Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean has released its plans for cruises down under in 2023-2024.

Three cruise ships will sail from Australia: Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

"It’s thrilling to welcome back two Quantum Class ships Down Under, demonstrating Royal Caribbean’s commitment to the region. Plus, because there’s always more room for adventure with Royal Caribbean, we’ve taken the opportunity to bring Enchantment of the Seas to Australia to offer unique sailings that visit new destinations we know our guests are excited to explore," said Gavin Smith, managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International.

"We look forward to even more guests, their loved ones and families creating memories while holidaying with us in several of the most spectacular places on earth."

Here's a look at each of the ships sailing from Australia:

Quantum of the Seas

Homeport: Brisbane

Following its first summer season in Brisbane in 2022, Quantum of the Seas returns to offer 3- to 13-night cruises.

Itineraries include visits to destinations in Queensland, such as Airlie Beach and Cairns, Queensland. Longer sailings visit places in the South Pacific, such as Port Vila, Vanuatu, and Noumea, New Caledonia.

Ovation of the Seas

Homeport: Sydney

Ovation of the Seas will sail from Australia for the fifth season and offer a series of 9- to 11-night cruises around New Zealand, including Milford Sound, Wellington and Bay of Islands. 

There are also 3- to 9- night cruises around Australia that visit Hobart, Adelaide and Eden; as well as cruises to the South Pacific islands.

Enchantment of the Seas

Homeport: Sydney

Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Australia for the first time, and she will visit some brand new destinations for any Royal Caribbean ship, such as Kangaroo Island and Gladstone, Australia. 

Royal Caribbean has arranged a series of 8- to 11- night cruises to the South Pacific that visit Raiatea, French Polynesia; Isle of Pines, Mare; and Lifou, New Caledonia.

If you have the time, check out the 34-night circumnavigation cruise that visits all of Australia and New Zealand by booking a combination of two itineraries.

Availability

These new sailings are available to book immediately.

To sweeten the deal, Royal Caribbean is offering half-price deposits for sailings booked by Australians between March 23 and April 5.

There's a change of plans for Radiance of the Seas winter plans.

Instead of cruising from Australia, Royal Caribbean will be based in New Orleans, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas.

The original plan was for Radiance to offer sailings from Sydney, Australia from October 2022 through April 2023. In an email to travel agents, the cruise line acknowledged the disappointment this change has caused, "We know this news may be disappointing, and we apologize for the impact to your clients' vacation plans."

There was no specific reason given why Radiance was deployed away from Australia.

Guests booked on Radiance of the Seas from Sydney will be given options for cancellation or rebooking.

Return to New Orleans

Royal Caribbean hasn't sailed from New Orleans since before the pandemic, when Majesty of the Seas was based there.

Traditionally, New Orleans has been a port Royal Caribbean bases its ships from year-round. Instead, it would base ships there temporarily, rather than having a permanent presence.

New sailings

Radiance of the Seas will offer a Panama Canal crossing from Los Angeles on October 20, 2022, when she will begin sailing from New Orleans 

Radiance will begin her New Orleans cruises on November 3, 2022 with a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise.

Once in New Orleans, Radiance will offer 4-7 night Western Caribbean cruises that visit destinations in Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, and and Cayman islands.

In early 2023, Radiance moves to Galveston, Texas where she will offer 7-10 night Western Caribbean cruises.

The new Radiance of the Seas cruises are not yet available to book.

Going on a cruise ship right now feels as close to "normal" as we've ever been since early 2020.

With cruise ship health protocols so effective in keeping Covid-19 cases down, and Royal Caribbean opting into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) highly vaccinated program, face masks are optional onboard while indoors for fully vaccinated passengers. In addition, other policies have been scaled back.

I sailed on Wonder of the Seas for two weeks with the new protocols in place and wanted to share my experience for anyone who's wondering how close to normal cruising is right now.

Keep in mind that my experience is not indicative of what your experience will or will not be. I hope it sheds some insight into what the written policy really means in practical terms.

What's changed?

The biggest difference you'll notice is that you don't have to wear a face mask indoors anymore.

As of February 25, 2022, Royal Caribbean made masks optional for fully vaccinated passengers.

Unvaccinated children to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings. Masks are required for all children while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time.

Masks should also be worn at the cruise terminal during the boarding and screening process, as well as during disembarkation. 

Another big change is vaccinated zones are a thing of the past.

Instead of having select bars and lounges off limits to unvaccinated kids or having vaccinated-only performances in theaters, these distinctions have gone away.

Another big change is Adventure Ocean no longer has limited capacity.  While face masks are required of all children in Adventure Ocean, there's no need for advance reservations for children three years and older.

My experience with the relaxed protocols

Having had been on more than a dozen cruises with various health protocols, it was a bit strange having a more open feel to the cruise ship experience.

It took me about three days to stop feeling like I forgot to put my mask on when I would leave my stateroom. Remembering to grab and put on a mask when I left my cabin became an almost Pavlovian response. 

Needless to say, it was a welcome feeling.

When my kids joined me for the second sailing, they asked me when that feeling goes away, because they too felt like they were forgetting something.

Speaking of my children, it was an absolute joy to not have to make reservations for Adventure Ocean anymore.

Under the old protocols, Adventure Ocean limited capacity and required reservations so that everyone had a fair chance to get their kids in at least some days.

In practice, it just annoyed everyone and it left many families at a disadvantage without supervised child care in the evenings.  In the early days of very low ship capacity, this wasn't a big deal because there were few kids. But as ship capacity went up in the late winter, Adventure Ocean didn't scale up their capacity and it was disappointing.

Other than requiring masks, Adventure Ocean is essentially back to normal with their admission policy, as well as games. All the kids' favorite activities are back.

Another result of Royal Caribbean opting into the highly vaccinated program with the CDC is more activities can return, such as laser tag and pool deck activities like sexiest man competition.

Guests are able to sit at bars, and there are no longer tables designated off limits to promote social distancing.

In summary, I found cruising with the relaxed protocols a welcome change. While I didn't mind cruising with a mask on indoors, being able to remove my mask once onboard brought back the sense of cruising again the way it used to be more than ever.

Increasing capacity

The days of lower ship capacity are quickly becoming a memory, as we're seeing Royal Caribbean ships move their capacity limits higher.

A running thread on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog message boards tracks the amount of passengers on a given sailing, and there appears to be anecdotal evidence of higher amounts of passengers this month than last month.

Based on double occupancy, some ships are seeing much higher guest counts. It's also worth noting Spring Break has begun and demand for cruises is higher this time of year than earlier in the year.

• Adventure of the Seas March 14 sailing: 2933 passengers (94% capacity)
• Mariner of the Seas March 17 sailing: 3,000 passengers (89% capacity)
• Wonder of the Seas March 11 sailing: 4,396 passengers (76% capacity)
• Anthem of the Seas March 20 sailing: 3281 passengers (78% capacity)

More passengers on a cruise ship isn't a bad thing. Rather, it's a sign of healthy demand for cruising and a return to the norm of what ships were like prior to the pandemic.

Another benefit to more guests onboard is certain activities feel more active. Theater shows, musical performances, and trivia are all much more well attended, which adds to the energy of these experiences.

Core Covid protocols remain

While some Covid-19 protocols have been scaled back, the core Covid protocols are still in place.

Pre-cruise covid testing for all passengers and a requirement all cruisers 12 years old and above be fully vaccinated remains for all ships, and there is no indication these protocols are going anywhere.

Moreover, enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols are being utilized onboard ships. Royal Caribbean already enhanced its air-filtration systems before cruises restarted in 2021 to ensure the airborne spread of Covid would be a nearly non-existent threat.

Thankfully, the emuster process remains unchanged as well. Guests complete most of the safety drill on their smartphone at their leisure on the first day, and simply have to report to their muster station so they know where it is located.

As you stroll along the pool deck or promenade on a sea day, you’re bound to see people stretched out with a thick novel, engrossed in some kind of story.

There’s something about a cruise that brings out the readers in so many of us. Most likely, it’s because we are away from the distractions of reality:  no work, no stress. We aren’t vegged out in front of the TV or running kids from soccer practice to Girl Scouts. Suddenly, all that time we’ve been planning to “make” to read is in front of us.

There’s no better time than a cruise, when you can kick off your shoes, grab a drink of choice, and settle in with whatever book you’ve been saving for just this opportunity.

Does this sound like a good idea to you? We have some recommendations perfect for all you March cruisers (and everyone else, too)! Pack one or two of these books in your suitcase or on your tablet for your next vacation.

Last month, we read books by black authors for Black History Month. I hope you all found something wonderful! Please share with us in the comments what you read.

Because March is Women’s History Month, we are going to focus on the lives of women from around the world. 

Fiction

• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - Those familiar with the bible story of Jacob from Genesis will recognize Dinah’s voice as she tells this ancient story of womanhood. Meet Rachel and Leah as they show us what it was like to be a wife in the time of the Old Testament.
• The Testaments by Margaret Atwood - The sequel to Margaret Atwood’s famous Handmaid’s Tale. It picks up fifteen years after Offred’s ending, and so we are hearing testimonies from three handmaidens. Definitely read the first book if you haven’t yet! (The TV show on Hulu is pretty terrific too!)
• Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris - For those who like to read about WWII, this one is a must. Cilka is rescued from Auschwitz when she is 18, but the Russians accuse her of helping the Nazis, and so they send her to a gulag to be imprisoned again. This is a follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
• The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson - Head to Appalachia in the 1930s, and meet a traveling librarian who rode on horseback to deliver books to her mountain patrons. This story not only discusses the difficult subject of poverty found in Appalachia, but introduces us to the Blue Fugates of Kentucky.
• VOX by Christina Dalcher - Half the population in America no longer have a voice. The government passed a law that women can no longer speak, hold jobs, read or write. But Jean is on a mission to protect herself and her daughter.

Nonfiction

• We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union - Actress Gabrielle Union brings us in to her devastating story of sexual abuse, by talking with us as dear friends gathered on a couch sharing a bottle of wine. 
• Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls by Jes Baker - This book breaks down the barriers of our language of self hate, and how society portrays and discusses weight in media. 
• Pure by Linda Kay Klein - Take a look at purity culture within the modern Evangelical church, and how it affects young girls today. How are those who grew up in the church deconstructing from the mindset they were raised in, now that they are adults?
• I am Bacha Posh by Ukmina Manoori - It is tradition, in Afghanistan, that if a man has many daughters, but no sons, that one daughter will be chosen to live as a boy so that errands can be run without persecution. I am Bacha Posh is the story of one girl’s journey as that chosen daughter.
• The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee - Due to the terrifying dictatorship of North Korea, Hyeonseo Lee had to flee her home at a young age. She had no idea how long she would be separated from her family, but knew she had to get them out too. 

Are you someone who likes to read when you get on board your vacation cruise? How many books do you usually pack? What are you reading for Women's History Month?

We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!

This was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

Royal Caribbean changed its policy for unvaccinated guests on shore excursions.

For departures on or after March 18, 2022: all guests, regardless of vaccination status, may visit most ports freely or book a shore excursion.

There are a few exceptions, such as Barbados or Falmouth.

Royal Caribbean News

• CDC lowers travel warning against cruise ships
• Australia cruise ship ban will end on April 17
• CDC relaxes more cruise ship Covid-19 protocols
• Royal Caribbean updates: Hideaway Beach, fuel surcharge & more!
• Wonder of the Seas Guide, itinerary, features, and more
• The Mason Jar Southern food restaurant review on Wonder of the Seas
• The most Instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean launches new pre-cruise sale on drink packages, wifi and more
• The questions people are asking about Wonder of the Seas
• Easy Monkey, Sloth & Iguana tour review in Roatan
• My Impressions of Perfect Day at CocoCay: Revisiting 13 Years Later

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 446th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a roundtable review of Wonder of the Seas.

In this episode, Erica Silverstein and Ashley Kosciolek from The Points Guy talk with Matt about what they experienced on Wonder of the Seas.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: Royal Caribbean Dining Package Pros & Cons

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Royal Caribbean Dining Package Pros & Cons — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

What's different about Wonder of the Seas compared to other Oasis Class ships?

In some ways, Wonder of the Seas can be looked at as an “Oasis Plus” class compared to just an Oasis Class ship.

Whether you’re simply curious as to what Wonder of the Seas is like or you are planning a cruise on the ship, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of how Wonder of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships.

Royal Caribbean launches hotel booking platform

Royal Caribbean will let you book airfare and now hotels along with your cruise.

The new Royal Caribbean Hotels program is a partnership with Priceline, which aims to offer cruisers an easy way to get a pre-cruise hotel.

Royal Caribbean says this new program offers exclusive rates with thousands of hotels in every Royal Caribbean departure and arrival port, including those in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific as well as North, South and Central America.

What it's like to go on an Alaska cruise in the early season

What's it like to cruise to Alaska in May or early June?

The early cruise season in Alaska is often overlooked due to the fact that it does not fit in the school vacation schedule and that temperatures may not be as high as in the peak of summer.

Here’s an overview of what to expect on an Alaska cruise in the early season.

On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its requirements for cruise ships sailing in U.S. waters by relaxing a few protocols.

All the cruise lines operating in the United States, including Royal Caribbean, are operating under the CDC's Covid-19 Program for Cruise Ships. This is a series of regulations that govern Covid-19 protocols onboard.

Over the last few weeks, the CDC has rolled back many Covid-19 protocols surrounding the operation of cruise ships, including twice lowering the warning level for travel on cruise ships.

The CDC changed three rules that make things easier for the cruise lines.

Interactive experiences

Cruise ship operators may resume interactive experiences such as galley tours and cooking classes. 

Up until now, these onboard activities were prohibited, such as interactive cooking, culinary workshops and demonstrations, mixology/blending classes, and galley and other "behind the scene" tours.

With the change, the requirements for food services for cruise ships operating under the CDC's classification of highly vaccinated ships (which is what Royal Caribbean does), become recommendations instead of requirements.

This opens the way for activities such as sushi making classes, behind-the-scenes tours, and cupcake making classes to resume.

Quarantine in own cabin

If a traveler identified as a close contact is disembarking the ship within 36 hours, the cruise line may allow the traveler to stay in the original cabin if the traveler will be the only person in that cabin.

Previously, they would have been moved to quarantined area of the ship with special cabins for someone confirmed or suspected of having Covid-19.

Port agreements

The CDC also revised the requirements cruise lines must have with the ports their ships sail from.

Specifically, the CDC modified port agreements, removing ship and capacity limits at ports. 

Cruise industry reaction

Following the changed rules, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) issued a statement that characterized these revisions as, "welcome changes."

"CLIA cruise line members continue to lead the way in unmatched health and safety measures compared to virtually any other commercial setting. "

"The updates announced today acknowledge the effectiveness of the cruise lines in their ability to create an environment that provides one of the highest levels of COVID-19 mitigation and reflect the improvements in the public health landscape."

"CLIA member cruise lines will continue to operate in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of everyone onboard, as well as the communities that we visit."

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but she has several key differences that make her stand apart from other ships in the class.

Photo by @AdamsAway

In some ways, Wonder of the Seas can be looked at as an “Oasis Plus” class compared to just an Oasis Class ship. While she shares many of the same restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues as other Oasis Class ships, significant enhancements were made to her design and layout.

Whether you’re simply curious as to what Wonder of the Seas is like or you are planning a cruise on the ship, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of how Wonder of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships.

Suite Neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas

The biggest difference between Wonder of the Seas and other Oasis Class ships is the addition of an eighth neighborhood onboard: the Suite Neighborhood.

The Suite Neighborhood is an exclusive enclave onboard just for suite guests. Within the suite neighborhood is the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and suite concierge. Hallways and entrances to most suites are located within this area as well.

The most upgraded enhancement to the Suite Neighborhood is the Suite Sun Deck. On other Royal Caribbean ships, the sun deck is usually quite small with lounge chairs available. The sun deck on Wonder of the Seas, though, is complete with a private bar, plunge pool, in-pool loungers, and a variety of comfy seating for guests.

While not entirely a “ship within a ship” concept, the Suite Neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas can really enhance the cruise experience for suite guests by offering private, quieter areas onboard to relax and dine.

Staterooms on Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas shares the same stateroom categories as other Oasis Class ships. From interior rooms to extravagant suites, there is a cabin to fit any budget.

She does have a few differences in layout, location, and offerings of staterooms, though.

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, where many loft suites face the Sports Court, this area is now taken by the Suite Sun Deck on Wonder of the Seas. Therefore, most suites located in this area of the ship face the ocean instead.

Wonder of the Seas, like Symphony of the Seas, has the Ultimate Family Suite. Designed to be the most kid-friendly stateroom onboard, the Ultimate Family Suite has its own in-suite slide, jacuzzi, step climbers, piano key stairs, and private game/movie room. The Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder of the Seas is larger than on Symphony, with three bedrooms and the option to convert the game room into a fourth.

Like all Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas has Boardwalk and Central Park balconies. One important thing to note before booking a Central Park balcony on Wonder of the Seas, however, is that the jumbo television screen from the pool deck overlooks Central Park.

As movies and music are often playing loudly on the screen during the day and evening, a Central Park balcony on Wonder of the Seas may be less peaceful than on other Oasis Class ships.

Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas

When Royal Caribbean originally designed the Oasis Class ships, the Windjammer was not held to the same importance as on previous classes of ships. With so many other new complimentary dining locations onboard, such as Solarium Bistro and Park Cafe, Royal Caribbean thought the Windjammer would be less important to guests. 

Therefore, on other Oasis Class ships, the Windjammer is smaller and tends to get crowded during meal times.

When designing Wonder of the Seas, though, Royal Caribbean recognized that even with a plethora of other dining options onboard, the buffet remains an extremely popular dining venue. Rather than keeping the venue small, they decided to create the largest Windjammer in the fleet.

The Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas wraps around the entire Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 15, which differs from other Oasis Class ships both in deck number and layout.

There is also a standalone vegetarian section available at the Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas, making dining as a vegetarian a breeze.

Solarium on Wonder of the Seas

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, where the Solarium is only partially covered for shade, the Solarium on Wonder of the Seas is totally enclosed and climate-controlled.

The Wonder of the Seas Solarium resembles the Solarium on a Quantum Class ship more than that of other Oasis Class ships. Quantum Class ships have a fully enclosed Solarium, allowing them to sail in both warm and cold regions of the world, whereas Oasis Class ships tend to stick to warm weather climates.

The Solarium has plenty of padded pool chairs and other comfy seating as well, giving guests a relaxing, adults-only oasis that can be enjoyed rain or shine.

Pool deck

Wonder of the Seas brings a more upgraded pool deck experience compared to other Oasis Class ships.

Like Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas has a Caribbean style pool deck, featuring colorful decor, The Lime and Coconut bar, and private casitas.

Aside from decor, though, the pool deck has a few layout differences from other Oasis Class ships. First is the movie screen viewing area, where guests can relax on padded theater chairs during the day and night, whether to watch a movie or catch some sun.

Speaking of a movie, the TV screen on the pool deck is the largest television on any Royal Caribbean ship.

On either side of the theater chairs are padded pool chairs. This area resembles the Suite Sun Deck found on Voyager and Freedom Class ships, but is available to all guests onboard. 

While more of a design difference than an amenity, Wonder of the Seas has an exterior shell at the sides in the middle of the pool deck which is used as support for the ship’s giant Crown & Anchor logo.

Activities and entertainment on Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature the Wonder Playscape, an underwater-themed climbing playground for kids. Here kids can enjoy slides, climbing nets, and games. The Wonder Playscape is connected to the Wonder Dunes mini golf, offering an area of the Sports Court filled with activity for young cruisers.

The Wonder Playscape has taken the spot of what would have been a second FlowRider. Therefore, unlike other Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas only has one FlowRider.

In regards to entertainment, Wonder of the Seas is currently the only Oasis Class ship without a full-length Broadway show onboard. Instead, she has two headliner shows in the Royal Theater: Voices and The Effectors II.

A second entertainment difference found on Wonder of the Seas is the lack of Jazz on 4. Unlike other Oasis Class ships which have a standalone venue for live jazz music, Wonder of the Seas has a high-roller casino in its location.

The Golden Room is a high-roller casino space designed for top casino guests. Currently this area is open to all guests, offering slot machines as well as table games such as roulette. It is also currently a non-smoking casino.

The Golden Room is likely a leftover design choice from when Wonder of the Seas was being built for the Asian cruise market, as ships sailing from China tend to have more casino space onboard.

New bars and restaurants on Wonder of the Seas

Cantina Fresca is a new bar found only on Wonder of the Seas. Connected to El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca offers a Mexican-inspired drink menu with the best margaritas you’ll find onboard. This has proved to be a popular bar on Wonder of the Seas, with many guests grabbing a drink while eating at El Loco Fresh or hanging out on the sports deck.

The Vue is the second new bar on Wonder of the Seas, which takes the spot of what would have been a second cantilevered hot tub near the Solarium. The Vue extends over the side of the ship and a signature drink menu specific to the bar is coming soon.

The Mason Jar is the third new venue on Wonder of the Seas, as well as the first southern-inspired restaurant on a Royal Caribbean ship. One side of the venue is a restaurant open for brunch and dinner, which offers a diverse range of dishes from around the American south.

The other side of the venue is The Mason Jar Bar, focusing on drinks made from bourbon and moonshine and featuring a live country band.

While not a new restaurant, Wonder of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship to have Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. The menu at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen tends to lean more towards Italian-American cuisine compared to traditional Italian food, and offers a selection of homemade pastas, pizzas, and meat dishes.

Miscellaneous differences on Wonder of the Seas

The Diamond Lounge has virtual balconies, so guests can see outside in the venue as there are no windows in the space.

Located on the Boardwalk is a kids-only souvenir store with apparel, games, legos, stuffed animals, and more.

The AquaTheater has a more enclosed design compared to other ships, and the AquaTheater show is the only one to feature an all-female cast.

The Social100 Patio for teens on Wonder of the Seas has its own non-alcoholic bar and jacuzzi.

What would have been the Suite Sun Deck area on other Oasis Class ships (deck 17 forward) is now seating space available for all guests.

The casino has sliding doors that open and close as you enter, which helps to keep smoke contained.

Elevators on Wonder of the Seas use a touchscreen feature, and several floors have images or graphics next to the number to help guests remember what is on each floor.

There is a room with vending machines, selling everything from toiletries to headphones, located on deck 15 near Social100.

The largest cruise ship in the world offers plenty of picture taking opportunities. From pictures of the ocean at sunset to selfies with astronauts, there are an abundance of places to capture your vacation memories on Wonder of the Seas.

Whether you are looking for a classic cruise shot of the ship’s aft or one that showcases the impressive design and architecture of Wonder of the Seas, you will have no trouble taking excellent photos onboard.

Get your camera ready and discover the most instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas. 

(Warning: these are guaranteed to make everyone at home jealous!)

Astronaut on the pool deck

There are three astronauts found on Wonder of the Seas, which are scattered throughout the ship. Finding the astronauts can be a fun scavenger hunt activity for guests onboard, and it also provides a perfect photo opportunity!

The most accessible astronaut for photos is found at the pool deck's movie screen viewing area, where an astronaut is sitting and watching the pool deck's jumbo television.

Taking a photo with the astronaut is a fun vacation memory, and it's a lot easier to get a picture with the pool deck astronaut than the one climbing the rock climbing wall!

Location: between decks 15 and 16, midship

Butterfly wings on the sports deck

A butterfly wing mural is a classic Instagram shot, with street art painted in the shape of wings and a space in the middle for someone to stand.

Royal Caribbean recognized this photo trend and added a butterfly wing mural to Wonder of the Seas. When walking from the upper pool deck to the Sports Court on deck 16, you’ll run into the butterfly wings on the wall. You may have to move a few chairs around to get the best picture possible.

Location: deck 16, aft & starboard

Central Park at night

While Central Park is a peaceful oasis on Wonder of the Seas no matter the time of day, its beauty really shines through once the sun goes down.

At night, Central Park is lit with lights of all colors. From gold twinkle lights on the shrubs to blue light shining from the Royal Promenade, it’s certainly one of the most picturesque places onboard.

The best photo taking opportunity at Central Park is before you go to dinner on a formal night, when you’ll be dressed in your best clothes and ready to capture a memory on camera.

Location: deck 8, midship

The Vue bar at sunset

The Vue is one of the new bars on Wonder of the Seas and is perhaps the most instagramable of all bars onboard.

The Vue extends over the side of the ship to offer fantastic ocean views. The best time to take a photo at The Vue is during sunset, where not only the sky lights up, but also the mosaic canopy over the bar.

Location: deck 15, forward

Swing at The Mason Jar Bar

Another new bar on Wonder of the Seas is at The Mason Jar. The Mason Jar Bar was designed with comfort in mind. Rocking chairs and padded seating dot the bar, offering a comfy place to relax while tasting the bar’s signature cocktails and listening to the live country band.

Located in the bar is a large swing covered with pillows in front of a row of flowers. While not a stereotypical cruise photo showing the ship or ocean, the swing offers a cute spot for friends, couples, and families looking for a group photo.

Location: deck 15, aft

Pool deck photo overlooking Central Park

Oasis Class cruise ships have a split pool deck where you can look into the Central Park neighborhood below. 

If you walk on the upper pool deck on deck 16 near The Lime and Coconut Bar, you'll reach a fantastic view of the pool deck with the park below you. This is a classic instagramable spot on any Oasis Class ship, and it really puts into perspective just how big the Oasis Class truly is.

Pro tip: use a wide angle lens or selfie stick in this area to ensure you capture the entire pool area in your photo.

Location: deck 16, midship

Views of the ship’s wake

A classic cruise photo is standing at the back of the ship with a view of the ship's wake. There are a few places to take this photo on Wonder of the Seas.

The best spot to take this picture is from the back of the jogging track on deck 5. As the jogging track reaches the back of the ship, it opens up to an expansive view of the ocean, offering close-up views of Wonder of the Seas moving through the sea.

Another top location for a photo of the ship's wake is from the back of the sports deck. While further away from the water than the running track, this area offers more angles for your photos.

The back of the sports deck or running track can also be good spots to take photos during sailaway or while Wonder of the Seas is in port.

Outside the spa overlooking the Royal Promenade

Right near the entrance to the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center on Wonder of the Seas is a scenic overlook of the Royal Promenade. This spot gives a full view down the entire Promenade, offering a great location to take photos of the ship.

Whether you want to take a selfie, pose for a photo, or take a picture of the Promenade itself, this is one of the best places to do so on Wonder of the Seas.

Location: deck 6, forward

Solarium bridge wings

One of the hidden secrets on Wonder of the Seas are the Solarium bridge wings. Located all the way forward in the adults-only Solarium are two platforms that extend over the side of the ship.

This area is usually not very crowded and offers unobstructed views of the ship's exterior and ocean. This area does tend to get extremely windy, though, so keep that in mind for your photo session!

The bridge wings provide an even better photo opportunity when you are sailing into or out of port, offering the chance to capture pictures of the beautiful destinations Wonder of the Seas visits.

Location: deck 15, forward

Looking for more instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas? Check out our full ship tour to discover more of the ship

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We're almost through the work week, and I've got an update to share about different Royal Caribbean changes and happenings.

Throughout the week, Royal Caribbean news comes in, and some of it is not necessarily worthy of an individual article, but I think readers will still want to know about it.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

Hideaway Beach construction

As reported last week, the new adults-only beach area at Perfect Day at CocoCay is under construction.

Previously, the land was being cleared, but actual construction began recently.

The current estimate is for Hideaway Beach to open in mid to late 2023.

Oil surcharge?

Rising crude oil prices have impacts throughout society, including cruise ships.

Some have wondered if fuel surcharges could return to cruise fares, but Royal Caribbean says don't expect them.

According to a report by The Points Guy, Royal Caribbean has no plans to bring back fuel surcharges, even if oil prices continue going up.

The price of West Texas Intermediate oil had gotten as high as $130 per barrel, but has come back down to around $100 per barrel more recently.

Island hop

A favorite topic to track here on Royal Caribbean Blog is new trademark filings, and Royal Caribbean has a new one.

The cruise line trademarked, "Island Hop" without much indication what it could be used for.

The description for Island Hop is "Travel agency services, namely, making reservations and bookings for transportation; Travel agency services, namely, making reservations and bookings for cruises; Travel arrangement"

Galveston cruise terminal construction

Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal in Galveston continues to move forward.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader billdauterive shared new photos while sailing past the construction site on Adventure of the Seas.

The new $125 million cruise terminal will open in Fall 2022 in time for Allure of the Seas to begin cruising from there.

New cruises from Los Angeles delayed

Royal Caribbean has pushed back when its new batch of cruises from Los Angeles will be posted.

The 2023-2024 cruises from L.A. have been delayed until the week of April 4.

Prior to that release, Australia's deployments for 2023-2024 will be posted next week, followed by Barbados & Panama sailings the week of March 28.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise planner sale kicks off today with up to 35% off pre-cruise add-ons.

The pre-cruise sale is valid on purchases made between March 17 - 23, 2022 on sailings departing between March 21, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

Here is what is included during the sale:

Beverage: Up to 45% off

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 25% off onboard prices.
• Spring Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• San Benedetto Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• Evian Water Bottles: 40% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 30% off onboard prices.
• Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship.

Shore Excursions: Up to 25% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.

Dining: Up to 55% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship.

Internet: Up to 50% Off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

Gifts & Gear: Up to 20% Off

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries
• Inky Beach Set
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe)
• Inky Travel Set
• Red Wine and Cheese
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel
• Strawberries with Champagne
• White Wine and Cheese

Photo Packages: Up to 70% Off

• Photo Packages: From 5 - 100 Print and/or Digital Options: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Picture This Private Studio: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: All Digital: Discount varies by ship.

Spa: Up to 30% off

• Spa Packages: Discount varies by ship.

Can I save money with this sale?

Each Royal Caribbean sale adds the potential to save money on the cost of these purchases, but the price does not change for every single sailing and item available to purchase.

Some prices may change, but there is not a flat discount applied across all sailings.  Some people will notice better prices, while others may not see any change.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

More helpful information

• Should you buy pre-cruise purchases now or wait to buy it onboard?
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• How much should I budget for a cruise?