Why I Loved Cruising to Paradise on Wonder of the Seas (Plus, the Only 2 Things Worth Leaving the Ship For)

I had the good fortune of sailing alongside my husband and two BFFs on the gorgeous and humungous Wonder of the Seas. Our three-night sailing included a stop at the brand-new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas and the iconic CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island.

But before I dive into those two incredible destinations, let me explain what I loved so much about this cruise in particular.

The only other time I've seen such wild and impressive entertainment on a cruise was on board Star of the Seas. Both Star and Wonder feature mind-boggling shows that involve ice and water. First, the ice show.

On this sailing, I had a front-row seat for a figure skating show that was so action-packed and stunt-filled that I couldn't believe it was happening on the high seas. I'm talking lifts, flips, leaps and gravity-defying feats on ice skates.

These performers are so talented, and the show had me smiling from start to finish.

And then, there is the water show.

Wonder of the Seas features an enormous outdoor aqua amphitheater at the back of the ship. This aqua show features diving, dancing, synchronized swimming, flying, balancing on ropes and more. Once again, I was blown away by the skill level of the performers. My only complaint? I should've sat closer to the action—I would have loved to be in the splash zone!

As I mentioned, I'm a frequent cruiser, and I've seriously never seen anything like these shows. The entertainment alone makes Star of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas must-see ships in my opinion.

The other reason I highly recommend Wonder is that it features insanely unique spaces. I loved visiting Central Park, a giant open-air park in the middle of the ship. The area features restaurants, bars, live music and plenty of nature. I was transported right out of the Caribbean and back to NYC, home to the OG Central Park.

A must-visit stop in this Central Park? A bar that travels up and down, from CP to the main promenade below. My husband, friends and I "rode" this bar on multiple occasions. It moves slowly enough that we were able to sip our craft cocktails throughout the journey without spilling a drop. And the view changed from bustling cruise ship interior to serene Central Park, and back again. Super unique!

Speaking of the Promenade, there is shopping, a pizza joint, a Starbucks and more live music. I loved strolling through it to make my way from one end of the ship to the other (though, full disclosure, I usually got distracted by something fun along the way).

While we're on the subject of fun, be sure to visit the specialty restaurant (and bar), Wonderland.

Yes, it's an homage to Alice in Wonderland, and yes, it features a real-life Mad Hatter character. The food is just as creative as the decor, with deconstructed dishes and flavors that I never thought would work together, but do!

If you don't want to sit down for a full meal, or if you have picky eaters in your party, at least stop by the Wonderland bar. The cocktails are quirky and delicious, and the entrance boasts an Instagrammable floral moment that you won't want to miss.

Another one-of-a-kind spot that I loved? The ship's Solarium, an indoor lounge and hot tub area. My husband, friends and I nabbed a highly sought-after group lounger with views of the open seas. We sipped Prosecco (it was after noon, I think...) and enjoyed the sunny day through the Solarium dome. The hot tubs can get crowded, but they're worth the wait if you're looking to truly relax and let the stress melt away.

While my time on the ship was memorable (and jam-packed with stuff to do and things to see), I'm so glad I ventured off it for Perfect Day at CocoCay. The private island is huge, with areas for action (yes, I rode the water slides and yes, I screamed the whole way down) and relaxation.

If you're traveling without kids, I very much recommend spending a bulk of the day at Hideaway Beach. The exclusive adults-only area features a mix of party time and quiet time. You can grab a serene spot on the private beach and read a book, or you can dance along to the jams playing by the giant pool (make sure to stop by the swim-up bar). I also suggest playing a game of cornhole while you're at it.

Then, there's the newest jewel in the Royal Caribbean crown, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. Sure, you could brave the crowds of Nassau and Paradise Island when your boat pulls into port. Or instead, you could take the short shuttle boat ride over to the stunning beach club (that features The Floating Flamingo, the world's biggest swim-up bar).

There are three areas to choose from: Family Beach, Chill Beach and Party Cove. I think the names are pretty self-explanatory.

There's island-style food, live music and lots of activities to take part in. You might even want to visit the Party Cove VIP space if you're in the mood to treat yourself.

Needless to say, this was a great vacation. From the ship's entertainment, to the unique spaces, to the exclusive off-ship experiences, I can't recommend it enough.