Wonder of the Seas delivered to Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of the largest cruise ship ever built, Wonder of the Seas, the latest in its record-breaking Oasis-class of vessels.
After three years under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, Wonder of the Seas was delivered this week, becoming the fifth in the cruise line’s Oasis class.
Wonder of the Seas joins Oasis, Allure, Harmony and Symphony of the Seas, and although she offers the plethora of amenities and attractions that her sister ships boast, she also debuts a range of new to the line features.
The 5,480-guest Wonder of the Seas boasts the neighborhood concept like her sister ships, but will also feature an all-new eighth neighborhood called Suite Class.
The Suite Class Neighborhood offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck, plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks.
There also a Wonder Playscape onboard, an underwater-themed play area for kids that features slides, climbing walls, games, puzzles, an interactive mural activated by touch, as well as scenic views.
The new cantilevered pool bar named The Vue offers panoramic ocean views from high above on the pool deck and at night its colourful mosaic canopy lights up overhead.
In order to make space for the Playscape area, there’s only one Flowrider surf simulator, but the pool area has been reimagined with the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides and the resort-like Beach Pool on the starboard side, while over on the port side, the kid-friendly Splashaway Bay offers fun for children.
Two additional swimming pools are located farther aft, adjacent to Royal Caribbean’s tropical pool deck bar concept The Lime and Coconut. The Ultimate Abyss slide that cascades dramatically down Wonder of the Seas’ stern, from Deck 16 to Deck 6 is located all the way aft.
Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain accepted delivery of Wonder of the Seas from Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique remotely via video call, while shipyard staff and the ship’s crew held a ceremonial flag exchange aboard the vessel in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Joining Fain on the video call were Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, and Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
“Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do,” said Michael Bayley.
“Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year,” he added.
“The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our latest and most innovative ship the world’s newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe,” he said.
While much if new aboard Wonder of the Seas, she also retains many of the features that have become synonymous with the Oasis-class ships and others in the fleet, such as Rising Tide Bar, the robotic Bionic Bar (which first debuted aboard Quantum of the Seas in 2014), an indoor ice-skating rink and popular bars like the Schooner Bar and Boleros.
Wonder of the Seas will enter service on March 4th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning a spring cruise season of 7-night cruises to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona, Spain; and Rome to offer summer cruises in Europe.
