I’ve sailed on nineteen Royal Caribbean cruise ships, but none have been like Utopia of the Seas. After spending a weekend aboard the cruise line’s party ship, there were a few things that surprised me about the experience.
Utopia of the Seas, the newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, was launched last month and is considered the Biggest weekend in the cruise industry. The ship, which only sails 3- and 4-night itineraries, aims to attract new cruisers with the cruise line’s best-in-class amenities.
Utopia of the Seas is particularly known for providing guests with non-stop entertainment and events from the moment they arrive on board. It wasn’t hard to keep busy on the ship, whether it was the college-style “frat party” or a more relaxed day on the pool deck.
My weekend getaway went by quicker than I had hoped, and even though I frequently cruise with Royal Caribbean, some aspects of the experience surprised me.
Here are the 5 things that surprised me most about cruising on Utopia of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s marketing for Utopia of the Seas was brilliant – they gave a familiar cruise ship concept a new look
One of the most surprising aspects of my cruise on Utopia of the Seas was when I realized how meticulously Royal Caribbean had marketed the ship to make it seem like something new for the line.
Utopia of the Seas is the sixth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, so she doesn’t necessarily have the WOW Factor for experienced cruisers. Anyone who has sailed on an Oasis-class ship will find the ship very familiar – its layout and amenities are relatively similar to other ships in this class, such as Symphony and Wonder of the Seas.
In comparison, Icon of the Seas, launched earlier this year, was the first ship in the Icon class. The ship offers activities, dining options and entertainment not found on any other ship in the fleet, and the layout is also completely different from the other ships.
Related: Guide and explanation of Royal Caribbean ship classes
It’s clear that Royal Caribbean wanted Utopia of the Seas to stand out, so they did something never done before on an Oasis-class ship. Instead of traditional 7-night cruises, the ship would offer 3- and 4-night itineraries immediately upon launch.
In addition to the shorter routes, Royal Caribbean marketed the Utopia of the Seas as The biggest weekend at sea. The ship’s marketing revolved around offering an unparalleled weekend of fun, with themed parties, endless onboard activities and a visit to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.
After three nights on board, I was surprised at how well Royal Caribbean seemed to have marketed the ship. Having been on all six Oasis-class ships, Utopia of the Seas didn’t feel significantly different from the other ships in this class, despite a few new features here and there.
But strategic marketing said otherwise, and the ship’s strategy of offering something completely “new” seems to have worked. My cruise was jam-packed with guests!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed the party atmosphere, even though it was not much different from other weekend cruises
It’s not often that I think back to my wild partying days in college, but on my weekend party cruise, I found myself (briefly) reverting to my 19-year-old self.
As part of Utopia of the Seas’ marketing strategy, Royal Caribbean has rethought its signature evening events. While all of the line’s ships offer evening parties, from nightclubs to balloon drops, Utopia of the Seas has refreshed those events.
For example, the Silent Disco on other ships was renamed a Silent Disco Toga Party, where passengers danced the night away in provided togas. Additionally, the traditional White Party was renamed the ReZolution Dance Party, with a DJ and digital projections on the dance floor. I thought the renaming of these events was a smart move, and the togas in the otherwise traditional Silent Disco definitely made me more likely to attend.
I also attended Royal Kappa Chi, Royal Caribbean’s brand new fraternity-style party. I thought those days were long behind me, but I dove right back into the beer pong competition like I’d never graduated. This event is only available on Utopia of the Seas.
At the end of the day, a party is a party, and most weekend cruises from Florida offer a similar party experience. The price on Utopia of the Seas is high, and I wouldn’t necessarily choose the ship just for the parties, as you can find similar events on other Royal Caribbean ships.
Nevertheless, I definitely had a lot of fun on board.
Despite the party atmosphere, I was surprised how easy it was to avoid her
Because Utopia of the Seas is marketed as a party ship, some cruisers are hesitant to book a cruise on the ship. The party atmosphere is omnipresent in Royal Caribbean’s marketing materials for the ship, and even on board, you see advertisements for the evening parties every day.
Given this, I thought it would be impossible to escape the party atmosphere on the ship. A three-day cruise is already short, but when you pack so many parties into the schedule one after the other, it seems like there’s no time to relax.
Thankfully, the party atmosphere on board was no longer so pervasive. For the most part, my day on Utopia of the Seas felt like any other cruise. I was able to enjoy leisurely strolls through the ship’s open-air park, take a nostalgic ride on the carousel, and lounge in the air-conditioned solarium.
Sure, there was a pool deck party one afternoon and the Royal Promenade was occasionally overrun by a parade or dance party, but these events aren’t unique to Utopia of the Seas.
You could easily spend an entire cruise on the ship without going to frat parties or wearing a toga. If you fancy a quiet getaway, don’t let the party experience stop you from booking the ship. You can still find ways to relax and unwind on board.
Most of the bars and restaurants were fantastic, but I wasn’t thrilled to be ripped off for ice cubes
There will be no shortage of places to eat and drink on Utopia of the Seas. The ship features more than twenty dining locations, from complimentary Mexican food at El Loco Fresh to paid sushi at Izumi. There are also more than twenty-three bars onboard, including fan favorites like the Schooner Bar and the brand new tiki bar Pesky Parrot.
Everything I ate and drank on board was excellent. Whether it was the tender lobster at 150 Central Park or a late-night slice of pizza from Sorrento’s, I wished my cruise had been longer just to try more restaurants. As for drinks, I especially liked Pesky Parrot, where I had a few to many Piña coladas with peanut butter.
Related: 18 drink package tips from Royal Caribbean
Overall, I had no issues with the restaurant and bar scene on board. Only two aspects of the dining experience disappointed me: the Ice Bar and The Spare Tire.
When I saw that Utopia of the Seas offers shaved ice on the Sports Deck, I couldn’t wait to try it for myself. A Caribbean cruise in the height of summer is not for the faint of heart. An ice-cold, refreshing cup of sugary ice cream was just what I needed on my sweltering embarkation day.
However, I was disappointed to find that the shaved ice was not included in any add-on package. It costs extra whether you have a beverage package, dining package, or drink vouchers through Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program.
I reluctantly paid $6 for the treat, and it Was exceptionally refreshing, but I felt like the cruise company was ripping me off.
Finally, I was surprised by the quality of the food at The Spare Tire, the newest take-out spot on the pool deck.
Related: What you need to know about Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society status levels
Every restaurant on Royal Caribbean offers mostly homemade food, but The Spare Tire offered the same snacks I might find at a gas station, including taquitos from Tornados and strawberry cheesecake from Mini Chimis.
I was not impressed with the gas station’s offerings and instead got a healthier snack at the Windjammer.
Finally, I was surprised at how much I could fit on board in just three days
When I boarded Utopia of the Seas, it had been over two years since I had booked a weekend cruise.
Because I cruise frequently and live far from a cruise port, I avoid 3-night cruises. These short trips can be a nice break from the stresses of everyday life, but on disembarkation day I always wish I had had more time on board.
With all the attractions, entertainment shows and dining options on the ship, I couldn’t imagine how I would fit it all into just three days. But when my cruise was over, I couldn’t believe how much I had experienced both on board and in the Bahamas.
I saw the breathtaking AquaTheater performance of Aqua80Too not once, but twice. I laughed my way through The Quest, Royal Caribbean’s adults-only game show, and screamed in fear as I slid down the Ultimate Abyss slide (at 9 mph).
I also took part in the exciting Taylor Swift quiz, fought my way through Utopia’s Escape Room and treated myself to a luxurious day at Perfect Day in CocoCay’s Coco Beach Club.
What I have come to appreciate about Royal Caribbean is the wide variety of activities offered throughout the day. I kept a close eye on the cruise planner in the app to make the most of my time on board.
At the end of the three days, I was, to be honest, exhausted from all the hustle and bustle. But I still couldn’t believe how many experiences I had had in one weekend. Maybe that’s the point of this party ship.
