RCI-Royal Caribbean International has revealed that its latest ship, Utopia of the Seas, will have Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida) as her year-round homeport starting in July 2024.
This extraordinary vessel belongs to the Oasis class and will be the first in class to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Utopia's primary voyages will be 3- and 4-day roundtrips to The Bahamas visiting Nassau and the private island CocoCay. Upon arrival next year, Utopia OTS will join the fleetmates Wonder of the Seas (sistership) and Adventure of the Seas (Voyager-class), solidifying Port Canaveral's position as the homeport for two out of the world's three largest passenger ships.
Port Canaveral's CEO, Captain John Murray, expressed excitement about the arrival of Utopia, stating that RCI's Utopia OTS was one of the most highly anticipated new ships in the industry. He added they were delighted to have her join them and eagerly awaited her arrival next year. Homeporting the first LNG-powered Oasis-class ship at Port Canaveral for those popular shorter itineraries demonstrated the trust and commitment their valued cruise partners had in their Port and community to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
The introduction of Utopia of the Seas will bring a range of signature adventures, along with innovative features and reimagined experiences. Noteworthy additions include the newly revealed Hideaway Beach, exclusively for adults and set to open in early 2024. Guests can anticipate indulging in a new Caribbean tiki bar, a unique immersive dining experience, the longest and most thrilling dry slide at sea, redesigned resort-style pools, and much more.
Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO) emphasized the ship's offerings, stating, that vacationers wanted to maximize their time by celebrating and reconnecting with loved ones, and Utopia OTS provided endless possibilities to achieve just that. He added that with a wide range of dining options, bars, pools, entertainment, and exhilarating experiences that have revolutionized Oasis Class ships, combined with the incredible offerings on their private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, they had created the ultimate weekend getaway for everyone.
Utopia's construction began at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, in March 2022. Once completed, this new addition to Royal Caribbean's fleet will become the third largest cruise ship in the world, measuring 1,188 feet in length, 211 feet in width, and featuring 18 decks to accommodate 5,668 guests.
Among her remarkable features, Utopia will include 5 pools, 3 water slides, 21 dining venues, 23 bars, 2 casinos, 8 hot tubs, and will be the only Oasis-class ship with 2 Solarium Suites. Bookings for Utopia of the Seas will open on Royal Caribbean's website on Friday, June 23rd, 2023.