Having a Wonder-ful time: Why teens will love Royal Caribbean’s new ship

Words by Karen Pasquali Jones

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to please on a holiday. They want fun, games, and time to make new friends and explore exciting destinations while gaining a little (more) independence.

Luckily the solution to planning a trip any teen is guaranteed to love is simple: go big or go home. With high-octane activities including skydiving at Ripcord by iFly, where teens and kids can soar inside a glass chamber, and even learn tricks from their professional instructor, and FlowRider, where they can catch a wave – or wipe out – as 100,000 litres of water rushes into the 12m-long surf simulator, there’s never a dull moment on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

– READ MORE: What entertainment and shows are on Wonder of the Seas? –

Not enough thrills and spills? Head to the Ultimate Abyss, and step to the edge of the 10-storey slide which plummets 216-feet in the dark in just 13 seconds. The bravest of the bunch simply sit on a toboggan-style mat and whizz down at speeds of up to 8 miles an hour.

Even better, it’s a dual slide so teens can race their friends (or family) and there’s no limit to how many times they can go on it. Or take the plunge head first on The Perfect Storm, a dual racer boomerang-style water slide.

There are plenty more wooaahs on offer with the chance to try out Zip Line or tee up under the sun, or stars, on Wonder Dunes, an immersive mini golf course.

Throw in Spotlight Karaoke, where you can hit the right note on the main stage or in a private room; AquaTheater where Olympic-level athletes dip and flip in a high-octane show, and picture-postcard destinations to explore and not even the hardest-to-please teen can find anything to moan about.

 – READ MORE: How sustainable are Royal Caribbean ships? –

Where is this incredible resort? It’s the world’s newest and biggest ship, the Wonder of the Seas, which is designed to keep every generation on board entertained and offers the wow factor from ship to shore.

Sailing to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale in March, offering week-long trips that include Roatán,Honduras, Cozumel and a visit to the Royal Caribbean’s very own private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the new ship is spending the summer in the Mediterranean. From May, Wonder will set sail from Barcelona and Rome heading to dreamy destinations including Provence, Mallorca, Florence and Naples.

And while these hot spots are amazing for soaking up the sun, there’s plenty for teens to do ashore. From kayaking around the Almalfi coast, snorkelling in Mallorca, seeing the Colosseum in Rome, the Camp Nou Football Club in Barcelona, or hiking up Mount Vesuvius in Naples, these are TikTok icons to tick off your teen’s bucket list.

– READ MORE: What you need to know about Royal Caribbean’s private island –

Join the Italian jet set in the sun-soaked isle of Capri or tour Marseille on an electric bike before heading back on board where teens can meet up with shipmates in Social 100 and Social 100 The Patio. New on Wonder of the Seas, 13-17 year-olds get a space that’s all their own.

The swish indoor and outdoor areas are the exclusive hip hangout spots for them. Beyond the secret entrance – mum and dads keep out! – there’s a space where it’s always game on with the latest consoles, and music to jam to.

With movies and cool, comfy places to kick back with new friends, they’ll only want to leave to go outside to the most maxed-up patio yet. There are lawn games, sofas to catch up on, a bar serving ice cream floats and, for the first time ever, a whirlpool so they can chill beneath the sun – or stars.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to tempt them to try out some of the 20-plus dining options on board which include The Mason Jar, a new homespun southern restaurant, serving Lobster ‘n Crawfish Gumbo and Gran’s Fried Chicken; Giovanni’s traditional trattoria Italian, offering up dishes just like Nonna makes (hand-tossed pizzas and pappardelle raddichio are a speciality), or the perfect place for views and vibes at Vue Bar, which has 180-degree ocean views for that perfect sunset IG moment.

– READ MORE: Why a no-fly cruise is the ultimate in family fun –

After dinner, teens will happily take their seat with the rest of the family for a line-up of spectacular entertainment including ice shows that combine skating skills with cutting-edge technology.

For an evening that will make a splash, they’ll be rushing to AquaTheatre to see Olympic-level high divers perform mesmerising edge-of-your-seat stunts and aerial acrobatics as they dive into the deepest pool at sea.

They’ll probably want to stay up as late as they can to catch all the action with their new BFFs but they’ll love their new home-away-from-home which will give them a taste of the high life. Who wouldn’t enjoy the new Suite Neighbourhood, a one-of-a-kind elevated retreat that comes with exclusive VIP treatments as well as a Suite Sun Deck with a plunge pool and stunning ocean views.

Lego fans will like the Lego wall, and the two-storey slide from the bedroom into the living room in The Ultimate Family Suite. Even better it has a Royal Genie to cater to their every whim – which might include letting them win at table tennis. Bragging rights earned for the ping pong table on the balcony.

Budding musicians will think the Royal Loft Suite hits just the right note. The most, luxurious accommodation on board, it has a Baby grand piano, and a balcony complete with jacuzzi and TV so teens can catch up on their favourite shows in the bubbles.

 – READ MORE: Ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin –