When booking a cruise vacation, you are faced with the decision of what stateroom category you would like to stay in at the time of booking. 

The cabin that you book will impact your cruising experience, whether it is an interior stateroom to help save money to allocate towards other incidentals or splurging on a suite for an upgraded cruising experience.  

Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, offers guests a wide variety of staterooms to choose from, including larger interior cabins and brand-new suites. 

Overall, Utopia of the Seas will have the same staterooms that are found on Wonder of the Seas, with the addition of three new categories and a few other enchantments. 

Here is a breakdown of all the cabin options onboard Utopia of the Seas to help you make the best decision.

Related: Your really dumb cruise ship cabin questions answered

Standard staterooms

Interior cabins

The cheapest accommodations onboard any cruise ship are interior staterooms with no windows. Utopia of the Seas, however, will debut a new category of interior stateroom. Rather than having a rectangular shape, these cabins will be square to allow for more floor space. 

And as always with Oasis Class ships, you may select interior rooms with a window that overlook the Royal Promenade, Central Park, or Boardwalk. Note that all with a view of Central Park will be located on Deck 9 mid-ship, while those overlooking the Royal Promenade are located on Deck 7. 

These staterooms range from 172 square feet for a standard interior to 199 square feet for those with a view of Central Park. 

Wonder of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to include virtual balconies off of the bat; they were added during amplifications to other ships. Like Wonder, Utopia will have virtual balconies. These staterooms include 80-inch LED televisions that provide live HD views from outside the cruise ship, so while you may not have a window or sliding door to allow fresh air to flow into your room, you will be able to see what is going on outside!

Ocean view cabins

Ocean view cabins do not have any direct access to the outdoors like balcony staterooms do; however, you will be able to wake up each morning to natural light! When deciding between an interior and ocean view, this is a selling point for many people.

At 179 square feet, they are larger than the basic interior cabins. Plus, some feature a forward facing view of the ship overlooking the helipad on higher decks.

Balcony cabins

Oasis Class ships were the first cruise ships in the world to feature interior facing balconies, meaning that you could book a cabin with a balcony facing the ocean or one of the interior neighborhoods. These staterooms will return on Utopia of the Seas! 

All balcony cabins have 182 square feet of interior space, as well as 50 square feet of balcony space. Unless, that is, you book a Central Park balcony. With 52 square feet of balcony, they are slightly larger than Boardwalk and ocean view balcony staterooms. 

Likewise, ocean view staterooms with large balconies have more space outdoors, with a balcony of 80 square feet. 

Suites

Sea Class

As with other ships with the Royal Suite Class, the only suites included in the Sea Class are standard Junior Suites. These tend to be the smallest suite options and come with fewer perks than suites in higher tiers.

You, for instance, will not be able to access Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch. Likewise, wi-fi will be an additional expense, and you will not be able to utilize the concierge service. 

One of the primary benefits is the additional living space, as these suites are 287 square feet with an additional 80 square feet of balcony. And, of course, they are cheaper than other Royal Suites. 

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

Sky Class

The new Sky Junior Suite will be similar to standard Junior Suites; however, those staying in these specific suites will receive Sky Tier benefits, meaning that they will have access to the Suite neighborhood, as well as dining at Coastal Kitchen any time of day and complimentary wi-fi, among other perks. 

Other Sky Class suites include Grand Suites, Owners Suites, Crown Loft Suites, and One-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites.

The total square footage of these suites ranges, as One-Bedroom Grand Suites clock in around 371 square feet, while One-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites are a little over 600 square feet.  

Related: 10 things to know about Sky Class suites on Royal Caribbean

Star Class

Suites within the Star Class are the only ones to include a Royal Genie, who serve as personal butlers and concierges for the duration of your cruise. In fact, their services begin prior to your vacation, as they can help arrange specialty dining reservations, entertainment seating, and shore excursions. This, among other benefits, is what makes this suite tier a costly investment. 

Solarium Suites are brand-new to Royal Caribbean and are only available on Utopia of the Seas. Each of the two suites will be located above the bridge wings on the port and starboard side of the ship on Deck 14. The stateroom numbers are 14130 and 14530. 

The panoramic windows will offer guests sweeping 280 degree views of the ocean from the large living space.

And while neither suite will have a balcony, it will offer the infinite balcony technology introduced on Icon of the Seas. With the push of a single button, the windows will lower to provide fresh air!

The cruise line is also bringing back the Royal Loft Suite, Ultimate Family Suite for up to ten guests, and Two-Bedroom AquaTheater Suite. These are some of the most luxurious and fun suites available on any cruise ship. Who wouldn't want to watch the AquaTheater show from the comfort of their own balcony or play a game of ping pong in one of the most colorful and kid-friendly suites at sea? 

Note that the Royal Loft Suite will be a bit different than on Wonder of the Seas. Outside on the balcony, guests will find a brand-new outdoor shower. Plus, the primary bathroom will have a spa tub. In terms of square footage, though, you can expect to still over 1,500 square feet of living space. 

And if booking the Ultimate Family Suite is on your bucket list, you should plan on booking far in advance. Since there is only one of these suites onboard the entire ship, they tend to go quickly, despite the large price tag. 

What are the benefits to each Royal Suite Class?

Not all suites are created equally, both in terms of design and perks. If you book a standard Junior Suite, you may be disappointed when you board and discover that you have a limited number of benefits compared to higher tiered -- and more expensive -- suites. 

Star Class Benefits

• Complimentary gratuities and internet
• Expedited embarkation and disembarkation
• Reserved premium seats in select entertainment venues, as well as priority entrance to many onboard activities
• Access to Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Genie service
• All-day access (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to Coastal Kitchen
• Complimentary specialty restaurants, Deluxe Beverage Package and/or Refreshment Package
• Still and sparkling water replenished daily
• Complimentary minibar stocked with Coca-Cola, beverages, and water
• Complimentary laundry and pressing services
• Luxury mattress, pillows, and bathroom amenities
• Frette linens
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sky Class Benefits

• Concierge service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Specialty bottled water upon arrival
• Complimentary internet 
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
• Priority dining reservations
• Access to Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress and bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sea Class Benefits

• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen based on availability
• Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress and bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

At the heart of every Royal Caribbean cruise vacation are the crew members who work to make sure each guest has a memorable experience. 

Royal Caribbean shared an inside look at how they designed the crew's neighborhood onboard the highly-anticipated Icon of the Seas, which will have over 2,300 crew members from 80 counties. They will have their own indoor and outdoor pub, gym, and even salon. 

"Building Icon of the Seas and putting all these amazing neighborhoods and 'wow; moments on there," said Jason Liberty, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, "that's really the beginning of the experience. But in order to deliver on that experience, it will require what makes Royal Caribbean so special, which is our crew."

The crew neighborhood spans four decks and will feature redesigned accommodations

"Well, the good thing about a new class of ships is that we really get a chance to start from scratch and elevate the crew life onboard," said Henrik Loy, Captain of Icon of the Seas.  

Royal Caribbean sent our surveys to crew members asking them what they wanted to see onboard Icon, and at the top of the list was a place their home away from home: their cabin. 

In fact, the new design has been patented for its unique L-shaped layout. Other features include privacy curtains, enhanced finishes and materials, as well as easier to climb beds. 

"This [L-shape] accommodation allows each crew member to have their own private space where they can really relax and have their own time," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

After architects designed what they thought crew members wanted, Royal Caribbean gave crew the chance to sit down and be involved first-hand in the process. Over 1,000 crew members reviewed the mockups in person, and they were not all the same position. 

In total, the represented members were from 25 different nationalities and from 25 different onboard positions, with the estimated age range begin 22- to 55-years-old. 

Crew amenities 

For the first time, the finishes that are found throughout the passenger areas will be similar to those found in crew spaces. 

"One of the things that we've enhanced is what's called The Clubhouse," said Robert Hines, Newbuild Human Resources Manager for Royal Caribbean International.

"It's an area at the front of the ship, and it's our space to really chill out and relax...It's our space to really bond as a team."

Here, they will be able to grab anything from a coffee to a cocktail while relaxing in a massage chair, or they can challenge a fellow crew member to a game of ping pong, foosball, or pool. 

Plus, there will be four digital windows that allow for real-time views outside. 

Onboard, crew members will be also able to take care of their grooming needs with a crew-only salon. There will also be a crew store, as well as a gym. 

Dining and lounge options

"The crew can looking forward to in the crew Windjammer a lot of the same options that we serve to our guests," said Rebecca Burns, Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations for Royal Caribbean International, "That was something that was very important to us when developing the menus."

In addition to both hot and cold food stations, Icon of the Seas will be the first to feature live cooking stations in the crew buffet.

And the best part is that there will be ocean views from the crew Windjammer through port hole windows.

When it comes to crew bars, there is both an indoor and outdoor space that have forward facing views. 

There is also a multipurpose room that is meant to give crew members an area to host celebrations. It is not just an entertainment venue, either, as it can also be used for trainings. 

For gamers, there is a dedicated game room just for them. This room will feature seven divided spaces that allow for everyone to have their own nook.

"There's a degree of practicality that has to be applied for all of our crew spaces because we have a lot of crew, so you've got to find that balance between functionality, practicality, and comfort and design," said Bayley. 

Icon of the Seas progress

In June 2023, Icon of the Seas completed her first round of sea trials. On June 22, the ship returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard after spending four days at sea. 

During the trials, she traveled hundreds of miles and had the main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels tested by hundreds of specialists. 

Despite her initial departure being delayed, all tests were completed on time as outlined in the schedule. 

A lot still has to be done in preparation for Icon's maiden voyage on January 27, 2024. There is, for instance, another round of sea trials set for later in 2023.  

If Celebrity Cruise's announcement that it will begin visiting Royal Caribbean's private island surprised you, you should know that the line is responding to customer demand.

Starting in April 2024, Celebrity Cruises is going to begin sailing from Florida to Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, to meet a need its customer base has been clamoring for.

Celebrity Beyond is being redeployed to the Caribbean in 2024 and taking over Celebrity Reflection's sailings, rather than cruising through Europe. Guests booked on the 6- and 8-night sailings on Celebrity Reflection will automatically be transferred to Beyond. 

Those booked on Celebrity Beyond have the opportunity to be transferred to another European voyage. 

Instead of making 6- and 8- night sailings, Celebrity Reflection will make shorter cruises to The Bahamas: 3-night sailings departing every Friday and 4-night cruises departing every Monday. Currently, you can find 3-night sailings on Celebrity Reflection for under $300 per person for an interior cabin. 

"...having the opportunity to now have these short 3- and 4-night itineraries answers really a demand that we have in the market to have something new, something exciting, something elevated, and something quick to be able to really experience that short and quick getaway still in the Celebrity style," said Jennifer Suarez, Associate Vice President of National Accounts and Inside Sales for Celebrity Cruises.  

Related: 20 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks

What sailings will be offered?

Celebrity Reflection will sail 3-night and 4-night cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The 3- and 4-night cruises will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and either Nassau, Bimini, or Key West. 

Celebrity Beyond will be taking over Reflection's longer sailings that alternate between cruises to Grand Cayman, The Bahamas, Mexico, and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Will All Included be active on the island?

When you are booking a Celebrity cruise vacation, there are two options for fares. The first is a standard rate that includes accommodation, transportation between ports, entertainment, and select food and beverages.

The second is known as "All Included," which adds the Classic Beverage Package, gratuities, and Wi-Fi to the cost of your cruise. It is meant to give passengers a more inclusive experience.  

Whether you select this rate or purchase each package individually, those docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay on a Celebrity ship will be able to utilize the benefits of their package(s). 

Which ages and demographics are sailing on Celebrity Cruises?

The ages and demographics for Celebrity sailings to the Caribbean vary based on length.

51% of guests, for instance, on 7-night cruises are 60-years-old and older. This number drops to 37% for short Caribbean cruises, while it increases to 75% on long Caribbean cruises. 

On all Caribbean cruises onboard Celebrity vessels, Baby Boomers make up the majority of guests onboard, with anywhere from 47% to 63% of all guests coming from this generation. The total percentage of Millennial and Gen Z passengers is typically no more than 25%. The lowest percentage of this age group is found on short cruises, with the total percentage around 6%. 

Moreover, the percentage of families with children is currently below 15%, regardless of the duration of the sailing. 

And while Royal Caribbean remains the best cruise line to provide the ultimate family vacation, there is a distinction between traveling for and with children. 

"...[you] are going to start to see meaningful ways in which how we show up at Celebrity Cruises to ensure that traveling with your family and with your kids in engaging, is exciting, and is active in the right way for the Celebrity clientele," said Katina Athanasiou, Senior Vice President of Sales & Services, The Americas for Celebrity Cruises. 

Will there be other ships docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Due to the popularity of the island, there is a good chance that if you are sailing on Celebrity Reflection or Beyond, you will be docked beside of a Royal Caribbean ship. 

In any port of call, though, it is likely that your ship will not be the only one there. If you think about Nassau or Cozumel, you may be one of two, three, or even four ships in port that day. 

With Perfect Day at CocoCay, it is guaranteed that there will be a maximum of only two ships in port that day, and the island has been built to accommodate a high number of passengers. 

"...[This island] is specifically built for family of brands' guests, and so everything on there is very much controlled by us...it is literally just the Royal Caribbean Group guests joining the amazing destination for an amazing day," said Suarez. 

Booking incentive

If you book a cruise onboard Celebrity Reflection or Beyond between June 27 and July 31, 2023 that departs between May 1 and September 30, 2024, you are eligible to receive double club points through Celebrity's Captain's Club, the the cruise line’s loyalty program that provides exclusive perks and events to repeat cruisers. 

If you have yet to sail with Celebrity Cruises but have status with Royal Caribbean through their Crown & Anchor program, you may be eligible for their reciprocity program. 

Note that status matching does not extend to the highest levels for each cruise line. In other words, if you are Pinnacle with Royal Caribbean, you will not become Zenith with Celebrity. Celebrity's Elite tier is the highest level that you can match.

When Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, it was the first time a cruise ship had ever had interior facing balconies. This increased the total number of balcony cabins available for booking on any given sailing. 

In addition to the standard ocean view balconies, Royal Caribbean added cabins that overlook the two open-air neighborhoods: Central Park and the Boardwalk. 

Other than the view, they are identical to traditional balcony staterooms. Often, they are cheaper, meaning that you can still experience having your own personal outdoor verandah at a lower price, allowing you to allocate additional money towards other incidentals. 

For some, it may make more sense to stay in a cheaper cabin if that means you will be able to purchase experiences to enhance your overall vacation, like specialty dining meals, shore excursions, and more. 

Here's a breakdown of Boardwalk and Central Park balconies. 

Related: Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean

Stateroom features

Until Icon of the Seas launches in 2024, interior balconies can only be found on Oasis Class ships. You will not have the option when looking at other classes, such as Voyager and Freedom. 

Every balcony cabin comes with the same interior features: two twin beds that can convert to a queen, vanity area, sofa, television, minibar, and, of course, the balcony furniture. 

They are all about the same size, too, measuring roughly 180 square feet with a 50 square food balcony. 

The most notable differences are the view and location.  If you want to look at the ever-changing scenery, you will want to make sure that you book an ocean view balcony. 

Related: Everything about Royal Caribbean's Central Park View Balcony Staterooms

If, however, you are looking to save some money, Boardwalk and Central Park staterooms are great options. Compared to ocean view balconies, they are less windy and each offer a distinct experience. 

A cabin overlooking the Boardwalk means that you will be able to view the AquaTheater.

Depending on where your stateroom is located, you might have a prime viewing spot, especially if it is closer to the back of the ship. Plus, due to the neighborhood's open concept, Boardwalk staterooms may include an ocean view, allowing you to soak up some wake views from the comfort of your cabin. 

Central Park staterooms offer a more tranquil vibe, as they overlook the lush garden.

This neighborhood is also home to many specialty restaurants, and it boasts a more relaxed environment at night, unlike the Boardwalk, which is more lively at night. You will find people dressed up to enjoy dinner at Chops or listen to live music outdoors. 

Related: Are Boardwalk balcony cabins too loud?

Central Park is located midship on Deck 8, meaning that all balconies overlooking the neighborhood are on Deck 10 and higher; Deck 9 is where you will find staterooms with picture windows. 

The Boardwalk can be found at the aft of the ship on Deck 6, with balcony cabins starting on Deck 8. 

Related: What is the best location on a cruise ship?

If you have a preference in regard to midship or aft, Central Park staterooms are located closer to the middle of the ship, while Boardwalk cabins are located further back. 

Is privacy a concern?

When you book a Central Park or Boardwalk stateroom, the balcony is visible by everyone in the neighborhood, as well as those staying across on the opposite side of the ship, meaning that you will not have much (if any) privacy when sitting outside. 

When getting ready in the morning, it is best to keep the curtain closed to avoid having someone peek into your room while you are changing. 

If you are someone who enjoys people watching, these cabins are great options. 

Pricing

The cost of a cruise varies on multiple different factors, such as time of year, length, and ship's age.

A Boardwalk stateroom on a cruise on Wonder of the Seas in July will be more expensive than a Boardwalk cabin onboard a voyage on Allure of the Seas departing in October.

Looking at Royal Caribbean's website, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing on July 21, 2024 currently starts at $2,173 per person for a Boardwalk balcony, $2,241 for a Central Park balcony, and $2,303 for a traditional ocean view balcony, meaning that you can save over $120 per person if you opt for a Boardwalk stateroom. 

The cost for the same cruise in October drops significantly, with an ocean view balcony costing less than the Boardwalk in July.

On the sailing that departs on October 13, 2024, the current rates are $1,718 for a Boardwalk balcony, $1,772 for a Central Park balcony, and $1,848 for a traditional ocean view balcony. 

If you do not have a preference, you can always book a guarantee rate. This means that Royal Caribbean will assign your cabin closer to the sail date with whatever staterooms have yet to be booked. Sometimes, this can save you hundreds of dollars per person!

Related: I saved $100 by letting Royal Caribbean choose my cruise ship cabin location, and I would let them do it again

While nothing beats a private oceanfront balcony, if you are looking to save some money and still be able to enjoy the benefits of a balcony, consider booking a Boardwalk or Central Park stateroom for your next cruise. Central Park tends to be quieter; however, select Boardwalk cabins located further in the aft will give you a sliver of ocean to look at. 

Whether you have a cruise coming up on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, or you're curious what to expect on a ship like this, we have a first-hand look at what's happening onboard.

I recently boarded my first-ever cruise onboard Navigator to the Seas. Not only was this class of ship new to me, but it was also my first time sailing out of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. 

Navigator of the Seas is a Voyager Class ship that was initially launched in 2002. Since then, however, she underwent the cruise line's Royal Amplification program and received $115 million in upgrades, meaning that if you sailed on her in 2018, you would have a different experience than you would if you sailed on her today. 

Here's what it is like to sail on Navigator of the Seas in 2023. 

Related: 23 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023

The boarding process

As soon as online check-in for my sailing opened, I was able to secure an arrival time of 10:30am. I knew that I wanted a full day to explore and orient myself with the ship, rather than board later in the day just to sleep in. 

Since I flew into LAX the night before, I stayed relatively close to the airport, meaning that I had about a thirty minute drive to the port, which is actually located outside of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California. 

Related: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise 

I was surprised to find that security was in tents outside of the physical terminal building. Plus, you go through security prior to getting your documents (i.e., passport or birth certificate) checked. 

After going through security, I was instructed to go inside of the terminal, where I was greeted by a port agent who proceeded to scan my Set Sail pass, take a photo of my passport, and update my security image.

After that, I had a brief wait before we were able to officially board the ship since there were other groups who had priority, such as suites, The Key, and Pinnacle guests. 

I was on the ship by 11:00am and opted to wait to grab lunch at the Windjammer after staterooms were ready at 1:00pm to avoid the rush. As someone who is used to sailing on Oasis Class ships, I prefer to skip Windjammer and go to Park Café for lunch.

On Navigator of the Seas, however, is this not an option, and waiting to go to lunch was the best decision because the buffet was not nearly as hectic as I had pictured it. 

Disembarkation

When, sadly, disembarkation day arrived, the process to get off the ship was seamless. I had a later disembarkation time of 9:00am; however, all groups were called by 8:45am.

I was able to get off the ship, grab my luggage, go through customs, and order an Uber in less than forty-five minutes. Plus, someone in my travel party had a birth certificate, so she had to wait in a separate line. 

Accommodations 

In January, I sailed onboard Liberty of the Seas and was a bit disappointed in how dated the staterooms were, so I did not have high expectations since I knew that Navigator is an older ship. 

While you could tell that my stateroom was older, as it lacked the modern finishes that the newer ships have, it was in relatively good condition. You could tell that it was older, as it lacked the modern finishes that the newer ships have. 

What was the most frustrating, however, was the lack of outlets. In my stateroom, there were only two, and both were located near the desk.

Thankfully, the charging cords that I had were long enough to reach both beds. Had I brought standard three feet ones, neither myself nor my travel companion would have been able to use our devices in bed! 

Despite staying in an interior cabin, which is often the smaller stateroom onboard any given ship, there was more than enough storage space for two people. Three people, however, would have been a tight squeeze.

Dining

It is no surprise that food onboard a cruise ship can be a hit or miss. That is understandable, though, as the team is trying to serve thousands of people within a few hours! 

While my favorite meal was lunch at Jaime's Italian, I was pleased with the quality of the complimentary options, too, including El Loco Fresh, which was my favorite poolside treat on sea days. 

The food in the Main Dining Room was better than when I sailed onboard Symphony of the Seas earlier this year. I had some of the same dishes and could definitely tell a different in preparation. 

Related: I tried Royal Caribbean's new main dining room menus, and here's what I thought

Out of all the menus, I was most excited for "Taste of the USA," as this menu was not yet available last time I did a weeklong Royal Caribbean cruise in February. 

As basic as it sounds, one of my favorite foods is macaroni and cheese, and the lobster mac and cheese did not disappoint. In fact, both myself and my travel companion, who is also a self-proclaimed macaroni and cheese connoisseur, agreed that we each could have ordered another. 

The Bamboo Room is a bar that is only available on two ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet: Navigator and Mariner of the Seas. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a sign that reads "It's Tiki Time." I loved the tropical vibe of this venue located in the heart of the Royal Promenade. 

It was a fun place to grab a refreshing cocktail and definitely makes this ship stand out amongst others. 

My Time Dining

For this cruise, I had selected My Time Dining versus a traditional seating. This meant that I was responsible for booking my dinner reservations each night or would be subject to whatever wait time there was when I arrived. 

Most nights, I made reservations for around 8:00pm, and when I got to the Main Dining Room on Deck 3, there was a line to both check-in for reservations and to secure a spot on the wait list. Regardless, we were seated in less than ten minutes with our reservations. 

The earliest that I ate was at 7:15pm, and I found that both lines were shorter. In fact, they were practically non-existent! If you did not have a reservation, you probably would have been seated in less than five or ten minutes. 

In terms of the service, we were seated with a total of three different teams. Every night, our service was concluded within an hour and fifteen minutes, with our conversations over dessert keeping us there longer. In theory, we could have quickly eaten dessert and gone elsewhere to enjoy our coffee. 

Entertainment

Personally, I find the entertainment on the smaller ships to lack in comparison to offerings on larger ships. There's nothing quite like AquaTheater shows or Broadway-style musicals while at sea!

For a Voyager Class ship, though, I found the options to be entertaining. None of the shows were over forty-five minutes, which was a good length. 

While onboard, I saw the ice skating show, original production that was a tribute to show girls, and The Quest. What I appreciated most about the ice skating show was that it did not try and stick to a plot and seemed to focus more on the skaters' abilities. Plus, the costumes got more elaborate as the show progressed. 

On the last night, I went to the farewell performance that featured a live band, comedian, and performance by the ship's singers and dancers; it was my favorite of the entire sailing! 

Finally, I found there to be quite a few live music options each evening, whether it be at Boleros, the pub, Schooner Bar, or Royal Promenade. 

Onboard activities 

There was enough to do onboard, from water slides to mini-golf, the resort-style pool deck, ice skating, rock walls, the sports court, and, of course, the entertainment.

I do not usually attend trivia; however, I went to general trivia the first few days. Perhaps I just do not have enough general knowledge, but I was stumped by many of the questions. My travel companion, however, said that it was not challenging enough. 

On the night of the 80s party, I went to attend the 80s dance class in the Royal Promenade; however, no other attendees showed up, and the event organizer eventually left. To be fair, it was at 5:30pm on "Dress to Impress" night. Had this program been in the morning, I think it would have been more of a hit. 

Normally, I prefer my cruises to have a even mix of port and sea days; however, I would have been okay with only two full days onboard Navigator! I think that would have given me enough time to experience everything that I would have liked to do. 

The limited amount of seating in the Solarium was apparent on the second sea day. The weather on the first was less than desirable (i.e., chilly and windy), so I opted to spend the majority of the day indoors. On our return to Los Angeles, however, the weather was extremely pleasant, especially in the Solarium.

I am glad that we staked out our chairs early in the morning and made ourself comfortable for the day. Those who arrived later in the afternoon were unable to find groups of chairs together, especially in the sun. This is not an uncommon cruise issue, though. 

Related: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

Onboard internet 

With download speeds of 140.1mbps upload speeds of 5.33mbps, the internet was above average in regard to what I have experience on other ships this year, including Symphony of the Seas.

I still had some issues sending and receiving photographs via iMessage; however, I have found that to be normal on most cruises. 

Ports of call

Cabo San Lucas

My previous trips to Mexico have been exclusively to Cancun, Cozumel, and Costa Maya, meaning that traveling to the Mexican Riviera was going to be a new experience for me! 

The last time I tendered to any port was in 2016 when I visited Grand Cayman on a Disney cruise, so I was unsure how the tender process would work onboard a Royal Caribbean ship. 

The night before we docked in Cabo San Lucas, which was our first port of call, I received a letter from my stateroom attendant with instructions about how to retrieve tender tickets; they were required to go ashore unless you had an excursion booked. 

Tickets were given out starting at 10:00am in the Main Dining Room on Deck 5. The earlier you lined up, the earlier you would be able to disembark. 

Around 1:15pm, the line to get off the ship was pretty long. People were crowding on Deck 2 waiting for their group number to be called. If getting off the ship early is important to you and your day in Cabo, it is advisable to get to the Main Dining Room at least thirty minutes prior to when they begin handing out tickets. Otherwise, you may find that you cannot get off the ship until over an hour after the ship docks. 

Mazatlán

In Mazatlán, I did a scenic boat tour that was booked through Royal Caribbean. Like with any cruise line sponsored excursion, I found it easy to locate the guide with the corresponding paddle in hand. Since the tour was less than tour hours, that meant that I had the rest of the day to explore the city center. 

Unfortunately, it was scorching hot. After less than two hours walking around, I was ready to return to the ship for lunch. My advise for Mazatlán, if going off on your own, would be to draft a plan prior to setting off. That way, you are not wasting time in the heat researching what you want to see. 

It was easy to reach the city center, though, as all you had to do was follow a blue line from the cruise terminal straight into the heart of the city. In total, the walk took around fifteen or twenty minutes. 

I ended up visiting a neat church that, supposedly, was partially funded by a wealthy Jewish donor. If you look up at the stained glass, you can see where the Star of David was incorporated as a token of appreciation.

Puerto Vallarta

An all-inclusive resort is the way to go in Puerto Vallarta, especially if you are looking for some time in the sun and/or beach. I visited Hotel Riu Vallarta, which was located about thirty minutes from the cruise port.

Note that transportation was not included and cost around $20 per person for the round-trip fare. I also discovered that wi-fi was not included in the rate; however, it was available for purchase. 

Check-in was simple and required handing the front desk a printed copy of the confirmation of our day passes, provided identification (i.e., valid driver's license or passport), and then receiving a towel card. Afterwards, the group was free to roam throughout the resort, whether that was staking claim to a chair on the pool deck or heading down to the beach. 

Since it was all-inclusive, all drinks -- both alcoholic and non-alcoholic -- were included, as well as food. At 11:30am, a small poolside buffet open that consisted of limited options, such as a burger, chicken, fries, and chili. At 12:30pm, though, an expansive buffet opened in the main resort. 

What I appreciated most was the fact that the staff was very attentive to everything going on. Whenever a child would try and sneak into the adults-only infinity pool, they were quick to blow their whistle and inform them that they had to go elsewhere. 

There was plenty for children to do, too, as they had their own dedicated pool area. In the afternoon, there was even a foam party for all-ages!

What it is like to sail from Los Angeles versus Florida

When deciding whether to cruise from Los Angeles or Florida, you should be aware of a few key differences. The first being that you will have fewer ship and itinerary options. From Port Canaveral, there are three Royal Caribbean ships deployed there in June, July, and August 2023: Wonder, Independence, and Mariner of the Seas. 

The more ships you have to choose from, the more itineraries you have to choose from, too. Between these three ships, you can take a cruise as short as 3-nights to the Bahamas or as long as 8-nights to the Caribbean onboard the world's largest cruise ship. Mariner of the Seas is even making a few trips to Bermuda! This also means you have more flexibility when making your travel plans. 

Currently, Navigator of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship sailing from Los Angeles, meaning that if you are hoping for a 7-night cruise during a specific week, you may be disappointed to find the only options are 3- and 4-nights. 

In regard to embarkation, though, this means that you do not have to battle traffic from other ships. If you have sailed from Miami at any point in 2023, you know the frustration of arriving and sitting in traffic or waiting for an Uber to arrive on disembarkation day. When I got to the port in San Pedro, it was easy for my Lyft driver to pull right up to the terminal building. 

Overall, though, the cons of sailing from Los Angeles are minimal. Navigator of the Seas, despite her age, is in great condition and offers sailings to a beautiful ports of call that you simply cannot visit when departing from Florida. 

A milestone in the construction of Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class cruise ship was just completed. 

On June 22, the brand-new ship successfully completed her initial round of sea trials and returning to the Meyer Turku shipyard, where she departed from four days ago. This is where the ship has been under construction since April 2022 when the kneel was laid. 

In other words, Royal Caribbean's Icon Class has now sailed through the open ocean! 

Icon of the Seas' first sea trials

During her first set of sea trials, Icon of the Seas traveled hundreds of miles, during which the main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels were all tested. Everything was done on time as outlined in the schedule, despite her departure being delayed due to wind conditions. 

When sea trials take place, hundreds of specialists run tests to help assess different technical areas of the ship, and there were more than 450 specialists who helped to run the four days tests on the ship’s technical areas during this round of sea trials. 

Between preparing for the trial and the tests themselves, there were over 2,000 specialists who put in more than 350 hours of work in helping Icon of the Seas pass this important milestone. 

A second set of sea trials is planned for later in 2023, where Icon's abilities will be pushed even further. All of this is done to make sure that the ship is in tip-top shape being before delivered to Royal Caribbean. 

Operation food bag donation 

When Icon of the Seas returned from her first set of sea trials, she returned with a truckload of food to donate to the non-profit organization Operaatio Ruokakassi, or Operation Food Bag. 

Operation Food Bag is based out of Turku, Finland that was founded in March 2008. Their goal is to acquire and deliver food to those in need. All food that is distributed is free to those who apply. 

In 2022 alone, the non-profit distributed over four million pounds of food, and every week, they give out roughly 4,100 bags. 

Nearing the maiden voyage

There's roughly seven months to go until this record-breaking ship departs on her first voyage out of Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024. This is where she will be based through at least April 2025, where she will make 7-night cruises to the Caribbean. 

When she is completed, Icon of the Seas will be 6% larger than Wonder of the Seas, which means that she will steal the title for largest cruise ship in the world. 

As if that was not something to look forward to. (as Oasis Class ships have retained this title for over one decade), she will introduce brand firsts, such as Izumi in the Park, the AquaDome, family-focused Surfside neighborhood, Category 6 water park, and more. 

Between now and the second set of sea trials, there is still a lot that needs to be done before she is ready for passengers to board to experience the ultimate family vacation. 

After eight cruises with Royal Caribbean (six of which being on Oasis Class ships), I recently decided to give MSC Cruises a try while in Europe. 

MSC is an Italian based cruise line that is quite controversial in the cruise industry. While it is pretty established in Europe, it has begun to gain popularity in North America, where you can oftentimes find a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean for less than $400 per person onboard one of their newest ships. 

The cruise line, however, has been subject to negativity, with the most common complaints being about the quality of the food, service, and onboard programming. 

Despite all the things I had heard, I decided to take a 7-night cruise to Italy, Spain, and France onboard MSC Seashore, and I had a great experience! I would easily consider another cruise with MSC in the future. 

At 169,400 gross registered tons, MSC Seashore is considerably smaller than Oasis Class ships, which all come in over 225,000 gross registered tons. That being said, she can still accommodate over 5,800 passengers at maximum capacity. 

Before boarding this cruise, I knew this cruise would be unlike any that I had previously been on. Of course, "different" does not equate to bad. In the end, there were things that I enjoyed more about my cruise with MSC than Royal Caribbean!

Lower priced cruise add-ons

Normally, I do not splurge too much on cruise add-ons, such as specialty dining experiences, due to the cost on Royal Caribbean ships. 

While onboard MSC Seashore, however, I was surprised to discover that the extras were far less. I was able to dine at Kaito Teppanyaki and HOLA! Tacos & Cantina for around €50. In comparison, teppanyaki at Izumi can cost upwards of $50 per person alone for dinner. Plus, the prix fixe menu at Kaito included sushi and sashimi! 

Likewise, I found the alcoholic beverages to be cheaper, too. They had an extensive list of cocktails for only €9 each, meaning that I felt like I could splurge a little bit more than normal. 

I will admit that if I do end up cruising with MSC again in the future, I would consider a drink package. One thing I disliked about the cruise line was the lack of complimentary water. The Easy Package, which included beverages up to €9, was only €47 per day! 

With Royal Caribbean, I always find myself debating if the Deluxe Beverage Package is worth the cost. While it does include more than MSC's Easy Package, it is also much more expensive. Even when it on sale, I find that it is normally around $75 per day, before the additional gratuities. 

The elevator system

On Royal Caribbean ships, the elevators are a free-for-all, meaning that as many people as often pack into available cars. For that reason, I find myself taking the stairs quite a bit, as it is usually a faster and more comfortable option than waiting for a full elevator. 

I loved MSC's elevator system. Rather than just selecting if you want to travel up or down, you have to select the specific deck. Afterwards, you are assigned an elevator car to board. The screen would even tell you how long of a wait you were going to have before the elevator arrived. Most of the time, it was under two minutes!

There were a few days that we were told the ship was sailing close to maximum capacity, which meant that nearly 5,880 people were onboard. At double occupancy, MSC Seashore has a capacity of 4,540 passengers.  

Despite the large number of passengers, there were only a few times during the entire cruise that the elevators were crowded. During the majority of my sailing, there were no more than five or six people on the same car as me. 

Related: How to beat the crowds on your cruise ship

MSC's embarkation and disembarkation

Since my cruise was an interport sailing, guests were embarking and disembarking in each port. This meant that instead of 4,000 some passengers all trying to get on the ship in a single day, it was spread out throughout the cruise. 

I knew when I was embarking, there would be a mix of people disembarking and getting off to explore Genoa as a scheduled port of call. When I arrived at the terminal in Genoa, I found it to be less crowded than when I have boarded Royal Caribbean ships. 

Related: 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

Due to my hotel's check out time, I got the the terminal an hour before my scheduled embarkation time. This was not an issue, though. I was checked in, through security, and onboard in about thirty minutes! I appreciated that they had refreshments available, too, including sparkling water, still water, orange juice, and pineapple juice.

And since thousands of guests were not boarding at the same time, I found the buffet to be relatively pleasant during lunch. On Royal Caribbean ships, I will do whatever I can to avoid the Windjammer on embarkation day! 

When it came to disembarkation, my group was called at 9:15am. In less than thirty minutes, I was at the Genoa train station. The only line I had to wait in was the one to scan my cruise card a final time. 

Diversity of passengers

I was expecting a more international crowd of passengers, and I was right! 

When I was waiting in line to check in at the terminal, I heard tons of different languages being spoken. In fact, other than the port employees, I did not hear anyone else speaking English.

Moreover, all onboard announcements were made in multiple different languages to accommodate the diverse crowd. This did, however, mean that the announcements took longer. The only time it was a bit of an annoyance was prior to the theatre shows, when I felt like the cruise director was speaking for fifteen minutes!

Overall, though, I loved being surrounded by so many people from different backgrounds. It made the trip feel more special and immersive, especially since it was a European itinerary! 

Status match

I am currently an Emerald Crown & Anchor member, which means that I was able to roll my status over to MSC Cruises' Voyagers Club and enjoy some neat perks on my very first cruise with the line. 

While not the highest tier, I achieved Gold status, and I was able to start utilizing the benefits during the booking process with a 5% discount off of my cruise fare.

My three favorite perks, however, were all onboard: the free one hour in the thermal spa, welcome back cocktail reception, and complimentary MSC Voyagers Club drawstring bag. 

The only status matching that Royal Caribbean will honor is through Celebrity Cruises and vice versa, meaning that you cannot try and get them to honor your status on any other cruise line, such as Carnival or Norwegian. 

If you have yet to step foot on any cruise ship at all, MSC will even match your hotel status with well-known brands like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. 

Overall thoughts

Though I did not board MSC Seashore anticipating all of the negative complaints to be true, I was surprised at how much I genuinely loved my cruise on this beautiful ship!

I found the quality of the food, both complimentary and specialty, and service to be quite high. Food, however, is subjective; my favorite dish might be someone else's least favorite. 

When it came to the entertainment offerings, I was disappointed with the productions in the theatre. Entertainment is something that Royal Caribbean is known for, and I do not believe that MSC lives up to them in this way! 

Overall, I would consider another MSC cruise in the future, as the value for what I got was exceptional! 

Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class ship is now available for booking. 

The 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral onboard Utopia of the Seas can be booked through Royal Caribbean's website, with the first sailing in July 2024. The current bookings are open through April 2025. 

Utopia of the Seas will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, with every sailing visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's private island destination in The Bahamas. 

The inaugural sailing is listed as July 22, 2024 and is a 4-night cruise that sails to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Pricing starts at $1,112 per person for an interior stateroom, $1,152 for an ocean view stateroom, $1,217 for a balcony stateroom, and $2,686 for a suite. 

The next sailing is July 26, 2024 and is a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas, with an interior cabin starting at $802 per person. 

The ship, which is larger than older Oasis Class vessels, will measure 236,860 gross registered tons and 1,188 ft. in length. This means that she will be slightly larger than the current largest cruise ship in the world, Wonder of the Seas. 

Additionally, Utopia of the Seas will have a capacity of 5,668 passengers at double occupancy. 

Here's what to look forward to on Utopia of the Seas

Brand-new dining venues and bars

There are some Royal Caribbean staples found onboard every ship in the fleet, such as Chops Grille and Schooner Bar. At the same time, Royal Caribbean strives to provide passengers with new experiences to keep them wanting to come back time and time again.

Utopia of the Seas is no exception.

Onboard, you will find some bars and restaurants that, when launched, will not be available on any other Royal Caribbean ship, including the brand-new Pesky Parrot bar in the Royal Promenade.  

This venue is a new-to-brand Caribbean tiki bar that will serve tropical beverages, both frozen and on the rocks, and take the place of the Bionic Bar. 

Likewise, Utopia of the Seas will be the first ship to have the immersive train car dining experience. While little is known about this specialty dining venue, it further the brand's goal to move towards new food and beverage concepts to differentiate restaurants from being just another place for dinner.

Read more: Royal Caribbean will add new immersive dining experience to Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas will also be the only Oasis Class ship to have Izumi located in Central Park, meaning that you will be able to indulge in fresh sushi al fresco while listening to live music under the stars.

Plus, for those in a hurry, you can take advantage of Izumi in the Park, which is a grab-and-go window that will also serve fun sweet treats. Note that Icon of the Seas will also have the same concept when she launches in January 2024. 

Up on the pool deck, guests will find three complimentary dining options, including the brand-new poolside food truck, to grab a bite to eat at after enjoying one of the five pools, eight hot tubs, or three water slides. Plus, there will be a three-story Lime and Coconut bar. 

New staterooms

There will be 2,834 staterooms onboard Utopia of the Seas to choose from, including the standard interior, ocean view, and balcony cabins. Some interior cabins, however, will be designed a little bit differently. In addition to the traditional rectangular shape, select inside staterooms on Utopia of the Seas will be in a square layout, meaning that they will have more floor space. 

There will also be new suites. The Solarium Suites will be located on Deck 14 above each bridge wing, and according to Royal Caribbean, they will be similar to the Ultimate Panoramic Suites that are found on Oasis of the Seas and offer guests 280 degree views of the ocean from the large living space. While they will not include a private balcony, they will incorporate the infinite balcony concept that will be new to the brand on Icon of the Seas. 

Moreover, the cruise line is introducing the Sky Junior Suite. Unlike traditional Junior Suites, these staterooms will be located within the suite neighborhood and receive Sky Class benefits. On other Oasis Class ships, standard Junior Suites are in the Sea Class.

This means that you will receive an even more enhanced cruising experience, with perks such as complimentary wi-fi, all-day dining in Coastal Kitchen, and access to the exclusive suites-only deck. 

Read more: Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class

And while not new, you will be able to book the impressive Ultimate Family Suite, which will have three bedrooms, expansive corner balcony, an in-suite cinema, table tennis, and two-story slide. The Royal Loft Suite will be receiving some upgrades, too, such as the brand-new outdoor shower and spa tub in the primary bathroom. 

Return of the neighborhood concept

Fans of Oasis Class ships know that Royal Caribbean invented the neighborhood concept when Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009. Essentially, they divided the ship into distinct areas that offer guests different atmospheres. What you will find, for instance, in the Royal Promenade will differ from the Boardwalk, Central Park, and Pool and Sports Zone. 

The same neighborhoods will be found onboard Utopia of the Seas, including the Suite neighborhood that debuted on Wonder of the Seas:

• The Royal Promenade 
• Pool and Sports Zone
• The Boardwalk, which will be the ending point of the longest dry slide at sea
• Central Park

• Vitality Spa & Fitness
• Youth Zone
• Suite Neighborhood 
• Entertainment Place

Utopia of the Seas construction 

Utopia of the Seas is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. It has been a little over a year since construction began in April 2022. 

Unless Royal Caribbean decides to order another Oasis Class ship, this will be the last ship constructed for this class. It appears as though the cruise line is pivoting towards focusing on the upcoming Icon Class, which is their first new class of ship since Quantum of the Seas launched in 2014. 

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Royal Caribbean ships are known for having some of the most thrilling activities at sea, including zip lines, surfing and skydiving simulators, ice skating rinks, bumper cars, and more. 

However, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean's sister cruise line, is more upscale and offers guests a more refined cruising experience than you would find onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

Plus, they now offer the ability to bundle your initial cruise fare to make it more inclusive, meaning that you will not have to worry about adding each cruise-add on after booking. Currently, the All Included rate only includes gratuities, Wi-Fi, and Classic Drinks Package. They advertise that this saves you anywhere from $200 to $800. 

Celebrity Cruises was originally founded by the Chandris Group in Greece in 1988 and was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997, meaning that the two brands have shared the same holding company for over twenty years!

And while the two brands may have the same parent company, there are some things that you will not find onboard any Celebrity cruise ship in the fleet. 

Smoking in the casino

Regardless of which ship you sail on, smoking is not permitted in the casino onboard any Celebrity ship. 

As a reminder, smoking is not allowed in the cabins either, even if you have a balcony. If you are caught violating their smoking policy, a $250 cleaning fee will be charged to your onboard account. 

It is, of course, permitted in designated outdoor areas. There are identifiable by signage. Plus, ashtrays will be available for smoking use. 

A teppanyaki restaurant

Izumi Hibachi is available onboard select Royal Caribbean ships. Here, passengers may elect to pay extra for this teppanyaki specialty dining experience. The price is usually somewhere around $50 if purchased in advance via the Cruise Planner for dinner. 

There is not a teppanyaki restaurant onboard Celebrity ships. They do, however, have sushi restaurants. Like Izumi, dining here is not included in the cost of your cruise fare. The a la carte pricing ranges anywhere from $4 for edamame to around $10 per roll. 

Plus, they have other specialty restaurants to choose from, so you will not go hungry or be without options!

Onboard thrills

One of the biggest differences between and Celebrity cruise and a Royal Caribbean cruise is that you will not find any WOW factor thrills onboard Celebrity ships. They lack water slides, rock walls, any kind of ice or roller skating rink, etc. This contributes to the more upscale environment. 

If you have children who like staying active and bouncing from activity to activity, this is something you should consider. They may not enjoy spending a week onboard a ship without those kinds of things to keep them occupied. 

They do have youth programming called Camp at Sea, though! They offer complimentary activities for children  ranging from three-years-old to seventeen -- think of things like games, arts and crafts, video game and sports tournaments, and even slumber parties!

If you drop your children off outside of the complimentary hours (i.e.,  9:00am to 12:00pm, 2:00 to 5:00pm, and 7:00 to 10:00pm), you will be subject to paying an additional $6 per hour per child. 

Private islands

Visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay is a must for many cruisers sailing to the Caribbean or Bahamas. It certainly lives up to the WOW factors that their ships deliver, as you will find a water park, zip line, exclusive beach club, and even hot air balloon on the island. 

In other words, you can make your day whatever you want it to be. Of course, not all activities are included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise, which is something to be mindful of when planning your cruise budget. The water park, for instance, usually costs over $100 per person, as does the Coco Beach Club.

It is important to note that Celebrity ships do not visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. In fact, they do not have a private island of their own! 

While Labadee, Haiti is also a private destination owned by Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity ships are going to stop sailing here in 2024. Per their website, "Please Note: While we don't currently sail to Labadee Haiti you can still discover the beauty of the Caribbean on a Southern Caribbean Cruise."

Are you a fan of short cruises? You're about to get that option on a new Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean announced that its newest Oasis-class ship, Utopia of the Seas, will sail short cruises year-round from Port Canaveral in summer 2024.

This is a significant change in Royal Caribbean's launch of a new ship. Typically, new Royal Caribbean cruise ships offer 7-night cruises, with older ships offering short weekend cruises.

Utopia will break away from that model and begin sailing with short cruises, which could be a pivot aimed at attracting new cruisers who want a shorter first sailing.

This means every sailing will visit Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay, which the cruise line thinks will add a great deal of value for guests by including one of the most popular Caribbean ports of call that Royal Caribbean has at the moment.

The trips will also bring stops in Nassau in the Bahamas. 

Allure of the Seas will begin the trend of offering short cruises on on Oasis Class ship when she starts up those offerings in November 2023.

Utopia opens for bookings on Royal Caribbean’s website as soon as Friday, June 23. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members can book on Thursday, June 22. In practice, it has been our experience there is no difference between these dates as to when you can book if you use a travel agent.

What's different about Utopia of the Seas

Being the sixth Oasis Class cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas will have a few notable differences from her sister Oasis Class ships.

Utopia will have 5 pools, 3 water slides, 21 dining venues, 23 bars, 2 casinos, and 8 hot tubs.

Utopia of the Seas will be different from any other Oasis Class ship, including Wonder of the Seas, in that she will feature the brand-new Pesky Parrot bar. This will be located in the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, effectively replacing Bionic Bar. 

The Pesky Parrot is a new bar with a Caribbean flair. You'll find fruit-based beverages made with rum, tequila and gin.

The Mason Jar will return on Utopia of the Seas.  Mason Jar was a new Southern American restaurant concept that first debuted on Wonder of the Seas.

In fact, Utopia has much more in common with Wonder than other Oasis Class ships.

Utopia will have the Vue Bar, Playscape for kids, one FlowRider, El Loco Fresh, and an expansive suite deck.

Likewise, guests will not find Izumi on Deck 4. Rather, this is where the Immersive Train Dining Experience will be located. 

Drawing inspiration from the allure of classic trains and their iconic dining cars, this new specialty restaurant will allow guests to dine in a restaurant that looks like a classic train car, complete with sights and sounds that are meant to immerse you in this fantasy.

Royal Caribbean is calling it an "immersive experience" because it combines visuals and food together.

Related: Royal Caribbean will add new immersive dining experience to Utopia of the Seas

Do not worry, sushi lovers! Fan-favorite Izumi will still be available on Utopia of the Seas.

The dining venue will be located on Deck 8 and will replace where Wonder of the Seas has Giovanni's Wine Bar and Kitchen. Moreover, the brand-new Izumi in the Park concept will be here, too. 

Izumi will have double the teppanyaki tables and new al fresco seating.

Izumi in the Park is a new option that Royal Caribbean initially developed for Icon of the Seas, and it will continue with Utopia.

Wonderland, however, is being removed from the ship. Royal Caribbean is moving Giovanni's Wine Bar and Kitchen to Deck 11 and 12, replacing the imaginative restaurant. 

Now spanning two stories, this restaurant has been reworked and has a new outside terrace – Gio’s Terrazza – that overlooks the signature Boardwalk.

Related: I spent $60 to eat at Royal Caribbean’s most bizarre restaurant. I thought I would hate it, but it was one of the best meals of my cruise

Other dining favorites will return on Utopia, such as Chops Grille, Hooked Seafood and 150 Central Park.

Utopia of the Seas will also be the only Oasis Class ship to feature two Solarium Suites, which will be found on Deck 14 above each bridge wing (i.e., one suite on the port side of the ship and one on the starboard side).

According to Royal Caribbean, these staterooms will be similar to the Ultimate Panoramic Suites that are found on Oasis of the Seas.

The Royal Loft Suite has a master loft and a downstairs bedroom that can accommodate up to 6 guests.

And Utopia will also have its own Ultimate Family Suite, which has three bedrooms, an in-suite cinema, corner balcony, table tennis, and two-story slide.

Deck 15 will feature a Poolside Food Truck, giving guests lounging by the pool another quick-service dining option.  

Finally, Sprinkles ice cream station will be bigger than ever, with three flavors to choose from and a new sprinkles bar.

Coming in 2024

Utopia of the Seas is finalizing the construction process before she can begin sailing in 2024.

The new ship is under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. 

Utopia of the Seas is the sixth Oasis Class cruise ship, and will be the second new cruise ship Royal Caribbean launches in 2024.  Icon of the Seas will debut in January 2024.