Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of Wonder of the Seas. Marking the completion of three years of construction, a traditional flag-changing ceremony took place in Marseille, France, with shipyard partner Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Wonder of the Seas will begin its inaugural season in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on March 4. The ship will set sail on seven-night voyages to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona and Rome to offer summer adventures in the Mediterranean.
The fifth in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships, Wonder of the Seas will have eight "neighborhoods"—a Royal Caribbean first—for vacationers of all ages. Notably will be the Suite Neighborhood, the new, eighth neighborhood, which offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck, complete with a plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers, besides the private restaurant Coastal Kitchen; the Suite Lounge, and the Ultimate Family Suite that can accommodate a family of 10.
The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar serves southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and late-night bites, including savory johnnycakes, southern fried chicken, crab beignets, and shrimp and grits. Completing the experience is live country music, farmhouse-style decor, a collection of American whiskeys and spiked shakes. Wonder of the Seas will also be home to the Vue Bar, a cantilevered bar that offers panoramic ocean views by day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy.
The grab-and-go spot for Mexican delights, El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca offers made-to-order tacos, burritos and quesadillas. The bar serves a selection of “aguasfrescas,” margaritas and other Mexican staples. Other returning amenities on-board Wonder include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar; the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; the dedicated kids and teens spaces at Adventure Ocean, Social100 and The Patio; the FlowRider surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls; and the Central Park neighborhood.
Wonder Playscape, the underwater-themed play area for kids, has slides, climbing walls, games, and an interactive mural activated by touch. The Caribbean Pool Deck comprises The Lime & Coconut, alongside a trio of high-speed waterslides, The Perfect Storm; kids aqua park Splashaway Bay, besides casitas, in-pool loungers and live music.
Wonder will set sail to the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022. The seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries include visits to the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Starting in May, the new ship will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises visiting Naples and Florence, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.
Year-round adventures on Wonder of the Seas begin in November 2022, when the ship cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. Destinations range from CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Cozumel, Mexico.
For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.
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