Utopia of the Seas debuts at Port Canaveral

24 July, 2024

Travelers planning an Orlando theme park or Central Florida beach vacation often opt to extend their trip with a short ocean cruise. Now they have a snazzy, new option—Royal Caribbean International’s new, 5,996-passenger Utopia of the Seas, sailing three- and four-night cruises year-round from Port Canaveral along Florida's Space Coast.

Last week, Travel Agent boarded the new Oasis-class ship on a three-night voyage. We spent one full day at Perfect Day at Coco Cay, the line's private-island-style experience, and a full day and partial day at sea. Some of the new ship's other short itineraries also include Nassau in the Bahamas, while others include two separate calls at Coco Cay.

Citing the ship's diverse neighborhoods, multitude of activities and what's ashore at Perfect Day, Michael Bayley, the line's president and CEO, says, "this is an unbelievable experience that really focuses on multi-generational families." He expects the new ship to draw many new-to-cruise guests who are eager to "try out" cruising as a vacation option. "People don’t have to commit so much time and money,” he emphasizes. "It’s no big deal to hop on Utopia Friday and be back in the office on Monday.”

Sailing on the new ship's inaugural voyage, Michelle Fee, CEO and founder, Cruise Planners, headquartered in Coral Springs, FL, agrees with Bayley about how Utopia of the Seas will entice first-time cruisers. "It's poised to revolutionize the short cruise market," says Fee. "For many first-time cruisers, short cruises are the norm, and this impressive new ship truly stands out."

Put another way, "the energy on board was amazing," says Amy Madson of Dream Vacations - Madson & Associates in Orlando, FL.

New Solarium Suites

As the sixth of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, Utopia of the Seas has several new elements. For example, the ship offers a new suite category, the Solarium Suite (category SO). Accommodating up to four people, guests can enjoy floor-to-ceiling window views and relax in 839 square feet of space. There are two of these suites aboard.

At the time we toured this new accommodation, photos were nearly impossible, given the "packed audience" of people touring the suite. So instead, we'd suggest checking out this snapshot video look at the Solarium Suite from Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president of sales, trade support and service:

The Solarium Suite is one of Royal Caribbean's “Star Class" accommodations. Thus, it’s the ultimate way to vacation on board. Suite amenities include the following:

• Royal Genie Service (the line’s equivalent of a fun, private butler)
• All-day access to the coastal kitchen
• Complimentary specialty dining
• Deluxe beverage package plus Voom Internet
• Complimentary gratuities
• Sky-class amenities and more.

We stayed in a deluxe balcony stateroom, No. 9728, on Utopia of the Seas. It was comfortable, well-designed and had a shower with both a rainforest and hand-held apparatus. Best of all, we felt it had excellent storage—better than in many staterooms of the same size on other ships. 

Restaurants and Bars

With consumer desires for Asian cuisine on the rise, Royal Caribbean expanded Izumi, the sushi and hibachi specialty restaurant located within the Central Park neighborhood. Guests who dine here will find more al fresco and interior seating. On the menu are fresh, made-to-order sushi and other Asian dishes. Guests will find everything from maki rolls to fresh nigiri to bubble ice cream. 

Also in the Central Park neighborhood is Park Cafe, which has been expanded with more seating. "It's my favorite place for breakfast or a light lunch, and it's nice not having to fight for a table," Madson tells Travel Agent. We also experienced this and would agree. Service was top-notch here. While cruise guests can saunter up to the stations (including a carving station) to request food, proactive servers also circulated and asked guests seated at tables whether they could bring them anything. 

In another dining change, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar has been repositioned to a two-level space on Deck 12; also new to that eatery is Gio’s Terrazza with outdoor seating.  

New Tropical Bar: The Pesky Parrot

When it's time for a cocktail or mocktail with a fun, quirky, tropical vibe, we'd suggest guests saunter into the new Pesky Parrot, one of 23 bars and lounges aboard. Located on the Royal Promenade's Deck 5, this bar serves up vibrant decor and creative drinks.

We sipped on a refreshing “Mai Time of My Life," but other options include Monkey Business, Pretty Bird, Pesky’s Peanut Butter Pina and many more. There's also a selection of zero-proof drinks. What's fun? Coming soon is a pesky—and reportedly irreverent—"bird" called Brian, which will interact with bar patrons. 

Not far from the ship's poolside action is The Spare Tire, a new food truck with complimentary quick bites, handheld favorites and dessert. It’s a snack stop with both savory and sweet items.

Certainly, the most highly anticipated new specialty dining experience on Utopia of the Seas is the Royal Railway's Utopia Station on Deck 4. While this "rail experience" wasn't open for us to dine, it's expected to serve up to 48 guests at a time, starting with "rehearsal" experiences this week. In two different destination experiences, guests will feel as though they've boarded a train for rail sights, sounds and flavors.

Activities and Entertainment

What’s for little cruisers? In an outdoor playscape, kids will find an underwater-themed world filled with three slides, a ninja course, climbing walls, games and play panels. Nicely, the line has provided an outdoor shaded seating for parents.

"Utopia of the Seas offers so many activities for all ages," says Dream Vacations' Madson. For example, "they are really targeting the parents' need for their own kind of fun with blast-from-the-past events like the Toga Party and the college games." Given all the activity options, she believes, "it's a hit!"

If clients are seeking thrills, the ship’s Ultimate Abyss offers a revved up version of this popular thrill slide attraction found on many other Royal Caribbean ships. It's 43 feet longer. As a 10-story plummet for brave guests, the slide also sports new speed boosters and transparent windows.

"There are four ways to enjoy entertainment on Utopia of the Seas—stage, water, ice and air," says Cruise Planners' Fee. For example, Aqua80Too is the new sequel to the line’s popular Aqua80 show. "I had the pleasure of watching the water show from the balcony of my cabin," she adds. "It was amazing to see the diverse performances by the divers and aerial artists. I’ve seen this show on other ships and it always excites and never disappoints."

“All In” is a new Utopia of the Seas' show in the Royal Theater. Plus, guests can also head to the ice-skating rink for Youtopia, while "The Effectors: Homecoming Parade" brings back popular superheroes in a new chapter for the line; it's a super-sized parade.

Parting Thoughts

Port Canaveral is only about an hour's drive from the Orlando area, which has good air lift and ground transportation options. For instance, Royal Caribbean International offers motorcoach transfers directly from Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral. That should help entice many travelers who desire to combine an Orlando theme park vacation with a short Port Canaveral cruise.

In addition, Royal Caribbean has a new partnership with Brightline, Florida’s high-speed, East Coast rail service. Travel Agent took the three-hour train ride from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando. We then hopped aboard the line's motorcoach to Port Canaveral. Travelers can also travel to Orlando via Brightline's other South Florida stations in Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton or West Palm Beach. So, travelers could sample Miami's nightlife, Everglades eco-action, or culinary scene, and then hop aboard Brightline to combine that with a Port Canaveral cruise on a snazzy new ship.

In the past cruise lines put older tonnage on short cruise routes. But that philosophy has begun to shift in recent years. Royal Caribbean believes that a sparkling, amenity-laden new vessel such as Utopia of the Seas is the way to attract those important new-to-cruise guests—needed to fill the industry's fast-expanding capacity. Coupling that enticement with Perfect Day at Coco Cay, the line's highest rated global destination (per guest feedback), clearly looks like a winning combination.

For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com

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