I thought I absolutely hated cruises — but then I went on one of the largest ships in the world

I struggle just sitting around and doing nothing, so I was very concerned I’d feel trapped and bored during our days at sea.

Had I known the sheer volume of shows, entertainment, and amenities available at almost all hours, I wouldn’t have worried.

Most nights, we scored reservations through the Royal Caribbean app for the nightly main show. One highlight was the high-flying acrobatics show that I still can’t believe happened on a cruise ship. Our kids, ranging in age from 5 to 12, were all entertained.

Family karaoke was also a hit for us. We all had a blast watching kids belt out everything from Taylor Swift songs to oldies they couldn’t possibly understand the lyrics to.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that this cruise ship also has multiple water slides, a full-on carousel, an arcade, a mini-golf course, an ice-skating rink, an escape room, and other activities.

It was great not to worry about what we were going to eat each day

As a parent who just dreads making dinner and figuring out what to cook every night, having constant access to a wide variety of food that would appease everyone was a top highlight of the cruise.

We took advantage of our scheduled dinnertime at the sit-down main dining hall and splurged on meals at premium restaurants, like a hibachi joint where the chef threw shrimp into our mouths and a whimsical eatery where my kids could have cotton candy for dinner.

We had plenty of access to food throughout the trip and especially liked being able to stop for delicious grab-and-go pizza on days when the kids had to be fed, like, 10 minutes ago.

No cooking, no cleaning, and no whining? Count me in.

The kids’ club was a massive perk, too

As befitting the grand scale of this ship, Wonder of the Seas’ kids’ club was far more than just a themed room with a babysitter.

It had a craft and science lab for the bigger kids, an indoor playground for the younger crew, and even a dedicated teen lounge on the pool decks.

Each day, we’d sign all three kids into the club and enjoy a few hours of adult time having cocktails by the pool — a true vacation. My little one loved the kids’ club so much that she begged for more time there whenever we went to pick her up.

I’m a fan of cruises now — and I think the bigger the ship, the better

Ultimately, having so many things taken care of alleviated much of my daily mental load.

The plethora of activities and dining options meant everyone was happy — and I learned that maybe relaxing wasn’t so bad after all.

After this cruising experience, I think the bigger the ship, the better.