I know that if I were Wonder of the Seas right now, I’d be a little bit envious of Icon of the Seas. I mean, yeah, Icon is great and it’s the first of a new ship class for Royal Caribbean International and it’s going to have loads of bells and whistles, but Wonder is, well, a wonder all on her own, and she’s got plenty of bells and whistles, too. And don’t even get me started on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s first LNG-powered Oasis Class ship set to debut next year. Nope, we’re here to talk about the wonder that is Wonder.
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1. Sailing out of Port Canaveral, the 18-deck, 7,084-guest Wonder of the Seas is home to eight neighborhoods packed with an array of offerings. We recommend you reach out to Boomers looking to book a multi-gen vacation—everyone in the family will be happy on board this dazzling vessel. And the 7-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with stops in Perfect Day at CocoCay are exactly what’s on order for the ultimate summertime vacation.
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2. Where to stay on board? Well, if your clients have deep pockets, recommend the Suite Neighborhood, home to the 2-story, 1,134-sq.-ft., 3-bedroom Ultimate Family Suite, which is ideal for those multi-gen bookings as it accommodates a family of nine. It has a slew of fun touches, including an in-suite slide, a cinema, a karaoke area, a very spacious private balcony and whirlpool, and colorful nooks. One of our other favorite accommodations is the chic 545-sq.-ft. Crown Loft Suite with Balcony.
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3. Speaking of slides, if ziplining 10 stories over Wonder’s Central Park is not your client's thing, but they're still looking for a thrill, then tell them to head to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. It towers 150 ft. above sea level, and before passengers launch into 216 ft. of tunnels filled with multi-sensory effects, they’re in for a treat: some of the most beautiful views of the ocean they’ll ever take in.
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4. The Ultimate Abyss shoots you down to Boardwalk, 10 decks below. This carnival-like playground, inspired by iconic boardwalks such as Coney Island, features a working carousel, a hot dog stand, the Boardwalk Dog House, the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and the AquaTheater, where your clients can catch one of the coolest shows on board: ”inTENse,” with an all-female cast performing high-diving feats and aerial acrobatics. Our favorite little corner of Boardwalk? Hanging with Zoltar, the fortune-telling machine.
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5. From Boardwalk, recommend a nice stroll through the very serene Central Park neighborhood, with chirping birds, 20,000-plus real plants and refined eateries such as 150 Central Park, which offers some of the best dining on board. This is a great area for people-watching, for enjoying a pre-dinner drink and for hopping on the Rising Tide Bar. And if you think clients would really love waking up to views of Central Park, then recommend a Central Park View Balcony stateroom.
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6. For true R&R, though, there’s the Solarium with its topiary wildlife andcalming vibe. It’s one of the places I slipped away to when I wanted to sit back, enjoy a nice read and look up once in a while at the blue-fringed horizon.
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7. Come dinnertime, a must is trying out the new-to-brand Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, featuring Southern staples such as fried green tomatoes, Southern fried chicken and crab beignets. We also loved the cocktails with a twist such as the Mississippi Moonlight, made with blackberry moonshine, blackberries and lemonade, and served in a chilled mason jar. And when supper is done, passengers can head to the bar area to listen to some live country music. Best part? Reservations are not needed to access the bar and it’s open throughout the day.
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8. We were so short on time during our cruise that we did not get to try the Wonderland eatery, but it’s the very reason I aim to get back on Wonder ASAP. I love immersive dining experiences and this one seems to be quite imaginative, with menu options based on the five natural elements—fire, earth, sea, ice and sun. The whole aesthetic is a take on “Alice in Wonderland,” of course, and we’re all in on going down the rabbit hole.
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9. Also highly imaginative is the 365 production in Studio B. This ice-skating show, with innovative lighting, projection and video technology, features champion ice skaters that wow with every spin. Sitting through this true spectacle, which takes the audience through Earth’s four seasons, was one of my favorite times spent on board.
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10. And last, but certainly not least is Perfect Day at CocoCay, specifically Coco Beach Club, the island’s private oasis. Here, a top recommendation is booking an Overwater Cabana for uninterrupted views of turquoise waters. Your clients will be away from the crowds and can truly enjoy some quality time while sitting back and relaxing.