Why Royal Caribbean is Using Utopia of the Seas for Short Getaways
Royal Caribbean is undertaking a unique experiment with its newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. Typically, cruise lines repurpose their older ships for short three- and four-day voyages offering lower prices to those new to cruising. But Royal Caribbean has taken a bold step by dedicating its newest and largest Oasis cruise ship for shorter getaway cruises, including stops at its private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
Vacations vs Getaways
According to Royal Caribbean, there are vacations and there are getaways.
If you don’t have the time or money for a full vacation, why not opt for a quick getaway?
Short trips are ideal for new-to-cruise guests to get their feet wet and learn more about cruising.
These shorter sailings also can be combined into longer vacations if desired, espeially in Orlando with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando being less than an hour away from Port Canaveral.
Utopia of the seas is the largest Oasis Class cruise ship by Royal Caribbean. SHe is currently sailing 3 and 4 night itineraities to the Bahamas from Orlando (Port Canaveral) Florida.
Why Royal Caribbean is using its Largest Ship for Short Getaways
With 11 complimentary eateries, 12 specialty restaurants, and myriad ice, water and comedy shows, Utopia of the Seas offers so many food and entertainment choices that it’s almost impossible to everything in just three or four days.
So why use this newest and biggest Oasis-class ship for quick getaways?
Solarium Suites on Utopia of the Seas are a new concept.
Utopia is designed to both delight and pleasantly frustrate passengers who cannot possibly experience more than the tip of Utopia’s iceberg.
To support the short cruises , much of the ship is designed to reinforce a high-energy getaway, where food, activities and entertainment can be experienced in a “grab and go” environment.
Royal Caribbean believes this will create a strong desire to return, setting up Utopia up for significant repeat business.
I have been on most of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, Symphony of the Seas and my personal favorite, Wonder of the Seas. For the most part, Utopia is similar enough but it does have some very cool unique features.
How Utopia of the Seas Compares to Other Oasis Cruise Ships
Solarium Suites are a new concept and sit over the bridge wings. These luxury suites offer panoramic views of the ocean, similar to what the crew seas from the bridge.
On Utopia of the Seas, the Solarium Suites offer private areas and amenities, including access to a dedicated pool, lounge and dining options.
Designed for adults, these suites include enhanced services, including concierge access, and are located at the front of the ship in various room configurations.
On Utopia, the Solarium Suites do not need balconies, because they have floor-to-ceiling windows with 280-degree ocean views from the bedroom and living areas.
They feature a bath and a half with one of the largest showers at sea, access to the suite sun deck with a plunge pool and in-water loungers, a suite lounge for cocktails and socializing, and five-star dining at Coastal Kitchen.
Royal Railway: Brand new and not featured on previous Oasis ships, the Royal Railway is a novel entertainment and dining concept that offers a 90-minute dinner experience combining visual immersion, a show and a matching culinary experience.
The first theme produced is a Wild West train journey featuring two train cars set up with 24 seats arranged in banquettes of fours and twos.
The experience includes ambient surround sound, eight high-definition screens disguised as train windows, steam and other stage effects, all timed to create the feel of a real train ride.
The journey includes interactions with actors in period costumes and a story line that unfolds throughout the meal.
Future story lines will include a date-night experience themed around Marco Polo’s return journey to Italy from China, as well as other stories that will take guests to wine and whiskey tastings around the world.
This was a smart investment by Royal Caribbean, as the system’s amazing versatility means the sky is the limit in terms of dining entertainment options.
I look forward to a trip into space eventually with the right story line and effects.
Pesky Parrot: The Pesky Parrot is a new tiki bar concept featuring a raucous parrot named Brian as its mascot.
While Brian was not aboard at the time of the naming, he is expected to be in place by Utopia’s first revenue sailing.
This bar replaces the previously popular Bionic Bar and offers a vibrant, Caribbean-inspired tiki experience with the added attraction of Brian greeting guests in a humorous and tipsy manner.
The Pesky Parrot serves locally inspired cocktails that blend the flavors of the Caribbean in a traditional tiki style.
A favorite among guests are the four frozen drink machines that dole out three different tropical fruit drinks.
Izumi in the Park: Izumi, the Japanese restaurant on board, has been expanded to offer multiple dining experiences.
It now includes a takeout window in Central Park, double the hibachi grills compared to other Oasis-class ships, and a sushi bar.
A new addition is the multi-course omakase table, providing a set menu curated by the chef.
This setup allows guests to enjoy a variety of Japanese cuisines, from elaborate dining experiences to takeout sushi, all under one roof.
As mentioned previously, Utopia was designed for those interested in a quick getaway, and “grab and go” sushi is a perfect example of how Royal Caribbean supports that style, which enabled me to get to my next event quickly.
Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant: This eatery continues to serve a variety of classic Italian dishes, but it has been relocated to Decks 11 and 12, where Wonderland was previously situated.
This new location offers expanded seating with an outdoor alfresco terrace. Encompassing two decks with high windows, the restaurant is now has a lot more space and overlooks the aft of the ship.
The Spare Tire: The Spare Tire is a food truck located on the Sports Zone deck, providing a convenient dining option for guests who are enjoying outdoor activities and attractions.
Constructed from what looks like an actual food truck, it offers a variety of casual dining options, including burgers, taco and other classic American fare.
Again, this is another venue created to support those wanting a quick “grab-and-go” alternative.
The Ultimate Abyss: The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas is notable for several reasons compared to its predecessors on sister ships.
First, it is the longest dry slide at sea, measuring 259 feet, which is 43 feet longer than any previous version.
Second, it includes transparent racing windows for a clear view outside. It also has been redesigned to be faster than earlier versions using zoom booster rollers for increased speed, and features 300 LED lights.
Want to book a cruise on Utopia of the Seas? Contact me right now to get all available discounts plus exclusive offers and perks!
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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