Last updated: 1/8/26 @ 21:06 UTC
What / When / Where
We are doing a[n optional] night in Miami, then spending three nights on what was the largest cruise ship in the world from 2022 to 2024, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas!
Day Zero's arrival buffer is Thursday, December 3rd, the ship departs on Friday, December 4th, and returns on Monday, December 7th.
Airport: Miami (MIA)
Seaport: Port Miami
Ship: Wonder of the Seas (Wiki) (RCI) (Deck Plans)
Ports of Call: CoCoCay & Nassau, Bahamas
Booking
Notes regarding decks...
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Here is a large image of all the decks side-by-side.
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Each deck has four large staircases, and twenty-four spacious, glass elevators.
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Deck 2 - “Landing Deck” is where passengers exit from, and return to, the ship at ports of call, the closest deck to this for booking is Deck 3
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Deck 5 - “Promenade Deck” is home to fresh air, lifeboats, and a running track all on the outside perimeter. Inside features several bars, retail shops, Starbucks, direct access to the upper level of the theater, the top level of the Dining Room, and a late-night pizza spot.
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Deck 6 - In addition to the best piano bar at sea, this deck features a fitness center at the bow, the Aquatheater at the stern, and the Boardwalk neighborhood which is home to a sports bar and arcade, the exit of a ten-deck waterslide, a candy shop, and a carousel!
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Decks 7 - 12: Almost entirely staterooms
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Deck 13 - A pocket dimension that is extremely difficult to access.
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Deck 14 - Mostly staterooms, but right under the Lido Deck, so you might be able to hear foot traffic from above.
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Deck 15 - The “Lido Deck” (LEE-doh ; /ˈlēdō/) is the primary fun-in-the-sun deck with pools, bars, a child-free zone at the bow known as the “Solarium,” and the “Windjammer” at the stern (a large buffet hall open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - “Washy, washy; happy, happy!”)
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Deck 16: Mini golf, bars, ping pong tables, the Arcade, a large sports court, a zip line, “Flowrider” (a surf machine), the entrance to “Ultimate Abyss” (the ten-deck waterslide), and “Social100” (an area exclusively for teens).
Add-ons
If someone wants to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package all guests booked in that stateroom of legal drinking age must also purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package.
If you don’t opt for VOOM internet you can text other passengers via the Royal Caribbean app.
Internet is included in The Key.
Some benefits are listed below; click link for complete list.
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Priority boarding at seaport
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Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom
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Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room
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Access to the fast lane at onboard activities
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Priority departure at tender ports of call
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Access to high speed internet per person who purchases the package
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On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure
Packing
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Passport (required)
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Swimwear and warm-weather clothes (it was 77º - 81º in The Bahamas during this time in 2025), get yourself some cruisewear (e.g. light, airy, linen, possibly even something with a tropical pattern).
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Dramamine (for motion sickness) - if you forget and need it, they also provide this at the front desk
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Lanyard (for room key card, and paying for things onboard)
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Cash
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Stateroom attendant on last day
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Pay for things on shore
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Alcohol - From RCI’s FAQ:
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“On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne.”
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The second night is typically “formal night” in the Dining Room with steak and lobster, so you should look snazzy.
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Pack prescriptions in official bottles (just in case)
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Checked (self-tagged)
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Carry-on (if you opt for “The Key” these bags will be brought to your stateroom by staff while you’re enjoying lunch at a specialty restaurant).
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Don’t bring drugs that are legal in some states!
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Pool towels are available near pools and hot tubs (but you acquire them by scanning your room card, and the towels are tagged with RFID chips) if you don’t return one or more towels you will be charged at the end of the cruise
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How to text with other passengers without purchasing Internet access:
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Both people need to have the Royal Caribbean app
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Then you do it with the app… somehow
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Itinerary
For those arriving the day before, we'll be having a casual get-together a hotel bar, or a watering hole within walking distance.
Have your luggage tags printed and attached to your bags before going to the seaport.
Similar to a flight, checked bags will be taken and brought to your stateroom.
Those who sign up for "The Key" will have their carry-on bags delivered to their stateroom as well. We recommend packing a swimsuit (and anything else you'll immediately want) in a personal bag you keep on you.
This is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean.
Unless there is something you actually want to do at either port, it's fun to stay on the ship because so many people leave it frees up a lot of space!
Breakfast...
...back to land...
...smell ya later.
Attendees
Person A & Person B
Arrival Date
Flight Number
Landing Time
Hotel booked for the night before setting sail.
The deck booked.
Departure
Flight Number
Take-Off Time
























