Utopia of the Seas

The Bar Scene: With 23 bars to choose from, a spirited bar crawl is fun and easy — especially if you’re enjoying a bachelor or bachelorette party at sea. Along with longtime Royal favorites such as Schooner Bar, Boleros, The Rising Tide Bar, Trellis Bar, Playmaker’s Sports Bar, and the Bell & Barley Pub, Utopia of the Seas is the first ship to feature The Pesky Parrot, a Caribbean-inspired tiki bar revamp of the Polynesian-style Bamboo Room. It’s located on the lively Royal Promenade on deck 5, while another new addition, the al fresco Vue Bar, is on deck 15 just outside the adults-only, glass-domed Solarium Pool (also home to the Solarium Bar). Outdoor sips with an island vibe can be enjoyed at two The Lime and Coconut bars set among deck 15’s four pools or aft at the Wipeout Bar, which offers tropical libations and a view of your fellow guests catching a wave on a FlowRider surf simulator.

The Entertainment Options: Production shows in the Royal Theater, ice skating spectacles in Studio B, aquatic and high-dive performances in the AquaTheater, live stand-up comedy in The Attic, and novice singers belting out chart-toppers in Spotlight Karaoke — your nights aboard Utopia of the Seas will be jam-packed. And whether you’re a fan of hard rock, salsa, country music, or piano tunes, there’s a music venue for you. Our favorites include the classic rock cover bands in Music Hall (playing hits by Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, the Eagles, and others); the country band in The Mason Jar bar (which adjoins the ship’s southern-themed The Mason Jar restaurant); and the Latin sounds in Boleros (with accompanying hip action on the dancefloor).  

Royal Railway — Utopia Station: Royal Railway — Utopia Station, a new immersive specialty dining concept comprised of two 24-seat vintage train cars, offers a simulated rail ride with passing scenery, actors in period dress, and a five-course menu inspired by a rotating theme. Royal Caribbean kicked things off with a Wild West theme, which featured an Americana-inspired menu (Soapy Smith’s Corn Chowder, Fart & Dart Baked Beans, Braised Short Ribs, and Denver Gold Bar are some of the options) paired with old-timey bandits up to no good. Silk Road, which travels scenery- and flavor-wise from Asia to Italy, is also set to debut. 

The Complimentary Dining Choices: If you’re on a tighter budget, Utopia of the Seas has 11 excellent complimentary dining options: The Main Dining Room (where menus vary nightly), Windjammer Cafe (for a breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet), Solarium Bistro (for breakfast and a buffet lunch), Sorrento’s (for all-day pizza by the slice), Café Promenade (for 24/7 sandwiches and pastries), El Loco Fresh (for casual Tex-Mex), Park Café (for salads and paninis), Vitality Café (for smoothies and wraps), Boardwalk Dog House (for franks and bratwursts), and the new The Spare Tire (for food-truck eats). Have a sweet tooth? Sprinkles offers free ice-cream confections.

Offering Something for Everyone: Whether you’re a kid, a teen, a couple, a retired grandparent, or a group of friends, Utopia of the Seas has spaces and activities that will appeal to you. Energetic kids and parents who are game can feel the adrenaline rush on the Perfect Storm waterslides or The Ultimate Abyss dry slide, while dance fanatics can get down at late-night DJ parties in Studio B, the largest dancefloor at sea.

The Neighborhoods: Utopia of the Seas features eight neighborhoods, and it’s easy to find the two or three that feel right for you, from Central Park with its lush foliage, grown-up bars, and specialty restaurants to The Boardwalk with its focus on nostalgic fun and splashy entertainment like the high-dive shows at the AquaTheater. The Suite Neighborhood, meanwhile,  is home to a collection of larger, pricier suites — from a 301-square-foot Junior Suite to the two-level, 2,605-square-foot Royal Loft Suite (with a 517-square-foot balcony) and the over-the-top, 2,476-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite that overlooks the AquaTheater and sleeps up to nine guests. All Suite Class guests have access to the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant and other amenities.

Specialty Dining Options: In addition to Royal Railway — Utopia Station, there are nine other extra-cost specialty dining restaurants to enjoy. Enjoy a taste of Italy (Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar), steaks and seafood in a sophisticated setting (Chops Grille), down-home Southern specialties (The Mason Jar), Japanese cuisine and sushi (Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Izumi in the Park), coastal favorites (Hooked Seafood), elevated modern American cuisine (150 Central Park), and an intimate tasting-menu experience (Chef’s Table). Casual bites can be found at Playmaker's and diner-style Johnny Rockets.

Multi-Generational Families: There is so much to see and do on Utopia of the Seas — from a merry-go-round and arcade to a rock-climbing wall and pickleball court — that members of multi-generational family groups can pursue their individual interests by day and then gather together at night to enjoy dinner followed by the ice-skating or high-diving shows. 

Groups of Single Friends: A Utopia of the Seas cruise has everything that single Millennials and Gen Zers want in a tropical vacation: almost two dozen bars, multiple pools, nightly parties with live music, and a full day at Perfect Day at CocoCay with its seven beaches, three pools (two with swim-up bars), and Thrill Water Park.

First-Time Cruisers: Part of Utopia of the Sea’s allure is that it gives new-to-cruise travelers a chance to sample the megaship experience without having to commit to a one-week sailing. By opting for an affordable three- or four-night sailing, first-timers can see if cruising on a big ship is right for them. (Hint: if you like Las Vegas or Orlando you will likely love this ship.)

Quiet Time Can Be Elusive: Utopia of the Seas is one gigantic nonstop party and everyone onboard is invited, so it can be challenging to find a quiet corner to escape and read. While the adults-only Solarium offers a reprieve from the constant thump of music and pool deck waterslide screams, it does feature several hot tubs — and where there are hot tubs and a bar, boisterous moments do tend to occur. 

Airport Transfers Can Test Your Patience: Port Canaveral is about an hour's drive from Orlando International Airport (MCO), so if you’re flying in expect a long queue to board the bus transfer to the port — and ditto at the end of your cruise to get back to MCO.