Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, made her long-awaited debut final summer season in Port Canaveral, Florida. Not like her sister ships that sail extra conventional Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries, Utopia of the Seas was constructed particularly for weekend getaway sailings – with an enormous emphasis on partying!
For the final yr, Utopia of the Seas has been crusing solely on 3-night and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas. The itineraries embrace stops in Nassau, Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s personal island, Excellent Day at CocoCay.
Branded because the “World’s Greatest Weekend” for the cruise line, Utopia of the Seas has a extra upbeat and party-centric ambiance onboard in comparison with different ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The cruise line has deliberately leaned into the party-vibes aboard Utopia of the Seas with extra late-night leisure, deck events, and nonstop enjoyable.
Though Royal Caribbean has supplied weekend cruises for years, this marks the primary time the cruise line has explicitly marketed one in every of its ships as a “social gathering” ship. On this approach, Utopia of the Seas represents a strategic shift in how Royal Caribbean targets youthful vacationers. That is definitely a daring transfer that units Utopia of the Seas aside – not simply inside the Oasis Class, however throughout the complete fleet.
After crusing for almost one yr, we needed to see what actual cruisers are saying about Utopia of the Seas. We combed by way of our Royal Caribbean Weblog boards to search out suggestions and feedback from those that have sailed on this social gathering ship. Right here’s what individuals are saying with current evaluations of Utopia of the Seas.
The ship is the vacation spot.
Sometimes, Oasis class ships have sailed on 7-night itineraries, permitting for ample time to discover every part the ships have to supply. As a result of Utopia of the Seas solely sails on shorter cruises to the Bahamas, many Royal Caribbean Weblog readers point out they select to remain onboard whereas the ship is docked.
Specifically, cruisers say they like skipping the port of name in Nassau, Bahamas and as a substitute benefit from the quieter ship. One fan stated, “We do not plan to get off the ship in Nassau” when discussing plans for his or her upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise.
As well as, one other Royal Caribbean Weblog fan responded to 1 query, “I’m not getting off the ship, so I’ll attempt to scope out the state of affairs for you.”
Yet another fan on the discussion board responded that they aren’t planning to disembark in Nassau whereas crusing on Utopia of the Seas. The cruiser shared, “Going to Paradise Seashore subsequent month could be the final time we get off the ship. Little interest in Nassau.”
Actually, once I sailed on Utopia of the Seas earlier this yr, I additionally selected to remain aboard the ship and skipped Nassau solely. I used to be shocked by what number of different individuals had the identical concept, because the ship was quieter, however not as quiet as I anticipated. By lunchtime, the swimming pools have been already full.
With just a few days on Utopia of the Seas, our discussion board signifies that company desire skipping Nassau, and as a substitute benefiting from the ship’s facilities.
Mason Jar is a favourite for our readers.
Mason Jar is an enormous dialog matter on our boards. Utopia of the Seas is among the few ships with this newer specialty eating idea, which serves a very talked-about brunch with a concentrate on Southern delicacies.
Specifically, a lot of our readers reward Mason Jar for his or her brunch expertise. When one cruiser requested about Mason Jar on their Utopia of the Seas crusing, one other fan responded, “I vote brunch and I do know a number of common posters listed below are additionally huge followers. By no means truly did dinner however have carried out brunch each time… and will likely be sticking with it on Utopia sooner or later.”
“We’re cruising on Utopia this December, and I’ve heard some superb issues about Mason Jar,” replied one commenter on the discussion board. One fan on the discussion board additionally responded, “Going by the boards (small pattern dimension, my very own impression, not scientific), I really feel like brunch will get quite a lot of love however dinner is extra of a combined bag.”
Though Mason Jar serves brunch and dinner, the venue additionally incorporates a bar with reside music within the evenings. That is fairly well-liked, and plenty of of our readers reward the Southern-inspired cocktails served at Mason Jar Bar.
“The bar at [Mason Jar] on Utopia is chaos however the eating facet I might say is a little more organized chaos. I’m certain you’ll take pleasure in these Mississippi moonlights,” replied one cruiser on our discussion board. One other reader included, “We have been on Utopia in January and the Apple Pie Previous Usual from the Mason Jar was my favourite! Ordered it just a few instances. It positively was one thing extra to savor, taking my time, and letting it soften.”
Generally, specialty eating is a spotlight for Utopia of the Seas cruisers.
Royal Caribbean has a number of the greatest specialty eating eating places within the cruise trade. On an enormous ship like Utopia of the Seas, lots of the feedback on our boards spotlight the specialty eating expertise. Visitors rave about all the specialty eating eating places obtainable on Utopia of the Seas, and plenty of love their experiences throughout their cruise.
One cruiser shared, “Dinner tonight [on Utopia of the Seas] was Giovanni’s. Love this new location the place Wonderland was. Meals was scrumptious. We have been so stuffed! Service additionally incredible!”
Izumi additionally receives quite a lot of reward on our boards, particularly the bubble waffles for dessert. “The bubble cone is just about the factor I sit up for by doing Utopia. I like Izumi,” shared one cruiser.
Actually, because of the ship’s large number of specialty eating choices, a lot of our readers select to buy the Final Eating Package deal for his or her cruise. The shorter itinerary helps forestall the “meals coma” fatigue that may set in on longer sailings.
One commenter defined how eating packages can really feel overwhelming on longer cruises, noting, “The cumulative impact of that a lot meals over that lengthy a interval is simply overwhelming. We will, nonetheless handle to splurge for a few shorter consecutive days/nights, understanding that it’s going to finish quickly sufficient. We had the [Ultimate Dining Package] on the three evening Utopia cruise (of a B2B) again within the spring and it labored out nice.”
Moreover, Utopia of the Seas is the one ship within the fleet to supply Royal Railway, an immersive eating expertise designed to really feel like a journey by prepare. Though not included within the Final Eating Package deal, our readers loved the distinctive eating manufacturing.
One cruiser shared, “On the ship now and we did the Royal Railway tonight and thought it was incredible. The solid and servers are all nice and so many good puns all through. The movement results are fairly darn convincing.”
Nevertheless, many who tried Royal Railway said they wouldn’t essentially return for a second time given the price and stuck menu.
The Spare Tire meals truck is a combined bag for a lot of.
Talking of meals, one of many extra frequent matters of dialogue for Utopia of the Seas is the introduction of the Spare Tire meals truck. Positioned on the pool deck, a number of readers mentioned Spare Tire, noting the lackluster grab-and-go meals selections. Some even talked about crusing on Utopia of the Seas a number of instances and nonetheless not attempting the Spare Tire.
“I am going to attempt something as soon as however that is concerning the least thrilling meals venue I’ve seen. The working joke appears to be that it serves fuel station meals,” commented one cruiser.
Nevertheless, one of many favorites for our readers is the raspberry cheesecake dessert possibility. “I attempted the raspberry cheesecake a number of instances. It was nice on the balcony watching the sundown,” shared one cruiser.
Individuals love the Aqua80Two diving manufacturing, whereas All In and YouTopia are much less well-liked.
Oasis class ships are famend for his or her leisure, together with unparalleled manufacturing reveals that you just gained’t discover wherever else within the cruise trade. Aboard Utopia of the Seas, you may see the traditional Oasis-style reveals, together with a high-diving present referred to as Aqua80Two, an ice-skating spectacle referred to as YouTopia, and the brand new headliner theatre present All In!
Our readers completely love the Aqua80Two present, with many commenting on the ship’s unbelievable manufacturing and the gifted performers. One cruiser commented, “As an enormous fan of 80’s music and the unique Aqua80 present, we cherished it!” One other commenter responded, “Would positively see Aqua80Two over and over.”
Nevertheless, a few of our readers talked about disappointment with the opposite leisure obtainable on Utopia of the Seas. Specifically, some discovered the YouTopia ice present underwhelming in comparison with different ships.
“I might say this was extra conventional ice skating quite than a number of the productions on newer ships like [Wonder of the Seas] and [Icon of the Seas]. No drones, no particular results, only a entire lot of skating,” defined one cruiser. One other replied, “I type of didn’t fairly get what the complete present was attempting to convey. The balancing act was most likely what grabbed my curiosity essentially the most and there was not even ice skating concerned!”
Lastly, a number of readers commented on the brand new theatre present, referred to as All In! One reviewer stated, “All In was all one thing, however not all nice. It’s a combined bag of evaluations from the household. My dad and mom didn’t prefer it. You may most likely guess, too loud for them. My sister additionally didn’t prefer it. In her phrases, it was a multitude.”
A number of the commonest complaints included the loud noise onboard Utopia of the Seas.
Probably the most frequent issues shared by our readers about Utopia of the Seas is the extreme noise ranges. Contemplating Royal Caribbean’s branding and concentrate on partying, the louder noise and music isn’t solely stunning. Nevertheless, a lot of our readers point out the loud noise as their largest grievance.
In a single thread devoted to the noise on Utopia of the Seas, one reader commented, “Each venue, present, and area was pushed to very, very uncomfortable ranges. When it’s important to order your drink by writing your order down as a result of the bar tender can’t hear you and you may’t hear them, even yelling your order… that is ridiculous.”
“Unusual that ship is that loud. I imply it is a quick cruise, however nonetheless. Appears actually odd it is that loud and annoying,” shared one fan. One other replied, “We had a Central Park view balcony on the entrance finish of our [back to back cruise] in October and it was very loud even with the door closed.”
“Simply received off Utopia in the present day. The one drawback we had with loudness have been the reveals. Each All In and Youtopia have been so loud you could not benefit from the present itself,” shared one cruiser.
One other fan even replied they gained’t be crusing on Utopia of the Seas once more as a result of loud noise. “That is 100% right. We left the ship final week and it was, by far, the least pleasant cruise ship that I’ve sailed. We prevented the pool areas on account of noise, and it was insufferable on the water present. If you happen to’re into that setting, that is the ship for you. If not, hold trying.”
Nevertheless, different followers talked about that Utopia of the Seas is supposed to be a celebration ship, and the louder music is a part of that have.
One fan responded, “It’s definitely loud nevertheless it’s a wild social gathering weekend (particularly for NYE). If “social gathering ship” was the meant purpose then RC hit a house run. We actually loved the complete expertise and will likely be crusing her once more in a pair weeks.”
“Anybody occurring a 3/4 evening Bahamas cruise who’s searching for a fairly “regular” low key cruise expertise is on the unsuitable ship,” emphasised one other commenter.
Lastly, our followers love Utopia of the Seas’ design and innovation.
General, our followers appear to take pleasure in cruising on Utopia of the Seas. Though the social gathering vibe isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, the most recent Oasis Class ship has loads to supply. To not point out, a lot of our readers commented on the ship’s magnificence, design and innovation.
“Simply received off a cruise attempting out the brand new Utopia ship. Lovely ship,” shared one fan.
One other reader commented, “The colour scheme on Utopia is significantly better than the opposite ships, these rooms look clear and lovely. I’m obsessive about the bathe tile.”
Equally, many point out the modern vacation spot elevators that Royal Caribbean applied aboard Utopia of the Seas. One reader shared, “The vacation spot elevators are the most effective factor that has occurred to cruising, in my sincere opinion. They work rather well.”