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I sailed on Royal Caribbean's latest giant cruise ship — see what the $200-a-night vacation is like

4 December 2024 at 13:43
Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas ship docked at a harbor.
Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

  • I spent three nights on Royal Caribbean's new giant cruise ship,ย Utopia of the Seas.
  • The cruise line's second-largest vessel is operating short voyages to attract new cruisers.
  • The new ship has more than 40 restaurants and bars.

Where can you go on ziplines, waterslides, and rock climbing walls in the same hour?

Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas, the world's second-largest cruise ship.

It would be wise to cram all these activities into the same 60 minutes. The 1,188-foot-long vessel is exclusively operating shorter, three- and four-night voyages โ€” hardly enough time to experience all of its amenities, restaurants, and entertainment.

See what a vacation on the 5,666-guest, 236,473 gross-ton floating resort is like. Hang tight โ€” there's a lot to cover.

Like its siblings, Utopia is split into eight districts, or 'neighborhoods.'
empty bench in Central Park on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Central Park has stores, a complimentary cafรฉ, specialty restaurants, a bar, and pockets of seating tucked among the shrubbery.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Find a calm reprieve at the plant-filled Central Park. There, you can grab a cocktail from the outdoor Trellis bar to enjoy with your takeout from the grab-and-go Izumi sushi window.

Younger children will likely be drawn to the Boardwalk neighborhood.
climbing pads on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
The Boardwalk neighborhood has amenities like a carousel, rock climbing walls, and a smaller climbing wall for children.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Its carousel and rock climbing walls could be irresistible to any young cruiser. A milkshake from Johnny's Rocket and a bag of candy from the candy store likely help, too.

Energetic youngsters could frequent the cluster of outdoor activities on deck 16.
mini-golf course on Utopia of the Seas
The nine-hole mini-golf course is nautical-themed.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The zipline, mini-golf course, surf simulator, sports court, and dual 10-deck dry slides are perfect for sea days.

The zipline is short, and the ping-pong tables can get busy, but at least they're complimentary (unlike the nearby arcade).

Desperate for a break from the kids? Send them to the children and teen clubs.
people on the pool deck on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
The pool deck has a kid's water playground.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

After, you can perch at a pool or hot tub in the roomy adult-only Solarium.

It's a calm complement to the colorful pool deck, where the loud music, water playground, and three pools and waterslides are as overwhelming as they are crowded.

Utopia has as many pools as it does nighttime entertainment options.
ice skating show on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Studio B is home to the "YouTopia" ice skating show.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Head to The Attic for comedy shows. The small venue is perched between Studio B, home of Utopia's ice skating show, and the Royal Theater, home of the elaborate song-and-dance production.

Looking for more intimate entertainment options? There's also a karaoke bar (if you consider that a show).

Head to the AquaTheater early if you plan on catching 'Aqua80too.'
slackliners during aquatheater show on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
"Aqua80too" is set to a charged 1980s soundtrack.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Seats fill up fast. And for good reason โ€” the buzzy show features swimmers, divers, dancers, slackliners, and tightrope walkers.

It's a unique and impressive production, perfect for folks who enjoy the energetic, acrobatic flair of Cirque du Soleil shows.

Feeling peckish? You'll have 27 dining venues to choose from.
hot dogs on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Complimentary dining options include a hot dog kiosk.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Options range from an ice cream stand to an upscale steakhouse.

Most will be recognizable to Oasis-class fans, like the Mexican-inspired buffet El Loco Fresh and the specialty Hooked Seafood restaurant.

About one-third are complimentary, including the main dining rooms and the two grab-and-go cafรฉs.

A few are firsts for Royal Caribbean: Royal Railway, Spare Tire, a shave ice stand, and omakase.
plate of nigiri at the omakase dinner on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Izumi's omakase dinner costs about $155 per person.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation at Royal Railway, you'll be greeted with a new American menu, an immersive train-themed setting, and a $120-per-person check.

Omakase, located inside the sushi and teppanyaki restaurant Izumi, is even pricier, at around $155 per person.

For a cheaper treat, shave ice starts at $6.
spare tire food truck on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
The grab-and-go Spare Tire is located poolside.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The Spare Tire snack stand is free, great for poolside guests looking to munch on sandwiches and taquitos reminiscent of 7-11.

Head to Pesky Parrot for a post-dinner drink.
composite of Pesky Parrot bar photos on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas has Royal Caribbean's first Pesky Parrot bar.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Utopia has 16 bars, including the fan-favorite Playmakers sports bar and the English pub-themed Bell and Barley.

Pesky Parrot is a new standout addition. The immersive tiki-themed pit stop โ€” perched inside the mall-like Royal Promenade neighborhood โ€” is helmed by a talking animatronic parrot.

From the hanging dollar bills to the fake window with beach views, Pesky Parrot looks more like a kitschy neighborhood watering hole than a traditional cruise ship bar.

Cocktails run $10 to $14. Wines cost between $8 and $16 a glass, while beers and seltzers start at about $7.50.

Sleep off all the 'Rye Runners' and 'Teqkil-Ya Zombies' in the comfort of your stateroom.
An empty Promenade-view interior cabin on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas showing a light-wood desk, circular mirorr, tan couch, and bed near a window.
Some interior cabins have windows with views of Central Park or Royal Promenade.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The ship has 2,834 cabins. The Solarium Suite category, with its expansive views, is a first for the cruise line. Its keycard also unlocks a suite-exclusive neighborhood outfitted with a restaurant, sun deck, pool, and bar.

For a less pricey option, opt for an inside cabin.

Not all are dark and dingy โ€” some have windows facing the Royal Promenade or Central Park.

The ship will spend 2025 sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay
Utopia of the Seas is exclusively operating short voyages.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Most itineraries include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private Bahamian island.

The cheapest is currently a three-night voyage with an additional stop at Nassau, Bahamas, starting at about $615 per person.

Good luck planning your onboard to-do list.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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