Royal Caribbean International invited me to spend two nights in a balcony stateroom on the Wonder of the Seas.
The stateroom aboard the world’s largest cruise ship will start at $1,400 per person in 2023.
Take a tour of spacious my hotel room at sea complete with views of the ocean and two beds.
In early December, Royal Caribbean International invited me to spend two nights in a balcony stateroom on the cruise line’s newest mega ship, the Wonder of the Seas.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Let’s take a look around my room complete with views of the ocean, two beds, and plenty of storage.
Brittany Chang/Insider
My balcony stateroom was located on deck eight, the same deck as the ship’s Central Park neighborhood …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… an open-air walkway filled with plants, specialty restaurants, and shopping.
Brittany Chang/Insider
My stateroom was in a uniquely prime location. But inside, it had all the expected amenities available on any typical cruise ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider
When I tapped my room key card and opened the door, I was immediately greeted by the bathroom to my left, a full-length mirror to my right …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… and the bed, couch, desk, and balcony in front of me.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Let’s start in the bathroom.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Like any stateroom, the bathroom had a shower with a built-in clothesline, a series of shelves to hold toiletries …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… a long yet narrow countertop that ended at the small sink, and a toilet.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The shower notably had a two-in-one body wash and shampoo but no separate conditioner, which had to be purchased at the ship’s essentials store.
Brittany Chang/Insider
And besides the small backsplash under the mirror and above the counter, the bathroom was minimally decorated.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Back outside, the bed was positioned in front of the bathroom door.
Brittany Chang/Insider
It faced a row of storage hooks and a wall-mounted television, perfect for pre-bedtime TV shows.
Brittany Chang/Insider
And the two bedside lamps conveniently had built-in outlets.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The plush queen bed was then surrounded by a wood structure with two large closets on either side of the bed.
Brittany Chang/Insider
This bulky tan structure served two purposes: It provided ample storage space and helped separate the bed from the living room and bathroom.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Cruise ship staterooms are notorious for small storage spaces.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But the closets in my stateroom were large and lined with hangers, shelves, drawers, and a safe.
Brittany Chang/Insider
If that’s not enough storage for the ship’s week-long itineraries, the living room also had a separate dresser.
Brittany Chang/Insider
This dresser then extended into a lower desk facing the brightly lit vanity.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The pillow-lined couch — which could pull out into a separate bed — ran parallel to this desk and storage combination.
Brittany Chang/Insider
My stateroom finally ended with the balcony located just past the living room.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Some of the ship’s staterooms faced Central Park.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Instead, my furnished balcony had views of the ocean. No complaints here.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Overall, my Wonder of the Seas’ stateroom had all the classic furnishings that make it a good option for families looking to spend a bit more money on a balcony.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But if you prefer fully decorated staterooms, you may be disappointed.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Unlike Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest Prima ship (shown below) or the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… this stateroom was surprisingly devoid of decor with the exception of some pillows, ombre curtains, and a small cluster of wall art.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Source: Insider, Insider
The neutral tan, blue, and white color palette was a contrast to the rest of the ship …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… which was filled with vibrant spaces like colorful water slides and a bright boardwalk. Definitely far from being plainly decorated.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But to some travelers, the unembellished staterooms could make the hotel rooms at sea feel like a tranquil escape from the bustle of the ship.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The cruise line covered my two-night non-revenue sailing held for travel agents and media.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The stateroom starts at $1,400 for the Wonder of the Seas’ 2023 itineraries, a spokesperson told Insider in an email.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Source: Insider
This price then skyrockets to a little over $1,840 per person — with the same discount — for an eight-night sailing in late December from Florida to three Caribbean islands and Perfect Day at Cococay.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Source: Royal Caribbean International
