It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked… what are cruise ships really like, and of course they’re wonderful and Royal Caribbean wonders never cease.
And now that we’re all getting back on the water the most exciting news of all is that RC has taken possession of the world’s largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas.
From the building yard of Chantiers d l’Atlantique shipyard in France, where the big ships are built.
Seeing the wood and the trees
Among the stat attack that is obligatory with cruise ships, it can sometimes be difficult to see the wood for the trees.
And yes they have trees too as I found out a few years ago in Barcelona with Oasis.
The ship that is, not the band, though I dare say RC could get them to reform.
But there are eight neighbourhoods!
Some might sea
Wonder of the Seas is the fifth instalment of RC’s Oasis class (where has the time gone?)
Now what’s 8,000 gross registered tonnes between ships when you get to 236,857 which is the weight of Wonder?
It’s 1,188ft long and 210ft wide, and as with most long distances I compare them with athletics distances.
And that means nearly a mile long and more than half a track broad.
Plenty of space then for the near 7.000 passengers the 2,300 crew cater for which by my reckoning is three staff for every person on board.
Florida sun
Now from one cruise capital to another and RC will make its official sailing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where you can forget about north Europe’s Storm Malik, and soak in the sun.
All of which I did, of course, on RC’s sister Celebrity Cruises and Celebrity Edge.
Where every guest is treated just like that, a Celebrity.
I did though take some of the attention off Alesha Dixon, Julien Macdonald and Malala on that maiden journey.
Wonder sails out of FL in March, starting with seven-night cruises to the Caribbean.
Before heading to Barcelona and later Rome with its summer cruises season.
Yes, we’re all getting back on the seas… and you should too as Royal Caribbean wonders never cease.
