of play options here to explore while they wait for food.

The only kid-unfriendly feature is that there is a charge for room service beyond continental breakfast.

Even the suites are family-friendly

I've seen couples give serious side-eye to kids on luxury cruise ships. I was worried Wonder of the Seas' Suite Neighborhood would be the same.

It wasn't.

Even Wonder's exclusive suite-only lounge, restaurant and sun deck are welcoming to (supervised and well-behaved) kids. The bar staff at the lounge made my daughter Shirley Temples during cocktail hour, and the wait staff bent over backward to find her Frosted Flakes, bring her berries and make her special chocolate milk every time we visited. By the end, she had made fast friends with our waiter Thomas.

Our Grand Suite was elegant but also could sleep four; most of Royal's suites are designed with families in mind. A blackout curtain could be pulled to separate the living room and sleeping area into two distinct spaces, so kids can sleep while parents stay up. Wonder of the Seas is also one of just three Royal Caribbean ships with the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-deck, multi-room suite with a game room, Lego wall, in-cabin slide, climbing structure on the balcony and separate parents and kids bedrooms.

The suite sun deck doesn't have an actual pool, which is a bummer, but the friendly guests in the hot tub struck up a conversation with my daughter and the large daybeds are perfect for family cuddles in the sun.

The crew is amazing

When our waiter at Johnny Rockets found out my daughter was celebrating her birthday on the cruise, she wrote "Happy Birthday" in ketchup on a plate and comped us an order of French fries. The sales clerks at the fancy Central Park jewelry store gave my daughter a palm tree necklace, even though we missed the official event where they were handing them out.

Related: First look at Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas: What I like, don't like and can't find on the world's largest cruise ship

Main dining room waiters cut up her steak and brought her fruit plates as soon as we sat down. One of the servers at Sorrento's watched our pizza for us when we had to rush to the bathroom mere minutes after sitting down to eat.

In short, all of the crew members we met on board were friendly and went out of their way to be kind to us, especially my child. The service was noticeable, even on a ship with thousands of passengers.

Entertainment is rated E for Everyone — and it's free

I've been on other family-friendly cruise lines (without my kids), where I shuddered at the sum I'd have to pay to keep my kids in laser tag, go-kart and virtual reality play. Wonder of the Seas has equally amazing entertainment options, but most of it is free — a relief to families who need three, four, five or more tickets to everything.

All the theater shows cost nothing, and while my daughter dragged me out of "Voices" after the second song, I think she would sit still for the superhero-themed "Effectors II" when it debuts this summer. She loved the AquaTheater acrobatic diving show, and enjoyed ice skating on a moving cruise ship as much as watching the pros lutz and spin in Royal Caribbean's version of the Ice Capades.

We watched crew members practicing for the soon-to-launch pirate-themed Promenade parade; some of her favorite kids club youth staff perform in it. It's sure to be a family hit. On-demand movies in your cabin will cost theater-level prices, but every night, free flicks are screened on the pool deck.

All the active options, from laser tag to water and dry slides to the zip-line and the surf simulator are free of charge. The kids club is free until 10 p.m. The only extra-fee entertainment options I could find are the escape room (which wasn't ready on our sailing), the nursery and late-night group babysitting.

Tours and port experiences remember families, too

In Puerto Rico, we were pirates. We searched for treasure, sprang our comrades out of jail and captured a fort. The plundering was organized by one of Royal Caribbean's tour partners and we booked the outing as a family-specific excursion offered by the cruise line.

The other San Juan tours were definitely not kid-friendly, focused instead on long bus rides or local booze. I was relieved to find the family tour, and even if I would have made some changes to the itinerary, my daughter loved it for its multiple snack stops, a kite-flying run-around on El Morro's front lawn and friend-making with the other young scallywags on the tour.

Wonder of the Seas also called at both of Royal Caribbean's private beach destinations, Labadee in Haiti and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Both spots had plentiful beaches with calm waters, kid attractions (waterslides, zip lines, splash areas, coaster rides, etc.) and included barbecue lunches. The ship docks at both places, so when your kid, like mine, freaks out because she can't clean all the sand off her feet and demands to leave, your cabin is just a tram ride away.

Bottom line

The folks at Royal Caribbean really mean it when they say they want to create a family vacation experience. From the big attractions to the little details, the line's newest and biggest cruise ship is geared toward families, and it passed our road (er, sea) test with flying colors. I'm just not sure how we're going to adjust back to life on land without those daily waterslides, free babysitting and post-dinner entertainment.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

latest in US News

Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo to testify before House COVID panel

Trump reveals son Barron's reaction to the news his dad had been...

The Ramones' weird legend grows 50 years after accidentally...

Nearly 80% of US teachers say youngsters less prepared to start...

Newly released video shows Delta plane clipping Spirit aircraft's...

'1,000-Lb. Sisters' star arrested at zoo for drug possession,...

Pepsi van nearly demolished by train after driving through....

Biden says his great-grandfather was accused of being in a group...

Passenger goes overboard on wonder of the seas, world’s largest cruise ship.

A passenger has gone overboard on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, while it was off the coast of Cuba during a voyage from Florida.

The unidentified guest went off the 230,000-ton vessel late Tuesday, the second day of its seven-day sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, Royal Caribbean said.

“The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue operation and is working closely with local authorities,” the company said.

The company told Insider it had been working with the US Coast Guard, but an agency spokesperson told the outlet that Cuban authorities are in charge of the effort because the incident occurred in their territorial waters.

Passengers on the mammoth ship said it had already diverted from its original itinerary due to Hurricane Idalia, according to the outlet.

They reported an “Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!” call, signifying an overboard emergency, about 9 p.m. EDT, industry blog ​ Cruise Hive reported .

The crew spent about three hours searching the waters using spotlights, small craft and watchers after the ship turned around and retraced its route, according to the site.

The Wonder of the Seas, which is 1,188 feet long and features 18 decks, can accommodate nearly 7,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is set to break the Wonder’s record when it begins service next year, Insider reported.

Earlier this month, an Indian woman died after she apparently jumped off the Spectrum of the Seas, another Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Reeta Sahani, 64, was declared missing after her husband, Jakesh Sahani, 70, woke up in the middle of the night and noticed she was not in their cabin. Her family later confirmed that she had died.

In June, a 42-year-old woman was rescued after she fell off Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas about 25 miles south of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic during a trip from Florida.

Other recent incidents occurred on the cruise ships Carnival Magic, Carnival Elation and Emerald Princess. 

On average, 19 people go overboard on cruise ships each year — and of those, only about four are rescued, Insider reported, citing a 2020 study commissioned by the industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association.

The low success rate has sparked discussions about whether all cruise ships should be equipped with detection devices that automatically alert the crew when someone goes overboard.

“All cruise lines use a variety of measures to maintain a safe environment on board cruise ships, including physical barriers around the periphery of external decks and balconies, video surveillance systems in public areas, and trained crew members who can respond quickly to an unsafe situation or emergency,” a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association told Insider.