Massive Wonder of the Seas Makes Inaugural Call on St. Thomas

The Wonder of the Seas makes its way to the dock at Crown Bay, St. Thomas, early Tuesday morning. (Source photo by Michele Weichman)
The Wonder of the Seas makes its way to the dock at Crown Bay, St. Thomas, early Tuesday morning. (Source photo by Michele Weichman)
The Wonder of the Seas, reportedly the world's largest cruise ship, approaches the pier at Crown Bay on Tuesday. (Source photo by Michele Weichman)
The Wonder of the Seas, reportedly the world’s largest cruise ship, maneuvers toward the dock on Tuesday at Crown Bay on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Michele Weichman)
The massive Wonder of the Seas makes it safely to the dock Tuesday for its inaugural call on Crown Bay, St. Thomas. (Source photo by Michele Weichman)
The massive Wonder of the Seas, dockside at 7 a.m. Tuesday for its inaugural call on Crown Bay, St. Thomas. (Source photo by Michele Weichman)

The Wonder of the Seas — reportedly the largest cruise ship in the world with 18 decks and a capacity for 5,518 passengers at double occupancy — made its inaugural call Tuesday to Crown Bay, St. Thomas.

A plaque and keys exchange ceremony was scheduled for 10 a.m. between the captain of the ship, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, and other government and private sector officials. The ship arrived at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to depart at 4 p.m.

Part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class fleet, the massive ship features eight neighborhoods, a redesigned pool deck, an Aqua Theater, and an all-new Wonder Playscape, featuring an underwater world studded with slides, climbing walls, and games.

Onboard, passengers can choose from 19 swimming pools, 20 restaurants, 11 bars, an ice rink, a casino, and even its own Central Park. The maximum capacity of this 236,857 gross ton ship is 5,518 passengers at double occupancy, or 6,988 passengers maximum plus 2,300 crew. The ship has 18 decks, 16 of which are for passengers.