Cruising used to be a cheap getaway, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Although I find great value from taking a cruise, there’s no denying the cost has increased significantly over the last five years.

Not to mention, Royal Caribbean has been shifting their strategy to offer more party-focused cruises with short Caribbean itineraries. 

For example, Utopia of the Seas debuted last summer as Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis class vessel. The brand-new ship started offering 3-night and 4-night getaway cruises from Port Canaveral in Florida, and it proved to be a huge hit. Following Utopia of the Seas’ success, Royal Caribbean recently shifted another Oasis class ship, Wonder of the Seas, from 7-night sailings to 3-night and 4-night Bahamas cruises.

Short cruises are huge money-makers for the cruise line. In addition to attracting new cruisers, these party-focused itineraries are typically more expensive on a per-night basis. These itineraries also sell out faster than other sailings, so they make sense from a business standpoint.

For the consumer, short cruisers are also a winning strategy. The overall cost is often less for a 3-night or 4-night cruise fare, and you don’t need to take as many PTO days. This allows cruisers to set sail more often compared to weeklong itineraries, which can be more expensive overall and require more vacation days.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's President and CEO, stated in a 2025 Q2 press release, “As consumer preferences continue to evolve - toward more frequent vacations, closer-in vacation planning, and a greater focus on meaningful, experience-driven travel - our experiences are designed to meet these evolving expectations.”

Royal Caribbean has found that onboard spending has been higher as they’ve shifted more ships to shorter Caribbean itineraries. In the same 2025 Q2 financial update, Royal Caribbean stated, “Guest spending onboard and pre-cruise purchases continue to exceed prior years, driven by greater participation at higher prices.”

After totaling everything I spent on my 4-night Wonder of the Seas cruise, it’s easy to see why Royal Caribbean is leaning into short getaways. I spent $2,337.47 on my entire vacation last month, from $179.45 at specialty dining restaurants to $57 on internet access. Here’s a breakdown of my spending.

Our cruise fare was $1,315 for the cheapest interior cabin.

My best friend and I decided a few months ago that we were looking for a girl’s getaway trip together. She lives across the country from me, so this would be the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together. Not to mention, this was her first cruise!

Instead of splurging for a balcony, we opted for the cheapest interior cabin. This happened to be a guaranteed stateroom, meaning we didn’t get to choose the location of our cabin. Although this can be a gamble, it saved us money that we could spend elsewhere during our cruise.

We were pleased to be assigned an interior cabin on Deck 8 towards the front of the ship. The decks above and below us were also staterooms, which kept noise to a minimum. This was a great location on Wonder of the Seas, as we were close to the open-air Central Park with restaurants, bars, and shops. We were never far from the main attractions either.

Although our cabin was modern, it was extremely compact. After sailing in an interior cabin aboard sister-ship Utopia of the Seas, I expected the stateroom to be similar in terms of size and design. This wasn’t the case though, as our cabin was significantly smaller aboard Wonder of the Seas.

To my surprise, this interior cabin had very little space and lacked any couch or chair for additional seating. The layout was also unusual, with the vanity directly in front of my bed. We decided to separate the beds to open up the space, which did help.

The air conditioning also seemed temperamental, which isn’t good for a hot cruise to the Bahamas in August! Luckily, we requested a fan from our cabin attendant, and he provided a large floor fan that kept air circulating all night.

Other than the cabin’s size and temperature control, we had everything else we needed for our short cruise. Because Wonder of the Seas has so much to offer for entertainment, onboard attractions, and activities, we hardly spent any time in our stateroom anyway.

This was the largest expense of our entire vacation, totaling about 56% of the overall cost. Our fare included port fees, taxes, and prepaid gratuities.

I paid $57.98 for VOOM internet, but the reliable speed was worth it!

I always purchase internet while cruising, as my remote work requires occasional meetings and emails. As a Diamond Plus loyalty member, I receive two free days of VOOM Internet access on every cruise. On a 4-night cruise, this means I only needed to pay for two days to have unlimited internet access for the entire cruise.

I purchased my VOOM Surf + Stream internet package on the first day, which allowed me to apply my loyalty discount. I wish Royal Caribbean would provide loyalty discounts to purchases in the Cruise Planner before boarding. Had I purchased the Wi-Fi package before boarding, it would have cost around $92 for the 4-night voyage. Onboard, the cost was $115; but with my loyalty discount, the $57.98 cost was still cheaper than pre-purchasing.

The internet was fast and reliable throughout our entire cruise. I also appreciated being able to use the package while ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay. My friend was also surprised by the internet’s speed and reliability, as it was her first cruise and she wasn’t sure what to expect. 

This was one of the smallest expenses, costing only 2% of the total vacation cost.

We also splurged on specialty dining for two meals, costing us $179.45.

Oasis class ships are packed with specialty dining restaurants. And after trying other competitor cruise lines, I believe Royal Caribbean has the best specialty dining at sea. In this way, I am always happy to splurge on a specialty dining meal.

I typically book a specialty restaurant on the first night of the cruise, as it’s a reprieve from a hectic boarding day. Specialty dining restaurants are more upscale and intimate with attentive service, which can be a nice change from the main dining room. My friend wanted to try Chops Grille steakhouse, and I was happy to oblige!

We reserved a table for our first night, which allowed us to take advantage of my Diamond Plus BOGO specialty dining offer. The meal was excellent! We loved the experience of eating outside in Central Park as we sailed away from Miami on the first evening. I also tried the ribeye for the first time — it’s a new favorite! This meal was $76.70 for two people.

In addition, my friend loves sushi and definitely wanted to try Izumi, which is Royal Caribbean's Asian-inspired specialty venue. We decided to book lunch at Izumi while the ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas. This worked out perfectly following our short day ashore, as we only walked around the port area. We both ordered the prix fixe option from Izumi's expansive menu, which included an appetizer, two main course selections, and dessert.

My friend tried the tuna poke bowl and sushi while I opted for the beef noodles and stir fry. She didn’t love her sushi, but everything else was fabulous. Izumi does not offer lunch specials, so it’s the same price regardless of when you dine. We paid $94.90 for our lunch here.

Finally, I couldn’t resist a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks! It was the first day of Starbucks offering their fall menu for the season, so I couldn’t say no. This latte was $7.85 and, although pricey, was similarly priced to what you'd pay at Starbucks on land.

In total, we spent $179.45 on specialty dining during our 4-night Wonder of the Seas cruise, or 8% of our vacation’s total cost. And it was worth every single cent!

My flight to Miami was $380 while airport parking was $20, totaling $400.

Even though I live in Florida, the Panhandle is about as far from Miami as you can get in the state. Instead of driving 8.5 hours, I opted to book a flight instead. My round-trip airfare on Delta Air Lines was $380 from my small airport in Destin, Florida. I also paid $20 to park my car at the airport. On the other hand, my friend booked her flight with points, making it technically free!

Typically, I prefer cruising from Port Canaveral, Florida due to the shorter driving distance. Airfare can add up quickly if you’re flying to a cruise port, especially if you’re traveling with kids. For this reason, short party-focused cruises are most popular for those who can drive to the embarkation port. At $380 for one ticket, this would be $1,520 for a family of four.

I was able to save some money by only eating lunch and dinner at the airport lounges, as I have access with one of my premium travel credit cards. Airport food is outrageously priced, so being able to take advantage of the airport lounges helps keep travel day costs down.

This was one of the bigger expenses, totaling 17% of the entire vacation cost.

We spent $101.04 on Uber rides between the airport, hotel, and cruise port.

Another downside of flying to your cruise port is not having a car to get around. Instead, you have to rely on taxis, Ubers, or shuttles. For this trip, we flew in the night before our cruise and booked a hotel for the night (as you always should!).

My Uber from the airport to the hotel was $41.89 while the following morning’s ride to the port was only $11.02. Our hotel was very close to the cruise port, so this Uber ride was very cheap because of the close proximity. After the cruise, we took another Uber from the cruise port directly to the MIA airport, costing us $48.13.

In total, we spent around $101.04 on Uber rides in Miami, which is 4% of the vacation’s total cost.

I booked a hotel in Miami for one night before the cruise, costing $304.

Because I flew into Miami the night before our cruise, I needed to book a hotel for the night. It’s always best practice to fly into your embarkation port at least one day before your cruise departs. For international flights, I add an extra buffer day or two. This ensures you have plenty of time to account for delays or cancellations.

I landed in Miami around 9:00 P.M. and made my way to the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay. The hotel was recently remodeled, so the rooms felt up-to-date. With my Marriott status, we had breakfast included in the room fare. On the morning of embarkation, this was a great way to start our vacation.

The Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel is conveniently located by the cruise port. The morning of embarkation, we could see Wonder of the Seas in the distance at Royal Caribbean’s PortMiami cruise terminal. Because our hotel was close to the terminal, our Uber ride was quick and easy.

Overall, our hotel room was 13% of the entire trip’s cost, which is on the higher end. We probably could have booked a cheaper room closer to the airport, but we appreciated the convenience to the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

In total, our entire cruise vacation aboard Wonder of the Seas was $2,337.47.

This 4-night cruise was not necessarily a cheap getaway. We paid $2,337 in total for this vacation, including airfare, cruise fare, onboard purchases, our hotel room, and port transportation. For four nights, this comes out to $1,168.74 each, or $292 per person for each night of the cruise.

The cost of this cruise could have been much higher. For instance, I receive five complimentary drinks per day with my loyalty status. Had we purchased an expensive drink package or drinks individually, the cost would have hundreds of dollars more. We also skipped any shore excursions in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, which also cut down on costs.

In addition, my husband had to stay behind for work and, therefore, we didn’t need to pay a dog-sitter for the duration of this cruise. We’ve spent upwards of $500 to have an in-home pet sitter for our two Aussiedoodles. It’s easy to forget about the cost of pet care or home care when planning a vacation, but this can add up quickly.

In comparison, my 4-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas back in February was $2,683, which is only slightly higher than we paid for this vacation. While more expensive than you might anticipate, I really enjoy shorter cruises. In fact, I’ve already booked another sailing aboard Utopia of the Seas this winter. If you're a first-time cruiser or simply wanting a quick vacation, I would definitely recommend Royal Caribbean's short Caribbean options.

Oasis of the Seas was the first of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, but Wonder of the Seas introduced so many improvements to these ships.

Both ships are among the largest in the world and are in the process of shifting to shorter Caribbean cruises in a move meant to attract more new cruisers.

While Oasis and Wonder are separated by over 10 years in their debuts, they're still more similar than different.

However, there are notable differences between the two worth considering before you choose one.

Ship overview

Oasis of the Seas was a gamechanger when she debuted in 2009, and it's difficult to properly convey how this one ship completely changed the cruise industry overnight.

Not only was this ship the biggest in the world, but Oasis was revolutionary for its design and how much there was to do onboard.

Oasis measures 226,838 gross tons and can carry 5,602 passengers at double occupancy. 

While that's really big, Wonder is even bigger. Wonder of the Seas was also the biggest cruise ship in the world at the time of her launch. This ship weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry 5,734 passengers at double occupancy. 

Today, Wonder is the fourth largest ship behind and Oasis is eighth.

Wonder of the Seas currently sails 3 and 4-night cruises out of Miami, visiting the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Oasis of the Seas is offering 6- to 9-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 2026, Oasis moves up to Cape Liberty, New Jersey to offer cruises from the New York City area.

Here's a look at the two ship's statistics, compared:

*at double occupancy

Neighborhoods

Oasis of the Seas introduced the concept of neighborhoods as a way to make it easy for passengers to find their way around massive ships..

The idea is simple: distinguish areas with a common theme so that you'll instantly recognize where you are without memorizing the ship deck plans.

One key difference between Oasis and Wonder is there's an extra neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas.

1. Royal Promenade: Main thoroughfare filled with bars, shops, and entertainment
2. Central Park: Outdoor park with real plants and trees. You'll also find specialty dining, and shopping
3. Boardwalk: Open air section on back of the ship with the Aquatheater, along with classic carousel and restaurants
4. Pool and Sports Zone: Resort themed pool deck, featuring pools, waterslides (The Perfect Storm), the FlowRider surf simulator, and rock-climbing walls
5. Vitality Spa and Fitness Center: A wellness-focused neighborhood offering spa treatments & fitness facilities
6. Youth Zone: Adventure Ocean and teen clubs where supervised age-specific programming is offered
7. Entertainment Place: A district dedicated to evening entertainment, including the ship's main theater, casino,  & ice rink
8. Suite Neighborhood: Only on Wonder of the Seas (and Utopia), reserved area.

Oasis has a suite sun deck, but the expanded Suite Sun Deck on Wonder is truly more impressive and feels more like a resort than simply a reserved area of the pool deck.

I think the Suite Sun Deck is so impressive on Wonder, that if you're considering booking a suite and trying to decide between ships, I'd pick Wonder for that reason.

Dining

You'll find lots of dining choices on both ships, but there are a few key differences.

Each ship has plenty of included restaurants as well as specialty dining. There's sushi, steak, a sports bar, and tropical themed pool bars.

There is room service on both ships, although it has a service fee with it (continental breakfast is free).

In comparing the ships, certain restaurants aren't available on both. You'll find Wonder has a few extra venues not available on Oasis.

It's primarily in the specialty dining where there differences. Oasis of the Seas has Portside BBQ, which is a barbecue restaurant offering turkey legs, brisket, mac 'n' cheese, pulled port and more. It's priced a la carte, although there are combo offerings.

Both ships have a Giovanni's Italian restaurant, but the version on Wonder is updated. This version has a newer menu that offers an expanded menu and updated recipes.

Another difference on Wonder is it has the Mason Jar, a restaurant serving Southern American comfort food, with live music at the popular bar area.

*suite guests only

Staterooms

The choice in staterooms on Wonder of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are fairly similar, with one notable suite exception.

Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Oasis has just 2,801 cabins. It's a small difference, made up primarily of inside rooms added in places that are public areas on Oasis.

The biggest difference is that Wonder of the Seas has the Ultimate Family Suite, and Oasis does not.

This is a two story epic suite that is designed to wow and amaze just about everyone. It includes an in-suite slide, private jacuzzi, movie room, bunk beds, giant TV, and a LEGO wall.

As you might imagine, the Ultimate Family Suite is quite expensive and often costs as much about $14,000 per night!

If you'd prefer something less expensive, you'll find plenty of other cabin choices.

Both Wonder and Oasis have balcony cabins that overlook the ocean, Central Park, or Boardwalk.

Both ships also have virtual balcony cabins, which include a floor-to-ceiling screen that projects a live view from outside the ship.

Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean designed both cruise ships to offer as much as possible onboard, and they won't leave you disappointed with there not being enough to do.

There are shows in three different theaters, live music, pools, casino gambling, surfing, laser tag, and rock climbing abound on both vessels.

One key difference is Oasis of the Seas has a full Broadway show onboard, whereas Wonder relies on shows produced by the cruise line.

"Cats" is performed on each sailing of Oasis of the Seas, and it's included in your cruise fare.  

Both ships have amazing performances in the Aquadome, where there are high dive acrobat shows.

I prefer the Aqua80s show on Oasis of the Seas because of the tribute to the music of the 80s!

It's also worth noting Wonder of the Seas has the Vue Bar, whereas Oasis does not.

As its name implies, the Vue Bar offers sweeping ocean views from the pool deck.

Each night you'll find bars and lounges that feature live music. The two ships, however, do vary in entertainment venues. 

Another change between the ships is at the back of the ship, where Oasis has two FlowRider surf simulators, but Wonder has one.

Instead of two FlowRiders, Wonder has a Playscape.  This is an outdoor kids play park.

One difference (for now) is that Oasis of the Seas is sailing weeklong voyages, whereas Wonder of the Seas has transitioned to weekend cruises.

Royal Caribbean wants Wonder to have more of a party vibe to it, making it appealing to new cruisers who want to try it out.

Wonder is nicknamed, "Miami’s New Weekend Wonder" and has 10 next-level parties.

This includes:

• Bring the Beat Back: A Party Through the Decades
• Sailaway Party
• Plunge Day Pool Party
• Royal Kappa Chi (college party)
• Silent Toga Party

Oasis of the Seas isn't a floating library by any means. You'll find lots of parties and events happening. Both ships have themed nights and dance, DJ, and street parties.

A fight among passengers on one of the biggest cruise ships was so bad that Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas had to go back to port.

The incident occurred on Monday night, which was the first day of the cruise.  Wonder of the Seas had departed Miami to begin a 4-night Bahamas cruise.

According to a report by Local10, the ship returned to PortMiami on Monday night because the fight onboard injured some guests.

When the ship arrived, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel were waiting at the pier to provide medical care.

In a statement by Royal Caribbean, they explained, "Our team provided medical care to adult guests who were involved in an altercation onboard, and the guests are being treated for their injuries."

"We notified local authorities and are working closely with them. As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no more information to share at this time."

Wonder of the Seas is an Oasis Class cruise ship, capable of accommodating 6,988 passengers.

The ship launched in 2022 and just shifted to offering short 3- and 4-night cruises as part of a new strategy by the cruise line to embrace short sailings as a way to draw in new cruisers.

What happened onboard?

None of the media reports regarding the incident share what exactly occurred, but the incident caused some injuries.

Our team scoured the Facebook groups for the sailing to get witness reports from onboard the ship.

Here are what some people report, although most of it seems to be second-hand reports.

"2 incidents. Lady with broken ankle and a huge brawl. Saw the lady with her ankle and leg wrapped up and the guy into the fight with blood everywhere"

"A ships officer said there was at least two [incidents], one with the lady with a broken foot/ankle, and another one with a fight."

"A family group was just escorted off with their suitcases, by Security, from the back exit door on 5 (Royal Promenade)"

Cruise ship security measures

A fight on a cruise ship isn't common, but each ship is prepared to deal with it.

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires all cruise lines to have a security guide.

Wonder of the Seas has dedicated security and medical teams to respond to an incident onboard. Each member of the team lives on the ship and is on duty and available at all times.

According to Royal Caribbean, crime allegations are reported to law enforcement officials in the next port of call, as well as to the nation where their ships are flagged. 

The company also reports allegations of crime to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), in compliance with United States laws.

For a crime such as the man allegedly assaulting with serious bodily injury, US federal law requires Royal Caribbean to report the incident to the FBI by telephone as soon as possible, to the United States Department of Homeland Security electronically and to the USCG in writing. 

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is the latest ship in the cruise line's fleet to shift toward shorter Caribbean getaways. Now offering 3-night and 4-night cruises from Miami, Florida, Wonder of the Seas joins her sister ship, Utopia of the Seas, as the newest Oasis Class vessel sailing party-focused itineraries.

Last week, I set sail on Wonder of the Seas for the ship’s first 4-night cruise since debuting in 2022. Prior to this cruise, Wonder of the Seas has only been sailing 7-night itineraries. My best friend flew to Miami to join me on her first ever cruise! We were eager to see what the experience would be like, especially as Wonder of the Seas begins a new era of party cruises.

I’ll be honest: I’m not a huge partier. That’s not to say I don’t like to have fun, but I prefer spending my evenings attending the headliner production shows versus dancing in the nightclub into the late evening. Whenever I cruise with my 64-year-old parents, I’m often going to bed earlier than they are!

For this cruise, I challenged myself to attend the various parties offered onboard so I could review the entire party-centric experience. Many of the parties on the agenda were ones that I had never attended before, other than the classic Sailaway Party.

Whether you want to dance through the decades or rock a toga at the headphone disco, Wonder of the Seas had no shortage of parties. However, even with all of the parties, I never felt like the onboard crowd was out of control. After witnessing some crazy parties on rival Carnival Cruise Line, I was relieved to see a lively atmosphere without chaos.

During my Wonder of the Seas cruise, I attended five different parties to see how they compared. Here’s what each party was like, and which one was clearly better than the others!

1. Sailaway Party

Embarkation day is always exciting, as it’s the start of another cruise vacation! There’s no better way to kick off your cruise than a classic Sailaway Party on the pool deck. I’ve attended many of these parties throughout my years of cruising, so I was prepared for a crazy gathering as we sailed away from Miami.

We arrived shortly before the party started on the pool deck, right around 4:30 p.m. Many cruisers were already in the pool by the time the Sailaway Party started while others lined around the deck above the pool.

Unlike many cruise ships, Oasis Class vessels don’t have a traditional pool deck because of the open-air Central Park below. Instead, there are two pools split between the starboard and port sides. This layout limits the amount of open space for gathering, so most of the party action happens in the pools themselves.

We found chairs near the ship’s Royal Caribbean logo overlooking the two pools. This was a perfect spot, as it was slightly shaded without being too far from the action. The cruise director, live band, and activity staff members were across the deck and kept the party going.

To my surprise, the Sailaway Party felt relatively tame compared to others I’ve experienced. The crowd was excited and the music was plenty loud, but the overall energy seemed a bit lower than expected. Without much room to dance on the deck, perhaps people weren’t feeling the DJ music. I wasn’t looking for a crazy party like I’ve seen on Carnival cruises, so this Sailaway Party was lively, but laid-back. 

2. Bringing the Beat Back: A Party Through the Decades

On our first night onboard, we joined one of the sailing's first themed parties, held at 11:15 p.m. on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade. After a hearty dinner at Chops Grille, the late start felt a little tough to rally for, but we did it!

This party was described as the following: “Bring the dance moves, the energy and the threads from your favorite decade — because we’re throwing it back tonight with a groove-tastic tour through the 70s, 80s and 90s. From shoulder pads to voguing, we can’t wait to turn back time.

As the evening began, we immediately noticed many party-goers had packed themed clothes for the occasion, with lots of 70s and 80s outfits onboard! Unfortunately, our suitcase space was tight, so we didn’t bring any costumes for this party.

When the party started at 11:15 p.m., the Royal Promenade was packed with people partying, singing, and dancing! The dancers and cruise director were leading the party on a small stage in front of Cafe Promenade. Others were watching from Deck 6, which overlooks the Royal Promenade, so it was a full house. 

Many of the party-goers were around my parents’ age, which makes sense considering the decades theme. In fact, my parents probably would have loved to attend this party with many of their favorite tunes playing! We didn’t stay too late, but the energy was high and it was a lot of fun to watch.

If you’re someone who wants to partake in the themed parties, be sure to check your Royal Caribbean app prior to embarkation. Most of the themed parties will be listed in the daily agendas, so you can pack accordingly. You can also check your email for communication directly from Royal Caribbean regarding the planned parties and themed nights.

3. Plunge Day Pool Party

One new-to-me party on the agenda was the Plunge Day Pool Party, which was scheduled to take place on the second day of our cruise. This event was held on the pool deck in the early afternoon during our sea day. 

The party was described as the following: “Party, chill, repeat — Vegas style! Our resident DJ brings vibes from The Strip poolside for a day party like no other. Get ready for surprise giveaways and get down to awesome throwback jams from every genre — while our crew uses water blasters to make it rain.”

Out of all the events, this was the one I couldn’t wait for, as the description promised plenty of fun. Since I’m not someone who loves to stay up late, a daytime party is more of my vibe! By the time I arrived for the Plunge Day Pool Party, both of the pools were full of people. Many already had a drink in hand for the event when the music started playing.

The cruise director hyped up the crowd, racing around the pool deck with a camera crew and spotlighting party-goers on the big screen. People were jumping around and dancing to the DJ's tunes - it was such a fun environment! I didn’t end up catching the water blasters or any of the surprise giveaways, but the music delivered on its promise with a mix of genres that kept the energy high on the pool deck. 

There were good vibes all around, and I enjoyed attending this event the most! If you love pool parties, this is one you won’t want to miss. Even if you can’t find a spot in the pool, hang around one of the chairs or loungers to soak in the fun. 

4. Royal Kappa Chi (Adults 18+)

Nothing screams party quite like a college frat house! This was another party that I hadn’t seen before on a Royal Caribbean cruise, so I made sure to attend and see what it was all about.

This fraternity-style gathering was described as the following: "School is in session. Gather up your crew for the ultimate collegiate party with Royal Kappa Chi. We’re talking late-night pong battles and the chance to reclaim the title of flip cup champions. It’s just like the good old days, only better — with DJ mashups and party vibes.”

The Royal Kappa Chi party was held on the final night of the cruise at 8:30 p.m. in The Attic, which is a versatile lounge space on Wonder of the Seas. There were tables set up across the venue with red solo cups, perfectly branded with Royal Caribbean’s “fraternity” logo.

The tables were set up for games of beer pong, although the cups were actually filled with water. Everyone at the party was playing beer pong when I arrived, although I’m sure you could play your favorite party game with the cups. The bar was also busy, and most of the attendees were hovering near this area. 

The music was definitely geared toward the college party vibes, which was fitting for the occasion. This was a popular party with the younger crowd, as I didn’t see many older folks attending this gathering. 

Considering the event is meant to be like a fraternity party, I wasn’t surprised by the attendance demographics. I just turned 30, and I was on the older side of guests attending this party. I would guess most attendees were in their early 20s and some looked like they were still in college. If you miss your college days, this party is for you!

5. Silent Toga Party (Adults 18+)

The Silent Toga Party was held on the final night of our cruise at 10:45 p.m. in the adults-only Solarium. This themed event first debuted on sister-ship Utopia of the Seas and was originally exclusive to that vessel. The party was clearly popular, leading Royal Caribbean to add the Silent Toga Party to Wonder of the Seas as well.

The party was described as the following: “Silent disco or toga party? It’s the best of both worlds. Put on your most chic Roman garb or grab a free toga, power up those headphones, and groove to your choice of Zeus-approved jams as three DJs deliver EDM, Latin, and pop hits.”

I normally love attending the silent disco, as it’s a family favorite, especially for my dad. But, to be honest, I wasn’t overly excited about this party taking place on the last night of the cruise.

The final evening is always a bit hectic with packing and preparing for disembarkation the next morning, especially if you need to have your suitcases packed and set out in the hallway. For that reason, I would have preferred the Silent Toga Party to be scheduled the night before.

However, I can see how others might enjoy having a lively send-off on the final night. Togas are provided at the event, so you don’t need to rip apart your bedsheet for the party. There was also someone from the activities staff helping everyone assemble their togas properly. 

Regardless of it being the final night, the Silent Toga Party was well-attended with everyone donning their bedsheet togas! The dance floor filled up quickly while I was there, and everyone was dancing the night away. 

The Plunge Day Pool Party was my favorite party during the entire cruise!

Looking back, I was surprised by how much fun I had attending all of the parties on Wonder of the Seas. While late-night parties aren’t usually my thing, I loved that the sailing featured plenty of different events so everyone could find something to enjoy.

Each party had its own personality, whether it was dancing through the decades in the Royal Promenade, reliving college days at Royal Kappa Chi, or sporting a toga for a silent disco send-off.

But the Plunge Day Pool Party was, without a doubt, my favorite party on the cruise!  As someone who doesn’t usually stay up late on cruises, I loved that this party was held during the day instead of late into the evening. The Plunge Day Pool Party was fun, energetic, and lively without being too crazy. The music amplified the experience, and it perfectly fit the pool party theme!

There’s no shortage of parties on Wonder of the Seas, but even if that’s not your scene, you’ll still find plenty to love about the cruise. From the jaw-dropping entertainment to the wide selection of specialty dining restaurants, onboard thrills, and activities, there is truly something for everyone.

If you're looking for a fun-filled weekend but don't want to use up a lot of PTO days, Wonder of the Seas is a new fix for that.

Wonder of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean party ship sailing from Miami, Florida, and I was lucky enough to be onboard for the ship's first 4-night sailing. 

Joining her sister ship, Utopia of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean's push to have more of its big ships sailing short Caribbean itineraries.

These getaway cruises have proven to be massively popular for the cruise line, as cruisers can vacation without taking as many vacation days. To meet the rising demand for shorter cruises, Royal Caribbean is shifting its strategy by offering its biggest, most impressive cruise ships.

I’m a big fan of shorter cruises, as I have a hard time taking too much PTO from work. After recently cruising on Utopia of the Seas this winter, I was excited to see Wonder of the Seas beginning her season of short Caribbean itineraries. 

Here’s what it was like sailing a short cruise on Royal Caribbean’s newest party ship.

Wonder of the Seas has plenty of parties and late-night activities

Royal Caribbean has been branding Wonder of the Seas as “Miami’s New Weekend Wonder.” The ship is now decked out for “wilder weekends” with 10 next-level parties. The Oasis class vessel features more than 15 dining spots with international flavors, four pools, and 10 onboard bars.

As promised, our cruise was packed with parties and late-night activities. In fact, I ran out of time to try all of the hosted parties during our short 4-night cruise to the Bahamas. Starting with the lively Sailaway Party, it was easy to see our cruise would have a lively crowd.

Later that evening, the ship hosted Bring the Beat Back: A Party Through the Decades, a themed party in the Royal Promenade with music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This party was extremely popular and well-attended, and many cruisers dressed for the occasion.

During our sea day the next morning, I was eager to attend the Plunge Day Pool Party on the pool deck. The vibes were high with many cruisers dancing and singing from Wonder’s two main pools. This was one of my favorite parties of the entire cruise, as I much prefer a mid-day party versus a late-night gathering.

Other popular parties included the Let’s Dance Street Party, Royal Kappa Chi, and Silent Toga Party. In addition, you could attend karaoke, midnight parties in the nightclub, and the famous Crazy Quest gameshow. If you’re someone who likes to party and dance the night away, there’s no shortage of parties to attend.

Our sailing was popular for groups traveling together

Our 4-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas was packed with large travel parties. This isn’t surprising, as shorter cruises are ideal for everything from family reunions to bachelor and bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, and other celebrations at sea.

These quick getaway sailings are especially popular for large parties because they’re affordable, convenient, and easy to coordinate. With most short cruises lasting just 3 to 5 nights, they’re far less expensive than weeklong itineraries. In addition, longer cruises require more PTO days and planning, which can be difficult to align across busy work, school, and family schedules.

In fact, I’d argue that Oasis Class ships are some of the best in the industry for group travel. Most of my extended family cruises have been aboard Oasis Class vessels, and they’re always crowdpleasers for kids, adults, and everyone in between.

Read more: 6 things to know before you book Wonder of the Seas

At 236,000 gross tons, Wonder of the Seas truly has something for everyone. Families with children can enjoy nonstop action, from onboard thrills to Adventure Ocean youth programs and the Social100 teen club. Adults hoping for a reprieve from the youngest cruisers can enjoy the expansive adults-only Solarium, along with an array of bars and lounges.

Between the variety of dining, onboard attractions, entertainment, and multiple neighborhoods, Wonder of the Seas was a popular choice for groups traveling together. Don’t be surprised to find large travel parties if you’re cruising on Wonder of the Seas, as the party atmosphere will likely continue to attract celebratory groups.

The cruise was energetic, but never out of control

I’ve taken my fair share of party cruises, including a few particularly spirited cruises with Carnival Cruise Line. I wasn’t sure what to expect for our cruise on Wonder of the Seas, although I’ve been on other Royal Caribbean weekend cruises, and the craziest experiences have been over spring break.

Even still, I was prepared for a party atmosphere onboard, especially considering Royal Caribbean’s “wildest weekend” branding for this cruise. I love having a good time, but chaotic, out-of-control crowds aren’t really my scene.

Throughout our cruise, there was definitely an energetic ambiance, but I never felt like things were rowdy, hectic, or disorderly. The only time we experienced a noisy crowd was during our Nassau sailaway in the Solarium. Even then, the group of adults chanting and taking shots wasn’t over-the-top.

If anything, I found the older kids and rambunctious teens to be more of an issue. It wasn’t uncommon to find groups of teens sitting around the stairwell. I even saw a few teens hitting their vapes throughout the ship, and not in the designated smoking areas.

The ship was busy at times with some long lines

One of the biggest downfalls of cruising on a mainstream, mega cruise ship is dealing with crowds. This can inadvertently lead to long lines across the ship for the popular amenities and restaurants.

Although the ship was definitely busy at times, Royal Caribbean designed Wonder of the Seas in a way that helps ease crowds and prevent bottlenecks. Like all Oasis class vessels, Wonder of the Seas utilizes its distinct neighborhood concept to disperse crowds and reduce congestion.

However, when you’re cruising with thousands of other passengers, there are bound to be crowds. In particular, embarkation day was especially busy in the Windjammer buffet and Royal Promenade. Actually, the Windjammer buffet was always busy and crowded when we visited. In my opinion, the buffet space is too small to accommodate such a large crowd.

Another busy venue was Sorrento’s pizzeria in the Royal Promenade. While the line moved quickly, there was always a small mob of people waiting for a fresh slice of pizza. Because this was one of the few late-night food options, the party crowd seemed to gravitate here in the evenings.

The most popular attractions also had long lines. For instance, I considered riding the zip-line across the top deck, but the line was always too long. In the scorching summer heat, the slow-moving line wasn’t worthwhile for me. Those cruising on Wonder of the Seas should consider trying all of the onboard thrills on embarkation day or while the ship is docked in port to avoid the longer lines.

We loved Royal Caribbean’s signature entertainment each night

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class vessels have some of the best entertainment in the entire cruise industry. While other cruise lines are making obvious cost cuts to their entertainment, Royal Caribbean continues to invest heavily in its signature wow-factor entertainment.

The first evening, we attended the ice show on Wonder of the Seas, known as 365: The Seasons on Ice. I’m a huge fan of Royal Caribbean’s ice skating performances, as they’re the only cruise line with this style of entertainment. We were amazed at the ice stunts throughout the awe-inspiring performance.

Wonder of the Seas also features an AquaTheatre in the aft of the ship. This is another signature performance venue that you can only find on Oasis class ships, although the new Icon class features a redesigned, indoor AquaDome.

Read more: Review of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Cruise Ship

Onboard Wonder of the Seas, the AquaTheatre show is called inTENse and features an all-women cast of highly-skilled athletes. The women perform gravity-defying stunts, high dives, synchronized swimming, and acrobatics in the small pool. This impressive production was fantastic, so much so that we attended the show again. You won’t find entertainment like this on any other cruise ship!

In the Royal Theatre, you’ll find other production shows, including the technologically-heavy Effectors II: Crash and Burn. This musical headliner show is certainly geared towards kids and families with its superhero-themed storyline and music. While it won’t win any awards, the full-scale production was fun to watch with cutting-edge technology.

Finally, Wonder of the Seas also featured Voices, an a cappella-style production in the Royal Theatre. This was our least favorite production show of the cruise, as the pre-recorded vocals felt gimmicky for an “all-voices” performance. The graphics also featured obvious post-pandemic photos with masks and social distancing, which might have better aligned with the ship’s debut in 2022.

Four nights weren’t enough time to do everything we wanted

Wonder of the Seas is a massive vessel, clocking in as the 4th largest cruise ship in the world. The only cruise ships larger include Royal Caribbean’s Icon class ships and sister-ship Utopia of the Seas.

Being a ship of this magnitude, it’s impossible to experience every restaurant, amenity, and activity onboard. In a short 4-night cruise, you have to accept that you can’t do it all.

We did our best to make the most of our time onboard. For instance, we splurged on a dinner at Chops Grille the first evening so my friend could experience one of the specialty restaurants on her first cruise.

The other evenings, we had fantastic dinners in the main dining room, which is included in your cruise fare. Because we enjoyed the main dining room experience so much, we opted to visit Izumi Sushi for lunch instead of dinner. I highly recommend checking the schedule for a specialty dining lunch, as it can often save you money compared to the standard dinner price.

We didn’t get a chance to try all the complimentary restaurants, including Boardwalk Dog House and Solarium Bistro — and we barely scratched the surface of all the specialty dining options.

In particular, we wished we could have tried venues besides the Windjammer buffet for breakfast. With late nights watching the entertainment and attending the parties, we often missed the 9 a.m. cutoff time for the additional breakfast spots, such as Johnny Rockets and the main dining room. This would also alleviate some congestion in the Windjammer, which is the only breakfast option open after 10 a.m.

Brunch was not offered in the dining room either, which would be a seemingly good fit for a party-branded cruise ship. I hope Royal Caribbean reconsiders the operating hours for breakfast, given the late-night vibe of the ship.

I already booked another 4-night cruise, but this time on Utopia of the Seas

For many years, Carnival Cruise Line dominated the short cruise market, but Royal Caribbean is now shifting the landscape. With some of the world’s newest and biggest ships sailing on 3-night and 4-night itineraries, short cruises no longer mean sacrificing ship size.

It’s hard for me to take time away from work to sail on 7-night cruises, so I prefer embarking on quick, getaway cruises to save time and money. It’s just enough time to get into a vacation mindset, even if I don’t get around to experiencing every single restaurant, show, or activity onboard.

I’ve already booked another weekend getaway cruise for February 2026, but I’ll be sailing on Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida. This is only because cruising from central Florida is more convenient from my home in the Panhandle!

I wouldn’t hesitate to take a short cruise on Wonder of the Seas again, as we had a fantastic time without too much chaos onboard. There are plenty of parties to keep the most energetic cruisers entertained, but the energy was never out of control. Overall, Wonder of the Seas showed that a short cruise can still feel like a real vacation with a perfect mix of fun, relaxation, and big-ship experiences, without feeling overwhelmed.

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas nearly missed out on their port day in Costa Maya, Mexico, due to rough seas and high winds. 

The 28-year-old vessel approached the inner pier, but the captain suspended the disembarkation process because of the inclement weather conditions, with winds at about 15-18 knots.

However, as Wonder of the Seas, a newer Oasis Class vessel, sailed into port, the 235,600-gross-ton mega-ship shielded Enchantment from the wind and ocean swells. 

"The hope and now reality/success [is] that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (our portside) and allow[ing] a safe disembarkation process to the pier," said Come Cruise With Me's Dennis Post. 

It's not uncommon for captains to cancel ports due to unfavorable weather. Although disappointing, these decisions always prioritize guest and crew safety — a principle upheld by Enchantment of the Seas' crew during the initial disembarkation delay.

Coming in at 18 decks tall compared to Enchantment's 12, Wonder towered over her like a natural protector. Wonder's sheer size and position calmed the conditions along the pier enough to allow guests to safely disembark and enjoy their day in Costa Maya.

Read more: "It’s time Enchantment of the Seas was taken out back and shot" I went on the cruise ship that gets lots of hate

Everything wasn't picture-perfect, though

According to passengers on Enchantment, the Costa Maya port area was at capacity. 

Along with Wonder and Enchantment of the Seas, Carnival Jubilee, the newest ship in Carnival's fleet of fun ships, docked at Costa Maya on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. 

This brought over 10,000 guests to the port — more than it can comfortably handle with its current infrastructure. 

Read more: I spent $4,700 for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas

Brandon Green of Lakeland, Florida, was traveling aboard Enchantment of the Seas and went ashore once guests were given the all-clear, as reported by Come Cruise With Me. 

"It was a nightmare getting into the port, and once we got in, the shops were overrun," he said.

Wonder of the Seas' capacity at double occupancy is 5,734, while Enchantment's is just 2,252. Carnival Jubilee, though smaller than Wonder, still holds an impressive number of people — up to 5,362 at double occupancy. However, at full capacity, these ships can hold more people. 

Cruise ships can use this maneuver

As soon as our team read about this story, it reminded me of a similar need for wind blocking last year.

In February 2024, a sudden storm caused Royal Caribbean to evacuate Perfect Day at CocoCay. A cold front moved in quickly, and the two ships needed to get out of the port immediately.

To help, Oasis of the Seas blocked the wind so Freedom of the Seas could depart safely. The winds were so bad that normal departure procedures wouldn't be safe.

Oasis was able to block the winds for Freedom to leave. Oasis remained docked until it was safe to depart on its own.

Royal Caribbean is transforming Costa Maya into the next best destination in the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has big plans for Costa Maya: they're going to transform the port into the next sought-after destination in their Perfect Day series. 

Perfect Day Mexico is poised to elevate the private destination experience with the same blend of chill and thrill that has made Perfect Day at CocoCay a fan favorite. 

With the world's longest lazy river, the tallest waterslides in North and South America, the biggest bottle of tequila, and so much more, Perfect Day Mexico is set to redefine what it means to have a “perfect day."

Royal Caribbean doesn't plan to close off Costa Maya exclusively to its guests, but it is aiming to transform part of the port into a destination that rivals Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The port will remain open during the construction of Perfect Day Mexico. Once complete, there will be a new welcome center — built by Royal Caribbean — to acquaint guests of visiting cruise lines, including Carnival, with popular attractions in the Mahahual area and provide transportation throughout the region.

Read more: I’ve been to Perfect Day at CocoCay 9 times — 6 reasons I’m even more excited for Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Mexico

Sailing on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas is a vacation on one of the biggest cruise ship's in the world, but it also comes with a big price tag for everything it offers.

I went on a 7-night sailing that cost me more than $4,500 for the cruise fare, hotel, airfare, and plenty of onboard purchases.

Since Oasis Class ships are among my favorites at sea, I couldn’t resist sailing aboard Wonder for a week to the western Caribbean.

I made the most of my time on the ship without completely breaking the bank by employing some money-saving strategies, such as booking an interior stateroom and cruising during the shoulder season.

In total, I spent $4,698.16 on my weeklong Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise on Wonder of the Seas, including airfare to Florida and miscellaneous onboard spending. It wasn't the cheapest vacation, but it was worth every penny! 

My guarantee inside cabin was $2,292.10

In a dream world, I’d always cruise in a balcony stateroom. However, they’re more expensive than interior cabins, and given how frequently I sail, this isn’t realistic.

As such, I booked a guarantee interior stateroom for my 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas. The total was $2,292.10, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities for two people. 

Because I booked a guarantee cabin, we could not choose our stateroom’s location and were assigned cabin 9116. 

The standard interior stateroom was all the way forward on Deck 9. I typically prefer midship staterooms, especially when sailing with my partner, as she gets seasick more easily than I do. However, we got lucky on our particular sailing. 

There were very few times we felt excessive movement in our stateroom. One evening, my partner said the rocking kept her awake later than she would have liked, but a little Dramamine helped her doze off before midnight. 

That said, the stateroom was well-appointed. Traveling as a couple, we kept the bed configured together, rather than separating the mattresses and having two smaller twin-sized beds. 

Read more: I got seasick on two cruises. Here's what I'll do differently next time

Besides the location, my only other quarrels with the cabin were the lack of a loveseat or sofa and hooks. While we had a chair, I would have preferred a larger couch as a catch-all place for our miscellaneous items. At times, we had multiple bags piled on the tiny chair. 

Our cabin's walls were also noticeably bare other than a small gallery wall arrangement on the left side. As such, there wasn't a great spot to hang lanyards or day bags. Though larger staterooms onboard typically have hooks beneath the television, this area was occupied by the dresser. 

If I were to cruise on Wonder again, I'd prioritize bringing magnetic hooks to help utilize the wall space more efficiently and better organize our belongings. 

My onboard expenses, including a specialty meal at The Mason Jar and a few souvenirs, came out to $403.91

Everyone’s onboard spending looks different. Some may prefer to splurge on a drink package, whereas other cruisers might spend their money on a specialty dining package or shore excursions in port.

While on Wonder of the Seas, I didn’t fully restrict myself to the complimentary amenities. As such, my onboard spending came to $403.91.

Before the cruise, my partner and I made a reservation for The Mason Jar to try its brunch because neither of us had eaten there before.

When we booked our cruise with our travel agent, we were gifted $50 in onboard credit that we used to help offset the cost. This meant we paid just $9.20 per person or $18.40 altogether.

I wish I had a lighter dinner the night before because my stomach definitely wasn't ready for a multi-course meal at 11:00am on our final day onboard! Everything from the deviled eggs to the over-the-top cinnamon roll and twice-fried Oreos was delicious and worth the cost. 

On embarkation day, we also decided to skip the Main Dining Room and eat at Playmakers for dinner. An order of six wings, a chicken sandwich, and the infamous campfire cookie was $40.72, including an extra tip for our prompt waiter.

In addition to food, we spend money on a few souvenirs onboard. One of my guilty pleasures is purchasing new toys for my dog, Dexter. One night, as we were browsing the shops, we couldn’t resist buying a new collar and first-mate dog toy for him. These two items came out to be $22.93.

In all fairness, he did need a new collar. We somehow misplaced his and were using one that didn’t fit our old guy very well. The toy was a fun bonus!

Another miscellaneous purchase was my partner’s lanyard. I was in Florida before her, so she packed on her own. A few items were forgotten, including a lanyard! She also forgot her trusty handheld fan. Thankfully, we took it easy, booking a private driver with an air-conditioned car in Roatán, staying onboard in Cozumel, and spending time in the pool while docked in Costa Maya. 

Royal Caribbean ships don’t have a shortage of lanyards, so she picked one up on embarkation day for $10.64 in the Royal Promenade while we waited for the announcement that staterooms were ready. 

We also bought two new T-shirts in the Royal Promenade for $30. Usually, I steer clear of these sales; however, I wanted a new comfy shirt to sleep in, and $15 for an oversized shirt isn't a bad deal. 

Alcohol is something to consider on any cruise, regardless of which line you're sailing with. We limited our daily consumption since we decided to save money and not purchase a drink package. For the most part, we stuck to our four included Diamond vouchers. 

Read more: The secrets to achieving Diamond status quickly on Royal Caribbean

However, there were a few times we wanted an extra drink when attending activities like the adults-only silent disco in the Solarium or watching The Quest in Studio B. 

Plus, we tried the Bionic Bar and invented our own concoctions, and I couldn't go too long without a crisp Diet Coke. My partner also purchased a Cafe Select Coffee Card for her iced coffees each morning. Altogether, these beverages totaled $199.14. 

One night, we purchased ice cream at Sugar Beach while watching Inside Out 2 at the AquaTheater. Our two scoops of Cookies & Cream ice cream came out to $7.08. It was my first time trying Sugar Beach and though it was a nice treat, the soft serve at Sprinkles is a solid option and does not cost anything extra. 

Finally, if there’s one place my partner and I have to visit on every cruise, it’s the arcade. Or, in my case, the adult arcade, aka the casino! Between the slots and a few failed claw machines, we spent $75.00.

Before the cruise, we reserved The Key for $517.86

After 14 Royal Caribbean cruises, I decided to try The Key to see if it was worth the relatively high price tag. It came out to $517.86 for two passengers, or $36.99 per person, per night, for our weeklong cruise on Wonder of the Seas. 

The Key Program gives guests certain priority benefits, such as reserved seating in the main theater and AquaTheater, an exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room, and more. 

It also includes a VOOM Surf & Stream package for one device per person, so since my partner and I were both going to purchase a Wi-Fi package, we decided to splurge on The Key for extra perks while on our 7-night cruise. 

The Key did not include priority or expedited boarding in the terminal at Port Canaveral; however, once on the ship, we dropped off our carry-on bags in the Main Dining Room and enjoyed a three-course meal. 

It was a nice touch to begin our weeklong cruise away from the crowds in the buffet. However, the food wasn't really anything that special. 

Throughout our voyage, we also took advantage of the reserved seating in the AquaTheater. We had amazing seats front and center and were in awe of the talented divers and dancers as they performed daring stunts and synchronized routines. 

We also utilized The Key's private zip line time on the last day, though this wasn't planned. We wanted to watch the Yes or No game show in the karaoke lounge; however, all seats were filled when we arrived. Instead of standing in the corner, we made our way to Deck 16 and rode the zip line with no wait! 

Overall, though, I don't think The Key was worth the cost. While having extra benefits was nice, I'd rather spend the money on a cabin with a view or a shore excursion. 

We did not even use The Key's express disembarkation. After grabbing a coffee at Cafe Promenade, we joined the line in the Royal Promenade and were off the ship in minutes. 

I booked an excursion through Viator in Roatán, Honduras, for $140

Since my partner and I visited Cozumel last year, we opted to stay onboard, saving money and taking advantage of fewer crowds. However, it was my fiancée's first time in Roatán, and she really wanted to visit an animal sanctuary. We booked a last-minute tour through Viator for $140 including a tip, and I'd highly recommend it!

Though we booked through Viator, the tour company was called Roatán Breakaway Tours. We easily located our driver, Kendall, outside the port, and were whisked away on a 3.5-hour excursion that visited Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout, the Roatán Rum Company, and the Roatán Chocolate Factory. 

Kendall was a fantastic driver, and we learned a lot about the island as we drove to each stop. This was easily one of the highlights of our cruise! Who wouldn't want to hold an adorable sloth or have cute monkeys jump all over them?

This was the only excursion purchased, as we planned a cheap port day in Costa Maya, venturing off the ship for a quick dip in the port's pool before returning onboard. 

One thing to note is that if you plan to stay in Costa Maya's port area and use the lounge chairs, you must purchase something from a nearby bar. 

We ordered two overpriced and over-sugary mojitos for $38.00 and thought that since we bought something from a port bar, we could move freely from one pool to another. Unfortunately, we were told you must purchase something from the closest bar. So, even though we spent nearly $40.00 at the Mojito Bar, we couldn't sit near the Costa Maya Beach pool. 

While ashore, I spent $52 on souvenirs 

Even though I say I'm not going to purchase anything in port, I always come back with something new. 

This time, it was a handmade shot glass made in Honduras, as well as a magnet for my partner's desk at work and a rum cake. 

We also bought local hot sauce for our family, and my partner couldn't resist trying a cookies and cream popsicle from the Roatán Chocolate Factory. Altogether, these items came to $52. 

I spent $1,254.29 on airfare and transportation

Before my cruise on Wonder, I took a 4-night cruise aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander out of Tampa. As such, I began my two-week trip by flying into Tampa and out of Orlando. My airfare with American Airlines was $402.97. 

Thankfully, I gave myself time and flew into Tampa the day before my first cruise, as I had to deal with two canceled flights before finally departing Charlotte about four hours later than scheduled. 

After my cruise on Islander, I took an Uber from Tampa to my hotel in Orlando, where I stayed for two nights between sailings using Hyatt points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards. This was the most expensive rideshare of the trip, costing $133.95. 

Rather than spend a full Saturday in the hotel, my partner and I purchased a one-day multi-park ticket to Universal Studios. This was completely optional, though, and came out to $466.48 for both of us. 

My partner's flights were more affordable. Because she doesn't have loyalty status with a specific airline, she booked a one-way flight to Orlando on Spirit, and I used American miles for her return flight. She paid just $82.19 for the flight from Charlotte to Orlando, which included a checked bag. 

On the morning of our cruise, we took a Lyft from our hotel across Universal Studios to the Orlando airport to catch our bus to Port Canaveral for $23.75. We booked our shuttle through Go Port and paid $59.98 each or $119.96 altogether. 

It was my first time using Go Port, and it was such an easy experience. After checking in around 9:45am, we waited until our boarding group number was called. It took less than fifteen minutes from when we lined up to board the bus to when we were en route to Port Canaveral. 

Using Go Port to return to the Orlando airport was just as smooth and efficient. We easily located Go Port's check-in counter after leaving the terminal and were off in minutes thanks to an almost full bus. The shuttle got us to the airport by 8:30am, and we were through security and passing time in the lounge by 9:10am, hours ahead of our 1:00pm flight. 

The last expense of my 7-night cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas was a Lyft ride from the Charlotte airport back home, which came to $24.99.

Inside staterooms are usually my least favorite cabins on a cruise ship; however, I was pleasantly surprised by my windowless room on Wonder of the Seas. 

I began cruising on Oasis Class cruise ships at 14 when my family embarked on a weeklong spring break voyage aboard Oasis of the Seas to the Western Caribbean. 

However, I sailed on Oasis, Allure, and Harmony of the Seas before finally staying in an interior stateroom on Symphony of the Seas a few years ago. 

Since then, I've become accustomed to saving money by booking inside cabins. Most recently, I cruised in an interior stateroom on Wonder of the Seas on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. 

To save even more money, we booked a guarantee cabin, meaning that we couldn't choose our stateroom's location. As such, we were randomly assigned room 9116 at the front of the ship. 

Initally, I was worried I'd regret not selecting my cabin, as staterooms in the forward of a cruise ship can sometimes experience more motion, especially during rough seas. 

Thankfully, the seas were calm during our weeklong voyage, and we did not experience much rocking in our tiny cabin. 

Our interior stateroom was $2,292.10, including prepaid gratuities. However, I'm confident we could have gotten a better rate on our shoulder season cruise had we booked more than two months in advance. 

Though I wish we had a more central location on such a large ship, I was happy with my stateroom on Wonder of the Seas. I rarely spend much time in my cabin when cruising on mega-ships anyway! 

Tiny but well-appointed

Cruisers seeking spacious accommodations rarely book cheap interior staterooms. Because they lack natural light and don't have private verandahs, they're typically the smallest accommodations on a cruise ship. 

This was certainly the case aboard Wonder of the Seas. Our cabin wasn't large but was cleverly designed to maximize the available space. The layout was efficient, with just enough room for the essentials, including a bed, desk, chair, dresser, and two nightstands. 

On embarkation day, I asked my cabin steward for a mattress topper, as I don't find Royal Caribbean's beds the most comfortable. 

Though I was disappointed to learn Wonder didn't have toppers, he padded the bed with an extra comforter. It wasn’t quite the same as a mattress topper, but it helped improve the sleep experience and made the mattress feel much more plush than without.

Because Wonder of the Seas is a newer ship having debuted in 2022, the stateroom was well-appointed with a fresh aesthetic and modern amenities. 

Perhaps one of my favorite features was the beside charging options, as the table lamps were outfitted with USB ports and standard American outlets. 

Older Royal Caribbean ships don't usually have bedside charging options, so it's nice that the company has updated their rooms with practical, convenient features. 

I appreciate charging my phone directly from the bedside table. While it's a small detail, it makes the cruising experience much better, especially after long days exploring the ship or port when you want to scroll on social media or play a mindless game before bed. 

Cabin 9116 didn't have a shortage of other charging options, either. The vanity was home to three American outlets, two USB ports, and two European plugs. 

Typically, I never travel without my trusty European adapters, as some ships have just two American and two European outlets. 

But with the ample charging options in this cabin, I didn’t need to worry about running out of places to plug in my devices.

Another pleasant surprise was the storage space

Before my 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas, I spent 4 nights on Margaritaville at Sea's Islander and two nights in Orlando, Florida, visiting Universal Studios (I'm bummed I was there one week before they launched the new Wizarding World wands!). As such, my checked bag wasn't light, coming in at around 45 pounds! 

Between my almost-overweight bag, backpack, and my partner's belongings, I was a little concerned about where we'd stow everything in our interior cabin. To my surprise, there was enough space to organize everything.

The closet had enough hangers for our dresses and blouses, while the small cubbies were great for stashing my packing cubes, shoes, and other smaller items. 

There was also a small dresser directly next to the closet with multiple drawers where we kept undergarments and swimsuits. 

However, I wish our stateroom had hooks for beach bags and lanyards. Because there wasn't a great place to hang anything, our cabin's singular chair, excluding the vanity chair, became a catch-all place to help keep the floor and vanity clear of clutter. 

Modern bathroom

The bathroom also had plenty of storage. I never travel without my hanging toiletries organizer, and it stayed out of the way on the back of the door during our sailing. This freed up the three shelves for my partner. 

Even then, the bathroom never felt overwhelming with cosmetics or toiletries strewn about. The shelves provided more than enough space for essentials, and the bathroom felt organized despite the small size. 

The shower had amazing water pressure and felt larger than other standard showers. Rarely did I bump my elbows into the glass door! 

Like other Royal Caribbean ships, however, the shower had the same 2-in-1 shampoo-body wash hybrid and small toiletries shelf. 

I'm always prepared with my own products, never leaving home without my preferred shampoo and conditioner. 

That said, because I was on a two-week trip, I brought larger bottles instead of my usual travel-sized ones. 

The small shelf isn't ideal for larger bottles, and outside of my shampoo and conditioner, there wasn't much room for my face wash or our two razors. 

Moreover, after 14 Royal Caribbean cruises using the cheap bar soap provided, I finally tried one of the best bathroom hacks: bringing your own liquid soap. 

Perhaps I just have chronically dry hands, but I hate using the provided soap. In fact, it's one of the reasons that lotion is always on my must-pack list. 

However, the foaming Dial soap turned out to be a game changer. The gentle formula felt much better on my skin and didn't create the same soapy mess that bars typically do. 

Relatively noisy during the day

As soon as we were assigned cabin 9116, I went to Wonder's deck plan to see where exactly we'd be spending 7 nights. I was disappointed to learn it was at the front of the ship and even more upset when I discovered it was next to a crew-only area once onboard. 

I didn't have many issues with the noise as I prefer to spend as little time as possible in the cabin while on a cruise ship. However, my partner prefers to take afternoon naps in the stateroom versus a Solarium chair. 

Because our cabin was next to the linen closet, she frequently heard crew members outside the stateroom in the afternoon while cabins were being serviced. Sometimes, the noise would start as early as 7:45am as they prepped for the morning shift. 

Read more: I always choose this time to have my cruise room cleaned

Thankfully, though I was worried about feeling the ship rocking at night, I didn't feel much movement at all. My partner felt a little differently, but she's more sensitive to motion sickness than I am. 

Dramamine, motion sickness patches, and acupressure bands helped turn an otherwise negative experience into something more manageable.  

Read more: I tried the most common seasickness hacks on my cruise. Here’s what works best

While I didn't have a bad cabin experience, I'd hesitate to book this stateroom again because of its location

Deck 9 is such a great deck on Oasis Class ships, as you're only one deck above Central Park and four above the Royal Promenade. 

On massive ships like these, grabbing an elevator can sometimes be difficult, so it was nice to know we didn't have to rely on waiting for an elevator after a show when the banks were busier than usual.

However, I'll always take a midship stateroom over one in the forward or aft of the ship simply because you never know what sea conditions will be like on any given sailing.

Because my partner is much more susceptible to seasickness than I am, paying extra to choose our cabin is almost always justifiable, as we've had some less-than-pleasant experiences, such as when sailing on Disney Magic last November.  

Sometimes, however, you can get lucky with guarantee staterooms. On my upcoming sailing on Icon of the Seas, we gambled with another GTY cabin and booked an unassigned Surfside stateroom for $3,802.46. 

Weeks before sailing, however, we noticed that we were assigned a midship Central Park infinite verandah, much to our surprise! 

Since Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas entered service three years ago, I've sailed on her five times and it's easily one of the best cruise ships in the world.

Mega cruise ships are the norm among the mass market lines, but the size isn't everything.

I sailed on Wonder in a few different cabins, including one of the biggest suites you'll find in the world while at sea.

Being the fifth in the Oasis Class, it's clear a lot of lessons learned have been applied and the ship stands out as a great choice for families that want a wide variety of activities, shows, places to eat, and a fun family vacation vibe.

So many things to do on just one ship

I love how much there is to do on Wonder, and it's why it quickly became my favorite ship.

While Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for having as many activities as possible on a ship, Wonder of the Seas raised the bar with some of the changes it introduced. 

Just how big is Wonder of the Seas? It can handle up to 6,988 passengers when totally full.  Luckily like all Oasis Class ships, the layout and scheduling of activities helps distribute passengers.  That isn't to say there wont be lines or crowds, but it's not as bad as you might think on a ship with that many people.

What you'll notice first about Wonder of the Seas is just how many places there are to go, which I think is part of the appeal of a mega ship.  New cruisers are amazed how many areas there are and what's around the next corner.

There are three different theaters onboard with totally different experiences in each: an outdoor AquaTheater, indoor traditional stage theater, and an ice skating rink theater.

The pool deck is filled with lots for families to love. There are multiple pools, three waterslides, hot tubs, and even an adults-only pool for the parents to enjoy.

At the back of the pool deck is the sports deck with a zip line, surf simulator, play area for young kids, sports court, and even a mini-golf course. You could spend an entire day trying to knock out all of those things. 

Be sure to give the Ultimate Abyss a try, which is a 10-deck high slide that takes you down to the Boardwalk neighborhood. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it looks.

That's on top of the traditional cruise activities held around the ship, such as bingo, trivia, demonstrations, karaoke, and game shows.

I found every night so many compelling options to do, and that's why I booked multiple cruises on Wonder. I wanted to try to "see it all", but it just wasn't possible on a 7-night cruise.

How to get around the ship easily

When you board Wonder of the Seas, you'll walk right on to the Royal Promenade, which is one of the eight unique neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods is what Royal Caribbean calls its distinctly themed areas of the ship to help separate the ship and make it easy for passengers to navigate.

• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved for suite guests only with a private lounge, sun deck, world-class dining, and personalized service (Decks 17 & 18)
• Boardwalk: Open-air neighborhood  with a carousel, hot dog stand, candy store, sports bar, and arcade (Deck 6)
• Royal Promenade: Bustling area with shops, bars, and entertainment  (Deck 5)
• Entertainment Place: Where you'll find the main theater, comedy club, ice skating rink, and casino (Deck 4)
• Vitality Spa and Fitness: Spa and fitness center with a gym, salon, barbershop, and thermal suite (Decks 5 and 6)
• Pool and Sports Zone: Waterslides, pools, and sports activities (Decks 15 and 16)
• Central Park: Open air park with real plants, fine dining, boutiques, and a moving bar (Deck 8)
• Youth Zone: Special area for kids and teens with activities, games, and educational fun (Deck 14)

One key difference about Wonder of the Seas compared to the Oasis Class ships that preceded it is that it has a suite neighborhood, which was a new innovation at the time.  

This means if you're booked in a suite, there's an entire area of the ship reserved just for you, including a suite lounge, sun deck, and restaurant.

Once on the ship, I think the neighborhoods make it easy to quickly know where you are and figure out how to get to where you're going.

Lots of restaurants, but many cost extra

There's no chance of going hungry on Wonder of the Seas, as it has more restaurants than you can dine at in one week.

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, there's a mix of restaurants included with your cruise fare that cost nothing extra to eat there as well as other restaurants that have a cost.

Don't worry, you won't have to pay extra in order to stay full.  The Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet serve up three meals a day, while other restaurants have snacks and times when they're serving food too.

Of the included restaurants, don't miss El Loco Fresh. It's located near the pools and has fantastic grab-and-go Mexican food that always hits the spot.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention Sorrento's has pizza most hours of the day, and is quite popular for a late-night snack.

The selection of extra cost specialty restaurants is quite impressive, and when I sail on Wonder, I always get a specialty dining package so I can indulge in the various options.

My favorites are Izumi Japanese cuisine, Mason Jar restaurant and bar, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. 

Many cruisers equally love trying Wonderland, which is loosely themed after the "Alice in Wonderland" story, or Johnny Rockets, which has burgers, shakes, and hot dogs with a 1950's theme to it.

If you are booked in a Grand Suite or higher, be sure to take advantage of the meals you get in Coastal Kitchen.  This is the suites-only restaurant that has breakfast, lunch, and dinner offered.  It's included with your cruise fare and it feels like a specialty restaurant without the price tag.

The best Oasis Class ship?

Compared to the other Oasis Class ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, it's clear the tweaks, additions, and changes on Wonder of the Seas stand out from the pack.

While Royal Caribbean has continued to tinker with the Oasis Class formula with the even newer Utopia of the Seas, I think Wonder is so close in features to Utopia that you'd truly need to be a super cruiser to notice them.

By far the best change made is the addition of the Suite Neighborhood and the suite sun deck within that area.  I think it's a sun deck you'd actually want to hang out in, and it's conveniently located too.  The sun deck on other ships lack shade and are usually far from the cabins suite guests reside in.

Credit should also be given to the resort style pool deck, which has a feel to it of being better than the older ships. The addition of the Lime and Coconut bar offers creative cocktails to enjoy.  My favorite is the Lime and Coconut drink, which goes down so smooth that you can easily get to three before realizing it.

Royal Caribbean added The Vue bar onto the pool deck, and it's a fun twist on a traditional pool deck bar. As the name implies, it provides wonderful views and a great breeze to go along with its drinks.

Something else families will love is the Playscape within the sports deck.  It replaced a second Flowrider surf simulator, but gives parents of young children exactly what this age group needs: an enclosed space to run around and play and get out all that toddler energy.

If you've never cruised before, then comparing Wonder of the Seas to other ships is irrelevant, so just know you picked a really good ship.  If you have been on one of the other Oasis Class ships, I think you'll love these changes as much as I do.

Big change coming

Royal Caribbean is about the flip the script on Wonder, with a new itinerary.

Wonder of the Seas offers year-round 7-night sailings from Port Canaveral, but those plans will be changing.

Beginning September 1, 2025, Wonder of the Seas shifts to offer short cruises from Miami.

After Wonder moves to Miami, she'll begin offering 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas that include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

This is a big change, because only offering short Caribbean cruises is meant to attract new cruisers.  Royal Caribbean wants to dominate the short cruise market by offering weekend sailings on its best ships in a bid to attract new cruisers.

Short Caribbean voyages are attractive to those seeking a shorter getaway or who might be new to cruising and cannot commit to the idea of spending a week on a ship. 

What I loved to do on Wonder of the Seas

Cabins have so much storage

Not only do the cabins on Wonder of the Seas have modern touches to them, the amount of storage provided is perfect.

Traditionally cruise ship cabins have limited storage, but I found more closets, drawers, and shelves to use than I expected.

Families will really like how easy it is to put things away and keep the room tidy, which is usually a struggle when I cruise with my kids.

Speaking of cabin design, there's more USB and power outlets than in older cruise ships, which is another boon.

Fun shows every night

If Royal Caribbean has a top strength, it's their ability to produce really good shows that you'll want to see again and again.

On Wonder of the Seas there's probably going to be at least two production shows per night, and it's included in your cruise fare.  Each of these shows has really high production values, and I'd recommend anyone sailing to see them all at least once.

The AquaTheater show and Effectors II are probably my top choices, for how talented the cast is and how they can make the amazing stunts they do look so effortless.

I've seen the aqua show the most across all my sailings, because it's that much fun to see the cast perform.

The sleeper hit is the ice skating show, which might be overlooked because it's ice skating. My kids and I loved the pacing and use of contemporary music.

I also love going to the various bars at night for live music.  Royal Caribbean puts a major focus on live entertainment, and it shows. Jazz performers in Central Park, a guitarist in the pub, or the country band playing at the Mason Jar bar, are all must-sees for me on my sailings.

A suite area I actually want to hang out in

Up until Wonder of the Seas, I never saw the value in spending a lot of time in the suites-only areas, especially the sun deck.

Royal Caribbean fixed the issues and designed an area that's comfortable, offers a lot, and is convenient to get to.  

The fact there's shade and sunny areas of the sun deck makes it so enjoyable to be up there, especially when the hot Caribbean sun makes it very warm.

There's a plunge pool to enjoy too, and it's perfect for lounging.  

Someone that hasn't cruised before may be drawn to booking a suite because they tend to stay in suites in hotels for bonuses that come with those rooms. Similarly, a cruise ship suite is about rewarding guests with added service that make the entire experience easier to enjoy.

Super specialty dining

If you're not at least sampling a few specialty restaurants on Wonder of the Seas, I think you're missing out.

There are a lot of top notch restaurants on this ship, and I could eat at a few of the specialty options every day, because they are that darn good.

Within Central Park are a number of great choices, and I think if you didn't plan on doing specialty dining, you'll quickly be tempted when you walk by them.

Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen are all located here, and the hardest decision is which to eat at first.

Izumi Hibachi is a real crowd pleaser for how much fun it is, I don't think I've ever missed dining at Izumi at least once on all my five cruises on this ship.

Then there's Playmakers Sports Bar in the Boardwalk, and I love going here for a burger at lunch, or late night snacks while I watch a baseball game on the many televisions they have.

What I hated about Wonder of the Seas

Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean had a moment when it was really into robots, and the Bionic Bar is an example of that trend that has since faded away.

This bar is located right in the middle of the Royal Promenade and has robots that make drinks for you.  Kind of neat, but none of the drinks ever taste that great, and the novelty of the robots making the drink fades quicker than the ice melts in your drink.

The good news is the Bionic Bar was abandoned on Utopia of the Seas, but it remains on Wonder and wastes prime real estate.

Movie screen is really loud

Royal Caribbean added a movie screen to the pool deck, which is a great idea, because other Oasis Class ships lacked such a screen.

The problem is it's located above Central Park, and all that music, dialogue, and noise from the films emanates down into the park, and it's noticeably loud.

No Broadway show

While I really like Effectors II show in the Royal Theater, I wish there was a full Broadway show instead.

Wonder was the first of the Oasis Class ships to buck the trend of including a Broadway show onboard, and I miss it.  I really liked that it had a fully developed plot, great music, and was easily recognizable.

Plus, I felt the Broadway shows added a distinguishing factor to the cruise line to choose Royal Caribbean over the others.

Royal Caribbean's in-house shows are good, but they're not up to the caliber of total entertainment Broadway offers.

Who should book a cruise on Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has been focused on families for years, but Wonder of the Seas is its best offering in this market outside of Icon of the Seas.

The ideal cruiser for this ship is a multi-gen family looking to vacation together, but not necessarily spend every minute together.

You'll find lots for kids of all ages to enjoy. The teen area is quite big and even has an indoor and outdoor deck. Younger kids have the most space Royal Caribbean has dedicated to kids programming. 

Royal Caribbean's kids club is vastly underrated. There's organized events, along with self-led options so kids have the choice in what fun they're into at that moment.

Add in the Boardwalk and Playscape, and parents have an impressive array of options.

My wife and I prefer to sail on Wonder of the Seas because we can find plenty to hold our attention. There's a giant casino, live music at a half dozen bars, dance parties, karaoke, and plenty of pool fun.

The other perfect candidate for Wonder of the Seas is someone that has never cruised before.

Because the ship has the latest and greatest that Royal Caribbean has to offer, I think it's the perfect ship for anyone that has thought about trying a cruise.

I have friends and family that have felt this way for years out of concern that ships are overcrowded, isolated in the ocean, or otherwise bored.

When I hear from new cruisers, many are astounded by how much there was to do onboard. Any fear of not having enough to do or feeling "trapped" are almost always brushed aside after they get home.

Itineraries and pricing

Prices for a 7-night Wonder of the Seas cruise from Port Canaveral start at $1,046 per person for an interior cabin, based on double occupancy. 

Once Wonder begins offering short Bahamas cruises, the cheapest price begins at just $499 for an inside room on a 3-night sailing.

The exact cost of a cruise on Wonder of the Seas will depend on which cabin you book, time of year you sail, and how far in advance you book.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas is slightly larger than from sister Wonder of the Seas, but both Oasis Class ships offer short Bahamas cruises. 

Royal Caribbean is shifting more of the Oasis Class ships to sail short sailings and offer easy and attractive getaway sailings for new cruisers. 

The two newest members of the Oasis Class, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, share more similarities than any other two ships in the fleet. 

However, Royal Caribbean is constantly seeking to improve, so each vessel has a few different innovations as well. Here's a look at what makes these two ships different.

Ship overview

When she first debuted in March of 2022, Wonder of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. She weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry 6,988 passengers at double occupancy. 

Utopia of the Seas, however, beat out Wonder when she launched in July of 2024, and she is now the third-largest cruise ship in the world (after Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas).

Utopia measures 236,860 gross registered tons, with a capacity of 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean's newest ship also broke records as the first Oasis Class ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), making her more sustainable even at such a massive size.

Utopia currently sails 3 and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Wonder of the Seas shifted to also offer 3- and 4-night cruises, but homeports in Miami, Florida. 

Here's a look at the two ship's statistics, compared:

*at double occupancy

Neighborhoods

Oasis Class ships were one of the first types of mega cruise ships to introduce the idea of floating cities.

One innovative way the cruise line makes guests feel like the ship is an entire city to be explored is by dividing the vessel into neighborhoods.

This unique design provides guests with a variety of atmospheres and themes within specific spaces.

Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature eight distinct neighborhoods:

• The Boardwalk, a nostalgic, family-fun area featuring a carousel, Playmakers, and the AquaTheater.
• Pool & Sports Zone, which features a Caribbean-style pool deck and thrilling water slides.
• Central Park, a lush, open-air garden with thousands of live plants.
• The Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare, complete with shops and entertainment venues.
• Entertainment Place, the center of entertainment, featuring the comedy club, casino, Royal Theatre, and Studio B.
• Youth Zone, home to Adventure Ocean programming, an arcade, and a teen club.
• Vitality Spa & Fitness, Royal Caribbean's spa and fitness center.
• Suite Neighborhood, which was introduced for the first time on Wonder of the Seas.

Dining

Both vessels offer guests a wide array of dining options that cater to all tastes, from elegant steak dinners to sports bars to specialty sushi.

Both ships offer room service (free continental breakfast, with other menu items at an extra cost).

However, Wonder and Utopia do have a few notable differences in the restaurants offered.

Restaurants on Utopia of the Seas have some upgrades to venue locations, as well as venues not available anywhere else in the fleet.

While both ships have Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, the venue on Utopia of the Seas has a brand-new outdoor Gio terrace overlooking the Boardwalk.

Utopia also features Izumi in the Park, which first debuted on Icon of the Seas. 

Not only are Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Izumi in the Park available inside Utopia's Central Park, but the venue also features an exclusive dining experience only offered on Utopia: Izumi omakase.

Utopia of the Seas also introduced the Spare Tire, a complimentary poolside food truck, and the Royal Railway: Utopia Station.

The Royal Railway is a dining experience only found on Utopia of the Seas, combining high-tech with an immersive setting for a dinner experience unlike any other.

Here's a look at what venues are on each ship: 

*suite guests only

Staterooms

Overall, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas have similar cabins, with a wide variety of upgraded, elegant staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Utopia offers just a little fewer, at 2,830 staterooms.

Both Wonder and Utopia feature neighborhood-view balcony cabins, which overlook either Central Park, the Royal Promenade, or the Boardwalk. 

Both ships also have virtual balcony cabins, which include a floor-to-ceiling screen that projects a live view from outside the ship.

Utopia of the Seas, however, introduced three new cabin categories.

The interior cabins onboard are square rather than rectangular, allowing for more unbroken floor space.

Utopia also debuted with new Sky Junior Suites, which are similar to standard Junior Suites but include upgraded Sky Tier benefits.

The Solarium Suites are exclusive to Utopia of the Seas: two staterooms located above the bridge wings, offering guests sweeping panoramic views next to the Solarium pool area.

Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class is great for guests who want more options than they can experience in one day. Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature marvelous, varied entertainment. 

Activities such as mini golf, water slides, dry slides, casino gambling, surfing, laser tag, and rock climbing abound on both vessels.

Both ships have Royal Caribbean comedians, live performances, ice skating shows, and AquaTheater shows. Neither ship, however, has a Broadway musical onboard.

Many bars and lounges feature live music each night. The two ships, however, do vary in entertainment venues. 

Read more: The best bar scene is only on two of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships

Utopia of the Seas, launching with weekend cruises, offers a more action-packed focus in fewer days. 

Marketed as "The World's Biggest Weekend," Utopia features nonstop parties with a unique twist, such as a frat party, a silent toga party, and the SENSES sunset party. 

Because of this, the ship might appeal more to adults and teens.

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.