LIVE from Wonder of the Seas Transatlantic April 2022

[orkaren1]

On 4/19/2022 at 6:52 AM, laurieal said:

Good morning from snowy (!!!) Montreal airport. 

 

I took the train from Quebec City to YUL yesterday and the journey was smooth and uneventful. 
 

Area for those remaining in their wheelchair on the train. 
 

 

Accessible bathroom on my train car. 
 

I was staying at the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel. The accessible room was perfect for me for one night. Plenty of space to move around and a comfortable bed. 

 

 

 

 

 

I had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant with the first cocktail of the holiday. I had a quick look  around the airport, but I retired to my room early because the alarm was set to 4am. 

 

 

Did this hotel room have a roll in shower in addition to the tub?  My husband is quadriplegic so the type of set up pictured would not work for him.  Thanks for this review, I am always looking for information regarding accessible travel.

 

[laurieal]

5 hours ago, orkaren1 said:

Did this hotel room have a roll in shower in addition to the tub?  My husband is quadriplegic so the type of set up pictured would not work for him.  Thanks for this review, I am always looking for information regarding accessible travel.

 

It did not. Since it was just the one night and I could take a shower at home in the morning, I was fine with it, but if it had been a longer stay it wouldn’t have worked for me, either. 
 

When I booked my room, the only accessible room options available only had a tub in them, so I’m not sure if they have rooms with roll-in showers that weren’t available when I booked or if tubs is all they have. 
 

If it’s the latter, then perhaps one of the other hotels very close to the airport would work better for you and your husband. I’ve had good luck with pre-booking accessible taxis in Dorval in the past. 
 

If you are planning a cruise and there’s specific things you would like to check out or take pictures of, let me know!

[laurieal]

Day 9 Compass

 

 

 

 

 

[ellenw]

10 hours ago, laurieal said:

I love that for a while that was the most recent comment people would see if they checked this thread 😂 

Am I the only one that sees an elephant? Oh, I hope not.

[TPCRUISER2]

You are a Rock Star! Love your review! 

[JamesEM]

Was it difficult getting a Cruise Compass now that RCL is pushing their app?

[dolphingirl47]

I am really enjoying the review. I will get on the Wonder the day you get off for a two day travel trade event. This will be my first experience of an Oasis class ship. Your report has been a great way of getting a feel for the ship.

 

To answer your question, the first thing I have to have when I am on a Royal Caribbean ship is a cup of Royal Caribbean Blend coffee. I hate the stuff and this is the only time all cruise that I will have it,  but this is when it sinks in that I am really on the ship.

 

Corinna

[AUgirl]

14 hours ago, laurieal said:

An extra big thank you to those who have commented on my writing. This isn’t something I do regularly (or at all, really), especially in English, so it makes me very happy that you enjoy my style. 

What? How did I miss that your first language isn't English?? Your trip report is amazing and there are MANY of us enjoying it - obviously!! Thank you so much for taking the time to post all of these details - they are helpful to many in many different ways!

 

The only question I can come up with for you (because you've been so informative) is have you heard who the next Cruise Director will be after Mike? I've read that he's leaving the Wonder after this cruise. Have your sleuthing skills uncovered the next Cruise Director?  

[laurieal]

7 hours ago, JamesEM said:

Was it difficult getting a Cruise Compass now that RCL is pushing their app?

Not at all. I get a Compass in my stateroom every evening and I didn’t need to ask for it. 

[laurieal]

7 hours ago, dolphingirl47 said:

I am really enjoying the review. I will get on the Wonder the day you get off for a two day travel trade event. This will be my first experience of an Oasis class ship. Your report has been a great way of getting a feel for the ship.

 

To answer your question, the first thing I have to have when I am on a Royal Caribbean ship is a cup of Royal Caribbean Blend coffee. I hate the stuff and this is the only time all cruise that I will have it,  but this is when it sinks in that I am really on the ship.

 

Corinna

Oh, that’s fun! I know several people who are on the transatlantic were also invited to the two day events. Enjoy the ship and the horrible coffee 😉 

 

Have you been to a similar trade event before? Do they keep you super busy all the time or do you get some time to explore on your own a bit?

[laurieal]

7 hours ago, AUgirl said:

What? How did I miss that your first language isn't English?? Your trip report is amazing and there are MANY of us enjoying it - obviously!! Thank you so much for taking the time to post all of these details - they are helpful to many in many different ways!

 

The only question I can come up with for you (because you've been so informative) is have you heard who the next Cruise Director will be after Mike? I've read that he's leaving the Wonder after this cruise. Have your sleuthing skills uncovered the next Cruise Director?  

Thank you, you’re very kind. 
 

Sleuthing mode activated. 

[topnole]

18 hours ago, laurieal said:

A big thank you to everyone who is along for the rid and who has liked or commented to say they enjoy my review. It’s my first time doing this live and I feel like it adds an extra layer of fun to an already very fun trip.

 

An extra big thank you to those who have commented on my writing. This isn’t something I do regularly (or at all, really), especially in English, so it makes me very happy that you enjoy my style. 
 

Now for a pet update. I fear things are getting out of hand at home. The pet sitter has brought her good camera and has done a photoshoot with the cat. I’m afraid I’m going to come back to some major superstar model cattitude. 
 

 

And finally, my question for the day: what area of the ship would you like to see (or see more of)? I don’t think I am allowed in Adventure Ocean unless I steal a kid, so maybe not that. 

If English is not your primary language, I’m giving up.  Not fair.   
 

I assume you are well versed in Canadian French?  I studied French for several years and that didn’t help much by the time I finally visited France 20+ year later.   C’est la vie.  Paris was still amazing and my embellished French accent was good enough to please the locals.  
 

Love your subtle humor.  Mine is more blunt, but I simply love that part of your story telling.  And your drink choices help tie it all together.  Love it.   On a more serious note, I also appreciate your level detail on accessibility.  This is so helpful to all of us in so many ways.  Big thanks on that one.  
 

 

[laurieal]

Day 9

 

Hello from the Aqua Theatre!

 

The Wonderful Race was scheduled for that morning, which was very excited since we had been hearing about it from Mike the cruise director since the beginning of the cruise. 

 

I skipped breakfast, because this was serious business and I couldn’t be slowed down by something as mundane as digestion. I also skipped coffee. I was already hyped and vibrating enough without adding espresso to the mix. 

 

Everyone met in Studio B where they formed teams of six. We all got a list of venues on the ship where teams had to complete challenges that would test their skills in different areas such as towel folding, mini golf, singing, water skiing, dancing, etc. One of those wasn’t actually true, I’m just checking if you’re paying attention. 
 

 

 

The race was FANTASTIC. It’s obvious that a lot of thought and effort went into it and so many people from the crew were involved that it had to be a major logistics puzzle. If you ever see this activity on a ship, I cannot recommend it enough. Even if you don’t have a full team of six, go anyway and they’ll match you with other people. 

 

Me using my new skills from The Wonderful Race to leave a towel animal for my stateroom attendant. 

 

You know the kind of event that once it’s over you need to have a little sit down and a chat to reminisce and let the Adrenalin drop a little? It was exactly that kind of event. We headed to Playmakers for a self-congratulatory session of “do you remember that bit” and “could you believe when that person did that”? It may be a bit of a bold statement considering the cruise isn’t over yet, but probably the highlight of the crossing for me. 

 

That and the bread from 150 Central Park, but I’m getting ahead of myself. 

 

So, post-race self-congratulatory Adrenalin-lowering drinks at Playmakers with some hot dogs from the Boardwalk Dog House. The dog was good and the everything bread was fresh and tasty. The perfect snack for after a race. 

 

 

 

I don’t think I’ve mentioned accessibility at Playmakers before. There is a ramp close to the carousel that will allow you to go inside. 

 

 

 

I had a look at Sugar Beach, which smells like sugar and angels. How cute is that pink octopus? I am very tempted to bring it home with me if the luggage situation allows it. 

 

 

 

 

 

After that, I went (where else) up to deck 16 where it was pretty windy but also very pleasant. It felt exactly like springtime in Canada: some people in the pool and other people in puffy coats and winter hats. I had a Lime & Coconut while enjoying a free hair blowout (can’t believe people pay for that at the spa when they could have it for free on deck 16). 
 

 

 

 

When my review for the day was all uploaded, I returned to my stateroom to get ready for dinner, but I made a detour by Sorrento’s to see what kind of nibbles they had. I’m a bit obsessed with their marinated spicy cheese, so I took a few pieces back with me with some prosciutto because why not. It’s important to have some protein when recuperating from a big race. 
 

 

Before dinner, there was Game of Thrones trivia, which is pretty much the equivalent of the Olympics for me. My hard training was not in vain and my team won some keychains and zipper pulls. My father, who introduced me to Game of Thrones, will be so proud. 
 

Valar Morghulis

 

Dinner was at 150 Central Park. I had never been there before, and I was excited to try it because I have heard very good things. I had their signature martini to start and they brought some bread. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

That bread, man. 

 

It was soft and the middle and just crunchy enough on top. It was drenched in butter and truffle and garlic and everything that is good with the world. That bread made me want to be a better person. It made me want to write poems. 

 

I wonder if the bread misses me, too. 

 

I had the pumpkin bisque for my appetizer, which was very tasty and came with a bit of soup theatre, which is always exciting. I was hesitating between the lamb Wellington and the roasted tenderloin of beef, but I went for the lamb and I didn’t regret it. Cooked to perfection and so tender it could practically chew itself. 
 

 

 

 

For dessert, I got the peanut butter chocolate tart. The tart was very good and well executed, but I think I wasn’t really in the mood for such a rich dessert, which really isn’t the tart’s fault. I also got the fried cheesecake, which was pretty nice. It’s cheesecake and it’s fried, what’s not to like? I thought the black currant sorbet that came with the tart was a bit confusing when paired with the tart, but it went quite well with the cheesecake. 

 

 

At one point a waiter came up to me and said he remembered me from Jewel of the Seas at Chops. I remembered him, too! He’s from Mauritius and we spoke French together when it was just me having dinner alone at Chops. I will admit that I visited Chops three times on that crossing, but how good is that guy’s memory (and also how good is the mushroom soup at Chops, but that’s for another day). 

 

Overall I had a very good experience at 150 Central Park and would be happy to eat there again the next time I’m on an Oasis class ship. 

 

We spent the time before our show reservation having a drink at the Schooner Bar and in the Rising Tide Bar. The show was Two Funny Guys and I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected considering I’m not really into physical comedy. They were very old school and very funny, I think people enjoyed them a lot. 
 

 

 

Then, I returned to my stateroom very excited for the morning show to start at midnight because they would be announcing the winners of The Wonderful Race. 

 

… … … drumroll please … … …

 

We didn’t win. Forget everything I said about the race. It was terrible. Hated it! Worst event ever. 

 

…I wonder what the bread is doing right now. 

[laurieal]

10 hours ago, topnole said:

If English is not your primary language, I’m giving up.  Not fair.   
 

I assume you are well versed in Canadian French?  I studied French for several years and that didn’t help much by the time I finally visited France 20+ year later.   C’est la vie.  Paris was still amazing and my embellished French accent was good enough to please the locals.  
 

Love your subtle humor.  Mine is more blunt, but I simply love that part of your story telling.  And your drink choices help tie it all together.  Love it.   On a more serious note, I also appreciate your level detail on accessibility.  This is so helpful to all of us in so many ways.  Big thanks on that one.  
 

 

Yes, French (the Canadian kind) is my first language. For a few years I had an English-speaking client (I’m an IT consultant), which was nice since it allowed me to practice a lot. Unfortunately right now it’s all French all the time, so I’m enjoying stretching my English muscles during this trip. Pretty much the only muscles I’m stretching. That and chewing. 
 

I’m glad this is useful! Thank you ❤️ 

[laurieal]

So my Cruise Compass got delivered en Español last night, which I am sure is a ploy from Duolingo to make me feel bad for not practicing my Spanish at all since I’ve left home. 
 

I will swing by Starbucks before dinner to grab an English one and will post pictures as soon as possible. 
 

Question of the day: what food item from Royal Caribbean do you find yourself daydreaming about while you’re at home and waiting for your next cruise? 

[bobmacliberty]

1 hour ago, laurieal said:

Question of the day: what food item from Royal Caribbean do you find yourself daydreaming about while you’re at home and waiting for your next cruise? 

 

Escargot, drenched in garlic butter.  Yum.  It used to be savory bites.

[crewsweeper]

1 hour ago, laurieal said:

 

Question of the day: what food item from Royal Caribbean do you find yourself daydreaming about while you’re at home and waiting for your next cruise? 

Campfire  Cookie  at Playmakers 🤣

Seriously,  Wonderland's Short Ribs. 😋

[laurieal]

44 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Escargot, drenched in garlic butter.  Yum.  It used to be savory bites.

I just had the escargots for dinner. So delicious and buttery 😋 

 

I don’t think I know what the savory bites are, but it sounds like they’re no longer a thing?

[laurieal]

39 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Campfire  Cookie  at Playmakers 🤣

Seriously,  Wonderland's Short Ribs. 😋

That cookie is something!

 

One of my friends had the short ribs at Wonderland and she enjoyed them very much. They looked tasty!

[StanleyandGus]

I am enjoying this so much that I’m looking into a cruise on this ship! 

[jmh2006]

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Escargot, drenched in garlic butter.  Yum.  It used to be savory bites.

+1

[nonnie&dgd]

17 hours ago, ellenw said:

Am I the only one that sees an elephant? Oh, I hope not.

I saw a smiling elephant. 

[trotzoll]

On 4/26/2022 at 12:11 PM, laurieal said:

Day 6

 

Good morning from…yes, you’ve guessed it, deck 16. I swear the elevators actually work and I’m not stuck up here. 

 

I’ll keep things short today, because Day 6 was basically just a repeat of Day 5. I did get a bit adventurous with my sunbathing and used one of the couches. Sun loungers are a bit low for me, although me getting out of one of those would be a comedy show worthy of the Cruise Compass. 
 

 

 

 

 

Couch was comfy, sun was hot, wind was practically inexistant, peach daiquiri was cold. 

 

 

For lunch, I went to Giovanni’s Wine Bar with some friends. I don’t have a meal planned there, but I was eager to try the Stromboli. They were the perfect little spicy bites and I really enjoyed them. I also got to taste the margherita pizza which was good, too. If you don’t feel like committing to a full Italian meal, I recommend the Wine Bar. You also can’t beat that Central Park atmosphere when it’s that lovely outside. 
 

 

 

 

Then it was Harry Potter trivia, for which I have been training most of my life. My efforts were finally recognized with a keychain that I will treasure for the rest of the day at least. 

 

Later on I saw the ice show again and wow it’s still an amazing show. I had a Cosmo at Playmaker’s before joining some friends for the Rock the Room game show. My friends have some very good music knowledge and as a result I feel there’s probably a coup being organized to prevent us from joining more game shows in the future. Seriously, it was such a fun show and if you see me around and would like a keychain, come say hello. 
 

 

 

 

I went to the Jennifer Singer show, which I enjoyed, and then I had one slice of Sorrento’s pizza before going back to my stateroom. 

 

 

 

I will share one accessible feature I thought was fun. There’s a button with a wheelchair in all the elevators and I decided to try pushing it. I’m already in a wheelchair, so what’s the worst this button could do to me, right?

 

 

Voilà! If you find the deck numbers are too high, this button will bring everything lower on the screen. 

 

Oh, I'm all over that peach daiquiri in June! Save one for me! 🤣

[trotzoll]

1 hour ago, crewsweeper said:

Campfire  Cookie  at Playmakers 🤣

Seriously,  Wonderland's Short Ribs. 😋

Oh, that campfire cookie sounds delicious! I'll have to add it to my list!

[trotzoll]

Forgive me @laurieal if you mentioned it. I tried to search through all the posts...but is the entire show playing in the aqua theater now? I know for the first several cruises it wasn't completely ready yet.