On Friday, July 1, a keel-laying ceremony for the first LNG-powered cruise ship of the industry-defining Oasis Class took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard (Saint-Nazaire, France).
The special event celebrated the official start of the physical construction of RCI-Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas ahead of the ship’s introduction in spring 2024.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, of Royal Caribbean International, said the keel laying for Utopia of the Seas represented "the first milestone of an incredible ship and the next step toward a bolder, thrilling future for Royal Caribbean and vacations."
“Utopia’s debut in 2024, on the heels of Icon of the Seas setting sail in fall 2023, will build on a new, exciting chapter that is set to redefine family vacations and getaways for all ages in ways we’ll soon reveal.”
The working teams constructing Utopia OTS watched at the ceremony as newly minted coins were placed on the first 948-ton steel block of the newbuild. The longstanding maritime tradition calls for coins, representing Chantiers de l’Atlantiqueand Royal Caribbean, to bring luck during the construction and while the ship is at sea.
Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique said the construction of Utopia was an exciting opportunity for the Chantiers de l’Atlantique teams that were aiming to make that cruise ship "one of the most environmentally friendly ships in the world equipped with new generation dual-fuel engines.”
As RCI's 2nd LNG-powered (by liquefied natural gas) liner (after Icon OTS), Utopia OTS will also advance the company’s commitment to the environment. The LNG technology of the ship will join a lineup of the company’s already-established environmentally friendly initiatives on its liners. From waste heat recovery systems and shore power connections, the applications have been enhanced as part of Royal Caribbean’s dedication to innovation and a clean-energy future.