Quick cruises or not, Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas gives a number of the line’s finest in school options on a model new ship.
Utopia has made headlines for being Royal Caribbean’s new get together ship and for simply providing 3- and 4-night cruises, however these tag traces overlook the issues that make the ship stand out.
I sailed on a 3-night media preview crusing (full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail. I paid for the income sailings), adopted by Utopia’s first two income sailings in an effort to get a full sense of what the ship is all about. In any case, there are such a lot of actions, events, and occasions taking place across the ship, and I needed to strive as many as doable.
The selection to supply simply quick cruises to start out was met with raised eyebrows by some cruise followers, however Royal Caribbean is adamant that is half of a bigger technique to enchantment to first time cruisers. They need somebody who has by no means cruised earlier than to rethink their land trip and go for a cruise as a substitute due to the actual fact Utopia is model new and gives so much.
It is laborious to not be intrigued by a ship you’ll be able to sail on for simply the weekend and luxuriate in waterslides, a practice simulator restaurant, late-night events, and visits to a non-public island in The Bahamas.
Quick cruises with tons to do
Do not anticipate a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas to be simply lounging across the pool and sipping pina coladas.
When you actually may just do that, it is clear Royal Caribbean needed Utopia to be greater than a standard cruise ship as a result of they need to appeal to untraditional cruisers to provide it a strive.
The ship is marketed with a number of hype about it being “the world’s largest weekend”, and to that impact, there’s extra methods to splash, get together, and eat onboard.
What this interprets to is Royal Caribbean has extra of every of these issues to do onboard, and it is the most effective variations of every but.
The pool deck has been up to date with a greater Lime and Coconut bar that matches the look of the ship higher, together with an enormous aquapark, wide-open swimming pools, and an enclosed adults-only Solarium.
The leisure group labored extra time to give you all types of recent events and occasions on Utopia, with a transparent path to attempt to convey extra power to the expertise.
You will discover a silent DJ get together with togas, a possibility to play beer pong, Vegas-style pool events, and late-night DJ experiences.
Don’t be concerned, there’s nonetheless loads of conventional cruise actions, together with karaoke, trivia, bingo, and sport reveals.
After which there’s all of the eating decisions onboard. There is a new pool deck snack location to maintain you going with out having to go very far with the Spare Tire.
A new chef-driven Japanese restaurant has been added, whereas the road’s Italian specialty restaurant was moved to a surprising location. After which there’s the revolutionary immersive eating expertise that makes you’re feeling such as you’re on a basic practice touring via the Outdated West.
Learn extra: I attempted Royal Caribbean’s immersive practice expertise
Huge and small modifications, all of them mix to make Utopia stand out from not solely different Royal Caribbean ships, however any ship you may go on for just some days.
My favourite modifications
As somebody that cruises so much, I am at all times drawn to what’s new and completely different on a cruise ship. Partly for novelty, and partly as a result of who would not get pleasure from a brand new shiny factor?
It is clear Royal Caribbean spent loads of time not solely developing with model new issues so as to add to Utopia of the Seas, but additionally re-visiting established options. Whereas Utopia stands out as the sixth Oasis Class ship within the fleet, she is something however a copy-and-paste cruise ship.
Learn extra: Every little thing new and completely different coming to Utopia of the Seas
Once you stroll onto Utopia of the Seas for the primary time, there is a good probability you will see the primary clear winner for favourite change, and that is the Pesky Parrot.
Not solely does Pesky Parrot substitute an growing older Bionic Bar thought, nevertheless it brings a brand new bar that you’re going to really need to hand around in to the ship. Cruise ship bars are so much like being a child in highschool: it is laborious for the brand new ones to compete with the favored ones that everybody already is aware of.
Earlier than you even strive a drink, you will decide up on it is a enjoyable place to hang around. It is vibrant, extensive open, and a lot seating that you would be able to’t assist however plop down.
There’s quite a lot of specialised pina coladas provided (strive the peanut butter one), enjoyable mugs, and the bar was busy each single day I used to be onboard.
The recent ticket on Utopia is the Royal Railway, which is a model new sort of expertise that’s meant to wow you with how immersive it’s.
In brief, Royal Caribbean has designed a restaurant that appears and feels such as you’re on a basic practice. It is rather more than curtains and paint, there are digital screens, sound results, vibrating seats, and extra that every one contribute to make it actually really feel such as you’re on a practice.
The primary present provided on Royal Railway is an Outdated West journey, however new reveals and tastings are promised for the near-future, together with a extra adult-focused dinner, brunch, and wine tastings.
Talking of eating experiences I actually appreciated, the omakase dinner was a welcome deal with.
Royal Caribbean has finished sushi and hibachi for years, however they’ve expanded to now have a chef-driven Japanese meal. Seating simply six individuals, it is the sort of meal anybody that loves sushi will relish.
Whereas sushi is the main target, I loved the opposite programs that went past nigiri or sashimi. It was a culinary expertise I appreciated much more than I anticipated.
Whereas the excessive power pool events are what you will see marketed so much, I assumed the choice to have an enclosed Solarium was an amazing counterweight to the get together pool scene.
Utopia just isn’t the primary Oasis Class ship to get an enclosed Solarium, however I am glad they stored it. Not solely does it maintain it from getting too scorching in the summertime (or chilly within the winter), nevertheless it means you may be very snug and luxuriate in the most effective pool views you will discover on the ship.
I would be remiss if I did not point out I additionally loved tried and true favorites on Utopia. Whereas the brand new issues might get loads of the eye, there are many well-established Royal Caribbean staples on Utopia.
The Nation Trio band on the Mason Jar Bar have been a should look ahead to me each evening they carried out. Bryan, Jeff, and Josh are really proficient musicians, and a shining instance of Royal Caribbean’s dedication to reside music.
Dinners at 150 Central Park, Playmakers, and Coastal Kitchen didn’t disappoint within the slightest, and it is why I am going there to dine on most cruises.
In fact, the go to to Excellent Day at CocoCay was one in a protracted string of nice days at Royal Caribbean’s non-public island. It is the rationale why the remainder of the cruise business has taken discover of Royal Caribbean’s success there.
I stayed in two completely different, but function constructed cabins
Throughout my collective 13 nights on Utopia, I attempted two completely different cabins.
On the primary crusing that Royal Caribbean invited me to, I used to be in an oceanview balcony cabin on deck 10.
Whereas I believe the bathe in a customary cabin are superior on Icon of the Seas, I like how a lot cupboard space there may be on Utopia.
There is a ton of cupboard space within the stateroom, and for a room meant for 2 individuals, I believe it is an amazing selection for a room. It is most likely why balcony cabins are so fashionable as a result of reality they’ve simply sufficient area, a non-public view, and pure mild.
As soon as my again to again cruise on the primary two income sailings started, I moved as much as a Crown Loft Suite inside the Suite Neighborhood space of the ship.
This two story large suite has two bogs and comes with fabulous perks, corresponding to complimentary drinks within the suite lounge, reserved seating at reveals, and entry to a restaurant only for suite visitors.
Whereas a balcony cabin is sensible, a collection is solely a splurge. Having all of the facilities included, together with considerably extra dwelling area is a welcome deal with. It is hardly a cut price by way of value, however I used to be capable of see how the suite expertise in contrast on Utopia.
Learn extra: Information to Utopia of the Seas cabins and suites
Two issues I did not like about Utopia of the Seas
In wanting again, there are most likely two facets of the brand new ship I believe may be improved.
The manufacturing reveals within the Royal Theater and Studio B theater I assumed did not proceed the development of upping the ante in Royal Caribbean’s ever spectacular reveals.
The performers have been extraordinarily proficient, nevertheless it appeared like neither moved the needle as different productions present have on Royal Caribbean’s latest reveals, corresponding to The Effectors on Marvel of the Seas or Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas.
Each utilized know-how in spectacular methods, and I cherished a couple of of the track alternatives in each reveals.
The opposite qualm I had was at Playmakers, which is an open air sports activities bar inside the Boardwalk neighborhood.
Playmakers is nice, however the lack of air-con made it much less gratifying than different Playmakers areas. Contemplating a majority of the yr Florida and The Bahamas take care of stifling humidity, I assumed it could have been higher indoors. Or maybe with partitions/home windows that may be simply opened if it is snug climate outdoors.
Within the case of each these points I discovered, there have been loads of passengers who have been having a good time.
Utopia of the Seas is the multigenerational escape trip
The weekend get together is what you will see marketed, however the fact is Utopia of the Seas has events, identical to it has issues for teenagers, their mother and father, and grandparents.
I used to be impressed how a lot there may be to do on this ship. For only a 3-night crusing, I believe you are going to must prioritize actions in a short time as a result of time goes shortly and also you merely can not do all of it. It is why I used to be blissful I opted for going again once more on a second crusing.
Royal Caribbean has at all times been a multigenerational household model, and that does not change with Utopia. What has modified is how rather more they’re providing for those who desire a get together.
Royal Caribbean divulged final week one out of each two prospects is a millennial or youthful, and there is a clear push to supply these prospects extra.
However there’s additionally tons for anybody that does not desire a DJ, champagne gun, or toga of their future. Like a brand new automotive, I can admire the most recent and best finishes even when it has options I am going to by no means use.
My prime takeaway after over per week onboard is Utopia of the Seas is rather like Icon of the Seas in that it gives the perfect cruise expertise proper now. If a weeklong cruise would not appear proper, then Utopia is your selection. In any other case, Icon is ready with much more thrilling issues to do.