Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas Review: Too Much Ship for a Short Time?
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Cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas? We took a 3-day cruise on the latest Oasis Class ship. Read our RCCL Utopia of the Seas Review.
Our first cruise was with Royal Caribbean, back on Serenade of the Seas—yes, the same one that recently returned from its world cruise. That trip, over 20 years ago, sparked our love for cruising. So naturally, our expectations were high for our first Oasis Class cruise, which we took over a weekend.
The Utopia of the Seas is a brand-new ship, having just taken its maiden voyage a few months ago in July 2024. It’s also the first ship we’ve been on that looked, smelled, and felt brand new—everything still had that fresh, just-out-of-the-shipyard vibe. It was so lovely!
Our overall experience on the cruise ship was positive. It’s hard to find much to criticize when everything is brand new, the food is delicious, the cabin is spacious, and the crew is attentive and efficient. There was a bit more of a party vibe, which is to be expected on a 3-day weekend cruise where “The World’s Biggest Weekend” is being advertised. That didn’t detract from what we love to do on a cruise. Our main complaint is that the ship is too big for the short itineraries it offers.
We usually cruise as a couple, but we had family, including a child, along this time. Our main reasons for cruising are to enjoy the destinations, the food, the onboard activities, and relaxing.
Note: Unfortunately, my phone died halfway through this trip, and it is how I mainly take photos and some videos. I will do my best to showcase what I have.
Our Review of RCCL’s Utopia of the Seas
Embarkation in Port Canaveral
Let’s start with embarkation day. Our boarding time was delayed due to Hurricane Helene (not the cruise line’s fault), but the process was efficient once we got to the port. While there was a long line, it moved quickly, and check-in went smoothly. Overall, I felt it was well organized.
We purchased The Key during a flash sale, hoping to get on the ship as early as possible to maximize our first day. The Key offers priority boarding, but you must go through security and check in with everyone else first.
We ended up being among the first on board, getting on shortly after check-in. Unfortunately, half the day was already gone because of the delay, and The Key’s special embarkation day lunch was canceled.
Muster Drill
While waiting in line to check in, you can watch the muster drill video on your RCCL app. You should check in with your muster station as soon as you board. Make sure to have your Sail Pass ready before check-in; you will not get your key cards until you go to your cabin.
Utopia of the Seas Oceanview Balcony Cabin
We stayed in balcony cabin 9644 on the starboard side of Utopia of the Seas, and it was a pleasant surprise. Both the room and the balcony were incredibly spacious. The bathroom, however, was a bit tight. While this didn’t affect our comfort, it could be a bit challenging to navigate if you have a larger frame.
What we loved most about this stateroom was how new and clean everything felt, along with the ample storage space. The bed was very comfortable—there was no need to request a mattress topper this time. Additionally, plenty of electrical and USB outlets were available, which was convenient since multi-outlet ports are no longer allowed on board.
The balcony was the largest we’ve had in a while, featuring reclining chairs with footstools and a small table. Our family, who stayed next door in 9646, had the same large balcony. Interestingly, not all standard balconies on this ship are as spacious. As shown on this deck plan, these particular cabins extend outward, making them larger than others in the same category. We were especially grateful for our cruise agent’s excellent recommendation.
Key Points About the Cabin
- Outlets and USB Ports: The cabin had plenty of electrical and USB outlets. Each bedside has a USB-C port and an electrical outlet where you can plug in an adapter for USB-A if needed.
- Bathroom Size: The bathroom was functional but compact.
- Balcony: A large balcony with reclining chairs, footstools, and a small table.
- Turn-Down Service: Provided once a day—be sure to ask for extra towels if needed.
- Location: Conveniently located mid-ship on the starboard side, offering easy access to elevators and public areas.
Stay tuned—a video tour is coming soon!
Complimentary Dining Aboard RCCL Utopia of The Seas
It had been such a long time since we had sailed Royal Caribbean that I wanted to see if the food included with the cruise fare was as good as I remembered it. And it did not disappoint.
Windjammer Cafe
The buffet is small for such a large ship. While it is small, I do love all the hand washing stations they have along the sides as you enter. There are two sides, each with similar buffet stations, but you may find 1-2 things that one of the other does not have. I do suggest walking around first.
We ate at Windjammer Café on embarkation day and were fortunate to enjoy it before the crowds rushed in. Thanks to The Key, we were among the first on board, making it easy to grab lunch without the usual hassle of finding seats. By the time we left, the scene had turned chaotic.
The following day, after failing to find seating at the Solarium Bistro, we headed back to the buffet, which was even busier. It took us about 10 minutes to find an empty table, but we finally sat down and ate.
The food was very good overall, though my sister-in-law and I found some dishes a bit salty. Still, there wasn’t anything we disliked. A few highlights to look out for are the roasted prime rib on embarkation day and the churro station.
Many reviews mention the abundance of seafood at the embarkation day lunch, but we didn’t have that. It did appear on day two for lunch, though we opted to avoid the buffet crowds.
Tip: Order room service for breakfast or wake up early to have breakfast in the main dining room.
Main Dining Room
We had Anytime Dining and were seated quickly upon arrival. Though we ate earlier, a long line had formed outside by the time we left the dining room after 8 p.m.. We were lucky enough to have a fantastic waiter on our first night, so after dining at the Royal Railway on the second night, we requested him again for our last dinner.
On both nights, the food was fantastic. After recently noticing budget cuts on another cruise line, I was impressed by the little touches here: butter pads on the table and saucers of fresh milk served with coffee. I also appreciated that our waiter had an assistant to help manage the tables, which added to the overall experience.
There was escargot and prime rib on the menu for our first night, and on the last night, we enjoyed the most tender and delicious lamb shank. When it came time for dessert, we couldn’t decide, and our waiter encouraged us to try one of each we shared.
Breakfast was excellent in the main dining room. Fresh to-order eggs without having to stand in a long line. No chaos. No need to bump elbows with anyone for a pastry.
Other eateries and eats included:
- Solarium Bistro: We tried to eat here in the morning, but it was so busy that there weren’t enough seats. They have a lovely Mediterranean dinner menu, but we recommend making reservations.
- Sorrento’s: The late-night pizzeria open until 2 AM. Hubby tried it and said it was decent pizza. You can also order whole pies to-go.
- Cafe Promenade: Here, you can get small bites like wraps, fruit, and dessert, some already in take-out containers. They also have coffee and tea stations included in your cruise package. The specialty coffee served here is from Starbucks, and it’s included with the refreshment or deluxe beverage package or pay-as-you-go.
- Park Cafe: We miss the infamous Kummelweck sandwich, but here, you can also grab snacks and fruits and a cup of coffee and tea.
- El Loco Fresh: This was pretty good American Mexican food. Quesadillas were a great snack to grab by the pool. Actually, the pork tacos were really good!
- Spare Tire Food Truck: Okay, grab-and-go snacks. The cheese and pepperoni Tornados reminded me of pizza pockets, and the Raspberry Cheesecake Chimi was an okay dessert.
- Sprinkles: All-you-can-eat soft-serve was a perfect mid-day dessert.
Utopia of the Seas Specialty Dining
Utopia of the Seas offers a wide range of specialty dining options. You could easily skip the Main Dining Room (MDR) and dine at a different specialty restaurant each night if you wanted to. Every restaurant looked inviting. We just ate at one.
Utopia Railway
The only specialty restaurant we tried on this cruise was Utopia Railway. This immersive dining experience is set on a “train,” combining dinner with a show as you eat. It’s the only dining experience like this at sea, so we couldn’t pass it up. We made our reservations weeks in advance.
We’ll be writing a full review soon, but overall, it was a unique and fun experience worth trying at least once if you’re curious. The whole Utopia Station theme was impressive—the train felt like it was actually moving, and the scenery outside the “windows” was surprisingly realistic. The actors put on a lively and engaging show with a few unexpected twists that kept everyone entertained.
We enjoyed a delicious three-course meal, and unlike some mixed reviews we’d read about small portions, we had the opposite experience. The four of us left feeling absolutely stuffed! Every dish we tried was excellent.
Our favorites included corn chowder, empanadas, short ribs, and chocolate cigars. Oh, and the Old Fashioned cocktail on the menu was fantastic!
Utopia of the Seas Activities and Entertainment
The Pool Areas, Casita, Waterslides and More
Pools: Utopia of the Seas features 5 pools and 8 hot tubs. I appreciated the variety, as it allowed passengers to spread out, but even with several options, the larger pools became crowded later in the day. If you’re hoping to grab a prime spot by the pool, I highly recommend getting up early to enjoy the deck before the crowds settle in.
One thing to note is that music plays throughout the day, starting early in the morning and continuing non-stop. The main pools have a Spring Break Vibe that you may want to keep your kids away from at certain times of the day.
The Solarium pool area is also a great option for adults seeking a peaceful escape. We didn’t get to enjoy it because kids aren’t allowed there, but it’s a more relaxing part of the ship.
Casita: We rented Casita #12 during our port day in Nassau. It overlooked the Beach Pool, one of the quieter areas. We booked it during a flash sale, and it was nice to have for our group of 4 for the day. The call service button for drinks was a great feature. I just wish that the casita faced the ocean.
Waterslides & Activities: There were long lines for popular attractions like the waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss, Zipline, Flowrider, Rockwall Climbing and more. If you really want to experience any of these, it’s worth the wait. A few of us managed to zipline on embarkation day when there were no lines at all. The best part is that all of these activities are FREE and included with your cruise fare. If you have The Key, you’ll have access to certain activities during early hours, but we didn’t feel like rushing to make those specific times was necessary.
Aqua80Too (The Aqua Show): This was the best show we saw during our weekend at sea. Set to an incredible 80s soundtrack, the talent of the swimmers and divers was truly impressive. While you can try to get in on standby, we highly recommend making reservations for this one and arriving early—it was packed!
YouTopia (Ice Skating Show): This was such a fun show, filled with incredible talent, including Olympic-level skaters. It’s definitely worth seeing. The music and costumes were fantastic, and the skating exceeded our expectations. We almost missed it but luckily caught it on standby. Like the other shows, this one was also packed, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to get in.
All In (The Main Production Show): This was our least favorite show. We’re not fans of productions that take popular songs and simply re-sing them, and it seems we weren’t the only ones. The theater was surprisingly half empty, and several people left midway through the performance.
The Promenade, Central Park, and The Boardwalk
As I said before, this was our first time on an Oasis Class Ship, and I was surprised at how much we loved The Promenade, Central Park, and The Boardwalk on the ship, especially at night.
The Promenade on Deck 5: The Promenade greets you as soon as you board the ship on embarkation day. This area features the main shops, bars like Rising Tide and Pesky Parrot, guest services, Sorrento’s, and Café Promenade. We especially loved the café-style seating, where you can relax with coffee or drink and enjoy some good people-watching. This is where the parade will take place late at night, and some of the fun festivities happen.
The Boardwalk on Deck 6: The Boardwalk may not be a large area, but it offers some fun features, including a carousel (rides are included), Playmakers Bar for sports fans, and the Boardwalk Dog House (also included). This is where the Ultimate Abyss dry slides end.
Central Park on Deck 8: Central Park is an open-air park and garden located in the heart of Utopia of the Seas. It’s a beautiful spot for a stroll or if you’re looking for a quieter area on the ship. One evening, we were treated to a fantastic violinist performance, adding to the charm. In this area, you’ll find Park Café, where you can grab coffee, tea, and quick snacks. They’re also known for their infamous Kummelweck sandwich, which we, unfortunately, missed trying! Across the way, at Izumi in the Park take-out window, you can find mochi bubble cones with ice cream ($$).
The Casino
When Royal Caribbean mentions having two casinos, they’re referring to one smoking and one non-smoking. We didn’t spend much time in either. The non-smoking casino was small, with limited options, while the main casino had plenty of machines and table games. However, the smoking in the larger casino was what bothered us, making it less enjoyable to spend time there.
Service on Royals Utopia of the Seas
It’s rare when we encounter bad service on a cruise ship, and in Utopia of the Seas, the crew we had one-on-one with were all helpful and kind. Minus one, at a bar that seemed to be miserable. I’ll say, though, that we did feel a different level of attentive service compared to smaller-sized ships.
On the second day, we met with our stateroom cabin attendant, Ronaldo, who greeted us by our first names. This attention to detail is what I remember from our first cruise with Royal. For the rest of the cruise, he was kind, always ensured we didn’t need anything, and made sure we were having a good time.
One of the best parts was the towel animals he left us in our room daily after making it up. It has been a while since we received any, and it made me smile. Memories from the good old days of cruising.
Ernani was our waiter in the Anytime Dining room; we asked for him again the next night. He was attentive, had the best recommendations, made sure we were well-fed and was a certified food pusher in the best way.
Disembarkation Day on Utopia of the Seas
We weren’t in a hurry on disembarkation day, so we waited until the last minute to leave the ship. The ship returned to Port Canaveral well before sunrise, and they began calling for anyone wanting to walk off with their luggage before 7 a.m.
We decided to keep our luggage and enjoy breakfast in the dining room instead. Our cabin attendant mentioned we could leave our bags in the room as long as we were out by 8 a.m., so we returned in time to grab them before heading toward the Promenade.
Even though they called passengers in groups, getting to Deck 5 was chaotic. With over 5,000 passengers on a ship this size, I recommend walking off with your luggage first thing in the morning or waiting until closer to 9 a.m. to disembark to avoid the chaos.
Other Observations While Sailing on Utopia of the Seas
- Lots of fun and colorful decor throughout the ship.
- Plenty of seating across the top decks around the pool.
- It was a smooth sailing. Never felt the ship.
- At night, look out for the elevator carrying the piano man. If you’re lucky, you’ll be serenaded during your ride—one of the quirkiest things I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship!
- There were no large premium water bottles anywhere, not even at dinner to share at the table.
- Most drinks we had were good, but the piña coladas tasted mostly like coconut, with hardly any pineapple flavor. Not sure what kind of mix they’re using.
- I might be in the minority, but I’m not a fan of the soda cups provided. I can’t imagine everyone keeping them clean while continuously refilling them throughout the cruise. I preferr going to the bar for soda instead.
- I didn’t notice until the last full day that the Rising Tide Bar in The Promenade rose up to the upper deck and then came back down.
Too Much Ship for a Short Time
You’re probably wondering if three days is enough time for everything the ship offers. The short answer is NO. But it’s enough time to enjoy some great meals, participate in a few onboard activities, and catch a couple of their production shows. We even skipped a port to spend more time on the ship, which is not usually our style.
On Utopia of the Seas, you cruise for the ship, not the destination.
We had a great cruise, but there were moments when we felt a bit overwhelmed. The ship’s size might be too much for the short itineraries they’re promoting. In reality, a balcony cabin might be unnecessary for such a short cruise (psst… maybe save your money). Of course, if you have the time and budget, you can always book a back-to-back cruise.
Also, much will depend on what you hope to get from the cruise.
If you’re looking for a lively weekend packed with fun activities, this cruise is perfect. They had a jam-packed schedule with things to do and so many activities on this cruise ship that are included that you have a hard time experiencing it all in a short amount of time. There are also the lines you have to battle sometimes.
But if you’re looking for a more relaxing getaway, it might not be the best fit if you’re after a more relaxing getaway.
Of course, a vacation is what you make of it.
Will we sail on this Oasis Class ship again? Probably not. The cruise was great, but we’ve realized these massive ships do not fit our current travel style.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
