Would I Book Wonder of the Seas Again? My Honest Review After Sailing With Three Kids
I'm So Glad We Did It.
That was my first thought as we walked off Wonder of the Seas after our three-night Bahamas sailing from Miami.
This wasn't just a vacation for my husband and me. We traveled with our three children (ages 8, 6, and 1), my parents, and my adult brother and sister. Traveling with a group this size gave me a unique perspective on the ship because I experienced it as a mom, a daughter, a sister, and a travel advisor all at once.
As someone who helps families choose cruises every day, I was excited to finally experience Royal Caribbean's flagship for myself. I'd heard all the hype, and while I absolutely enjoyed our vacation, I also walked away with some honest opinions that might surprise you.
If you're wondering whether Wonder of the Seas is worth booking, here's exactly what I loved, what I didn't, and who I think this ship is best suited for.
Our Stateroom
We stayed in an Ultra Spacious Ocean View stateroom, and it honestly exceeded my expectations.
For a family of five, space is always a concern, but this room never felt cramped. We had plenty of room to spread out, organize everyone's belongings, and still move around comfortably.
If you're traveling with multiple children and don't necessarily need a balcony, I would absolutely recommend considering this room category.
First Impressions
My first thought when I stepped onboard?
Wow. This is awesome.
The first place that completely impressed me was the pool deck. Seeing multiple pools, waterslides, splash areas, and activities spread across the top decks really gives you that "wow" feeling.
One thing that immediately stood out compared to Disney Cruise Line was the sheer size of the ship.
Wonder of the Seas is enormous.
The neighborhoods make the ship feel like several destinations all connected together rather than one traditional cruise ship.
My two favorite areas quickly became Central Park and the Boardwalk.
Central Park felt peaceful and beautifully designed, while the Boardwalk became our family's favorite place to walk around, ride the carousel, and soak in the energy.
One thing I will say, though, is that Wonder wasn't the easiest ship to learn. It took me a while to get my bearings, and I often found myself checking the map. Unlike some ships where navigating feels intuitive after a day or two, this one took a little longer.
Did It Feel Crowded?
For such a massive ship, I was actually impressed by how crowds were dispersed.
That said, there were definitely a few places where crowds became noticeable.
The elevators were consistently busy, Windjammer during peak meal times could feel overwhelming, and the casino was always packed.
Outside of those areas, I rarely felt like there were over 6,000 guests onboard.
Let's Talk About the Food
One of my biggest surprises of the entire cruise?
The food.
I honestly thought the dining would be good, but it exceeded my expectations.
Windjammer ended up being my favorite complimentary restaurant simply because I enjoy having so many options. Yes, it gets busy during peak hours, but if you adjust your dining times slightly, it's much more enjoyable.
We only ate in the Main Dining Room once before deciding we'd rather spend our evenings trying specialty restaurants.
We had dinner at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and The Mason Jar, and both were fantastic.
If I had to recommend just one specialty restaurant, it would absolutely be Giovanni's.
Not only was the food incredible, but our server from Italy taught my daughters how to properly twirl spaghetti. It became one of those little vacation memories that we'll probably laugh about for years.
And yes...
The fettuccine Alfredo really was that good.
If your budget allows, I would absolutely encourage you to book at least one specialty dinner instead of relying solely on the Main Dining Room.
Entertainment and Activities
This may be an unpopular opinion, but we're honestly not huge show people.
We skipped most of the productions, which gave us more time to explore the ship together.
Instead, our kids spent most of their time swimming, wandering the different neighborhoods, and checking everything out.
The Ultimate Abyss was definitely worth experiencing, and the carousel on the Boardwalk was a hit with our youngest.
One thing I did notice is that there wasn't as much for my one-year-old as I had hoped. While there are certainly family-friendly spaces throughout the ship, I felt Wonder really shines once your kids are a little older.
Traveling With Young Kids
This is probably the question I get asked the most.
Would I recommend Wonder of the Seas for families with young children?
My answer is...
It depends.
If you're traveling with children similar in age to my older two (6 and 8), I think they'll have an incredible time.
Between the pools, Ultimate Abyss, Boardwalk, and endless places to explore, they were constantly entertained.
If you're traveling with only babies or toddlers, though, I don't think Wonder would be my first recommendation.
My one-year-old certainly enjoyed himself (especially at meal time!), but there simply weren't as many activities geared specifically toward his age.
Adventure Ocean was also my biggest disappointment of the cruise.
We tried it briefly, but it just wasn't the right fit for our family.
One tip I would absolutely share with parents of little ones: bring a portable sound machine.
Our toddler napped in the room every afternoon, and having white noise made it much easier for him to sleep despite the activity happening outside.
The Best Part of the Entire Cruise
As much as I enjoyed Wonder...
The highlight of our vacation was actually Perfect Day at CocoCay.
I loved it.
Honestly, I loved it far more than I expected to.
We splurged on an Overwater Cabana at Coco Beach Club, and for our family, it was worth every penny.
Having our own private space, food included, canned drinks, and a dedicated butler made the day feel incredibly relaxing.
Would I book it again?
Without hesitation.
That said, I also think you'll have an amazing day at CocoCay without spending the extra money.
The island itself is fantastic.
One of my favorite memories from the trip was watching my kids swim with stingrays and lemon sharks.
If you're visiting CocoCay for the first time, my biggest piece of advice is to decide your priorities before you arrive. There is so much to do that having a game plan will help you make the most of your day.
Things I'd Do Differently
Every cruise teaches you something.
Next time, I'd skip Windjammer for lunch on embarkation day and avoid spending much time at the main pools that first afternoon. Those were easily the busiest places on the ship.
I'd also absolutely budget for another Coco Beach Club cabana if the opportunity came up again.
My Final Verdict
I'm really glad we took this cruise.
Would I rush to book Wonder of the Seas again?
Probably not.
But that's not because I didn't enjoy it.
It's because Royal Caribbean has such an incredible lineup of ships that I'd love to experience another one next.
Wonder of the Seas gave my family a fantastic vacation, introduced us to an amazing private island, surprised me with some outstanding food, and reminded me that every cruise line has its own strengths.
If another mom with kids the same ages asked me whether she should book Wonder, I'd tell her this:
If your budget allows, I still think Disney Cruise Line offers the better overall experience for families with children my kids' ages. The kids' programming, immersive atmosphere, and family entertainment are hard to beat.
But if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that still offers an incredible family vacation, Wonder of the Seas is absolutely worth considering.
My Rating: 8/10
Perfect for:
Families with school-aged children
Multigenerational vacations
Travelers looking for great value
Anyone who loves variety, neighborhoods, and lots to explore
Maybe choose another ship if:
You're traveling with only babies or toddlers.
Adventure Ocean is a major reason you're considering Royal Caribbean.
At the end of the day, I'm so glad we sailed Wonder of the Seas. It may not have replaced Disney Cruise Line as my family's favorite, but it absolutely earned its place on my list of cruises I'd recommend to the right family.
About the Author
This article was written by Karlee Kacz, owner of & travel agent with Triple the Magic Travel Co. From theme parks and cruises to all-inclusive resorts and family vacations, she is passionate about helping clients create unforgettable travel experiences without the stress of planning it all themselves.
Ready to start planning your next adventure? Contact Karlee today for personalized vacation planning services at no additional cost to you.
Email: karlee@triplethemagictravel.com
Instagram: @karleekacz
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