Read The Article On Leisure Group Travel
Written By: Cindy Bertram
Royal Caribbean’s New Oasis-Class Ship Offers Three And Four-Night Cruises To The Bahamas. A Highlight Is The Line’s Private Island, Perfect Day At Cococay.
Royal Caribbean International’s new ship, the Utopia of the Seas, was just christened in a naming ceremony that took place at Port Canaveral, Florida.
With her debut, the Utopia of the Seas is the first Oasis-class ship to sail on short cruises, offering three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas. Grammy Award-winning singer Meghan Trainor officially named the Utopia of the Seas on July 15, 2024.
The Royal Caribbean’s Christening And Naming Ceremony
Festivities at the Aqua Theater began with bagpipes playing and continued with DJs playing music. Those attending sang along and danced before a performance by the theater’s cast.
The christening ceremony was hosted by the ship’s cruise director, Katy McCullagh, and featured blessings from a rabbi and a pastor. Jason Liberty, CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, introduced Trainor, godmother of the Utopia of the Seas. She officially christened the ship, and flurries of purple and pink confetti floated out. Trainor then performed her debut single and No.1 Billboard hit, “All About that Bass,” while playing a ukulele.
The New Ship’s Celebration Cruise
The Utopia of the Seas then did a special three-night celebration cruise that included a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private out island in the Bahamas. And there were more events and parties, including a concert hosted by Trainor.
“Becoming Utopia’s godmother and being here for this incredible celebration with Royal Caribbean is a dream come true,” Trainor said. “From performing on a breathtaking stage while we’re in the middle of the ocean to having my fans here to sing and dance with me and experiencing it all with my family –
Utopia really is the ultimate short getaway. I’m so honored to be part of the memories so many will make here.”
More About Utopia Of The Seas
The Oasis-class ship accommodates 5,668 guests based on double occupancy, with 2,834 staterooms. She has 18 decks, is 236,860 gross register tons and features more than 20 dining options.
The ship’s five swimming pools include:
- Three resort-style, sloping-entry pools accompanied by three Lime & Coconut bars at the heart of the ship’s pool deck
- The Perfect Storm, with high-speed waterslides
- Splashaway Bay, for younger guests
Royal Caribbean’s signature slide, the 295-foot-long Ultimate Abyss, is the longest dry slide at sea. Adventurers plummet 10 decks as they speed through the new zoom booster rollers, transparent racing windows and surprising twists and turns. Other fun attractions include the FlowRider surf simulator, Utopia Playscape and AquaDunes mini golf.
Diverse Dining Options On The New Cruise Ship
The Utopia of the Seas features more than 20 dining options, both complimentary and extra charge. Royal Railway, a new dining concept, evokes the romance of classic train travel with iconic dining cars where guests can enjoy an immersive multisensory dining experience. Diners are taken on virtual train rides throughout the world while enjoying food and beverages of the destinations shared on the screens.
Other specialty dining venues are returning. These include:
- The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant and Bar
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, which now features a new outside terrace, Gio’s Terrazza, and overlooks the Utopia of the Seas’ Boardwalk
- Izumi in the Park, which features Asian cuisine and includes teppanyaki tables and al fresco dining
- Hooked Seafood
- Chops Grille, which is now connected to Trellis Bar
- 150 Central Park
- The Chef’s Table
- Coastal Kitchen
- Kitchen & Wine Bar
- Johnny Rockets
- Playmakers Sports
- Sugar Beach
Complimentary dining venues include:
- The Spare Tire. This new poolside food truck serves quick bites and handheld meals, from cheeseburger flatbread and pulled pork sandwiches to daily rotating desserts.
- Boardwalk
- Dog House
- Cafe Promenade
- Dining Room
- El Loco Fresh
- Park Cafe
- Solarium Bistro
- Sorrento’s
- Sprinkles
- Windjammer
The New Ship’s Bars, Lounges and Entertainment
Utopia of the Seas guests enjoy more than 20 different entertainment spots and bars. A fun new bar is Pesky Parrot, a Caribbean-themed bar located in the Royal Promenade that specializes in fruit-based cocktails and frozen drinks.
Live music venues include Spotlight Karaoke, Boleros, Music Hall, Bell & Barley and the classic piano bar Schooner Bar. Other entertainment venues include the Royal Theater, Aqua Theater and Studio B. And there are two casinos.
Where This Cruise Ship Is Sailing
The Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean International’s first big-amenity-class ship to offer short cruises. Her three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas include Perfect Day at CocoCay. Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, guests can enjoy 3-night weekend cruises and 4-night weekday cruises.
At Perfect Day at CocoCay, guests can chill out at Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean; choose from 14 waterslides at Thrill waterpark; and enjoy diverse dining options. Perfect
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.
Day at CocoCay recently opened its adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach. It features a private beach, cabanas, pools and spots for drinks and bites, a live DJ and more.
More About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International, which is part of Royal Caribbean Group, has been delivering amazing vacations for more than 50 years. They sail to more than 300 different destinations in 80 countries across the seven continents.
Why Cruise With Utopia Of The Seas?
If you’re looking for a short relaxing getaway, Utopia of the Seas is a group option to consider. Onboard she has some new dining and entertainment, and travelers will enjoy spending a day in paradise at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
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Cindy Bertram
Cindy Bertram has 15+ years of cruise industry expertise in marketing, content creation, sales and training as well as social media. Her MBA from Loyola University Chicago complements her high creative edge and liberal arts BA.