Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of Wonder of the Seas, its most innovative ship to date. After three years of construction, the traditional flag-changing ceremony was held in Marseille with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard. Wonder will make its official debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 4 and will begin offering 7-night Caribbean cruises before joining the Mediterranean itineraries in Barcelona and Rome.
The event was attended by the Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty, the Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley, and the Managing Director of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Laurent Castaing.
“The Wonder of the Seas will redefine the cruise industry in an incredible way. The arrival of this ship to our excellent fleet will continue to position our company as an industry leader thanks to its new facilities and innovation,” explained Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
“The new Wonder, in addition to taking the iconic Oasis class to a new level of innovation and adventure, sets the stage for the vacations that families and all types of travelers are already dreaming of. The combination of facilities, entertainment, dining, and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our ship the ultimate vacation destination in the Caribbean and Europe,” commented Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
“The Wonder of the Seas is truly an incredible ship,” added Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
The fifth ship in the Oasis class offers various leisure and entertainment options for passengers of all ages throughout its eight neighborhoods:
- Suite Neighborhood, which offers Royal Suite class passengers the Suite Sun Deck, an area with a pool, bar and spaces with sun loungers and relaxation areas, the private Coastal Kitchen restaurant, the Suite Lounge, and the larger Ultimate Family Suite, which can accommodate a family of up to ten members.
- The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, a place that serves American Southern specialties with country , Southern-style decor, and a collection of American whiskey and cocktails.
- Wonder Playscape, the new children's water zone with underwater-themed games where they can enjoy slides, a climbing wall and a touch mural with interactive games.
- The Vue Bar, a bar on a floating platform, offers panoramic views of the ocean during the day, and at sunset you can enjoy the colors projected by the setting sun onto its mosaic ceiling.
- Caribbean Pool Deck, with a poolside bar, three water slides, a children's water park, poolside sun loungers and live music, etc.
- El Loco Fresh and La Cantina Fresca, which offer Mexican food delicacies in the first case and a selection of "aguas frescas", margaritas and other typical Mexican products in the second.
Also returning are classics such as Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, the tallest water slide at sea; the new spaces dedicated to children and teenagers within Adventure Ocean or the FlowRider surf simulator, among others.
The Wonder will sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022 on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries that include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's private island, as well as the Bahamas, Honduras, and Puerto Rico. Beginning in May, it will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises with stops in destinations such as Naples, Florence, Palma de Mallorca, and Provence. Starting in November 2022, the Wonder of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Cozumel, Mexico.
