Rare colesc15 Posted August 26 #1 Share Posted August 26 This post was recognized by LauraS! "And another from colesc15! Thank you for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic! See your post featured on our: Click: Cruise Reports page. When you return, please consider submitting it to the site for publication as well: Click: Write a Review" colesc15 was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' and 5 points. Boarded Utopia this morning. Doing a b2b on it, both fully comped through the casino. So far, loving the vibe. It definitely has a different feel to it compared to the other oasis class ships. The live dj poolside, multiply the volume by about 50 compared to other ships. The champagne gun came out early. I would say the pool vibe is actually louder and more active than the Hideaway on Icon. We both love music, but I can see if people don't, they would seek a different area. I'm happy to report the solarium on this ship, although the same design as wonder being fully enclosed, was fully air conditioned earlier when we went in, and didn't feel like a sauna like Wonder did. I'll try and post throughout the week with thoughts and pictures. Feel free to ask questions that I may be able to answer. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 26 Author #2 Share Posted August 26 Sail away party is another level compared to normal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #3 Share Posted August 27 All in was one of the best production shows we've seen on Royal. The costumes, the stages, and effects were all top notch. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #4 Share Posted August 27 One hit wonder party. Only seen it on Icon other than now. Ricky Matthews is the perfect cruise director for this ship. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare perfect match Posted August 27 #5 Share Posted August 27 Thank you for doing this review. We’re on Utopia in January so I’m reading anything I can about her. I’ll be following along with you this week to see a little more of this beautiful ship! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfguyxxx Posted August 27 #6 Share Posted August 27 Thanks. I'll be sailing on Utopia on 09/30 and am very much looking forward to it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyFan33579 Posted August 27 #7 Share Posted August 27 15 hours ago, colesc15 said: Boarded Utopia this morning. Doing a b2b on it, both fully comped through the casino. So far, loving the vibe. It definitely has a different feel to it compared to the other oasis class ships. The live dj poolside, multiply the volume by about 50 compared to other ships. The champagne gun came out early. I would say the pool vibe is actually louder and more active than the Hideaway on Icon. We both love music, but I can see if people don't, they would seek a different area. I find it interesting how RCI has focused and marketed Icon as the ultimate family ship, while they are marketing Utopia as the ultimate party ship. Not sure why RCI wants to mimic the Carnival experience on Utopia. The fact that I know several people who have already cruised on Utopia on a casino comp, which you are also doing per your comment, is not a good sign for a brand new ship. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuCruise Posted August 27 #8 Share Posted August 27 (edited) 7 hours ago, colesc15 said: One hit wonder party. Only seen it on Icon other than now. Ricky Matthews is the perfect cruise director for this ship. Lol...Ricky Matthews? Oh yah, I see him. We had him as a CD 3 times in a row, on different ships. He is so energetic and funny. Definitely perfect for Utopia! Edited August 27 by LuCruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuCruise Posted August 27 #9 Share Posted August 27 21 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said: I find it interesting how RCI has focused and marketed Icon as the ultimate family ship, while they are marketing Utopia as the ultimate party ship. Not sure why RCI wants to mimic the Carnival experience on Utopia. The fact that I know several people who have already cruised on Utopia on a casino comp, which you are also doing per your comment, is not a good sign for a brand new ship. Agree...marketing Utopia as a party ship like Carnival feels disanointing. Royal has other 3 and 4 days cruises and these are still family ships. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OCSC Mike Posted August 27 #10 Share Posted August 27 16 hours ago, colesc15 said: I'm happy to report the solarium on this ship, although the same design as wonder being fully enclosed, was fully air conditioned earlier when we went in, and didn't feel like a sauna like Wonder did. Happy to hear this. Wonder's was definitely warm some days (unless you were able to grab the padded loungers by the a/c vents which made a big difference). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #11 Share Posted August 27 1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said: I find it interesting how RCI has focused and marketed Icon as the ultimate family ship, while they are marketing Utopia as the ultimate party ship. Not sure why RCI wants to mimic the Carnival experience on Utopia. The fact that I know several people who have already cruised on Utopia on a casino comp, which you are also doing per your comment, is not a good sign for a brand new ship. Agreed! It's interesting for easy (relatively speaking) it is to get in utopia comped. Heck, we're doing this as a b2b both comped. It definitely feels like a money maker for royal though. I saw the most people I've ever seen buying drink packages at the bars yesterday after boarding. All likely first timers not knowing to prebook. Also found it funny yesterday at sailaway, they kept referring to it as the best weekend getaway, even though it's Monday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #12 Share Posted August 27 6 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: Happy to hear this. Wonder's was definitely warm some days (unless you were able to grab the padded loungers by the a/c vents which made a big difference). Agreed! Weather here in Nassau isn't the greatest this morning. Heading to the solarium soon to hopefully get a seat and hopefully still be ac 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #13 Share Posted August 27 I assume lots of first time cruisers so a pretty deserted ship for Nassau. Us, allure, freedom, Disney wish, carnival celebration all in Port so about 24k passengers? I'll stick to the solarium with about 50 people instead. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyFan33579 Posted August 27 #14 Share Posted August 27 17 minutes ago, colesc15 said: I assume lots of first time cruisers so a pretty deserted ship for Nassau. Us, allure, freedom, Disney wish, carnival celebration all in Port so about 24k passengers? I'll stick to the solarium with about 50 people instead. That’s a good observation about Nassau and first time cruisers. More often than not Nassau feels more like a sea day than a port day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4bythebeach Posted August 27 #15 Share Posted August 27 Leaving for Utopia in just over a week. May I ask when you were able to book shows? TYA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #16 Share Posted August 27 2 hours ago, 4bythebeach said: Leaving for Utopia in just over a week. May I ask when you were able to book shows? TYA! Booked them all on the website for both cruises about a month or so ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #17 Share Posted August 27 Today was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. Been in the solarium nearly all day in and out of the pool. Had some fun conversations with people in the pool. One of the best things about cruising is meeting new people. All 5 ships are scheduled to leave at 5 so should be a good ship parade. Tonight we have the aqua show, and the decades party. I'm thinking we'll be in Mason jar for the live music as well. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #18 Share Posted August 27 Most of the area where the new Royal Caribbean area is going is completely bulldozed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #19 Share Posted August 27 First out is Freedom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #20 Share Posted August 27 Utopia next! See you in a few days, Nassau. With about 18k less people next time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted August 27 #21 Share Posted August 27 11 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said: I find it interesting how RCI has focused and marketed Icon as the ultimate family ship, while they are marketing Utopia as the ultimate party ship. Not sure why RCI wants to mimic the Carnival experience on Utopia. The fact that I know several people who have already cruised on Utopia on a casino comp, which you are also doing per your comment, is not a good sign for a brand new ship. I’m on Utopia this sail and the previous 3 nights and the casino is the most crowded that I’ve seen in all of my sailings. Wall to wall gamblers and I’m sure the Royal is making a pretty profit even with the comped cruises. Ps. Casino is as cold as an ice box. There are also lots of kids as experienced by the number of kids in the pools. Aqua 80 too not to be missed. In Nassau and 3 RCL ships—Utopia, Allure & Liberty. There was a Carnival ship and followed later by a Disney. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyFan33579 Posted August 27 #22 Share Posted August 27 4 minutes ago, nelblu said: I’m on Utopia this sail and the previous 3 nights and the casino is the most crowded that I’ve seen in all of my sailings. Wall to wall gamblers and I’m sure the Royal is making a pretty profit even with the comped cruises. Ps. Casino is as cold as an ice box. There are also lots of kids as experienced by the number of kids in the pools. Aqua 80 too not to be missed. In Nassau and 3 RCL ships—Utopia, Allure & Liberty. There was a Carnival ship and followed later by a Disney. I guess it isn’t surprising that the casino is crowded. I am on Utopia this Friday. Cruising with a dozen friends so I won’t spend any time in the casino this cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #23 Share Posted August 27 40 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said: I guess it isn’t surprising that the casino is crowded. I am on Utopia this Friday. Cruising with a dozen friends so I won’t spend any time in the casino this cruise. Maybe we'll see you on board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #24 Share Posted August 27 Had a quick dinner at the windjammer. Nothing special but did the job. Stopped at giovanni's after to try and make our dining reservations for the next sailing since we have the dining package and he said we can, but with the new system, they may or may not wipe the reservations when the new sailing starts. I'm assuming it's related to the rollout of the availability to book dinners with the package online, or the guy just not wanting to do thr reservations, who knows. I said we'd come back on day 1 to make all the reservations I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare colesc15 Posted August 27 Author #25 Share Posted August 27 51 minutes ago, nelblu said: I’m on Utopia this sail and the previous 3 nights and the casino is the most crowded that I’ve seen in all of my sailings. Wall to wall gamblers and I’m sure the Royal is making a pretty profit even with the comped cruises. Ps. Casino is as cold as an ice box. There are also lots of kids as experienced by the number of kids in the pools. Aqua 80 too not to be missed. In Nassau and 3 RCL ships—Utopia, Allure & Liberty. There was a Carnival ship and followed later by a Disney. Agreed on the casino. I was shocked last night how packed it was and barely able to find an open machine. By far the busiest I've ever seen a royal casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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