It's time to get ready to enjoy the energy of the weekend any day of the week. Royal Caribbean International has officially welcomed the next big thing to the family: Utopia of the Seas. A celebration worthy of the ultimate short getaway has taken place in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard handing over the keys to Utopia to Royal Caribbean just five weekends before her debut in July in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
More than two years of work have culminated in the latest construction milestone of the new holiday, the handover, in which more than 1,600 workers and crew members have gathered to commemorate the moment in the exclusive AquaTheater. The president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley, and the CEO of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Laurent Castaing, hosted the party held at Utopia, the first of many, to recognize the achievements of nautical engineers, designers, architects, among others.
“Receiving Utopia of the Seas is an incredibly important milestone, marking a new evolution of our game-changing ships and our mission to create the best vacation experiences in a responsible manner,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO. of Royal Caribbean Group. "From the ultimate multi-generational vacation on this year's debut of Icon of the Seas to now, the ultimate weekend getaways on Utopia of the Seas, we are focused on offering a variety of vacation options and memorable memories for our guests."
In the weeks leading up to the summer debut on July 19, Utopia will be en route to the United States as Royal Caribbean teams put the finishing touches on getting the ship ready for the party. The latest in the innovative ship category, the Oasis Class is the first in its class to debut with three-night weekend getaways and four-night midweek getaways. Combining over 40 ways to dine, drink and celebrate; more pools than days to enjoy them, experiences to live strong emotions and to relax; and more of all of the above at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, features unmatched weekend energy any day of the week.
"With the delivery of Utopia of the Seas we have the keys to the ultimate weekend," explained Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "This is the short vacation that combines all the ways to create incredible memories into a three-night weekend or four-night midweek getaway. Vacationers want every minute to be a minute well spent, and Utopia's unmatched combination and Perfect Day at CocoCay will deliver it. We are proud and excited about the upcoming debut of Utopia in a big way!"
Friends and families celebrating any occasion or simply getting away have their pick of ways to toast the weekend's energy across the board, including highlights like:
Ways to relax and experience strong emotions
Pool days for any mood – From lively to quiet and adults-only, there are vibes of all kinds at the five pools. To get the party going, there are resort-style pools and beach-entry incline pools, three Lime & Coconut bars, The Perfect Storm trio of water slides, and a few places to grab a bite to eat and recharge, including Spare Tire, the new food truck next to the pool. A little more hidden is the adults-only pool in the Solarium and the exclusive Sun Deck Suite, tranquil spaces for relaxation.
The Ultimate Abyss (and Longest) – Topping thrills like the FlowRider surf simulator and 10-story zipline, the longest dry slide at sea is 13 meters longer, reaching 79 meters. Adventurers will launch from a height of 10 stories and speed down the new sliders and transparent racing windows, with surprising twists and turns.
Perfect Day at CocoCay – With more weekend energy on the ultimate short getaway, the private island offers more of everything. Offers range from the newly opened adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach, with a private beach, pools and drinking spots, a live DJ and more; up to 14 amazing water slides and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.
Dining options
Royal Railway – Utopia Station – Vacationers can add another destination to their getaway and the more than 20 on-deck dining options with the first experience of its kind. From the Wild West to the most distant destinations, the new experience combines adventure, food and technology to transport travelers, by "train", to any place and time period.
Izumi – Izumi in the Park's convenient pick-up window will be present for the first time on an Oasis Class ship, featuring sushi, Japanese-inspired street food and more. Next door is Izumi Restaurant in its new location in Central Park, with a private, chef-led, multi-course omakase experience; double the teppanyaki tables and also the outdoor seating.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar – The Italian restaurant is now in a new location, spanning two floors, debuting the first Gio's Terrazza. Outdoors, vacationers can look out over the lively Boardwalk while enjoying the fan-favorite menu of quintessential Italian cuisine, and varietal wines and cocktails with a Royal Caribbean twist.
Ways to celebrate
Pesky Parrot – The new Caribbean tiki bar sets the tone for the holidays with its island vibes and fruit-based cocktails made with rum, tequila and gin, and other frozen drinks. Vacationers can also enjoy other surprises and delights.
Live Music and Entertainment – Day and night, vacationers can vibe with the energy of the weekend. Musicians and DJs play live music of all genres, from rock 'n' roll to Latin hits, at five live music stages and parties in Utopia. And for jaw-dropping entertainment, large-scale productions take center stage on Royal Caribbean's signature stages: air, ice, water and theater.
Casino Royale – Doubling up on the celebration are two casinos featuring over 370 arcade machines, nearly 30 table games and more.
Also lighting up Utopia are old favorites including The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, serving Southern dishes along with live country music; the twin climbing walls, Utopia Playscape for kids, with slides, climbing wall and games; and the Splashaway Bay children's water park, to name a few.