Utopia of the Seas is the newest Oasis Class cruise ship that Royal Caribbean is using to attract someone who has never cruised before to give one a try. I might not be the target audience, but I think it has some of the best features on any cruise ship.
When you take a ship that sails just three night cruises and has 21 places to eat, 23 bars, five pools, three water slides and two casinos, you get a vacation meant to dispel the myth that you could be bored on a cruise.
Since Utopia of the Seas started sailing in 2024, I've gone on the ship six times. The first few were for evaluating what's new and different, but I came back again and again because it's the perfect weekend escape.
The 5,668 passenger ship is almost like a city, with more events happening every day than I could possibly attend. That's the fun of this ship. You have the choice of all or none of it, and I like having those choices.
Sailing from Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean wants it to be the gateway ship for millions of Americans that have been reluctant to cruise because they think it's boring, restrictive, or a strange way to vacation. To that point, Utopia only sails short weekend cruises so there's little risk in giving a cruise a try.
I've sailed on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships for decades, but its newest ship has managed to reinvent what the giant ships are all about.
Designed for first timers, but I love it even more
It's very unusual for a brand new cruise ship to start off with weekend cruises, but Royal Caribbean has a plan to flip the script on cruise vacation expectations.
The short cruises are meant to give someone that is concerned a week long cruise would be too long.
The ship itself offers more to do than other Oasis Class ships that came before it, with a special emphasis on parties. Royal Caribbean calls it "the ultimate weekend party" and that's because they planned out new parties, events, and entertainment to cater to the "I'm here for a good time" crowd.
There are many more late-night parties, additional pool deck events, and high energy shows in each of the three theaters.
I'm not the target audience, but I still like that Utopia isn't a carbon copy of other ships, and I love some of these changes because it's made the ship better for everyone.
A great example is a brand new tiki bar that's been added to the Royal Promenade, The Pesky Parrot.
Pesky Parrot replaced an aging robot bar concept from last decade. Not only is it a step up in replacing that, but it's actually a fun bar with great cocktails. The Food & Beverage team spent months coming up with tropical drinks that went beyond a pina colada.
Somewhere else that resonates with seasoned cruisers is the resort-style pool deck.
Utopia features "the best in class" features, and its pool deck is a shining example of that. It's colorful, well spaced out, and has a giant Lime and Coconut bar presence to ensure it's convenient to grab a pool drink anytime.
It even has a soft-service ice cream stand that actually has sprinkles for once. And if you want a bite to eat, a new grab-and-go meal spot is near the pool too.
The Solarium is restricted to just adults at least 18 years old, and it's an expanded area compared to the original Oasis Class ships.
These are great changes that aims to create a fun pool deck experience for someone new to it all, but I can appreciate the changes too.
It’s five times bigger than the Titanic, but not difficult to navigate
For some reason everyone likes to compare cruise ships to the RMS Titanic, so Utopia of the Seas is approximately five times bigger with a gross tonnage of 236,473 (the Titanic weighed 46,328 tons).
It's amazing how easy you can know where you are, and where you're going on a ship as big as Utopia of the Seas.
The ship is split up into 8 neighborhoods, with different attractions, amenities, and points of interest contained within each.
- The Boardwalk: Outdoor spot to walk and enjoy bars and restaurants, along with the AquaTheater (Deck 6)
- Suite Neighborhood: This exclusive area is for suite guests (Deck 17 & 18)
- Central Park: This outdoor neighborhood has a tree-lined street of shops and restaurants, including Izumi, Chops Grille, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen (Deck 8)
- Royal Promenade: This multi-deck boulevard has bars and retail shops (Deck 5)
- Youth Zone: This area has Adventure Ocean programming, an arcade, and a teen club (Deck 14)
- Vitality Spa & Fitness: This neighborhood has Royal Caribbean's signature spa and a fitness center (Deck 5 and 6)
- Entertainment Place: Home to the casino, comedy club, and theater (Deck 4)
- Pool and Sports Zone: Waterslides, pools, and sports activities (Decks 15 and 16)
It may seem like a ship as massive as Utopia would take you weeks to figure out where everything is, but it's a lot easier to get around than you might think.
Another way to make it even easier to move around Utopia is this ship has destination elevators.
Instead of pressing a button to wait for the next available elevator, you select the floor you want to go to at a panel in the elevator lobby. The system assigns you an elevator to wait for.
Once inside, the elevator takes an optimized route to the assigned floors. It's meant to reduce elevator wait times and get people moving faster.
While I don't think the destination elevators are as good as the ones on Icon of the Seas, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
The coolest restaurant at sea is only on Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's restaurant game has steadily improved year after year, and you'll only find its latest creation on Utopia of the Seas.
Royal Railway is a classic train restaurant that looks and even moves like a real train.
Guests have boarding tickets and wait to board their assigned train. Once in the car, there's waiter service at tables. Each table has a virtual window that gives diners a look out to the world as their train moves through The Old West.
There's a family friendly story that goes along with the dinner experience, but it's an really fun meal and something completely different than you'd find anywhere else in the world, including on land.
Royal Railway Utopia Station is one of many extra cost restaurants on Utopia.
There are restaurants that are included with your fare that cost nothing extra to eat there, but many more offered that have an extra cost. My advice is buy a dining package if you're interested in more than two specialty restaurants.
If you'd rather save money and stick to the included restaurants, fret not, because you won't go hungry. The Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Sorrento's and El Loco Fresh all have great food that I'd eat every day.
An underrated included restaurant is the Solarium Bistro, and my favorite place for a snack on a sea day is still El Loco Fresh. I love that toppings bar.
Utopia has a few other dining firsts that foodies are going to want to try.
The first ever chef-driven Japanese restaurant within Royal Caribbean's fleet is on Utopia at Izumi Omakase.
Izumi is found on many other ships, and its hibachi tables are super popular. But Omakase is a Japanese food fan's dream restaurant. An intimate multi-course menu where the chef prepares a special plate and associated cocktail to go with it.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen isn't a new concept for Royal Caribbean, but it's in a new location on Utopia.
They moved the restaurant to prime real estate that overlooks the Boardwalk neighborhood and it's simply gorgeous.
What I loved to do on Utopia of the Seas
Every cruise visits the best beach day in the Caribbean
Because Utopia only sails 3- and 4-night cruises, every sailing goes to Perfect Day at CocoCay, and that's a big difference maker.
I'm biased given how much I sail on Royal Caribbean, but their private island is heads and shoulders above every other cruise line private island because of how much there is to do that's worth your time.
There are beaches, pools, an adults-only area, and a waterpark within the island. Most of it is included in your cruise fare, but there's a lot that's free too.
It's bold to name your island "Perfect", but I think it's a well-deserved title. Our family has found relaxing and enjoyable visits every time we have gone there, and I think it's exactly what a cruiser wants.
Plus, CocoCay works for both new and established cruisers because it's that high quality.
Modern cabins
I recently sailed on one of Royal Caribbean's smaller cruise ships that was built almost 30 years ago a week after I was on Utopia of the Seas and the differences in my stateroom were eye-opening.
You'll find cabins of all categories on Utopia, from tiny inside rooms to giant multi-floor suites.
No matter which cabin you pick, it feels up to date with nice touches throughout. I especially like how much storage they've included in all the cabins.
Plus, there are more USB plugs available than traditionally found on cruise ships. Be sure to keep an eye out for USB plugs at the bars around the ship too.
A balcony is the most popular type of stateroom on Utopia, and they have exactly the perfect amount of living space.
Each cabin has a bed that can be split apart, private bathroom with shower, vanity area, mirror, safe, television, and closets.
A sequel to an all-1980s music show? Yes please!
Decade-based entertainment isn't new to cruising, but Royal Caribbean is embracing the 1980s more and more, and I love it.
An all-new show was developed for the AquaTheater called "Aqua80s Too", which is a follow-up to the original "Aqua80s" show on sister ship Oasis of the Seas.
AquaTheater shows are high-energy spectacles of diving, acrobatics, dancing, and really, really high diving. They're impressive on their own, but when you mix in the top hits of the 1980s, you've got the best 45 minutes on the ship.
For too long, cruise ships focused on the '60s and '70s, but it's refreshing to see more '80s tunes onboard. And the show is worth seeing every single time we've sailed on Utopia.
The best bar for music in the fleet
I think I've been up to the Mason Jar bar just about every night of my six sailings on Utopia of the Seas, and it's because I think it's the best bar in the fleet.
The Mason Jar is a specialty restaurant that serves up food from the Southern United States, but it's the bar that truly stands out.
It's a country bar with a country trio band that plays country music hits, and I love going up there for them. They're extremely talented, and their energy is infectious.
Plus, Royal Caribbean created an entire drink menu just for the Mason Jar. Many of the drinks are inspired by cocktails and liquors of the south, and they're really good.
I'd recommend the PB&J Old Fashioned, No Joke Smoke & Coke, or the Mississippi Moonlight as top choices to try.
Come for the drinks, stay for the band!
What I hated about Utopia of the Seas
The theater show was dull
I was underwhelmed by the "All In" show in the Royal Theater because it felt like a step backwards for Royal Caribbean.
In looking back at their newest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean had steadily pushed the envelope with their original productions, but All In was a stereotypical musical medley with dancing and no plot.
I liked the music, and the performers were fantastic, but the show was too plain. In an era where Broadway shows and high-flying productions are the norm, All In felt like a one-and-done for me because it just didn't have anything that compelling.
Hard sell if you don't live in Florida
Sailing short cruises is going to attract plenty of new cruisers, but if you're an established Royal Caribbean fan, it's going to be a stretch to fly down for a weekend cruise.
I think there's a lot that veteran cruisers will love about Utopia, but because it only sails short cruises, many people have written it off because of the itineraries.
The obvious counter argument is to book two cruises in a row, and you get a 7-night vacation. However, that still seems like a compromise to some who prefer a 7-night sailing that goes beyond The Bahamas.
I think it's still worth coming down for, even for a short cruise. Heck, tack it onto a land vacation if a repeat visit to Nassau isn't interesting.
Nonetheless, I wouldn't be opposed to more varied itineraries, even if it was once a month.
It's impossible to get a reservation for Royal Railway
Royal Caribbean hit a homerun with Royal Railway, but it's become a victim of its own success.
Ever since Royal Railway was announced, demand for it has been through the roof, and it's the hottest ticket in the cruise industry right now.
At some point in the weeks leading up your cruise, reservations open up for the restaurant and it sells out almost immediately. If you don't book it the same day or two it first comes online to book, you probably won't be able to dine there at all.
I am certain there are cruisers who wait to book it onboard the ship and it's all but guaranteed there's no chance of getting a spot.
I'm not sure what the answer is to fix this, but if they ever roll out the promised additional Royal Railway themes that include the Orient Express or a brunch offering, that might open up sufficient slots to create more inventory to meet demand.
Who should book a cruise on Utopia of the Seas
Without a doubt, the ideal cruiser for Utopia of the Seas is someone that has never been on a cruise before.
This is the ship to convince friends that want a fun, energetic, and memorable vacation that a cruise is right for them. Royal Caribbean planned it specifically for them, and there's no doubt it's who would love it.
But I also think Utopia is a great family getaway cruise.
The fact it sails every weekend, means you can easily work it into a long weekend vacation. Or you enjoy time at one of the Orlando theme parks and then rest up on the ship.
Plus, if you're a Royal Caribbean super fan, you'll love that Utopia has the very best features in the fleet right now.
Don't let the party ship reputation fool you. It's the Royal Caribbean ship experience many of us love, but with extra parties.
Itineraries and pricing
Utopia of the Seas is homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida, which is about a half hour from Orlando International Airport and an hour from Walt Disney World.
Utopia sails only 3- and 4-night cruises, with each sailing visiting Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
One downside to a short cruise is it leaves you very little time to "see it all", but I look at it like visiting a city. You can go to New York, London, or Los Angeles and never come close to seeing it all, and that's practically to be expected. So you book subsequent trips to see more of it. I think a cruise on Utopia is the same idea, where you can take more cruises to have more time onboard.
Prices for a 3-night Utopia of the Seas cruise from Port Canaveral start at $627 per person for an interior cabin, based on double occupancy.
Pricing is variable, and depends on when you go, which cabin you select, and other factors.
