Watching the $1.3 Billion Utopia of the Seas Pull into Port Canaveral
Utopia of the Seas has arrived in Orlando! What it was like watching the world’s 2nd largest cruise ship come through the channel.
On July 11, 2024 Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class cruise ship, arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida - just outside Orlando.
I was on a conference call with Royal Caribbean the day before and it was mentioned that Utopia of the Seas was scheduled to be pier-side by 8am. I wasn’t sure when exactly she would arrive but figured after sunrise so the media could get their shots.
I arrived at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral at sunrise, about 6:45am and a small crowd had already gathered.
It was a beautiful morning, cloudy with a steady breeze. Sometimes the shore looks better when it’s cloudy, this was one of those mornings.
Fox 35 Orlando was already there setting up for live coverage.
I was watching Utopia on cruisemapper.com and could see that she was just off the coast of Cocoa Beach.
At about 7:20am some people near me spotted the glass dome over Utopia’s Solarium coming into view over the trees.
It was so unnatural to see the massive glass dome, some 18 stories up, gliding by the treeline without being able to see the rest of the ship. It was like watching a spaceship coming into view.
Within a few minutes, she was in full view and everything made sense again.
Utopia came in with several blasts of the horn to celebrate her arrival and to give the media a good show. The horn is a low, deep sound, but you can feel it in your chest.
I captured Uptoia of the Seas on video:
Utopia of the Seas Arriving in Port Canaveral with horn blast.
The crew, who had been onboard for 12 nights for Utopia’s transatlantic crossing, came out to wave. They were on the bow and up on the top deck. Some of the crew were in their staterooms and came out to the balcony to wave.
The top deck entertainment team began blasting Meghan Trainor music. Trainor will be the ship’s Godmother.
As she went by, I got a sense of just how big Utopia is.
Utopia of the Seas is the second largest cruise ship in the world, larger than her sister Wonder of the Seas, and smaller than Icon of the Seas.
And speaking of Wonder of the Seas, Orlando - Port Canaveral - will now be home to two of Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ships.
Wonder of the Seas will be doing 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries while Utopia will be doing 3 and 4 night Bahamas sailings.
Disney Cruise Line will surely take notice. And while both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer very different experiences, it’s hard to ignore the sheer size and of these Oasis Class ships, which are packed with family activities.
So while you might not have character meet and greets, you’ll have about 10 times the amount of activities like laser tag, Ultimate Abyss Slide, a water park with water slides, over 20 restaurants, a shopping mall, Flow Rider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, miniature golf, live musical performances, shows, an aqua theater show, ice skating and ice shows, and more.
I think Disney is very good at what it does, but for families who want a variety of experiences, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are the way to go.
But if you prefer to meet Disney characters and see Disney shows, then there’s nothing like a Disney cruise! It’s even better than being in the theme parks.
One of the things that makes Utopia of the Seas different from other Oasis Class ships is that she has a longer Ultimate Abyss slide.
You can see more about how Utopia is going to be different from other Oasis Class ships in my video here:
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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Utopia of the Seas Train Restaurant - Royal Caribbean
Augmented reality restaurant on Utopia of the Seas will take guests on a journey by train.
We now know that Utopia of the Seas will have a virtual train car dining experience that transports diners to the golden age of rail travel.
Of course, the train cars won't actually move, but augmented reality screens in the car’s windows will take you on a virtual voyage as if you were moving.
Scenes can take you through different times such as the Wild West or far-off lands.
Performers will bring a train-inspired story to life during your meal.
Your culinary experience begins in the “station” where you and other passengers will meet for drinks.
Shortly after, a whistle will blow, signifying your train has arrived and that it’s time to board.
Royal Railway - Utopia Station is not included with your cruise fare, it will be part of the specialty dining options onboard Utopia of the Seas.
Reservations can be made on my Royal Cruise or on the Royal app
Utopia of the Seas arrives in Orlando's Port Canaveral this summer for 3 and 4 night cruises to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
Reservations for Utopia of the Seas are already being accepted. Start here >
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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Utopia of the Seas Floats! Next Stop: Orlando
When completed, Utopia of the Seas will be one of the largest cruise ships in the world. And she’s calling Orlando, Florida home in 2024.
The world’s biggest ship, Utopia of the Seas is now one step closer to its debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in July 2024. This new Oasis Class ship floated for the first time at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Bookings are already underway for Utopia of the Seas and summer cruises are going fast. Utopia will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas. Get your quote now.
Known as the float out, the key moment in the construction of Utopia took 17 months to reach.
The process itself took nearly 15 hours, beginning with filling the new ship’s dry dock with more than 46 million gallons of water overnight.
Utopia was then moved into an outfitting dock, where it will be completed in summer 2024.
Utopia will now begin to come to life as its highly anticipated features are installed, from the longest dry slide at sea – the 295-foot-long Ultimate Abyss – to a first-of-its-kind immersive train car dining experience.
The ultimate 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday getaway will be the first in the revolutionary Oasis Class to offer short escapes when it debuts in July 2024.
Every vacation will feature visits to Nassau, The Bahamas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay – Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island – that will feature its first adults-only slice of paradise, Hideaway Beach, starting in January 2024.
Check out activities for kids on Utopia of the Seas’ sister ship, Wonder of the Seas in this video.
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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Orlando (Port Canaveral) Will be Home to 2 of the Largest Cruise Ships in the World
Orlando will be home to 2 of the largest cruise ships in the world: Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.
Upon completion, Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas will become the third largest cruise ship in the world, measuring 1,188 feet long, 211 feet wide, and featuring 18 decks to accommodate 5,668 guests.
Royal Caribbean has said it will call Orlando (Port Canaveral) home when it arrives in July of 2024.
Utopia of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
Among its remarkable features, Utopia of the Seas will have 5 pools, 3 water slides, 21 dining venues, 23 bars, 2 casinos, 8 hot tubs, and will be the only Oasis-class ship to include 2 Solarium Suites.
Utopia of the Seas will run 3-night weekend cruises from Orlando to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay followed by 4-night weekday cruises, also the Bahamas and Perfect Day.
Bookings are now open, you can request a quote for Utopia of the Seas here.
But Utopia of the Seas is not the only impressive ship homeported in Orlando.
Wonder of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship in the world, is sailing from Port Canaveral doing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Wonder of the Seas is currently the largest cruise ship in the world. It carries 5,734 guests at double occupancy (i.e., if every cabin held only two people) and 6,988 passengers when completely full.
There is about 2,200 crew members so you could possibly be on a ship with 9,000+ people onboard.
“Thank you so much for being so patient with us. We had a great first cruise. Your advice was spot on especially with the dining package. ”
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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Short Cruises from Port Canaveral on Utopia of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas will challenge the Disney Wish on 3 and 4 night Bahamian sailings from Orlando.
Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Utopia of the Seas will be among the largest cruise ships in the world, and we now know that it will call Orlando (Port Canaveral) home starting in July 2024. Reservations are available now ▸
This is literally big news.
Utopia is an Oasis Class ship, which will be able to accommodate 5,700 guests and will sail to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.
Utopia will follow a similar itinerary as the Disney Wish with alternating 3-night weekend cruises followed by 4-night weekday cruises.
This makes it easy for those who need a short getaway or for travelers looking for a land and sea vacation with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
Utopia of the Seas coming to Orlando in 2024
Utopia of the Seas - what I know so far.
Utopia will feature a variety of new and returning venues – some reimagined for the vessel – across eight neighborhoods.
She will have over 20 dining options, including a revamped version of the Izumi restaurant with twice as many teppanyaki tables and outdoor seating in the ship’s Central Park area.
Utopia of the Seas will call Orlando, Florida home
Izumi in the Park, a window where you can get sushi and sweet Japanese-inspired treats will be next door.
You’ll also find an expanded, two-story version of Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and a new extension of the eatery, Gio’s Terrazza, located above the Boardwalk neighborhood.
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
New Caribbean bar Pesky Parrot – located on the Royal Promenade – will serve fruity cocktails with rum, gin, and tequila, along with frozen drinks and other items.
There will also be an immersive dining experience that takes guests on an immersive “locomotive journey” with multiple courses and sophisticated technology elements.
Guests can choose from over 20 kinds of accommodations, including the new Solarium Suites, which feature sweeping views and access to the line’s Royal Suite Class experience.
There are also five pools, two casinos, a zip line, rock climbing walls and more.
“Thank you so much for being so patient with us. We had a great first cruise. Your advice was spot on especially with the dining package. ”
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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