Royal Caribbean announces new 'world's largest cruise ship'

03 Sep, 2021

Royal Caribbean International has shared additional details on its new ship, Wonder of the Seas, which will be the world’s largest cruise ship when it launches.

In a video shared on Facebook by Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley, Wonder of the Seas—currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France—is the fifth ship in the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class; it will be nearly 1,200 feet long, 210 feet wide and almost 237,000 gross tons. That’s enough space for 18 decks and 2,867 staterooms that accommodate up to 5,734 guests.

Guests can expect signature Oasis Class features, as well as a slew of new experiences. Some highlights, according to the video, are the Solarium, which is now fully enclosed to climatize the space; the AquaTheater entertainment venue at the rear of the ship, which will have a partial shelter for cooler temperatures; and the Ultimate Abyss, a three-story waterslide touted as the tallest at sea.

Inside, dining venues include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Park Café and the Casino Royale. An Oasis Class mainstay is the open-air Central Park, lined with upscale boutiques and restaurants, like Chops Grille. The Boardwalk (home to the AqauTheater) will also have a selection of casual eats, entertainment and “family fun,” including a carousel.

Good to know: Wonder of the Seas will be home to a new stateroom category, the Suite Neighborhood. This is located atop the ship and will offer guests exclusive experiences and amenities, such as dining at Coastal Kitchen.

The ship will make its debut in March 2022; it will sail itineraries throughout Asia. All departures leave from either Shanghai or Hong Kong and visit such destinations as Okinawa, Fukuoka, Ishigaki, Kyoto (Osaka), Kochi and Miyazaki (Aburatsu), Japan, as well as Hue/Danang (Chan May), Vietnam and Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan.