Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas guarantees epic events, thrilling actions, and dreamy seaside days, however the ship additionally packs a punch relating to eating.
It’s no secret that meals is an integral a part of a cruise trip. Once I booked a 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas—the latest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet—I used to be excited to attempt the vessel’s intensive collection of eating places.
As one of many world’s largest cruise ships, Utopia of the Seas gives eating selections for any sort of traveler. Funds cruisers can select from over ten complimentary venues, however the ship additionally options greater than ten specialty eating places that include an additional cost.
The whole lot from Japanese hibachi to a Mexican buffet and Italian trattoria can be found onboard, and I couldn’t wait to attempt as many dishes as potential on my quick weekend getaway. I splurged on the Limitless Eating Bundle for $164, which allowed me to attempt not solely the ship’s free eating places, however the specialty choices, too.
After three days onboard (and some kilos gained) listed here are the 6 greatest and 5 worst issues I ate on Utopia of the Seas.
BEST: Lobster Thermidor at 150 Central Park
I by no means knew I preferred lobster till I attempted the delectable, tender Lobster Thermidor at Utopia’s 150 Central Park. Briefly, I used to be blown away by the flavour and presentation of the dish, and I remorse not making an attempt it sooner.
150 Central Park is a sublime specialty eating possibility on Utopia of the Seas. Every dish on the restaurant is ready with domestically sourced substances, all of that are harvested in the course of the peak of their season. I booked the restaurant with my Limitless Eating Bundle, however the meal prices round $59 per individual with out it.
Associated: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and eating information
I normally do not take care of shellfish, however I made a decision to step outdoors my consolation zone and check out the menu’s famend Lobster Thermidor. I knew if I did not just like the dish I may order one thing else as an alternative, so I made a decision it was value a shot.
It wasn’t my first time at 150 Central Park—the restaurant is accessible on all of Royal Caribbean’s different Oasis Class ships. But after tasting my first chunk of Lobster Thermidor, I could not imagine I waited so lengthy to attempt the dish.
The lobster was tender, seasoned with tarragon and parmesan cheese, and coated with a cognac cream sauce. It was simply the very best dish I had on your complete cruise, and I’ll actually be reserving 150 Central Park on my subsequent crusing.
WORST: Spaghetti Pomodoro at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
Royal Caribbean gives three Italian specialty eating places throughout the fleet, with Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen—the latest Italian restaurant—provided on Utopia of the Seas.
Just like the fleet’s different Italian eating places, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen gives quite a lot of pastas together with meat and seafood entrees. The restaurant differs from the others, nevertheless, in that it additionally gives a pizza menu.
Being Italian-American myself, I’ll admit I’ve excessive requirements relating to Italian meals. No restaurant’s crimson sauce may ever examine to my mother’s or grandma’s recipe! Even nonetheless, I can normally discover one thing to love at any Italian restaurant.
Sadly, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen fell flat for me. I favor pastas with out meat, however I discovered choices restricted, with solely a spaghetti pomodoro dish provided on the menu. I want the menu had extra vegetarian choices outdoors of pizza, whether or not a pesto ravioli or eggplant parmesan. As is, the menu choices felt somewhat restricted.
The spaghetti pomodoro wasn’t unhealthy, however it didn’t style considerably higher than the free pasta on the Windjammer or Essential Eating Room. In hindsight, I want I had used the final evening of my eating package deal at Izumi sushi or hibachi, which supply meals choices I can not discover elsewhere onboard.
BEST: Pizza at Sorrento’s
Utopia of the Seas is named “The World’s Greatest Weekend” for a motive. The ship goals to supply the last word social gathering expertise for her quick 3 and 4-night itineraries, and it will absolutely lead to some late nights onboard.
As an early riser, I used to be stunned to search out myself out properly into the evening on Utopia of the Seas. Whether or not dancing on the toga social gathering or cheering on my workforce at The Quest recreation present, I partied more durable than ever earlier than on a Royal Caribbean ship.
Associated: 5 issues Utopia of the Seas does higher than different Oasis Class ships
Frequent cruisers know that nothing tastes fairly nearly as good as Sorrento’s pizza after a number of drinks, and the free, limitless pizza hit the spot each night of my cruise.
WORST: Raspberry Cheesecake at The Spare Tire
When Royal Caribbean first launched The Spare Tire—the ship’s new meals truck idea—I used to be intrigued. The quick, informal, and complimentary possibility appeared like it will be a handy place to seize a snack whereas lounging on the pool deck.
Sadly, whereas I nonetheless discover the idea nice, the implementation felt barely lackluster. I appreciated with the ability to stroll as much as the “meals truck” and seize an merchandise myself, however the meals selections weren’t probably the most interesting.
It appeared lots of the snacks had been pre-made and reheated. The Tornados, for example, had been from the identical model of taquitos you could possibly discover at a fuel station. Likewise, the raspberry cheesecake I attempted was from the model Mini Chimis.
Whereas the cheesecake chunk was palatable, the snack paled compared to the freshly-made desserts I may take pleasure in elsewhere on the ship.
That being stated, The Spare Tire’s veggie wrap and hen sandwich gave the impression to be made contemporary onboard; I discovered these way more attractive than the pre-made alternate options.
BEST: Southern Breakfast at The Mason Jar
Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, and no restaurant on Utopia of the Seas does breakfast fairly in addition to The Mason Jar.
As Royal Caribbean’s solely Southern-inspired restaurant, The Mason Jar gives each a brunch and dinner menu. Whereas dinner sees favorites like crawfish gumbo and beef brisket, brunch gives quite a lot of candy and savory gadgets.
The brunch menu’s various choices—cinnamon rolls, stuffed French toast, buttery breakfast biscuits, and pimento cheese omelets—had been too tempting to cross up. As quickly as I boarded Utopia of the Seas, I headed to The Mason Jar for a much-needed brunch after my busy journey day.
Associated: The Mason Jar Southern meals restaurant evaluation
Feeling one thing savory, I ordered the Southern Breakfast (sans bacon). My breakfast skillet got here with two eggs atop a mattress of candy potato hash. You may’t go mistaken with fried eggs, however I cherished the stir-fried onions, peppers, and crispy candy potatoes.
The Southern Breakfast served with sides of Meemaw’s biscuits and jalapeño cornbread simply made this dish one in every of my favorites on the weekend getaway.
WORST: Pink Velvet Pancakes at The Mason Jar
Following the delicious breakfast skillet, I couldn’t cross up a candy deal with to finish my brunch.
I cherished The Mason Jar’s fluffy crimson velvet pancakes throughout my first go to to the restaurant two years in the past on Marvel of the Seas. This time, nevertheless, the pancakes weren’t as scrumptious as I remembered.
Regardless of their fairly look, I discovered the pancakes fairly dry. I didn’t thoughts the thick, cakey texture, however the ratio of cream cheese icing to pancakes felt off. Though I may have requested for extra icing, I used to be already full from my earlier course, so I left many of the pancakes on the plate.
I wouldn’t be against ordering the crimson velvet pancakes once more, however I might positively ask for an additional cup of icing subsequent time!
BEST: Shaved Ice at Wipeout Bar
A model new idea to Royal Caribbean is the shaved ice out there at Wipeout Bar, Utopia of the Seas’ bustling bar on the ship’s sports activities deck.
Beginning at $6 for a small and $9 for a big, friends can select as much as three syrup flavors from a collection of seventeen. Toppings, together with fruit and condensed milk, are priced at $0.50 every, and there are additionally boozy choices offered for $14.
Sadly, the shaved ice is just not included within the drink package deal or eating package deal, and Diamond drink vouchers can’t be utilized to the dessert, both.
Associated: The Final Information to Royal Caribbean’s Limitless Eating Bundle
Regardless, I used to be tempted to attempt a shaved ice on embarkation day to chill down in Florida’s oppressive July humidity. It labored, as a result of my watermelon ice was not solely tasty, however tremendously refreshing.
I believed the value was considerably steep given the product (ice and syrup), however it was so revitalizing within the second that I didn’t even care. Nonetheless, I hope the shaved ice can be included in packages and Diamond vouchers sooner or later.
WORST: Bubble Cone at Izumi within the Park
Though Instagram-worthy, I didn’t love the bubble cone I ordered at Izumi within the Park, Royal Caribbean’s walkup Japanese delicacies window.
Izumi within the Park focuses totally on grab-and-go sushi and gyoza, however the informal venue additionally gives waffle bubble cones. There are 5 flavors out there, together with the Strawberry Bliss and Rainbow Mochi, and every taste guarantees a heat waffle crammed with ice cream and toppings.
Presently, the bubble cone prices $8, however one cone is permitted each 24 hours for passengers with the Limitless Eating Bundle.
Though I discovered the idea nice, I believed the value was somewhat steep for what was provided. The ice cream used was the identical soft-serve I may take pleasure in on the pool deck without cost.
Nonetheless, the waffle and toppings had been a pleasant addition to a typical ice cream cone. I might most likely pay $5 for the cone, however $8 was a bit of excessive. I used to be glad it was included in my eating package deal, although, so the value didn’t actually matter in the long run.
BEST: Jalapeño Poppers at Playmakers
Playmakers Sports activities Bar & Arcade is one in every of my favourite informal eating places on Royal Caribbean ships. Though the venue comes with an additional cost, I discover the costs affordable. The bar’s nachos, wings, sandwiches, and appetizers are priced à la carte, with most between $7 and $12.
The Limitless Eating Bundle features a every day $20 credit score at Playmakers, so I ordered each nachos and jalapeño poppers. It’s onerous to go mistaken with nachos, however the jalapeño poppers had been the star of the present.
Crispy and with the right mix of spicy and candy, the fried jalapeños had been crammed with cream cheese and served with ranch and candy chili dipping sauces. I don’t eat crimson meat, so I used to be glad the poppers weren’t wrapped with bacon.
I by no means thought to dip jalapeño poppers in candy chili sauce, however the mixture was pleasant! This tacky appetizer will undoubtedly turn into a go-to at any time when I sail on a Royal Caribbean ship with Playmakers.
BEST: Breakfast on the Windjammer
Weekend cruises on Utopia of the Seas are busy—there’s little doubt about that. The final neatest thing I ate on Utopia of the Seas was additionally the simplest: breakfast on the Windjammer buffet.
In between port days in The Bahamas, beautiful leisure reveals, and the entire ship’s wild events, there’s little time for a sit-down breakfast. As a substitute of beginning my day with a leisurely meal within the Essential Eating Room, I most popular a fast meal within the Windjammer.
Associated: Information to Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Cafe buffet
Utopia of the Seas’ predominant buffet is something however restricted. The complimentary venue gives limitless meals, whether or not made-to-order omelets, bagels and lox, or a waffle station full with all kinds of toppings.
I loved a toasted bagel and eggs on the Windjammer most mornings. I by no means struggled to discover a seat within the extra-spacious venue, and the comfort of the buffet was onerous to beat.