Royal Caribbean’s newest megaship is garnering all types of consideration, and for good motive. Utopia of the Seas will not be the primary Oasis Class ship, however she does a number of issues higher than the remaining.
At 236,860 gross tons, Utopia of the Seas is now the world’s second-largest cruise ship and sails quick cruises to The Bahamas.
To their credit score, Royal Caribbean builds successive ships inside a category with new options and upgrades older vessels haven’t got.
Utopia of the Seas has a whole lot of adjustments in comparison with Surprise of the Seas, each massive and small. Whereas not all of them will issue into your cruise expertise, I discovered a handful that I believe actually stand out in comparison with different Oasis Class vessels.
Here is my record of the 5 issues Utopia of the Seas does higher than the 5 different Oasis Class ships.
Elevators
The writing on the wall was clear after Icon of the Seas that passengers actually cherished the vacation spot elevator idea.
Historically, elevators on cruise ships are simply overwhelmed with demand and that results in lengthy waits. Up till this 12 months, it appeared like a essential evil of cruising.
However when Icon of the Seas debuted, Royal Caribbean modified to vacation spot elevators and it labored out so effectively. Because of this, Utopia of the Seas them too.Â
Somewhat than merely urgent “up” or “down” within the elevator financial institution, you may be required to make a deck choice. Then, you may be assigned a particular elevator that may take you the place you wish to go.Â
In my expertise, the elevators on Utopia won’t be as quick as Icon’s, however they’re positively a step up from some other Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Specialty eating
There are three specialty eating places on Utopia of the Seas the place Royal Caribbean raised the bar.
Izumi is now on Central Park and has a grab-and-go sushi window for handy snacks.Â
Visitors preferring a extra formal meal can head inside Izumi for Royal Caribbean’s first omakase choice. That is an elevated meal for sushi lovers who’re adventurous.Â
If that is not sufficient, Izumi has extra hibachi tables than different ships and naturally loads of sushi seating too.
Equally spectacular is Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.Â
The Italian restaurant  is offered on each Surprise and Utopia, nevertheless, the one on Utopia has been upgraded and is now two tales tall with a brand new al-fresco eating space.
After which there’s the primary Royal Railway restaurant.
The immersive eating expertise contains meals, a enjoyable story, and it actually makes you’re feeling such as you’re on a traditional prepare automotive. Digital screens are disguised as home windows, including to the impact.
Learn extra: Attempting out Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas
Events
Royal Caribbean made the selection that Utopia of the Seas was going to be the final word occasion ship, and to that impact, they added so many events to Utopia.
Lots of the exhibits are distinctive to Utopia, giving it an edge to anybody that enjoys numerous alternatives to bop.
Not solely does Utopia have the occasions on different ships, however they’ve added a toga occasion, school occasion, sundown pool occasion, and even an epic gentle manufacturing occasion.
Final Abyss slide
The Final Abyss has been prolonged 43 toes on Utopia, making it the longest slide at sea.
There’s added results inside the slide to make it extra intense, and total, it is a greater expertise than the Final Abyss discovered on different ships.
Theming
One pattern I seen on Utopia is a deeper push for higher theming in venues. Â It is not one thing the cruise line identified, but it surely appeared that method to me.
The Royal Railway is the primary and most blatant place we see this. It was constructed to be all encompassing, and I believe Royal Caribbean hit a house run with this concept. Â Will probably be particularly spectacular when extra exhibits are added, and the venue will get to achieve its full potential.
The Pesky Parrot bar is one other nice instance of theming in motion.
Changing the growing old Bionic Bar idea would have been sufficient of an improve, however the brand new tiki bar concept goes effectively past a unique place to get drinks.
If you enter the Pesky Parrot, you may discover how far more cohesive the bar feels, and the way a lot consideration to element there may be inside the venue. There’s a stupendous digital show on the again to make it look like you are looking to the ocean. Royal Caribbean even added a speaking parrot that may had a number of drinks already once you discuss to him.
It looks like Royal Caribbean has embraced not solely developing with new areas, however making certain they really feel like an expertise as a lot as being someplace new to eat or drink.