Utopia 8/26 & 8/30 - Not live, but will post when I can!

[colesc15]

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. 

 

[colesc15]

Sail away party is another level compared to normal. 

[colesc15]

All in was one of the best production shows we've seen on Royal. The costumes, the stages, and effects were all top notch. 

[colesc15]

One hit wonder party. Only seen it on Icon other than now. Ricky Matthews is the perfect cruise director for this ship. 

[perfect match]

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!

[Surfguyxxx]

Thanks.  I'll be sailing on Utopia on 09/30 and am very much looking forward to it.

[PhillyFan33579]

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. 

[LuCruise]

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

[LuCruise]

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.  

[OCSC Mike]

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).

[colesc15]

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. 

[colesc15]

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

[colesc15]

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. 

[PhillyFan33579]

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. 

[4bythebeach]

Leaving for Utopia in just over a week.  May I ask when you were able to book shows?

 

TYA!

[colesc15]

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. 

[colesc15]

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. 

[colesc15]

Most of the area where the new Royal Caribbean area is going is completely bulldozed 

[colesc15]

First out is Freedom

[colesc15]

Utopia next! See you in a few days, Nassau. With about 18k less people next time. 

[nelblu]

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. 

[PhillyFan33579]

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. 

[colesc15]

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! 

[colesc15]

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. 

[colesc15]

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.