Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship will have the longest dry slide at sea.
First launched on Harmony of the Seas in 2016, the 10-deck high Ultimate Abyss quickly became a guest favorite. Passengers make their way to the aft of the ship on Deck 16, where they navigate twists and turns before ending up on the Boardwalk on Deck 6.
MSC Cruises' World Europa stole the title for the longest dry slide at sea with the 250-foot Venom Drop. Royal Caribbean didn't take this too kindly, so they upped their game to introduce an even more thrilling attraction on their newest ship.
Measuring 259 feet long, Utopia of the Seas' Ultimate Abyss will be 43 feet longer than those on previous ships. Plus, it will be about 10 times longer than a London double-decker bus.
The two slides were manufactured in Germany and are composed of 41 sections. Rather than maneuver and place a fully completed slide on the ship, sections were assembled and added individually.
Inside, guests will find 300 illuminating LED lights and a brand-new feature, the zoom booster rollers, giving riders a "surprise" exit.
Utopia of the Seas' Ultimate Abyss will have transparent racing windows, too, adding an extra layer of excitement while they fly down the slide in about nineteen seconds.
The signature anglerfish was manufactured in France and stands 22 feet tall with 36 teeth that greet riders before they descend into the depths of the "abyss."
The Ultimate Abyss dry slide can be found on all Oasis Class ships, except for one
The free-to-ride dry slide is an Oasis Class exclusive. First launched on Harmony of the Seas, it was later added to the namesake ship of the class. Allure of the Seas, however, never received the thrilling addition due to her canceled Royal Amplification.
Currently, Allure is sailing out of Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida on 3- and 4-night sailings to The Bahamas, including Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay. In July, her homeport will move to Miami, where she'll remain through February 2025.
During Royal Caribbean Group's fourth-quarter earnings call, President and CEO Jason Liberty revealed that the second Oasis Class ship is set to undergo a major refurbishment. When the vessel returns to service in April 2025, she'll be based in Europe, offering weeklong sailings around the Mediterranean.
Though no details have been revealed as to what guests can expect, some have speculated that an Ultimate Abyss will finally be added.
The enchantments to the Ultimate Abyss aren't the only features unique to Utopia of the Seas
Utopia Station - Royal Railway is a brand-new specialty dining restaurant exclusive to Utopia of the Seas. The immersive dining experience will transport travelers through the Old West and Far East while onboard a cruise ship!
In addition to a theatrical show complete with seat vibrations and special effects, Utopia Station offers a menu inspired by the time and region.
Royal Caribbean is thinking into the future, too. Rather than utilize the space just for meals, they hope to roll out "short form" stories, such as a wine tasting while flying through Napa Valley or a whiskey tasting in the Tennessee mountains.
The Pesky Parrot Bar will replace the Bionic Bar in the Royal Promenade, fitting as the ship is slated to make short tropical getaways! The Caribbean-themed bar will serve fruity cocktails made with rum, tequila, and gin and is sure to be a hit thanks to its central location.
Up on the pool deck, it will be hard to ignore Lime & Coconut, Royal Caribbean's resort-style pool bar, which will have three locations onboard.
"Lime & Coconut is really going to open up the pool deck, and guests are going to be able to use the whole pool deck for their pool parties and their activations at night," said Julie Ansorge, Product Owner, Product Development for Royal Caribbean International.
Whether you're a devout Royal Caribbean fan or new to cruising, Utopia of the Seas was built to offer the best of the brand.
With only 3 or 4 days onboard, the goal is to get guests excited about cruising, so they'll want to explore other ships within the fleet, from the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, to smaller vessels that focus on offering port-intensive itineraries.
Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide
Utopia of the Seas's inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida on July 19
Originally, the first sailing was to commence on July 22; however, construction moved quicker than anticipated. Now, the 3-night maiden sailing will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas earlier than expected.
Inaugural cruises are important milestones in the life of a cruise ship, as they signal that the vessel is ready for regular service with paying guests.
They come after a series of shakedown voyages. These allow crew members to familiarize themselves with their day-to-day operations and ensure everything is running smoothly before officially welcoming customers onboard.
