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Brittany Chang
- Royal Caribbean's latest mega-ship is now operating short Caribbean itineraries.
- At 236,860 gross tons, Utopia of the Seas is now the world's second-largest cruise ship.
- The ship has new dining concepts but fewer pools and waterslides than IconoftheSeas.
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Step aside, Icon of the Seas — there's a new giant cruise ship in Florida. And it's already attracting weekend warriors with a new ultra-long slide, food truck, and omakase dinner.
Royal Caribbean's new 236,860-gross-ton Utopia of the Seas embarked on its maiden voyage on Friday, marking the launch of the world's second-largest cruise ship.
For some travelers, the mega-ship's arrival at its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida, has been a long time coming. In April, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said the company had seen "extraordinary" demand for the new floating hotel.
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If it feels like Royal Caribbean just debuted another giant vessel, you'd be right.
Utopia is the company's second ship to launch this year.
Its ultra-popular, ultra-large Icon of the Seas — which Bayley previously called "the best-selling product in the history of our business" — set sail just six months ago.
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Icon of the Seas still claims the 'world's largest cruise ship' title.
Utopia is Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class ship, a collection of the company's largest vessels. Because of this, it's closer in size to that of other cruise liners in its class, including the now-third-largest Wonder of the Seas.
Ironically, Icon of the Seas is in its own eponymous class.
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At 1,188 feet long and 236,860 gross tons, Utopia is shorter and lighter than Icon.
It is, however, 52 feet wider and has a higher double occupancy capacity of 5,668 guests.
Royal Caribbean did not respond to Business Insider's request about Utopia's maximum capacity. But for reference, Icon of the Seas — which has 29 fewer cabins — can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy and 7,600 at full.
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The biggest discrepancy between Utopia and Icon isn't their sizes. It's their itineraries.
The new ship is quite literally one of Royal Caribbean's largest bets on the short cruise market. After all, it's exclusively scheduled for three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral to the company's popular private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The island is also included in almost all of Icon of the Seas' upcoming itineraries. However, unlike Utopia, the larger ship is solely focused on seven-night cruises from Miami.
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You'll have to stick with Icon if you want seven pools and six waterslides.
Utopia has half the number of waterslides and two fewer pools than its six-month-old counterpart, although it does have one more casino.
Five pools may not seem like a lot (compared to Icon, at least), but let's not forget Utopia only operates three- and four-night sailings. So, in theory, you could visit a different pool every day of your cruise and still not see them all.
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Neighborhoods like Boardwalk, another Oasis-class staple, have returned on Utopia.
Surfside replaced the open-airBoardwalk on Icon. But it's back on the newer ship and outfitted with familiar amenities like a carousel, hot dog stand, and up-charged sports bar.
Icon's Surfside neighborhood was designed for families with young kids.
Children on the newer ship instead get an outdoor playground with activities like an obstacle course and a 39-foot-tall lighthouse.
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Popular Royal Caribbean entertainment venues like the shape-shifting water-based AquaTheater and ice skating rink are available on both ships.
But the cruise line says several of Utopia's parties are exclusive to the newer vessel, including the college-themed "Royal Kappa Chi" and a toga-themed silent disco.
Regarding food, Icon of the Seas has 14 specialty and 13 complimentary dining venues.
Utopia has the same number of upcharged restaurants but only 10 free options, including the ice cream kiosk. Speaking of which, the sweet treat stand on Utopia has been upgraded with a new sprinkles bar.
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A new poolside food truck also debuted on Royal Caribbean's latest ship.
It seems the company took a page from Norwegian Cruise Line's food truck-outfitted food hall with its own dining kiosk on wheels.
Utopia's Spare Tire food truck serves snacks and handheld bites like pulled pork sandwiches and cheeseburger flatbreads.
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For a more entertaining dinner, head to the cruise line's first Royal Railway.
The upcharged restaurant was designed to be an "eater-tainment" venue, Jay Schneider, the chief product-innovation officer at Royal Caribbean Group, told reporters in January.
Think Orient Express, but with a Wild West time-traveling flair, five courses of American fare, and digital screens disguised as windows.
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Fans of Johnny Rocket's milkshakes will be delighted with Utopia.
The American restaurant, absent on Icon, is back on the new ship. So is Southern Comfort Mason Jar, where guests can listen to live country music while grubbing on gumbo and fried chicken.
Italian restaurant Giovanni is available on both ships. However, the one on Utopia has been upgraded and is now two stories tall with a new al-fresco dining area.
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Japanese restaurant Izumi's grab-and-go sushi window, which debuted on Icon of the Seas, is also on the new floating resort.
Guests who prefer a more formal meal can head inside Izumi for Royal Caribbean's first omakase option. Just be prepared to pay about $130 per person.
Thankfully, the dinner includes a sake co*cktail pairing.
If that's not enough, explore the ship's more than 20 bars and lounges.
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Icon's swim-up pool bar and coffee and tea-infused co*cktail lounge are absent from its successor.
But Utopia does have some familiar favorites, like the karaoke, live band, and poolside Lime and Coconut bars. If you're a fan of the latter's tropical co*cktails, you're in luck — there are three on Utopia's pool deck.
To keep the warm-weather, cool-drinks theme going, Utopia also debuted the cruise line's first Pesky Parrot "Caribbean tiki bar," great for guests who prefer fruity and frozen drinks.
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If you need to sleep off the drinks, head back to your cabin. The fresh air from the balcony, which you'll likely have, will help, too.
About 68% of Utopia's 2,834 guest rooms are balcony cabins, compared to 50% of Icon's accommodations.
If you want a unique hotel room at sea, Royal Caribbean's signature Ultimate Family Suite is back on Utopia — the iconic two-story slide included.
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Or book the cruise line's first-ever Solarium Suites.
Utopia has more than 20 cabin options. The Solarium Suites are new to the brand and a great choice for guests who want a private living and dining room, sweeping views of the water, and windows that can be opened by pressing a button.
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Utopia of the Seas has more amenities, restaurants, and bars than travelers could experience in a three-day cruise.
In 2024, the cheapest Utopia of the Seas itinerary starts at almost $170 per person and night for a four-night cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Icon may be older (granted, by six months), but it's a bit more costly. This year, the larger ship starts at more than $230 per person and night for a weeklong Eastern Caribbean and CocoCay cruise.
With fares like these, it's no wonder Jason Liberty, the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said in late April that demand and prices for these new ships "have been incredibly strong."
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