A record-breaking ship: Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is finally ready to welcome passengers.
Credit: Sigrun Sauerzapfe/Royal Caribbean
(CNN) --
It's been three years in the making, but the world's largest cruise ship is finally ready to welcome passengers.
Measuring an impressive 1,200 feet, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas was delivered last month and is scheduled to begin her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Caribbean on March 4.
This 18-deck cruise ship was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France and can accommodate 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members.
An innovative ship
Representation of the Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
"We are excited to introduce Wonder of the Seas and its world-class features to guests around the world after a six-year process," Mark Tamis, senior vice president of hotel operations for Royal Caribbean International, tells CNN Travel.
"From planning to delivery, we've used our experience across Royal Caribbean, as well as incorporating our guests' suggestions and travel partner feedback to create something truly amazing."
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The ship will begin operating five- to seven-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean in March, before launching Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome in May.
The Wonder of the Seas consists of eight “neighborhoods”, one of which contains more than 20,000 real plants, and its onboard features include what is described as the “tallest slide in the sea”, as well as a zip line of 10 stories high and a huge poolside movie screen.
interruptions due to covid
The Wonder of the Seas during the start of its physical construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France.
Credit: Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l'Atlantique/Royal Caribbean
“We have always prided ourselves on offering guests the best and most innovative ships to give them a truly extraordinary experience. Wonder encompasses all of that,” adds Tamis.
The ship was originally scheduled for delivery in 2021, but was delayed due to delays caused by the global pandemic.
CDC's Covid-19 Guidance for Cruise Ships Will Soon Be Optional: What Happens Next?
The cruise industry has faced constant disruption in the last two years as a result of covid-19.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the risk level of cruise travel to the maximum at the end of December, indicating that the risk of covid-19 was "very high" due to the increase in infections among passengers and crew of cruise ships after the appearance of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
In January 2022, health agency COVID guidance became optional for a large number of cruise ships.
This month, the CDC lowered the risk level from level 4 to level 3, meaning their advice is now that people should be fully up to date on their covid vaccinations before traveling.
a welcome addition
Wonder of the Seas has eight onboard neighborhoods spread across 18 decks.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
The CDC's Conditional Sailing Order rules, which expired on January 15, required that 95% of passengers and crew be fully vaccinated in order to sail under most circumstances, while some cruise lines required vaccination of all passengers and crew.
Royal Caribbean halted operations of some of its ships, including Symphony of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas, in January due to "worldwide COVID-related circumstances."
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A record-breaking ship: Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is finally ready to welcome passengers.
Check out this gallery to learn more about this cruise.
Credit: Sigrun Sauerzapfe/Royal Caribbean
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Maiden Voyage: A rendering of the 1,200-foot, 6,988-guest vessel, which will set sail on her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean on March 4.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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Top amenities: Its onboard features include what's described as the "tallest slide in the sea," a 10-story-high zip line, and bars like The Vue, seen here in a rendering.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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A massive ship: The 236,857-ton cruise ship was built at Royal Caribbean's Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France over three years.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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A Welcome Addition: “We are thrilled to introduce Wonder of the Seas and its world-class features to guests around the world after a six-year process,” says Mark Tamis, senior vice president of hotel operations for Royal Caribbean International. CNN Travel.
This rendering of the pool deck shows what life might be like aboard the Wonder of the Seas.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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Floating City – A rendering of the 18-deck cruise ship, which was delivered last month.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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Innovative Ship: "From planning to delivery, we've used our Royal Caribbean expertise, as well as incorporated our guests' suggestions and feedback from our travel partners to create something truly impressive," adds Tamis.
Credit: Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l'Atlantique/Royal Caribbean
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Covid disruption: The ship was originally scheduled for delivery in 2021, but was delayed due to delays caused by the global pandemic.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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Impressive Features: Wonder of the Seas boasts eight onboard “neighborhoods” spread across 18 decks.
Credit: Royal Caribbean
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To Sea: Wonder of the Seas will begin operating five- to seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Caribbean in March, before launching Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome in May.
Credit: Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP/Getty Images
Currently, the cruise line requires all guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, while those over the age of two must present a negative test result before sailing.
All guests age two and older are required to wear a mask in most indoor public spaces.
This residential cruise offers "more affordable" living.
at sea
Wonder of the Seas, the fifth and newest of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, is one of several new cruise ships set to debut in the coming weeks and months.
The Discovery Princess, the latest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet, was delivered to the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
For her part, the Disney Wish, the first new cruise ship to be built by Disney in ten years, will be delivered this summer, while Silversea Cruises' new luxury cruise ship Silver Dawn will debut in the spring.
world's largest cruise ship