Surprise of the Seas cruise ship evaluate: What to anticipate on board

Is Surprise of the Seas the last word cruise ship for household vacationers? As a mom of two, I’m effectively conscious that my mates with children search out Royal Caribbean‘s monumental, attraction-laden Oasis Class cruise ships after they wish to take their children on a cruise. However I would by no means sailed on one in every of these world’s largest cruise ships and was curious if I would discover a 6,988-passenger behemoth endlessly entertaining with tons of enjoyable for teenagers and adults or an overcrowded mess.

The opposite burning query I had about Surprise of the Seas was the way it handled its highest-paying visitors. I had a dialog on a small luxurious ship as soon as with an avid Royal Caribbean cruiser who stated she most popular crusing within the mass-market line’s most costly cabins as a result of it made her really feel like a VIP, getting particular perks and privileges different cruisers didn’t.

When Surprise of the Seas debuted in March 2022, I had the chance to lastly get my Royal Caribbean Oasis Class questions answered. I set sail with my 8-year-old daughter in a Grand Suite to find what one of many largest ships on the earth has to supply children, grown-ups and vacationers of all budgets.

Overview of Surprise of the Seas

Surprise of the Seas is without doubt one of the largest cruise ships on the earth; solely sisters Icon and Utopia of the Seas are greater. It carries 5,734 visitors at double occupancy (i.e., if each cabin held solely two folks) and 6,988 passengers when utterly full. Add roughly 2,200 crew members, and you could possibly be crusing on a ship with 9,000-plus folks on board.

It has 16 passenger decks, divided into eight neighborhoods. With two “holes” in the midst of the ship, sure inside areas are literally open to the sky.

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I found that the neighborhood idea is what makes a ship of this measurement simply navigable. Like points of interest are grouped collectively, and the totally different neighborhoods have totally different vibes. As an alternative of getting to recollect the place particular person eating places or theaters are, you be taught the place every neighborhood is and rapidly can get oriented inside the big ship.

The Surprise of the Seas neighborhoods are:

Leisure Place (Deck 4)

This neighborhood holds the ship’s essential theater, comedy membership, ice skating rink and on line casino. The Diamond Membership for high-level Crown & Anchor loyalty membership members is right here as effectively.

Royal Promenade (decks 5 and 6)

Royal Caribbean’s inside mall space options outlets, bars and meals shops, and is encircled by an outside working monitor. Do not miss the kitschy Bionic Bar, the place the bartenders are robots, or the Rising Tide Bar, which travels elevator-style between the Royal Promenade and Central Park above. Free pizza at Sorrento’s and extra-charge espresso are right here as effectively.

Vitality Spa and Health (decks 5 and 6)

Ahead of the Royal Promenade is Surprise of the Seas’ Vitality spa and health middle, which features a salon, barbershop and thermal suite. On the on-site Vitality Cafe, visitors can order recent juices and protein smoothies for a price earlier than or after their exercise or remedy.

Boardwalk (Deck 6)

This open-air neighborhood brings a carnival environment with its carousel, scorching canine vendor, sweet retailer, sports activities bar and arcade, and Johnny Rockets outpost. The primary attraction is the AquaTheater, which is flanked by two mountaineering partitions and the exit of the Final Abyss slide.

Central Park (Deck 8)

The second open-air neighborhood is presumably my favourite on board. Central Park is a peaceful oasis on the bustling ship and is crammed with residing bushes and crops. By day, you may store for high-end jewellery or seize a chew on the indoor-outdoor cafe or Italian restaurant. At evening, it is the proper date evening vacation spot for a steak dinner or drinks on the wine bar.

Youth Zone (Deck 14)

For those who’re cruising with younger children, you will rapidly get to know the sprawling Journey Ocean children membership space. It is acquired a drop-off nursery for infants and toddlers, a household play construction space and an enormous youth lounge with artwork and science areas and many recreation area. The Puzzle Break escape room is true outdoors. Be aware that the arcade, Social100 teen membership and outside patio aren’t on this neighborhood, however on decks 16 and 17.

Pool and Sports activities Zone (decks 15 and 16)

Three swimming pools and quite a few scorching tubs, an adults-only solarium, a children splash space, waterslides, a surf simulator, playground, minigolf, sports activities deck, zip line and entrance to a 10-deck twisting mat slide make Surprise of the Seas’ higher decks a well-liked vacation spot for almost everybody on board. There are many meals and beverage choices right here, together with the massive Windjammer buffet, which suggests you do not have to depart your lounger for lengthy while you get hungry or thirsty.

Suite Neighborhood (decks 17 and 18)

Surprise of the Seas is the primary Oasis Class ship to convey all of the suite facilities collectively right into a devoted neighborhood. It homes many, however not all, of the ships’ high suites, an unique restaurant and lounge with bar and concierge desks, and a sundeck with a wading pool and scorching tubs.

I’ve heard many individuals say they’d by no means set foot on a floating metropolis like Surprise of the Seas, however the reality is the ship would not really feel overly crowded as a result of there are such a lot of locations for folks to go. The Promenade feels as bustling as any widespread mall or Vegas on line casino resort you’ve got ever strolled by means of, and sure, the swimming pools are sometimes full to the brim with folks soup. You will want to line up early for AquaTheater exhibits to get an inexpensive seat.

However I by no means struggled to discover a lounge chair or buffet desk, and Central Park at all times felt peaceable. Do not let the dimensions of the ship intimidate you. There’s area for everybody.

What I cherished about Surprise of the Seas

Issues to do

I’m not the sort who can lie within the solar all day — I get bored, dehydrated and sunburned. So my favourite factor about cruising on the world’s largest cruise ship was that there was at all times one thing to do.

If I used to be feeling lively, I might strive the zip line or Final Abyss dry slide or take a brisk stroll across the promenade. If I wished to linger with mates over a drink, I might strive a unique bar each time. Even up on the pool deck, I used to be at all times transferring backwards and forwards from one of many essential swimming pools to the splash playground to the waterslides and again. My daughter and I spent an hour ice skating, and I might have tried to summit the rock wall if it hadn’t been closed on account of excessive winds once we had time to go.

My colleague Ashley Kosciolek, additionally on the crusing with us, made some extent to strive each exercise on board, and it took her greater than a day to pattern every part.

Reveals

I am additionally a theater buff and love to look at exhibits of every kind. The standard of cruise ship exhibits can range, however Royal Caribbean excels on this division.

My daughter (and everybody else on board) was in awe of the acrobatic and high-diving present on the AquaTheater; you have not lived till you’ve got seen somebody slackline excessive above a ship at sea. The ice skating present was so enjoyable, with such colourful costumes, we noticed it twice. The one essential theater present we noticed (“Voices”) was mediocre, however the preview of “The Effectors II,” which is now enjoying, regarded superb.

I wasn’t about to take a younger child to a comedy membership, so I missed that have, but it surely’s one other enjoyable choice for people who aren’t large on musicals.

Suite Neighborhood

The Suite Neighborhood was additionally a giant success, and cruisers who wish to ebook suites ought to select Surprise over older Oasis Class ships because of this. Each meal we ate at Coastal Kitchen, the suite-exclusive restaurant open for each mealtime, was superior to the primary eating room, and the employees went out of their approach to concentrate to my daughter and accommodate any want.

The sundeck was pretty, and if I hadn’t been touring with a younger little one who most popular the splash park, I would have spent all my solar time lounging there. The concierges have been an amazing assist in getting us present tickets and restaurant reservations and whisking us off the ship within the best debarkation of all time.

Plus, the proximity of the Suite Lounge to our suite meant that we might simply pop over for a drink or snack at any time when we wished. My 8-year-old even ventured over there on her personal to choose up some breakfast one morning, and the employees was type and useful to her.

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Household-friendliness

Royal Caribbean has been paying nearer consideration to the wants of households with youngsters, and it exhibits on Surprise. (The end result of this focus is the world’s largest ship at sea, Icon of the Seas, which debuted in 2024.)

All family-friendly cruise traces have children golf equipment and meals choices for teenagers, however Royal Caribbean actually thought in regards to the association of issues on this ship. On the Boardwalk, you will discover outside seating for Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports activities Bar (which has an extra-fee burger menu) and a complimentary scorching canine venue subsequent to the carousel and a climbing construction for teenagers. Whereas I waited for meals to reach, my daughter might run, climb and journey round to get the wiggles out.

There is a splash space for diapered children, so that they have a cooldown choice since they don’t seem to be allowed in the primary pool, and a grown-up can discover a lounge chair between the splash pool and the waterslides and let the youngsters commute. A playground area bleeds into the minigolf course, which is subsequent to the grab-and-go Mexican venue and close to the multistory slide entrance, so it is a straightforward place for households to arrange store.

Plus, the Journey Ocean youth services are big, with area for a number of actions to happen on the similar time. My daughter just isn’t at all times a fan of the youngsters golf equipment, actually because older children would monopolize the video video games or as a result of everybody within the membership needed to do the identical exercise with out alternative. On Surprise of the Seas, she might select to do artwork or watch the science experiment if she did not really feel like working round and enjoying video games.

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What I did not love about Surprise of the Seas

Small swimming pools

Each giant cruise ship suffers from the issue of overcrowded swimming pools, however even three swimming pools could not deal with the sea-day crowds on Surprise. For those who really feel like taking a dip, know that you will share the pool with everybody from splashing, usually unsupervised children to adults on their first or fifth drink of the day. The swimming pools are packed and bustling and under no circumstances serene. No less than they do have lifeguards monitoring the waters.

No Broadway present

For years, Royal Caribbean has been placing condensed variations of widespread Broadway exhibits on its ships. I would seen “We Will Rock You” on Anthem of the Seas and was impressed by the standard of the efficiency (the script, much less so — however that is not Royal’s fault). So I used to be disillusioned to be taught there’d be no big-name musical on Surprise of the Seas, regardless of a number of sister Oasis Class ships providing them.

Late-night meals

Meals waste is a giant deal on cruise ships, and the business as a complete has been transferring towards fewer late-night meals choices that folks are inclined to order and never end. (Consider the dying knell of the notorious midnight buffet and elevated room service charges.) On this cruise, nevertheless, I discovered that when your child eats dinner at 6 p.m. after which performs within the children membership till 10 p.m., she will likely be ravenous when she will get out, but pickings are slim.

If I picked her up early, we might maybe hit the buffet earlier than it closed. In any other case, the choices have been restricted to Sorrento’s 24/7 pizza and the pastries and fancy little sandwiches on the Cafe Promenade. I might have appreciated some fruit or one thing that was not greasy but in addition child acceptable, and it was positively exhausting to search out — particularly if I did not wish to pay (which I did not). Actually, I want the buffet stayed open only a tad later to accommodate Journey Ocean’s closing hours.

Surprise of the Seas cabins and suites

Surprise of the Seas presents an array of cabins and suites to go well with any value level, from windowless inside cabins to ocean-facing balcony rooms and a plethora of suites, together with two-story loft lodging, suites with giant balconies going through the AquaTheater and the Final Household Suite. Like its Oasis Class sisters, it has unique-to-Royal interior-facing rooms with image home windows or balconies that overlook the Boardwalk and Central Park.

My colleagues on board have been booked into inside and balcony cabins and reviewed their rooms favorably. I booked my daughter and myself right into a Grand Suite, the bottom stage of suite that certified for Sky Class perks, together with full entry to Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge.

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Our suite was a two-room suite, with the sleeping space separated from the residing space by a floor-length curtain that may very well be pulled throughout the complete width of the room. That meant I might learn or work on the sofa with the lights on whereas my daughter slept at midnight on the opposite aspect of our suite. This setup is a bonus for household vacationers with totally different bedtimes.

Our room had two twin beds, however these could be pushed collectively to make a queen for {couples}. We every had our personal nightstand with drawers and bedside lights, in addition to U.S. and European shops and USB ports by the mattress. The structure works higher with the beds collectively; my daughter’s pillows blocked her shops, ought to she have wished to make use of them.

Our suite was technically an accessible room, which I hadn’t realized when reserving. There was an emergency pull twine by one of many beds. The left aspect of the mattress is just too near the toilet wall to suit a wheelchair or walker, so vacationers utilizing mobility gadgets are restricted to the suitable aspect.

Throughout from the beds was a desk with drawers, topped with a Lavazza espresso maker and flanked by two slim closets with restricted shelving. One other closet stood kitty-corner to the toilet door. The storage was adequate for a weeklong Caribbean cruise, however I used to be disillusioned there wasn’t a bureau with deeper drawers (as there was in my colleague’s balcony room) or extra shelf area for underwear and bathing fits.

We did not uncover one of the best a part of the sleeping space till midway by means of our cruise — a TV that got here down from the ceiling!

The residing space had a three-seat sofa and two straightforward chairs with a espresso desk in between. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV was affixed above one other desk, this one with three deeper drawers and a minifridge.

Your entire room was accomplished up in neutrals with some gold highlights. It positively felt extra like a luxurious lodge than a typical Royal Caribbean cruise cabin, however to be trustworthy, I discovered the decor a bit bland.

Our lavatory was monumental (thanks, accessible room), with a roll-in bathe and seize bars round the bathroom. (And a telephone, for when nature calls. …) The toilet vainness solely had one sink, not two, however did have a ton of shelf area behind the massive mirror.

The bathe was geared up with wall dispensers of Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner and physique wash, which smelled pretty. I attempted to arrange the pull-down bathe bench for leg-shaving functions, however I could not determine it out; undecided if it was damaged or I am simply helpless.

If I had one remorse about our cabin, it was that I spent subsequent to no time on the large balcony. It had a eating desk for 4, surrounded by cushioned wicker chairs, in addition to two much more soft wicker chairs with footstools flanking a drinks desk. It was the proper spot to learn a ebook or get pleasure from room service breakfast, however we have been at all times on the go.

And that will be my greatest takeaway tip for people selecting cabins on Surprise of the Seas. With a lot to do on board, you are not going to be in your room a lot. Think about buying and selling down and staying within the smallest or most cost-effective room you are glad in and saving your cash for eating places and experiences on board or excursions ashore.

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That stated, I appreciated the perks of the Grand Suite maybe greater than I did the extra-large room. We obtained complimentary Wi-Fi, precedence embarkation and disembarkation, free drinks and snacks at a nightly glad hour within the lounge, concierge service, precedence present seating (if you happen to confirmed up early) and complimentary room service.

We additionally had unique entry to the Suite Lounge, the Suite Solar Deck and the Coastal Kitchen restaurant. We solely stopped briefly on the sundeck as a result of I pressured my daughter to go; its upscale vibe and lack of a swimming pool make it much less enticing to youngsters than the primary pool deck, however for adults, it is a pretty place to order a drink and chill on a lounge chair or in a scorching tub.

We used the Suite Lounge to make requests of the concierge and to get pleasure from nibbles all through the day, however the glad hour snacks have been too fancy for my child, so we solely made it to the bar totally free drinks as soon as. For those who’re coming to Coastal Kitchen for dinner, come just a little early to choose up a free cocktail or glass of wine and take it with you to your desk.

Each my daughter and I agreed that Coastal Kitchen was one of the best a part of the suite expertise. It was a calmer sit-down eating expertise than the primary eating room, and it was enjoyable to look out over the sports activities deck and Boardwalk whereas we waited for our meals. Every thing I ate was scrumptious, from among the finest gnocchi I’ve ever tasted to pleasant balls of cheesecake.

The service right here was excellent. The waiters handled my daughter like a princess, bringing her bowls of berries and making her particular chocolate milk. Once I requested for one thing aside from Tabasco for my scrambled eggs one morning, they ransacked the galley and introduced me each salsa and sambal to spice issues up.

Surprise of the Seas eating places and bars

Surprise of the Seas has extra eating places than you could possibly hope to dine in on a seven-night cruise and an equally giant variety of bars — all with their very own vibes and specialties. Decide your favorites and don’t fret about experiencing all of it.

Eating places

Royal Caribbean’s essential eating room is completely fantastic however nothing particular. You possibly can eat right here each evening and have an array of choices, or you may skip it for the extra-fee specialty eating places and never really feel such as you’ve missed something.

The Windjammer buffet is giant and cut up into two sections, every overlooking the Boardwalk 9 decks under. Meals objects are set out in stations to maintain queues to a minimal, and I used to be happy with the choice at any time when I ate there. Some cruise ships have lengthy and slim buffets, the place you may’t see past the part you are in, so it’s important to do laps to be sure you have not missed something. The Windjammer is all arrange in a single open area, so you may see all of the stations without delay; it feels extra open and fewer claustrophobic this manner.

Surprise of the Seas has a number of included-in-your-fare cafe-style venues which might be good for quick meals or snacks. El Loco Contemporary by the miniature golf course is a favourite for a fast lunch of tacos and quesadillas. Sorrento’s Pizza serves pies all day and evening on the Promenade; the pizza is ok however nothing distinctive. The Canine Home arms out scorching canines and sausages on the Boardwalk, however we by no means discovered them open once we have been hungry.

Central Park Cafe is a stunning place to seize a bagel or muffin for breakfast or a premade salad at lunchtime; the Promenade Cafe was our go-to for late-night pick-me-ups like cookies and finger sandwiches. I by no means made it to the Solarium Cafe within the solarium for Mediterranean fare (although I heard it was a great place to go for wholesome salads).

And, in fact, the large ship has an unlimited gentle serve ice cream station in the midst of the pool deck.

Further-fee eating places vary from informal to elegant, so you’ve got acquired choices on how a lot you wish to spend on meals and what fashion of eatery you favor. If burgers are your factor, you’ve competing choices on the Boardwalk, each with indoor and outside seating.

Johnny Rockets presents all method of burgers, scorching canines and sandwiches however is understood for its milkshakes and dancing waiters. My daughter would have eaten right here every day if I had been keen to maintain paying for decent canines and milkshakes.

Playmakers Sports activities Bar and Arcade focuses on bar-food apps like wings and nachos, with a number of burgers and two mega desserts value forking over the additional money. My daughter and I cut up the Campfire Cookie, and he or she’s nonetheless speaking about that cookies-s’mores mashup.

Central Park is the hub for date evening, with 150 Central Park (the fanciest restaurant on board), Chops Grille (steakhouse) and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

We ate lunch at Giovanni’s, and the pizza put Sorrento’s to disgrace. The large meatball is outwardly superb (I do not eat pork, so I did not partake), and I admit to ordering the Nutella and banana stromboli for dessert off the youngsters menu and never regretting one chew. At evening, do not miss the wine bar throughout the park.

For a surreal expertise with the Mad Hatter and molecular gastronomy, Wonderland is a reservation should. Sushi followers can hit up Izumi, tucked away on Deck 4 by the on line casino.

Arms down, our favourite restaurant on board was The Mason Jar, Royal Caribbean’s Southern consolation meals restaurant solely accessible on Surprise of the Seas. The additional-fee venue is open for brunch and dinner and has a full of life bar and sometimes a stay nation music band. The bar space is themed round a entrance porch, with rocking chairs, a swing and tables tucked into window areas, whereas the eating space within the again feels homey and relaxed.

The Mason Jar just isn’t a spot to depend your energy; we had brunch there and it was an indulgent feast. My daughter cherished her chocolate, peanut butter and banana French toast a lot she would not share a chew; I adored the artistic cocktails and the jalapeno cornbread with pimento cheese unfold and whipped honey butter.

Ebook early for a reservation or come off-hours for a seat on the bar. The primary disadvantage is the venue will get loud, particularly when the band is enjoying, so be ready to yell all of your conversations.

Bars

Solo dad or mum journey with an 8-year-old gave me many causes to drink however few alternatives to truly spend time in Surprise of the Seas’ many bars.

I used to be a fan of Giovanni’s Wine Bar, which has indoor and outside seating in Central Park. It was a romantic spot, as was the all-outdoor Trellis Bar close by. I by no means acquired to journey the Rising Tide Bar and was disillusioned, but it surely’s not an attention-grabbing bar past its kitschy capacity to levitate.

You need to cease by the Bionic Bar to look at the robotic arms combine drinks. Nonetheless, the robots have a predilection for candy cocktails, and their drinks aren’t one of the best. Higher to go to one of many many Lime & Coconut outposts on the pool deck. Its signature drink is scrumptious and refreshing (and you may get them in colourful memento pails), and the outside seating has a enjoyable resort vibe.

A few of my favourite drinks got here from restaurant bars. I did not wish to splurge for a meal in Wonderland, however I met mates on the bar and loved a really pink cotton candy-topped Cheshire Cat Cosmo from the artistic cocktail menu.

The drinks at Mason Jar have been hands-down my favourite; my PB&J Outdated Original got here with a mini crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a garnish. And, sure, you may get smoky drinks at each of those eating places’ watering holes.

The Vue Bar is a brand new venue, cantilevered over the aspect of the ship and changing a scorching tub discovered on sister ships. I solely handed by, however phrase from my mates was that it was overly windy and the drinks have been the usual ones, not a particular menu.

For those who like to bop the evening away, the Music Corridor is a two-story membership with stay and DJ music and two bars. Catch the sport and a beer at Playmakers Sports activities Bar; there’s an arcade right here, too. The Cask & Clipper usually has stay music; the nautical-themed Schooner Bar is the place for trivia and a pianist; and the Latin-inspired Boleros is the place to get your salsa on.

You will get your caffeine repair at Starbucks or Cafe Promenade. Each serve Starbucks espresso for a price, however the snacks at Cafe Promenade are free, whereas those at Starbucks price further. You possibly can order smoothies and juices for a value on the Vitality Cafe within the spa.

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Surprise of the Seas actions

Surprise of the Seas is the proper ship for people with quick consideration spans or who have to preserve lively to remain glad. There may be at all times one thing to do, and I am not simply speaking bean bag toss and music trivia. Even higher, the vast majority of the actions are fee-free, so you may play to your coronary heart’s content material with out worrying about working up an enormous invoice.

A lot of the enjoyable is discovered on the uppermost decks of the ship. Along with a number of swimming pools and scorching tubs, you will discover a splash playground for teenagers (plus a mini splash space for tykes in diapers) and three waterslides. Adults can take pleasure in swimming pools and scorching tubs on the indoor 16-plus solarium.

Crank the adrenaline up a notch in the back of the ship. I declined to strive the FlowRider surf simulator, nor did I be part of a recreation on the sports activities courtroom, however I did fly throughout the ship on the quick zip line that soars above the Boardwalk. (You need to look down — it is wild.)

My daughter and I attempted the Final Abyss 10-story slide (dry, not moist) a number of occasions. You journey down on a mat, together with your toes tucked right into a fold on the backside. Do not be nervous about it; it is a lot slower than you assume it will be from the tube’s size. I really wished it have been a bit quicker.

New on this ship is the Surprise Playscape climbing construction and play space for younger children. Watching my daughter scramble up and down, I wanted that Royal Caribbean had accomplished extra to make this space extra enjoyable for elementary-school-age children. Because it stands, it is targeted extra on the preschool set. Nonetheless, do not miss the captain’s wheel that appears over the underside ground of the play area. Spinning the wheel activates some hilarious pirate audio.

One other odd alternative is that the highest of the Surprise Playscape climbing space opens onto the Surprise Dunes minigolf course. As a result of the whimsical, underwater-themed placing space is multicolored and never inexperienced, many households do not realize at first that it is a golf course, and little children have been climbing everywhere in the obstacles.

The one essential outside exercise not on a high deck is Surprise’s twin mountaineering partitions. They flank the AquaTheater on the far finish of the Boardwalk. Wind prevented us from harnessing up and having a go, so be versatile if it is a high attraction in your crusing.

The actions proceed indoors, too. At choose occasions (normally on sea days), the leisure employees presents ice skating periods and laser tag in Studio B, the ship’s indoor ice rink. (Not on the similar time, clearly, and a ground and inflatable obstacles are added for laser tag.) Each are widespread, so enroll or get in line as early as attainable. For ice skating, we waited in line to signal the waiver however then got a time to return to do the precise skating.

A chosen escape room is positioned subsequent to Journey Ocean. Arcade video games can be found by Playmakers and on Deck 16 subsequent door to El Loco Contemporary. And if you happen to wish to sing, a devoted karaoke lounge with each private and non-private periods could be discovered on the Royal Promenade.

For individuals who like gaming, there is a on line casino on Deck 4.

I by no means made it to the Vitality spa and health middle on decks 5 and 6, but it surely presents all of the R&R choices, from massages and saunas to yoga courses and treadmill runs.

And, in fact, the ship’s leisure crew will lead trivia and different actions, particularly on sea days.

Surprise of the Seas exhibits

Royal Caribbean is understood for its superb leisure, and the cruise line presents exhibits that can not be discovered on every other line. We discovered that they stay as much as the hype.

The AquaTheater present, “inTENse,” was stuffed with excessive diving, slacklining and synchronized dancing and swimming in varying-height swimming pools. My daughter could not get sufficient of it, and I’ve to say, neither might I. Enjoyable reality: It is the primary all-female AquaTheater solid. Arrive not less than a half-hour early if you happen to care the place you sit. We sat at Playmakers one night and watched the road for the theater stretch all the best way down the Boardwalk — and that was simply folks with reservations.

The ice skating present, “365: The Seasons on Ice,” is a whimsical romp by means of the seasons, with enjoyable music, colourful costumes and loads of spunky personalities. Do not count on Olympic-caliber triple axels; it is extra spectacular that the group manages to stage on a tiny rink on a transferring ship.

My daughter allowed me just one variety of the primary theater present, “Voices,” although mates who stayed weren’t overly impressed. We did see a preview of “The Effectors II” present and its light-up synchronized drone dance quantity, and that superhero-themed present regarded extra interesting.

Additionally not but prepared for prime time on our crusing have been the parades down the Royal Promenade. We did catch a part of a rehearsal for a pirate-themed parade, and the “floats” and costumes have been enjoyable. For those who’ve acquired little children, preserve a watch out for the parade in your every day planner.

Throughout from the Studio B ice rink is The Attic, which hosts comedy exhibits. Cruise ship comedy tends to be hit and miss; whether or not you get pleasure from it depends upon your humorousness meshing with that of the comic.

Surprise of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Via mid-August 2025, Surprise of the Seas will sail alternating weeklong Jap and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida (close to Orlando). Almost each cruise calls at Royal Caribbean’s personal island within the Bahamas, Good Day at CocoCay.

Jap Caribbean sailings go to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Good Day. Western Caribbean cruises cease at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Good Day. A number of one-off sailings cease in alternate ports.

Towards the tip of August 2025, Surprise will reposition to Miami and make that metropolis its new dwelling port. It’s going to change to three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Good Day at CocoCay.

At present, costs for windowless inside cabins on weeklong cruises from Port Canaveral begin from $969 per individual, primarily based on double occupancy. Christmas and New Yr’s sailings are much more costly. Balcony cabin costs begin at $1,132 per individual, however winter vacation intervals and different widespread trip weeks can high $2,000.

The ship’s sole Final Household Suite (a spacious two-deck loft suite tricked out with kid-friendly video games and points of interest) will set you again not less than $20,000 for the week.

Costs for three-night cruises from Miami begin at $489 per individual for inside cabins and $582 for balcony cabins, primarily based on double occupancy.

What to know earlier than you go

Required paperwork

Since Surprise of the Seas is presently crusing round-trip from Florida, U.S. residents can sail with both a present passport or an official copy of their start certificates and a driver’s license or different government-issued picture I.D. Passports have to be legitimate for not less than six months.

The identify in your reservation have to be the identical as what’s printed in your passport or different official proof of nationality. Double-check if you happen to’ve just lately gotten married or go by a unique model of your identify.

Gratuities

Surprise of the Seas visitors will discover an computerized service gratuity of $18 to $20.50 per individual, per day, relying in your cabin class, added to their onboard account and last invoice. You’re allowed to regulate this quantity on the Visitor Providers desk earlier than disembarking, however TPG doesn’t suggest this, even if you’re disillusioned by the service.

An 18% gratuity is added to bar tabs and 20% to spa/salon payments. You shouldn’t really feel pressured so as to add an extra tip.

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Wi-Fi

Royal Caribbean has one of many quickest Wi-Fi techniques at sea, and you’ll benefit from this on Surprise of the Seas. At present, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth begin at $27.99 per day per gadget; nevertheless, costs do change over time. For those who’re touring with household or sharing a room with mates, search for multidevice packages which might be inexpensive on a per-device foundation. Sure suite visitors obtain complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks earlier than you join a package deal.

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Carry-on drinks coverage

Each passenger of ingesting age can convey a single bottle of wine or Champagne onto Surprise of the Seas at boarding, plus as much as a dozen commonplace cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks reminiscent of sodas. You possibly can get pleasure from your wine at no further price in your cabin or suite, however you will have to pay a $15 corkage price if you happen to select to drink it at a restaurant, bar or lounge.

Smoking coverage

Smoking (together with e-cigarette smoking) is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those that violate this rule will face a $250 cleansing price.

Passengers can smoke in Surprise of the Seas’ casinos (cigarettes solely) and designated outside areas of the pool decks; there’s a separate nonsmoking part of the on line casino. The Central Park and the Boardwalk neighborhoods, although open to the sky, don’t supply smoking areas, nor does the jogging monitor.

Laundry

Surprise of the Seas doesn’t supply self-service launderettes. Passengers pays further for laundry, urgent and dry cleansing providers.

Electrical shops

You will discover North American-style 110-volt shops and European-style 220-volt shops in cabins, together with USB ports, in all cabins. I appreciated having shops by the mattress, in addition to the desk space.

Forex

The onboard forex is the greenback. You will not want money on Surprise of the Seas, although. Use your SeaPass card to cost any onboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions, and so on.) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will cost your bank card on file as soon as the cruise ends. You possibly can examine your onboard invoice within the cruise line’s app, at Visitor Providers or through your in-cabin TV.

Ingesting age

You have to be 21 to eat alcohol on Surprise of the Seas.

Costume code

Throughout the day, folks costume casually. T-shirts, shorts, athletic put on, informal sundresses and bathing fits are generally worn on board and ashore. Carry a cover-up to go from the pool again indoors.

A night costume code solely applies to Royal Caribbean’s essential eating room. On most nights, informal costume is appropriate, with denims and shorts acceptable in the primary eating room. (Swimwear, naked toes and tank-type T-shirts aren’t allowed.) One evening on our cruise was supposedly Caribbean-themed, but it surely wasn’t enforced. Nonetheless, a Hawaiian shirt is rarely misplaced on a tropical cruise.

Two nights have been deemed “costume your finest” or formal, and you will find a spread of interpretations of dressy apparel. Ladies lean towards cocktail clothes or trendy pants outfits, although you will see some floor-length robes. Males put on fits or sports activities coats or just button-down shirts with good slacks. Individuals definitely get away with denims if they seem to be a darkish coloration and paired with a jacket or dressy high.

Children can get away with nearly something, so don’t fret about convincing your preschooler to placed on a button-down shirt.

Dressier nights are typically on sea days, usually the second and fifth or sixth evening of the cruise.

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Backside line

Surprise of the Seas is a cruise ship that appeals to lively households, {couples} and good friend teams. Whereas a lot of the enjoyable actions on board are included within the fare, you’ll pay further if you wish to pattern lots of the eating places on board.

Cabins cowl a spread of value factors, however this widespread ship will command a better value for weeklong cruises than older ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet. Cruisers in search of extra luxurious digs and fewer fuss over chasing after reservations and ready in line for seats have a stable choice in the event that they ebook a Suite Neighborhood cabin, which presents entry to unique eating and deck areas.

The largest concern I had about Surprise was crowding and getting misplaced on such an enormous journey, however I discovered my fears to be unwarranted. Positive, you will discover competitors for one of the best eating occasions and present tickets, however the ship did not really feel extra crowded than different large ships, and the neighborhood structure made it straightforward to search out your approach round.

I had a blast with my daughter on Surprise of the Seas and wouldn’t hesitate to suggest it to anybody in search of an lively, big-ship trip within the Caribbean.

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