When Royal Caribbean ordered their latest cruise ship, they had no idea that there would be a pandemic that would obliterate the entire worldwide cruise industry. But you can’t exactly return a cruise ship worth a billion dollars as easy as returning an aftermarket iPhone charger on Amazon.
This week, Royal Caribbean began taking reservations for sailings on its newest ship – Wonder of the Seas – despite the mighty cruiseliner not even being fully constructed yet.
Wonder of the Seas is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France. The massive ship has been under construction since April 2019.Wonder of the Seas will weigh in at a gargantuan 236,857 tons, and will be nearly 4% larger than the current biggest cruise ship in the world – the Symphony of the Seas, which is the sister ship. Wonder of the Seas will be a large floating town, accommodating up to 6,988 passengers — a new record for a passenger cruise ship. The ship will boast 18 decks, 2,867 staterooms, and will be nearly 1,200 feet long.
RELATED: Take A Tour Of The Largest And Most Expensive Cruise Ship In The World, The Symphony Of The Seas
Wonder of the Seas features three separate main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, mini-golf courses, basketball courts, indoor ice skating rink, the highest water slide on a cruise ship, and a 10-deck high zip lines. There are also eight “neighborhoods,” including a “Central Park” with “the first living park at sea, home to more than 20,000 plants.” There are also numerous specialty restaurants, bars, lounges, theaters, and casinos.
From Royal Caribbean:
You’ve never seen Asia like this. Start your journey into the East on our boldest ship ever in Shanghai, where neon-lit skyscrapers share streets with centuries-old Buddhist temples. Hike the foothills of Mount Fuji during an extended visit in Shimizu. And explore Tokyo’s traditional side in the historic Asakusa district. In between shores, China’s first Oasis Class ship brims with thrills on every deck — like the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠, unforgettable performances at the AquaTheater, and world-class dining to please every palate. Be among the first to chase adventure east onboard the new Wonder of the Seas, arriving in Shanghai in March 2022.
The first voyages of the Wonder of the Seas will take place in March 2022 in Asia, which is the first time that the world’s largest cruise ship has debuted in the region. Wonder of the Seas will take passengers on 4-8-night sailings to Japan out of Shanghai, China. The mega-cruiser will then reposition to Hong Kong in November 2022 with up to 9-night voyages to Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, according to The Points Guy.
“China continues to be one of the most important parts of the world for Royal Caribbean,” Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement. “We have won the trust of our partners and the favor of travelers and built on that significantly since we first set sail 12 years ago.”
“It will be a remarkable moment to see years of partnership realized when the industry’s newest, most innovative ship becomes Shanghai’s new city skyline and takes cruise travel beyond imagination,” Bayley said.