Cruising Is Not What You Think It Is. My Perspective After Sailing Wonder of the Seas.
I hear it all the time from clients. “I don’t think cruising is for us.” And honestly, I understand why. Many people are still picturing an outdated version of cruising that no longer exists. After spending several days onboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas as part of an invitation-only Seminar at Sea with a small group of top travel advisors, I walked away with one very clear takeaway: cruising, when done right, has quietly become one of the most thoughtful and low-stress ways for families to travel.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and Icon Class ships are in a category of their own. These ships are intentionally designed so that the onboard experience feels layered, immersive, and surprisingly personal for a ship of this size. Instead of feeling like you are constantly moving from one thing to the next, the ship unfolds into distinct neighborhoods and spaces that invite you to slow down and settle in.
What struck me most on Wonder of the Seas (an Oasis Class ship) was the range of experiences available without feeling overwhelming. There are adults-only spaces that feel calm and intentional, paired with family-friendly entertainment that is genuinely impressive. The AquaTheater show alone, with high divers, synchronized swimmers, acrobats, and slackliners, rivals productions you would expect on land. Ice skating shows, live music venues, comedians, and beautifully staged theater performances run throughout the sailing, giving families the flexibility to choose how full or relaxed their days feel.
Dining follows that same philosophy. There are excellent options included in your cruise fare that never feel like an afterthought, alongside specialty dining experiences available for a reasonable additional cost when you want something more elevated. Cabins are spacious and well designed, including innovative courtyard-facing veranda staterooms that allow you to enjoy natural light and outdoor space without the premium of an ocean-facing balcony.
For families, this style of cruising works especially well. Kids have structured, age-appropriate programming and built-in childcare. Adults have space to unwind. Multi-generational groups can come together easily, then break off to do their own thing without logistics becoming complicated. You unpack once, settle in, and let the vacation come to you.
Royal Caribbean has a large and diverse fleet, with ships that vary significantly in layout, onboard offerings, and departure ports. Choosing the right ship and itinerary truly matters. This is where working with a travel advisor who knows these ships firsthand becomes invaluable. My role is to ensure that your time and investment align with the experience you actually want.
Cruising today is polished, flexible, and refreshingly easy. And after experiencing it myself, I can say with confidence that it looks nothing like what most people expect.
If you’d like help selecting the perfect cruise for your family, let’s get started here.
