LIVE! First Time Royal Cruiser In Wonder-land Oct 1-8th Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

Welcome to my LIVE! Blog of my trip on Wonder of the Seas!  This is my 6th LIVE! Blog here on Cruise Critic, but my first for a Royal Caribbean Cruise.  

 

I’m Dee, and although I usually travel with my dear husband, this time I’m traveling solo.  

 

I love cruising! Starting cruising back in the 1990s, I’ve cruised on lines including Carnival, Norwegian, HAL, Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity, Radisson (that goes way back!) The Caledonian Sky,  Viking River and Viking Ocean.

 

The cruise line I’ve cruised the most with (by far!) Yep, Carnival. Love me some Carnival.  I like the fun atmosphere, and you just can’t beat their casino offers.  

 

This cruise has a lot of “firsts”. First time on Royal Caribbean! First time cruising solo! First time in an interior cabin! So its going to be an interesting cruise for me, and I hope for you. For you Loyal to Royal folk, I hope it is fun to see a Royal ship through my new-to-Royal eyes. 

 

As for my blogging/review style? I’ll tell it like it is, but that said, I’ve never been on a bad cruise! I’m generally upbeat and I don’t let a few things that are not perfect ruin my good time. 

 

I have a cruising channel on YouTube, Cruising With Dee. You can completely enjoy this LIVE! without visiting my channel, but if you want to visit my channel, I won’t complain!  I write my blog (prose) here with lots of photos, and the video goes on the channel.  Link to my channel is always in my signature, and I’ll include links for any videos I upload during the trip.

 

Thanks in advance for reading along and joining in! I enjoy doing my LIVES!  here because Cruise Critic helped me get through the COVID cruising drought, and also through a broken ankle//emergency evacuation from a cruise ship, and for me overall this has been such a helpful and giving community.

 

Ok, so here I go…on my way in a few short days for a trip on the World’s Largest Cruise Ship!  

[TravelBluebird]

 

This particular cruise is the October 1- October 8 Eastern Caribbean itinerary, with Perfect day at CocoCay, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Departs from Port Canaveral. I leave Saturday morning.

 

I’m completely packed as of this morning, which is like a day or two early for me, but have lots of work this week so didn’t want packing hanging over my head.  I’m all packed except for a light rain jacket and a super lightweight umbrella (from Japan) that I keep putting in and taking out of my suitcase.  The weather forecast for the week keeps changing…looks like some rain while in Port Canaveral, but hopefully not after than (and especially not for my first visit to CocoCay!)

 

I’m a medium packer—one medium case with spinner wheels I can check, and one carry on that can go on top of said spinner, and I can push it all along on my own. If I can’t carry it (wheel it?), I don’t take it. 

 

I have booked an Interior (since I have to pay for 2 people traveling solo, solo in a balcony seemed very expensive). I think I will REALLY miss having a balcony cabin, but we shall see. On the plus side, I did get a minor Royal Up to a Neighborhood View Interior, so I’ll have some natural light.

 

Please let me know what you all are most interested in seeing on my LIVE Blog!  Also, would LOVE to know “ do not miss” recommendations etc. for Wonder from all you experienced Royal cruisers!

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

looks like some rain while in Port Canaveral

Ignore the forecast. It’s Florida. There’s always a chance of rain.

 

9 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

would LOVE to know “ do not miss” recommendations etc. for Wonder

These will all be food/drink related; just how I roll & a big part of cruising for me.
 

1. Mason Jar brunch was amazing (and unique to Wonder, for now). Also check out the bar & country band at night. They have some unique drinks & it’s very popular.
 

2. Big fan of Playmakers. Great burgers, garlic parm fries, onion rings, etc, Also 2 of my favorite drinks there… Goal post margarita (jalapeño pineapple) & The Pitch (modified Long Island with midori & sprite).

 

3. Not a “do not miss” but if you want a less crowded breakfast spot, El Loco Fresh was empty for breakfast in June. Nothing Mexican at breakfast really, basic eggs, bacon, potatoes, waffles, etc. Missing a few things from WJ but if no crowd & outdoor seating is appealing, check it out.

 

4. Park Cafe - a staple on Oasis class & I’ve always been a fan. I enjoy their egg sandwiches & bagels for breakfast (Central Park is also very peaceful if you wake up early). For lunch, try their famous kummelweck roast beef sandwich. I also like their paninis, especially the Cuban when they have it.

 

I could go on if you couldn’t tell so I’ll shut up & leave my semi-live blog from June below if you’re interested. Enjoy!

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

These will all be food/drink related; just how I roll & a big part of cruising for me.
 

1. Mason Jar brunch was amazing (and unique to Wonder, for now). Also check out the bar & country band at night. They have some unique drinks & it’s very popular.
 

2. Big fan of Playmakers. Great burgers, garlic parm fries, onion rings, etc, Also 2 of my favorite drinks there… Goal post margarita (jalapeño pineapple) & The Pitch (modified Long Island with midori & sprite).

 

3. Not a “do not miss” but if you want a less crowded breakfast spot, El Loco Fresh was empty for breakfast in June. Nothing Mexican at breakfast really, basic eggs, bacon, potatoes, waffles, etc. Missing a few things from WJ but if no crowd & outdoor seating is appealing, check it out.

 

4. Park Cafe - a staple on Oasis class & I’ve always been a fan. I enjoy their egg sandwiches & bagels for breakfast (Central Park is also very peaceful if you wake up early). For lunch, try their famous kummelweck roast beef sandwich. I also like their paninis, especially the Cuban when they have it.

 

I could go on if you couldn’t tell so I’ll shut up & leave my semi-live blog from June below if you’re interested. Enjoy!

 

These are great!  💕 I’m a total foodie; have the UDP and I’m looking forward to trying as much as I can.  Definitely going to check out Mason Jar for brunch AND country band.  Thanks for the breakfast recommendations…I like to usually get a quick breakfast, and I’m not a huge buffet fan.  

 

I will definitely check out your semi-live Blog! And you are right about the rain forecast; I’m clearly getting myself worked up over nothing on that (because of that tropical depression that looked like it was going to be an issue, but is not anymore.

[perfect match]

I’ll be following since we will be cruising on Wonder next year. Thanks,@OCSC Mike for that trip report you linked here, the one that pushed me over the edge to go ahead and book Wonder! 😂  Well, ok I was planning on booking anyway. I just needed that last little nudge to get me to book. 
 

I am very much looking forward to following tour review, @TravelBluebird. I love to hear a variety of opinions on a ship before our first sailing on it. 

[Teeara]

Looking forward to your review.  Thanks for your channel info.  You'll have plenty to see and do on Wonder.  We did the Wonder TA last year and I've got a bunch of videos of Wonder on my channel if you want to check it out.  My channel is The Empty Armchair.  WOTS 2023 WB TA

 

So welcome to Royal!  You'll find plenty to see and do onboard Wonder.

 

Make sure you have dinner at 150 Central!  The food there was the best onboard the ship.

 

If you aren't a big breakfast fan, then get your reservation for dinner at The Mason Jar.  We had the breakfast there and were less than impressed.  Dinner would've been better.

 

Happy sailing!

 

 

[OCSC Mike]

47 minutes ago, Teeara said:

If you aren't a big breakfast fan, then get your reservation for dinner at The Mason Jar.  We had the breakfast there and were less than impressed.  Dinner would've been better.

 

This shows the subjective nature of food. The brunch there was one of the best meals my family ever had on a ship and I've read several negative comments about some of the dinner items (mostly the BBQ). My wife had some of the dinner items at brunch (chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese) and enjoyed them all. Since the OP has the UDP, I suggest she try both. 😁

 

We're also likely to try dinner there at some point too... we're just waiting to turn D+ (7 points away) so we can use a BOGO. We're frugal and don't do much specialty dining.

[Teeara]

28 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

This shows the subjective nature of food. The brunch there was one of the best meals my family ever had on a ship and I've read several negative comments about some of the dinner items (mostly the BBQ). My wife had some of the dinner items at brunch (chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese) and enjoyed them all. Since the OP has the UDP, I suggest she try both. 😁

 

We're also likely to try dinner there at some point too... we're just waiting to turn D+ (7 points away) so we can use a BOGO. We're frugal and don't do much specialty dining.

That's very true.  I'm glad you enjoyed it.  And true!  She has the UDP so she can do both. 

 

Have to agree that the specialty dining is pricy.  We did the 5 night plan, but wished we had the UDP.  Maybe for our next TA.  

[OCSC Mike]

13 minutes ago, Teeara said:

Have to agree that the specialty dining is pricy.  We did the 5 night plan, but wished we had the UDP.  Maybe for our next TA.

 

If the finances work and you're not picky like my wife and will try lots of different stuff, the UDP on Wonder would be pretty great (and even better on a TA). I gain enough weight in 7 nights though eating mostly included food. I'm sure we'll do longer cruises a bit later in life when our schedules allow but I fear what I'd gain in 10-14 days, lol.

[TYMAN]

I'll look for you on board Dee. This will be our first time on Wonder, but overall our 82nd cruise with RCCL. We have the UDP also, so we'll see you at the specialty restaurants!  

[TravelBluebird]

6 hours ago, Teeara said:

Looking forward to your review.  Thanks for your channel info.  You'll have plenty to see and do on Wonder.  We did the Wonder TA last year and I've got a bunch of videos of Wonder on my channel if you want to check it out.  My channel is The Empty Armchair.  WOTS 2023 WB TA

 

So welcome to Royal!  You'll find plenty to see and do onboard Wonder.

 

Make sure you have dinner at 150 Central!  The food there was the best onboard the ship.

 

If you aren't a big breakfast fan, then get your reservation for dinner at The Mason Jar.  We had the breakfast there and were less than impressed.  Dinner would've been better.

 

Happy sailing!

 

Thank you so much! I’ve subscribed to your channel and I am going to enjoy all your Wonder videos after work today!!

 

I think 150 Central is my TOP restaurant to book. In order of what I’m looking forward to on the specialty restaurants, for me (for dinner) it is 150 Central, Wonder, Chops, Izumi Sushi, Hooked .Mason Jar, Giovanni’s in that order. 

 

I’m definitely not a big breakfast person, the reason being that I’m kinda a 2 meal a day person, although on a cruise I’ll get something small to go with my morning espresso (I’m a BIG need a good espresso person in the morning though), then do a medium lunch with my big meal of the day dinner, and usually a late dinner as I’m a night owl.

 

[TravelBluebird]

5 hours ago, TYMAN said:

I'll look for you on board Dee. This will be our first time on Wonder, but overall our 82nd cruise with RCCL. We have the UDP also, so we'll see you at the specialty restaurants!  

 

Oh my gosh—83 cruises on RCCL!! Did you start when you were a baby? Seriously, you should be doing my cruising video channel instead of me!  Looking forward to meeting you on board as well; I’d love to talk to you about your RCCL history and experience!

[TYMAN]

8 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Oh my gosh—83 cruises on RCCL!! Did you start when you were a baby? Seriously, you should be doing my cruising video channel instead of me!  Looking forward to meeting you on board as well; I’d love to talk to you about your RCCL history and experience!

Started in 1990 on the Nordic Empress, which later became Empress of the Seas. Did a bunch of Disney, Holland America & NCL cruises too, plus some smaller cruise lines like Dolphin & Majesty Cruise Line. I watched one your youtube blogs, I won't be able to miss you. 🙂 Look forward to meeting you......Bill

[TravelBluebird]

I’m having my lunch right now and talking to y’all while I desperately wait for the next 2 days to pass by so I can leave for my cruise!

 

This first photo below is a generic photo of Wonder of the Seas.  This is so on Cruise Critic a weird photo doesn’t show up on the links to this LIVE! Blog—if you’ve ever done a LIVE! and ended up with a photo of your luggage as that first photo, you’ll know what I mean!

 

This morning I woke up to two emails from Royal (see below)—the first one about pre-cruise reservations closing tonight. I’m not going to go look because I’m afraid I’ll do something flighty like book an excursion to swim with the pigs on CocoCay or book the CoCoCay Beach Club, even though that is, in my opinion, so overpriced.

 

The second one was the DON”T ARRIVE BEFORE your pre-cruise Arrival time, plus other info on boarding.  Everyone here says I don’t have to worry about it if I don’t arrive super early. I’m thinking of arriving at about noon (although I have a 1:30 check in time) because I want to have lunch at a Specialty restaurant with my UDP AND I desperately need to book my UDP dining reservations. Plus, I need to check out of my hotel earlier than that. If I end up waiting at the port, so be it; that’s on my head. 

 

Also in that e-mail was a link for special (mostly medical) stateroom requests. I find this very organized and helpful—I often need a Sharps Container for my Enbrel shots, and if I travel with my son, he uses a Cpap Machine. I’ve included a photo of those requests—also included are things like  “open joining door”. baby crib, extra blanket.  I wish they had extra pillows on there; with my RA I sleep like I’m in a pillow fort.

 

Checked my Royal app; I answer health questions on the 30th, the day before we sail.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[MLAW]

I am excited to follow your live report and will also checkout your Youtube channel.  I will be sailing on the Wonder for the first time in February.  We also booked the UDP so I will be interested in your dining reviews.  Our cruise just prior to The Wonder should get us to Diamond so I am also excited to try some new drinks.   Safe travels!

[TravelBluebird]

16 minutes ago, TYMAN said:

Started in 1990 on the Nordic Empress, which later became Empress of the Seas. Did a bunch of Disney, Holland America & NCL cruises too, plus some smaller cruise lines like Dolphin & Majesty Cruise Line. I watched one your youtube blogs, I won't be able to miss you. 🙂 Look forward to meeting you......Bill

 

Wow!  I go way back too…my very first cruise in the 1990s was on a Radisson cruise to New Zealand! But I’ve spread out my cruising on many different lines, although my “go to” for the Caribbean has been Carnival.

 

Yeah, I’m kinda hard to miss—short gal with the mop of red curly hair. 😂 See you on board!

[MLAW]

I also need extra pillows as I too sleep in a pillow fort (loving that phrase).  Just ask your room attendant when you see them boarding day.  They will bring whatever number you request.

[TravelBluebird]

5 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

If the finances work and you're not picky like my wife and will try lots of different stuff, the UDP on Wonder would be pretty great (and even better on a TA). I gain enough weight in 7 nights though eating mostly included food. I'm sure we'll do longer cruises a bit later in life when our schedules allow but I fear what I'd gain in 10-14 days, lol.

 

You know, we did the 15 day TransAtlantic on Carnival Venezia this summer, and we ate EVERYTHING in sight. The new Italian specialty, the sushi, the Chef’s table, and had to try all the new Italian dishes in the MDR. But we didn’t gain weight! We do try to limit our meals to 2 a day (with a very small breakfast or snack). PLUS we are super active—lots of dancing, often 20,000+ steps a day on port days and mostly 15,000 steps a day while at sea. I’m a little worried about less dancing on this cruise with DH not with me, so I may have to be a little more careful. So it can be done! Although I have a 28 day South America//Antarctica cruise coming up on HAL and with the cold weather (not wanting to walk on track as much) I’m definitely worried about weight gain on that one!

[TravelBluebird]

5 minutes ago, MLAW said:

I also need extra pillows as I too sleep in a pillow fort (loving that phrase).  Just ask your room attendant when you see them boarding day.  They will bring whatever number you request.

 

That is what I normally do!  Hoping the bed is not too hard..I’ve heard various reports on RC beads from way to soft to hard as a rock so I have NO idea what to expect!

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

we didn’t gain weight

 

5 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

limit our meals

 

5 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

super active

 

I'm not familiar with any of those concepts, lol. I eat healthy at home. On a cruise... anything goes. Glad it works for you though. My wife goes walking (she used to run) most mornings while I get cappuccino and "pre-breakfast." Of course, she doesn't eat like I do either so she maybe gains 2 lbs.

 

It doesn't take me long to lose what I gain and I'm actually a thin guy who just likes to eat so it's not really a big deal.

Edited September 28, 2023 by OCSC Mike

[TravelBluebird]

12 minutes ago, MLAW said:

I am excited to follow your live report and will also checkout your Youtube channel.  I will be sailing on the Wonder for the first time in February.  We also booked the UDP so I will be interested in your dining reviews.  Our cruise just prior to The Wonder should get us to Diamond so I am also excited to try some new drinks.   Safe travels!

 

Thank you! I’m excited to report on the UDP as I intend to make the most of it.  Congrats on getting to Diamond! It will be a little weird for me traveling with no status AND not in a suite. I’m a little spoiled. But hubby and I are cruising so much now that we’ve decided to check out interiors and ocean views for some cruises—can’t always be in a suite or Aqua class or something enhanced, especially with the higher prices for cruises these days!

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

Hoping the bed is not too hard..I’ve heard various reports on RC beads from way to soft to hard as a rock so I have NO idea what to expect!

 

The mattresses on Wonder should be fine since it's still a pretty new ship. The concrete mattresses you've probably read about are usually found on older ships. I only had one really bad one, last year on Independence, but I was in 3 cabins on that ship in the span of 4 months and 2 of the mattresses were just fine. I wouldn't be too concerned.

[TravelBluebird]

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

I'm not familiar with any of the concepts, lol. I eat healthy at home. On a cruise... anything goes. Glad it works for you though. My wife goes walking (she used to run) most mornings while I get cappuccino and "pre-breakfast." Of course, she doesn't eat like I do either so she maybe gains 2 lbs.

 

It doesn't take me long to lose what I gain and I'm actually a thin guy who just likes to eat so it's not really a big deal.

 

That was TOTALLY me. Until about 5 years ago when my metabolism went on a permanent vacation 😂

 

If you just lose the weight when you get home, no harm done! The first cruise for me when I didn’t immediately lose the weight was a sad one, but I’ve adjusted now, and with the RA I just can’t risk more weight on my joints (l’m a little fluffy now already).

[TravelBluebird]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

The mattresses on Wonder should be fine since it's still a pretty new ship. The concrete mattresses you've probably read about are usually found on older ships.

 

That is good to hear! Yes, the phrase “concrete mattress” did come up on a few reviews I read—glad the newer Wonder ones should be more to my liking. I’m like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to a mattress—its amazing I survive so much travel; I can give anyone great detail about a mattress on any cruise ship I’ve been on! 

[TravelBluebird]

If anyone is curious what I’ve spent pre-cruise in addition to my room, here is the rundown (also see photos below).  All of my prices shown include gratuities where applicable and taxes:

 

Unlimited Dining Plan:  $266.66

VOOM Internet One Device:  $132.93

Refreshment Package: $231.14

Excursion St. Thomas: $95.99

 

For at total of $716.72. Ouch. But very happy not to have this all on the bill at the end of the cruise. The only things I’m anticipating on the final bill are gratuities, the occasional alcoholic beverage and perhaps some gambling funds—although is it true that Royal charges a 5% convenience fee for charging casino funds to your room? Carnival doesn’t do that, and that’s like starting in a huge hole for gambling.