Las Vegas and Disneyland, but on the sea: We boarded the largest passenger ship in the world

The cruise industry, which has suffered a severe blow in the last two years following the Corona, is back in full force this time with the launch of the ship Wonder Of The Seas, which bears the title of "the largest passenger ship in the world".

We sent our correspondent to Spain for the premiere launch to check out what awaits Israelis this season

Yoav Itiel

10/05/2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022, 07:58 Updated: 08:04

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Royal Caribbean's "Wonder Of The Seas" ship (Photo: Yoav Itiel)

"We are back," the heads of the Royal Caribbean announced with a bright face at a glittering event held last Saturday in Spain for European travel agents, who were no less happy with returning to the sea.

It is no secret that within the tourism industry that was hit hard, the cruise industry was hit very hard during the Corona period and even left quite a few gaps behind.

The big ones have survived, now they are, as mentioned, returning and as usual with the industry and the fifty-year-old company - they are coming back big.

Correction: Giant.

The event was held by the company during the launch cruise to the ship Wonder Of The Seas ("Wonder of the Seas") of the giant ships from the Oasis series, which last night bears the title of "the largest passenger ship in the world" (another wonder on the way: the company is already building an even larger ship).

It was built in France, sailing under the Bahamas flag and weighing 237,000 tons - more than three times that of the "Rhapsodies of the Seas", from the Vision series below it, the one that will soon begin to visit the port of Haifa,

More on Walla!

Cruise industry in big crisis: 80% drop in cruise bookings

To the full article

Of course, the ship has swimming pools and a water slide park (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

The water slide park on the ship is the largest of its kind on a ship (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

24 transparent high-speed elevators ascending and descending and flying the guests up and down (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

Floating city

The voyage that left Barcelona yesterday (Sunday) for Valencia and back to Barcelona took place a day before this giant ship embarked yesterday on its first seven-night commercial voyage in the Mediterranean, where it will sail next season, giving Israelis the opportunity to experience it reasonably and with a flight to Barcelona. At this time, or to Rome, one of the ports in Europe the same function.

At the end of this season she is expected to sail to her regular home port, Florida.

The ship, originally designed for the Chinese tourism market that has yet to recover, will serve Americans between the continent and the Caribbean, where the brand-bearing company named after them has a private island, whose executives attest is designed for a perfect vacation experience.

Work on it, as well as on another island, is ongoing and the company has additional procurement plans "that are still too early to expand."

First of all, there is truth in advertising: as the name of "Wonder of the Seas" yes it is: wonder.

She leaves everyone who comes up to her open-mouthed.

It is an engineering marvel in almost every dimension.

It is 362 meters long and 64 meters wide.

It can carry about 6,988 guests in 2,867 cells spread over a height of 18 decks, which serve about 2,300 staff for a total of almost 10,000 people, more than the number of residents in several localities in the country when they received city status.

This floating city is indeed divided into neighborhoods, according to the concept of Caribbean, the prestigious of which is the neighborhood of suites on decks 18-17 that includes not only the ultimate family suite and luxurious royal suite, both two floors and a huge balcony, but also public areas unique to the people of the luxury neighborhood, There they can splash around in the water, sunbathe, drink and dine, and mostly rub against each other without encountering the rest of the lower decks.

More than 30 restaurants, cafes and bars are at guests' disposal, including an authentic Starbucks branded café.

On the trial cruise the coffee was free, but that will change during the commercial cruises.

The vacations on the ship are in an all-inclusive format, but you can upgrade a meal with items for an additional fee or dine for a fee at one of the special restaurants, such as a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant or a fish and seafood restaurant.

More than 30 restaurants, cafes and bars on the ship, including Starbucks (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

The ship can carry 6,988 guests and serves about 2,300 crew members (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

There are unique areas for the people of the luxury neighborhood only, where they can wade in the water together (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

20 skimmers fly over the spectators in the hall

This wonder ship has a performance hall with wood-paneled walls and ascending and descending stage sections, and a celestial sound system and upholstered seats for 1,400 spectators (i.e. more than in different amphitheaters).

In addition, a conference hall, a 2.4-kilometer running track around the deck, mini golf (sure already thinking of a golf course, we will wait for the next ship), a huge screen for showing movies on the deck, there are of course swimming pools, a water slide park (also the largest of its kind on a ship ), Spa and gym, countless Jacuzzis, a climbing wall, a basketball / volleyball court, a karaoke hall and how is it possible without an omega of zip-line, 10 stories high.

There is a luxurious modern casino and it should be noted that it is not at the top of the marketing publications, or the agenda during the cruise, for the company and also for the passengers.

The experience in general is very American, if you will it is a meeting between Las Vegas and Disneyland, on the sea.

The company of course caters to different audiences, and with the size of this ship and the neighborhoods, it can even host them in parallel, easily, but the emphasis is on a family experience.

The performances are also aimed at this family audience and they also leave the viewers speechless.

A superhero show adopted from other company ships and demonstrated over the weekend, featuring a synchronized swarm of 20 skimmers flying over the spectators in the hall, in the spotlight and in complete darkness, as they illuminate and signal.

The company's production team is already working on an even more technological sequel, which is set to hit the Wonder of the Seas stage in about two months.

An escape room is also planned for those who still lack adventure.

Kids also have arcade gaming areas, play areas and countless activities.

An infinity of activities are of course offered throughout the cruise for all passengers.

Sometimes it seems like too much.

Where has the serenity of the voyage that characterized the "old-fashioned" cruises gone?

The ship is an engineering marvel in almost every dimension.

It is 362 meters long and 64 meters wide (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

The ship is a "miracle" - it leaves everyone on board gaping.

Wonder of the Seas (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

The ship has a luxurious modern casino (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

There are no disposable plastic utensils on the ship at all

Over the years, awareness of the environment and health has increased.

In every sense.

The Corona also added a growing interest in staying in the open air.

The ship is built so that the central part of deck 8 and above has no roof, thus creating an atrium that is also huge in size, 10 stories high.

Dozens of trees and thousands of shrubs and plants were planted along it, most of them green and without flowers.

Along with the shops, restaurants and cafes along the vast space that extends almost from the bow to the stern are the ship's Central Park.

The chirping of birds heard there to complete the atmosphere of nature is not only from occasional winged creatures but mostly from a speaker system hidden within the vegetation.

Everything is designed to create a more relaxed area, for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of activities.

This of course also allows hundreds of rooms that would otherwise have been interior actually, to enjoy a balcony to the green view of the ship.

Another unique area is the solarium for adults from the age of 16 only with a small swimming pool and its own Jacuzzi pools, with sun loungers and its own restaurant, all under a transparent roof and with climate control that allows you to spend time in almost any weather.

Despite its size, the company says that thanks to advanced technologies it is the most environmentally friendly ship with economical engines, with a system that produces a cloud of air bubbles under the ship and reduces its friction in seawater, and the heat they generate is used to produce 15% of the ship's heating needs. From 2 million liters of sewage per day.

There are no disposable plastic utensils on the ship at all.

All drinking straws are made of paper.

Dozens of trees and thousands of shrubs and plants were planted.

The ship's Central Park '(Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

A huge atrium.

The "Central Park" (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

Did you like the bedding?

Bought them home

The corona that paralyzed the branch is still not completely gone and the ship is easily updated.

Meanwhile, all those entering Spain are required to be vaccinated and the passengers boarding the ship are required by the Royal Caribbean for antigen testing.

Staff wear masks.

At the entrance to the dining rooms there are sinks for hand washing.

This is the place to point out that the cleanliness and maintenance in the public areas and in the cells - the guest rooms, are at the level of perfection of a five star hotel.

The immaculate rooms are equipped with the best furniture and bedding (Royal Caribbean is very proud of them and also offers them for sale at home).

There is a selection of sockets including a USB socket at the base of the bedside lamp.

Royal Caribbean knows that ultimately the sailing experience is determined by the crew the guests encounter, and each crew member regardless of their role is instructed to assist each guest or call another crew member, if he or she does not know how to respond on the spot.

The staff are approachable, less formal, and seem to understand the responsibility on their shoulders.

The war in Ukraine also affects the activities of society in general.

Ships no longer frequent Russia, and fortunately they were allowed to leave.

The company deals with Russian and Ukrainian crew members working side by side on the ship, with crew members who are required to stay on the ship for extended periods because if they return to their homeland they will not be allowed to leave, and with workers who need alternative ways to transfer their salaries to their families.

In private conversations the company explained the efforts they are making to alleviate all these adversities.

The guest rooms are at the perfect level of a five-star hotel (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

The ship is intended for the Chinese tourism market, which has not yet recovered, but will serve Americans (Photo: Walla !, Yoav Itiel)

The "Rhapsody" will sail from Haifa

Royal Caribbean recently declared Haifa a home port, meaning that tourists will even fly to Ben Gurion Airport to begin cruises in Israel, but the huge ship will not be able to enter Haifa - for comparison, it is even 30 meters longer than the American aircraft carrier Nimitz, which during its historic visit to Israel remained in the Gulf. And who did not enter the port.Whoever wants the greatest experience in the world, as mentioned, will fly to it and sail from Europe as long as it is there, but from August Royal Caribbean returns to Haifa with "Rhapsody", another large luxury ship, but as mentioned not the size of the new giant. 8-3 nights in the same company and by the same standards.The prices are very attractive and start at $ 330 per passenger in a double room for a three-night cruise in an indoor room.It is about half the price per night of a cruise on Wonder Of The Seas.The company website guarantees a 7-night cruise On this new ship, for $ 810.

Agents say the public, who are also experiencing two years of Corona, are thirsty for vacations in general and are interested in cruises in particular.

The company's public relations in the country state that 60 percent of the seats for the expected cruises of Rhapsodies of the Seas from the country have already been sold.

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