A Business Insider reporter described a first solo cruise on Wonder of the Seas, noting costs and social dynamics aboard royal caribbean vessels as key takeaways.
The reporter sailed a seven night voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, visiting Roatán, Cozumel, Costa Maya and the company’s private island in the Bahamas, as reported by Business Insider.
Booking surprised the traveler because fares listed per person doubled when only one guest was selected, a practice Business Insider identified as a single supplement.
The reporter paid about $2,000 for an ocean view stateroom alone and noted the ship did not offer a dedicated solo cabin, a factor that raised the per person cost compared with traveling with a companion.
Social life aboard proved easier than expected, according to Business Insider, with other passengers receptive to conversation around pool decks, dining areas and on organized shore excursions.
The reporter said cruise line excursions were the simplest way to meet people, pointing to guided hikes and long bus rides as settings for socializing, and that clear posted meeting directions made joining groups straightforward.
Still, the Business Insider reporter encountered recurrent assumptions about age and guardianship, repeatedly being asked where their parents were when entering and leaving the ship, and described times of loneliness despite friendly interactions.
Competition for pool chairs was another practical irritation, the reporter said, noting towels often covered seats and the posted no saving rule appeared unenforced, which required arriving early to secure a spot.
Royal Caribbean Waterpark Closures Prompt Guest Frustration
Cruise Hive reported widespread closures affecting Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea located in the Thrill Island neighborhood aboard Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, with multiple slides closed for weeks or months.
Guests told Cruise Hive that two, three or four slides were often out of service during sailings, and that advertising continued to feature the full waterpark without advising passengers of the outages.
Cruise Hive said potential mechanical causes include shared water pumps, sanitizing and filtration issues, damage to slide surfaces or fastener concerns, and that closures are not related to an August 2025 rupture of the Frightening Bolt waterslide on Icon of the Seas.
Cruise Hive reported that the ruptured slide was repaired and preemptive repairs were carried out on the same slide aboard Star of the Seas, yet the site said other slides remain affected for different reasons.
Responses from Royal Caribbean to guest inquiries varied, Cruise Hive wrote, with one reply saying there was no confirmed timeframe for reopening and another indicating the slides on Star of the Seas were not scheduled for maintenance and should be available.
Guests told Cruise Hive they wanted clearer preboarding communication and suggested modest compensation, such as arcade credit or food and drink vouchers, for extended closures of advertised attractions.
