Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas is formally the world’s greatest weekend. This sixth Oasis-class ship is the primary within the sequence to launch with a maiden season of brief cruises from Port Canaveral. We hopped onboard the primary weekend cruise to check out this newest ship. Discover out if this fast getaway is best for you with our Utopia of the Seas cruise ship evaluate.
Our Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship Evaluate
Informal Eating
When in comparison with the competitors, Royal Caribbean nonetheless has some work to do concerning its informal eating. We have been impressed with lots of the Icon of the Seas’ informal eating upgrades.
Sadly although, the Utopia of the Seas cruise ship didn’t obtain a lot of that ship’s new venues or menu objects. As an alternative, it’s residence to the standard lineup discovered on different Freedom, Quantum, and Oasis-class ships.
For these seeking to chill out of their bathing swimsuit and flip-flops throughout this brief voyage, informal eating will in all probability allow you to down.
The one new informal eating venue is the poolside Spare Tire. This meals truck was open from midday to six PM on our cruise. Right here, the menu contains pre-made grab-and-go objects like hen sandwiches, beef or pepperoni and cheese tornados, and mini cheesecake churros. Whereas the idea sounds good on paper, the meals is probably among the worst on the ship. It’s on par with microwave meals out of your native fuel station.
Fortunately, there are different choices in addition to this new Spare Tire meals truck.
Park Café nonetheless serves the identical breakfast and lunch objects for a fast meal.
The Boardwalk Canine Home presents 4 types of worldwide sizzling canines and sausages for a daytime snack. El Loco Contemporary has Tex-Mex picks, together with nacho chips, burritos, and quesadillas till 6 PM every day of the cruise.
Sorrento’s Pizzeria nonetheless dishes out considerably subpar slices till 2 AM. There are additionally 24-hour objects out there at Café Promenade. We’d have appreciated the Pearl Café menu from Icon right here, however as a substitute there have been the same old bakery objects and pre-made sandwiches.
After all, cruisers might additionally get breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the Windjammer Market. This buffet serves typical objects for all three meals. Provided that this cruise was solely three days lengthy, with a full day in Good Day at CocoCay, we by no means ate on the Windjammer.
General, having simply cruised on Margaritaville at Sea Islander and Carnival Jubilee earlier this 12 months, we expect Royal Caribbean must step up its informal fare to compete with different cruise traces providing shorter cruises.
Leisure
On the flipside, we expect Royal Caribbean is the chief in cruise ship leisure. Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with venues just like her sister ships. These embody the principle theater, the Studio B ice rink, and the Aqua Theater within the Boardwalk.
At present, all three venues have one brand-new manufacturing present, and all require reservations.
Although the Utopia of the Seas cruise ship did obtain three new productions, some didn’t reside as much as our leisure expectations for Royal Caribbean exhibits.
On evening 1, we settled in to the AquaTheater for Aqua80Too. Nobody else at sea comes near providing the distinctive mixture of excessive divers, dancers, and acrobatics. Dwelling as much as this popularity, Aqua80Too, the sequel to Oasis’ present, was by far essentially the most entertaining manufacturing on Utopia. Even these cruisers who’re usually antagonistic to cruise leisure ought to take into account testing Aqua80Too on Utopia of the Seas. We promise that you just received’t be disenchanted.
We can not say the identical for All In!, the manufacturing within the Royal Theater that we watched on evening 2. This reasonably typical cruise revue present’s description doesn’t even try to offer context to this 45-minute manufacturing that felt everywhere.
The present transported cruisers from venues like Studio 54 to masquerade events in Venice. However, there was no operating theme. For good measure, there was a brief drone scene although. Nonetheless, even these technological enhancements couldn’t rescue this present. When in comparison with Icon’s Wizard of Oz, this manufacturing was a serious letdown.
Lastly, on evening 3, we headed to Studio B for Youtopia. We’re followers of Royal Caribbean’s ice exhibits. However in case you have seen one, then actually you’ve gotten seen all of them. Nevertheless, a proficient forged of skaters, varied scenes, and an eclectic music listing stored our consideration throughout the manufacturing.
Within the Attic, three comedians provided a number of units of adults-only comedy as nicely. These exhibits additionally require reservations. Royal Caribbean celebrity and show-stealer Simeon Kirkiles, was among the many comedians throughout our inaugural crusing.
Principal Eating
Utopia of the Seas’ conventional 3-story essential eating room provided your typical sit-down dinner expertise. Provided that our three-day cruise had no sea days, the principle eating room didn’t present lunch. Nevertheless, every day, there was breakfast from 7 to 9 AM.
For dinner, the cruise line’s Welcome Aboard menu was featured on evening 1. It included picks like shrimp cocktail, prime rib, and the brand new peanut caramel bar.
Evening 2 was the Style of the Caribbean menu. This menu options spicy choices such because the Asian-style pork bao tacos, the jerk seasoned pork chop, and the Royal chocolate cake. On evening 3, there may be the Bon Voyage dinner menu. This multi-course feast boasts one in all Heidi’s favorites, the turkey dinner, in addition to one in all my favorites, the nice and cozy apple Cobbler.
On a four-night crusing, the extra menu is a Style of France. This menu is filled with hearty plates just like the Baked French Onion Soup, the Beef Bourguignon, and the Hen Cordon Bleu, to not point out Crème Brulee for dessert.
Given the brief nature of this cruise, we didn’t dine in the principle eating room. So, whereas the menus did embody classics we’ve got sampled on different ships, we cannot touch upon how the MDR on Utopia of the Seas delivered for dinner service.
Specialty Eating places
As an alternative of consuming in the principle eating room for this Utopia of the Seas cruise ship evaluate, we dined at three specialty eating places.
On evening 1, we revisited the Mason Jar. This southern consolation meals, informal venue was one in all our favorites on Surprise of the Seas.
This model on Utopia of the Seas didn’t disappoint both.
With reside music from the bar because the backdrop, we loved dishes like gumbo, a shrimp po’boy, deviled eggs, and the hen pot pie. My St. Louis-style ribs have been tender and flavorful as nicely, falling proper off the bone. This choice paired completely with the mac and cheese and Cajun fries. Plus, you possibly can’t go unsuitable with the drinks right here, particularly the PB&J Outdated Normal and Mississippi Moonlight.
On evening two, we examined out the considerably re-imagined Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. Perched above the Boardwalk on Decks 11 and 12, this common restaurant has a brand new residence on Utopia of the Seas.
Now, the restaurant has al fresco seating on the terrazza and enormous home windows overlooking the again of the ship. Though, throughout our 6:30 PM reservation, the night solar was blaring down on us, making us rethink Royal’s alternative to maneuver the restaurant. Fortunately, because the solar started to set, the warmth from the home windows grew to become much less of a problem.
Our multi-course meal included starters like fried calamari & polenta and the caprese salad, together with the signature Giovanni’s pizza which was topped with the proper mixture of spicy ham and candy honey.
For my entree, I attempted one thing new. And I used to be pleasantly shocked with the steak muffleta. This conventional dish had a light-weight breadcrumb crust and was full of quite a lot of Italian chilly cuts and cheese. It jogged my memory of the same dish my mom would make throughout the holidays. Heidi caught together with her go-to hen parm which was tasty as nicely.
For dessert, we cut up the stromboli full of Nutella and bananas. After all, no dinner at Giovanni’s could be full with out a glass of limoncello both.
On the ultimate evening of our cruise, we have been among the many fortunate few to step onboard the brand new Royal Railway for a Wild West Prepare Journey. This interactive dinner present is an element amusement experience, half dinner theater, and positively quite a lot of enjoyable.
We don’t need to give away an excessive amount of of the plot, however this upcharge expertise could be price it for some households.
The present and digital know-how have been actually on par with comparable experiences you may anticipate from manufacturers like Disney. However, for $74.99 per particular person, the meals was solely a modest improve from the principle eating room. My empanada appetizer and brief ribs entree have been good however not definitely worth the value of admission, particularly since I didn’t get to complete any of the programs.
After all, you’re paying for the immersive expertise, probably not the meals.
For us, the largest downside of the expertise was the timing. Between the reside skits occurring within the prepare automobile aisle, meals and beverage companies, and the varied vistas passing by on the digital screens, it was a bit overstimulating. We didn’t really feel there was sufficient time to take pleasure in our meal whereas nonetheless taking in every little thing occurring round us.
Nightlife
Together with the brand new leisure choices, Utopia of the Seas rolled out some new events and visitor actions. For essentially the most half, these occasions have been repackaged choices which are discovered on most cruise ships.
One evening 1, we didn’t keep up lengthy sufficient for the Royal Kappa Chi Celebration happening at 1 AM, full with beer pong. However, we did make it to the Silent Toga Celebration on the final evening of the cruise. This reimagined silent disco included loads of cruisers wearing white sheets. Some even introduced their very own costumes to mark the event. We’re followers of the silent disco, and this one held within the Solarium was undoubtedly nicely attended.
Different dance events felt like typical Royal Caribbean happenings, even when that they had a brand new title. There was the One Hit Wonders Avenue Celebration within the Royal Promenade and the RED Celebration and the ReZolution Dance Celebration in Studio B. This was principally a reimagined white social gathering. After all, the Loopy Quest was additionally a wildly common nighttime exercise on evening 2.
The lineup of musicians throughout the remainder of the bars and lounges was fairly customary. We loved Stephen Burke’s remixed acoustic sounds within the pub. And the Mason Jar was one of many extra common bars on the ship. The Nation Crew Trio carried out quite a lot of nation, rock, folks, and even some pop songs every night.
Within the Schooner Bar, pianist Louis Coupe took requests, whereas Latin City provided Latin ryhthms in Boleros. The Royal Caribbean fan favourite Phoenix rocked out the Music Corridor with a mixture of traditional rock and pop songs and a present that spanned the many years.
For these loyal to Royal, Utopia of the Seas presents the nightlife you’re used to on many of the line’s mega-ships. However, it doesn’t actually current something totally different or distinctive, just like the Dueling Pianos bar discovered on Icon.
Bars and Lounges
The Utopia of the Seas cruise ship is residence to lots of the acquainted bars and lounges discovered fleetwide. Over three days, we discovered it arduous to finish our typical bar crawl. However that doesn’t imply we didn’t strive.
The brand new addition to the ship is the well-themed Pesky Parrot. This brand-new bar contains a signature menu with frozen drinks and cocktails and was a welcomed substitute for the gimmicky Bionic Bar. The venue resembles the Bamboo Room on Navigator of the Seas however higher. Additionally it is residence to Brian, the namesake hen who desires you to “drink up”. Fortunately, many of the drinks listed below are lined within the Royal Caribbean beverage bundle.
Overlooking the Royal Promenade is the cruise line’s signature Schooner Bar, mixing up everybody’s favourite Lavender Daiquiri alongside reside piano music. Whereas that is normally our go-to bar, we did discover ourselves spending extra time on the Mason Jar for the reside music and distinctive drinks.
After all, you’ll additionally discover a signature drink menu at Boleros, an up to date cocktail listing on the Bell & Barley Pub, and the Oasis-class Rising Tide Bar on Utopia of the Seas. Different leisure areas like The Attic, Highlight Karaoke, the Music Corridor, and Playmakers Sports activities Bar all maintain the drinks flowing as nicely.
For a extra relaxed vibe, company can seize a glass of wine or cocktail on the Trellis Bar in Central Park or Giovanni’s Wine Bar in its new location.
These lounging on the pool deck can sip a cool, refreshing Lime & Coconut drink from one of many three out of doors areas. Friends also can seize a beverage on the adult-only Solarium Bar, the Vue Bar situated exterior the Solarium, or Cantina Fresca close by El Loco Contemporary.
Whereas not a brand new bar, the Wipeout Bar discovered aft on Deck 16 is residence to a brand new providing: shaved ice. Earlier than you ask, these premium snacks usually are not included within the beverage packages. Cruisers can combine and match varied flavors, beginning at $6 for a non-alcoholic model (or $14 for spiked ice).
Onboard Actions
Given this 3-day cruise included solely embarkation day and two ports of name, many cruisers headed ashore throughout the day. Nonetheless, there have been loads of cruise actions and staff-led occasions for many who selected to remain onboard the ship.
The lineup included trivia classes, recreation exhibits and challenges, karaoke units, dance courses, scavenger hunts, and extra. Cruise staples like Identify that Tune and Majority Guidelines did happen, however there was no Love and Marriage Sport Present.
In the future of our cruise, Studio B was open without cost skating. The cruise line supplies all of the gear; cruisers simply want lengthy pants and socks. Or, households might go head-to-head in laser tag in Battle for Planet Z. This complimentary exercise can be in Studio B.
Additional, the entire household can take pleasure in a experience on the carousel within the Boardwalk neighborhood on Utopia of the Seas.
To not point out, children and teenagers can take pleasure in all that Adventue Ocean and Social100 have to supply. Adults can make the most of the Vitality Spa or do some gaming within the on line casino. The on line casino slots have been open all day and tables opened at midday whereas docked in Good Day at CocoCay.
After all, there’s additionally the swimming pools and all the different facilities and actions on the out of doors decks of Utopia of the Seas.
Out of doors Decks
Utopia of the Seas’ pool deck and sports activities deck boast the same structure to Surprise of the Seas. There are three essential swimming pools on Deck 15 and the Splashaway Bay play space for little children. Throughout the way in which on the starboard facet is the one themed pool, the Seashore Pool. Right here, cruisers also can benefit from the Good Storm trio of waterslides. Whereas enjoyable, these points of interest don’t measure as much as the thrills of Class 6 on the road’s largest ship, Icon of the Seas.
The 2 extra swimming pools are discovered additional aft and supply stadium fashion seating. This offers the world extra dimension than earlier Oasis-class ships.
Ahead on Deck 15 is the adults-only Solarium. This solarium does characteristic a plunge pool and some whirlpools. However, cruisers will discover much less seating space and fewer loungers on the decrease a part of this space. The wings now include two new Solarium Suites providing bridge stage views for as much as 4 company.
Past the pool deck, the sports activities deck options much more actions to maintain company of all ages busy.
Aft on Deck 16, the FlowRider lets cruisers boogie board or surf every day of the cruise. There have been free-throw competitions and pickleball video games on the Sports activities Courtroom. To not point out, Utopia of the Seas regained the title of the longest dry slide at sea with the addition of the improved Final Abyss. There may be additionally a well-themed, nautical Aqua Dunes mini-golf course, a small zipline, and the Playscape for little ones.
Sure, in case you’ve by no means sailed on an Oasis-class ship, it might really feel very overwhelming making an attempt to do and see all of it in simply three (or 4) days.
Stateroom
For this Utopia of the Seas cruise ship evaluate, we opted for a assured oceanview balcony. A number of weeks earlier than our cruise we have been assigned stateroom 11680. This class 4D balcony cabin is on the starboard facet of the ship barely aft of the midship elevators.
Whereas we didn’t choose Deck 11, it was the perfect spot for us being only some decks from the out of doors areas. To not point out, it’s a fast stroll all the way down to the Boardwalk, Central Park, or the Royal Promenade.
In line with Royal Caribbean’s web site, this cruise cabin was 191 sq. toes, with a 50 sq. foot balcony. It felt fairly typical for a mega-ship balcony cabin by way of dimension and decor.
Instantly upon getting into the room, our lavatory was to the correct. Like the remainder of the cabin, the lavatory had a well-known structure. There was a cylindrical-shaped bathe with a glass door and a small self-importance space with just a few cabinets.
Past the lavatory was a settee on the aft wall, and the desk and dresser have been throughout the way in which. Our mattress was additionally on the aft wall, dealing with ahead, proper earlier than the balcony which is our most well-liked configuration.
For our three day cruise, there was loads of storage, with two closets every flanking the couch. They consisted of a garments bar with hangers, a sequence of cabinets, and two drawers. There have been additionally pegs for hanging objects like baggage and hats beneath the tv.
General, the stateroom was comfy and practical, even when the decor was a tad primary. There have been additionally ample energy shops for all our know-how. The bedside lamps on either side of the mattress had an influence outlet and a USB-C. Thus, cruisers might every simply cost telephones and different gadgets at evening…in the event that they work in contrast to ours.
Moreover, the desk had three 110-volt shops, two 220-volt shops, one USB, and one USB-C connection.
Actually, we solely stepped out on our balcony just a few occasions for some photographs and movies. Whereas it was good to have the devoted and personal out of doors area, there simply wasn’t sufficient time to chill out right here. When in comparison with different cruise ship balconies, it did really feel a bit tight. So, cruisers trying to take in some solar will in all probability need to head to one of many public areas on the high of the ship.
Recap of Our Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship Evaluate
We’ve got sailed on all the earlier Oasis-class ships, and Utopia of the Seas delivers on many fronts. The ship presents a range to do, see, and eat, particularly for three- and four-day fast getaways. It options all of the Royal Caribbean and Oasis-class staples that loyal Royal cruisers have come to know and love.
Though, it could be overwhelming for some, particularly in case you are unfamilar with this class of ships. If you happen to’re like Heidi, and undergo from FOMO, you could really feel there may be not sufficient time to expertise all of it throughout a brief cruise.
However, that’s partially the purpose of Royal Caribbean’s advertising because the “World’s Biggest Weekend”. If you happen to didn’t get every little thing accomplished on one journey, you possibly can at all times e-book one other one. Or, a back-to-back cruise, providing you with a complete of seven days onboard, could be possibility.
Whereas there may be loads to do and essentially the most onboard facilities of any weekend cruise, there was nothing that wowed us about Utopia of the Seas. The ship presents little in revolutionary or distinctive points of interest when in comparison with earlier sister ships.
Utopia of the Seas does have new signature productions, however the theater present and ice present are common at greatest. Likewise, a number of of the “new” events felt like every other Royal Caribbean occurring, simply with a brand new title or emblem. The ship additionally debuted new up-charges. Among the many ones you possibly can skip is the crushed ice on the Wipeout Bar.
The Royal Railway – Utopia Station was maybe the one really revolutionary debut on this ship. However, this up-charge eating expertise is expensive and has restricted capability. And the one new fast service spot, the Spare Tire, was an enormous letdown.
Inevitably, value will issue into deciding whether or not a Utopia of the Seas cruise is the correct possibility on your subsequent household trip. Our three-day balcony cabin was a complete of $1800, or $900 an individual, which is analogous in value to a seven-night cruise on Carnival Jubilee.
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