Royal Caribbean has announced that the world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, will now debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the spring of 2022 instead of sailing out of China. Wonder of the Seas will homeport in Port Everglades before repositioning to Europe where the ship will offer cruises from Barcelona and Rome. Wonder of the Seas will be the fifth Oasis class ship from Royal Caribbean and will be the world’s largest cruise ship when she debuts next year.
Oasis Class ships are known for their accessibility for scooter and wheelchair guests. Royal Caribbean International believes the best vacations come without limitations and are committed to providing the most accessible cruise vacation experience for guests with disabilities and special needs. Ships are outfitted with a wide variety of features designed to give access to all, including guests who have:
• Mobility disabilities
• Hearing disabilities
• Visual disabilities
• Other disabilities including children with disabilities, people of short stature and individuals with
cognitive, intellectual and development disabilities.
ACCESSIBLE STATEROOM FEATURES
• Available on all ships in a variety of categories
• Stateroom and bathroom door width: at least 32 inches
• Automatic stateroom doors on Radiance-class ships
• No stateroom doorway threshold
• Lowered closet rods and safes
• Lowered sink and vanity
• Ramped bathroom doorway thresholds
• Roll-in showers with grab bars
• Fold-down shower seat and hand-held shower head
• Raised toilet seats – most are between 17 to 19 inches high
• 5-foot turning radius in sleeping, sitting and bathroom areas for easy
maneuverability
• Accessible balconies
• Most located near elevators
GETTING AROUND THE SHIP
• Corridors that accommodate 180-degree turns for wheelchairs
• Automatic doors
• Gradual inclines into all public rooms
• Elevators and ramps
ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
• Lifts for one pool and one whirlpool
• Lowered playing tables and slot machines in Casino Royale
• Accessible Guest Relations desk with lowered counter
• Accessible public restrooms, many with automatic doors
Mobility
- Boarding and departure assistance
- Accessible staterooms
- Solarium pool has stairs instead of ladders
- Accessible seating in main theater and lounges
- Platform lift to accessible seating and ice rink in Studio B
- Lowered Guest Relations desk
- Accessible public restrooms with automatic entry and stall doors
- Transfers using accessible vehicles
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Portable Room Kits, includes a visual and tactile alert system that provides alerts for door knocking, telephone ringing, alarm clock and smoke detector (upon request)
- TTY (Teletypewriters) in staterooms which interfaces with TTY at Guest Relations to meet all in-stateroom needs (upon request)
- Assistive Listening System (ALS) in the main theater on all ships and Studio B on Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class ships
- Amplified telephones in staterooms and public areas
- Closed captioned televisions in staterooms3
- American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services provided on cruises to/from U.S. and Canada4
Blind and Low Vision
- Braille and large print menus and daily Cruise Compasses
- Braille and tactile signage
- Braille and tactile elevator controls and audio call signals
- Braille deck numbers on staircase handrails
Service Animals
- Service animals welcomed onboard
- Relief area provided – 4 by 4 foot box, usually with cypress mulch (sod can be provided if requested and is available)
The action-packed cruise ship will deliver multiple ways to adventure with 7-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, visiting tropical destinations like Cozumel, St. Maarten; San Juan, and more. No matter the itinerary guests choose, every sailing will visit Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, for a day of thrill and chill unlike any other.
Wonder of the Seas will have eight neighborhoods and will include all-new features such as the Suite Neighborhood, a cantilevered pool bar named The Vue, and Wonder Playscape – an interactive, open-air kids’ play area with awe-inspiring views. With returning favorites like The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; Central Park, the neighborhood filled with real plants from end to end; and the vibrant Caribbean-inspired pool deck experience, your days will be filled with things to do.
Cruises on Wonder of the Seas to the Caribbean are now open for bookings and sailings to Europe will open for bookings on September 22, 2021.