This Friday, the world’s largest cruise ship will embark on its maiden voyage after three years of construction.
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is the new ocean giant. The cruise ship weighs an astounding 236,857 gross tons and measures 1,188 feet long and 210 feet wide.
The ship has 18 decks and can accommodate 6,988 passengers and 2,300 crew members.
The Wonder of the Seas will depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida with its first passengers on a seven-day Caribbean voyage.
The new cruise ship has surpassed its sister ship Symphony of the Seas to become the largest cruise ship in the world. Symphony of the Seas, which is also part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, has a capacity of 6,680 passengers and is 1,184 feet long.
The Wonder of the Seas cruise ship has 2,867 rooms and includes activities ranging from mini golf to a music room. Royal Caribbean
Entertainment on board
Sheer size and volume, the Wonder of the Seas is a marvel of engineering of sorts, fully equipped and equipped with amenities, amenities and luxuries that might seem somewhat out of place on the high seas.
On board, riding the waves of the Caribbean Sea, passengers will also have the opportunity to play laser tag or mini-golf, go rock climbing, watch a movie on the movie screen by the pool, ride a zipline, visit the casino, relax in the spa. or solarium, sing karaoke, watch a performance on skates and much more.
The Wonder of the Seas, the new largest cruise ship in the world. Its maiden voyage will take passengers on a seven-day Caribbean voyage, while Mediterranean voyages are due to begin departing from Barcelona and Rome this May. Courtesy of the Royal Caribbean
The cruise ship also has a full-size basketball court, a Flowrider surf machine, a carousel, and even the highest waterslide in the sea.
Guests can even sip a decadent salted caramel frappuccino and mocha venti at their own Starbucks on their way to the Bahamas.
Wonder of the Seas is made up of eight distinct areas, including a brand new deluxe area, and even has its own Central Park with over 20,000 living plants.
There are 20 restaurants and 11 different bars on board the Wonder of the Seas. Courtesy of the Royal Caribbean
Guests will also have 20 different restaurants and 11 bars to choose from.
The ship was built at Chantiers-de-l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, and was equipped with four 7,500 horsepower bow thrusters, which allowed the “Wonder of the Seas” to travel at 22 knots, or 25 miles per hour.
“We have always prided ourselves on bringing the best and most innovative ships to our guests for a truly extraordinary experience. Wonder includes it all,” Mark Tamis, senior vice president of hotel operations at Royal Caribbean International, told CNN Travel.
The giant ship also features an elevated sun deck with a plunge pool, bar, sun loungers and nooks and crannies. Courtesy of the Royal Caribbean
Cruise on COVID
The giant ship was originally supposed to set sail in 2021, but its maiden voyage was delayed due to delivery delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, there have been multiple coronavirus outbreaks aboard cruise ships, leading the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to classify cruise travel as a “very high” risk in late December.
During a surge in Omicron cases late last year, Royal Caribbean canceled a number of flights due to “COVID-related circumstances around the world.”
However, at the beginning of the year, CDC guidance came as an additional measure for much of the cruise sector.
This month, the health agency downgraded the risk level of cruises to level 3, which means it advises people to get vaccinated before traveling.
Aerial view of the top deck of the Wonder of the Seas with numerous pools, lounge areas, sun loungers, slides and children’s playgrounds. Courtesy of the Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean currently requires all passengers over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated, and all passengers over the age of two must provide proof of a negative COVID test before sailing.
All guests aged two and over are required to wear masks in most public areas on board.
All personnel on board and at Royal Caribbean’s private destinations will be fully vaccinated and supported subject to availability.
After its inaugural voyage, Wonder of the Seas will also operate in the Mediterranean, departing from Barcelona and Rome in May.
The ship is one of several new cruise ships due to sail during the year.
Among them are Disney’s first new cruise ship in ten years, the Disney Wish, due to be delivered this summer, and Silversea Cruises’ luxury ship Silver Dawn, due for its maiden voyage in the spring.
Wonder of the Seas also has its own Central Park with over 20,000 living plants. The park is similar to those found on other Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships, such as the one pictured above. Courtesy of the Royal Caribbean