I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot ocean-view room on one of the world's largest cruise ships

By: Joey Hadden

16 January 2025 at 09:49

A composite image of a cruise ship and the author sitting on a bed in her cabin — The author spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on Wonder of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot ocean-view cabin had a private bathroom and a king-size bed.
I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

I took my first cruise in 2022 on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. At the time, it was the world's largest cruise ship, but the title has since been replaced by the same cruise line's Icon of the Seas.

During my seven-day voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight for $2,000. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

An arrow points to the author's room on wonder of the seas — Wonder of the Seas in Costa Maya, Mexico.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My ocean-view stateroom was a step above interior staterooms with no windows, a category below staterooms with a balcony, and two steps below a stateroom suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

The author stands on an outdoor deck in the middle of a cruise ship — The author in Central Park on board Wonder of the Seas.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought Central Park was the most relaxing outdoor deck on the ship — and often, the least crowded. So I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Inside a stateroom on the world's largest cruise ship — Inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

I inserted my room key into a slot on the wall to operate most of the electricity in the room.

A composite image of a key card in a wall slot and an open bathroom door in a cruise ship cabin — Electricity in use inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm always looking for more sustainable ways to travel, so I appreciated the energy-saving system.

One side of the room was filled with a mirror and a desk with several outlets for charging electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

A desk in a cruise cabin with a circular mirror above it — The desk inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I used the desk to eat meals and sort daily flyers about the goings-on.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The mini fridge in a stateroom on the world's largest cruise ship — Drawers and a minifridge inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The desk drawers were mostly empty, save for a hair dryer, which I didn't use.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

A beige couch surrounded by a built-in closet in a cruise ship cabin — The couch inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe inside each closet. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey.

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks.

bathroom in stateroom on world's largest cruise ship — The bathroom inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

The trash can and toilet paper were situated under the counter to save space.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

A towel folded like a monkey in the author's room — A towel folded like a monkey inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration so that they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

A mounted TV on a white wall — A TV inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I could see the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

A cruise ship cabin with a window in front of the bed — A view of the bed inside the author's stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The window had an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been too small for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

the author site on the bed on the world's largest cruiseship — The author sits on the bed in her stateroom.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

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