Utopia of the Seas: Everything you need to know before you sail
If you’re considering sailing on Utopia of the Seas, here’s what you need to know before you book. My in-laws treated the family to an unforgettable cruise on Utopia of the Seas for their 50th wedding anniversary. I’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean before, but this was on an entirely different level. Utopia is considered one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships. They designed the ship to be divided into “neighborhoods,” allowing each area to have its own distinct vibe. There is nonstop entertainment, expansive dining options, and activities for all ages. With a ship this large and activity-packed, knowing what to prioritize (and skip) can make all the difference.
Who this ship is Best for:
Utopia is ideal for families, multigenerational groups, and travelers who love non-stop options. Our group ranged in age from 8 to 74, and there was truly something for everyone. My nieces loved all of the activities! They could swim, ice skate, and rock climb all on the ship! My husband and I enjoyed the spa and the adults-only solarium. It is great for birthdays, anniversaries, or group trips because there is truly something for every age and interest.
My Advice: If you are looking for a quiet, small-ship experience, this may not be the right fit.
Solarium on Utopia of the Seas
What to do at Coco-Cay :
Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco-Cay, was a highlight on our itinerary. The island is massive with multiple beaches, pools, and upgrades like the waterpark and cabanas. Our family was traveling with three kids, and we decided to book the waterpark and rent a cabana. The kids loved the waterpark and went on the slides all day! They also had a wave pool that was nice to get in and just float. Our cabana was situated away from the slides and nestled in among taller plants. It was nice to get away from the kids’ activities, but it also felt like you weren't included, since the plants were so tall you had no view. Though it may have just been the specific cabana that we were assigned.
When I visited in the past on a girls’ trip, I booked an over-the-water bungalow cabana in the Coco Beach club. This was not cheap, but so worth it. We had access to the private beach club and enjoyed higher-end food (think lobster). Our cabana included a slide directly into the ocean, a shower, snorkel gear, an overwater hammock, and, I am sure, more. It was pure luxury.
My Advice: Book a cabana when visiting Coco-Cay. It is so nice when you don’t have to rush off the ship to snag a beach chair. If you are booking an over-the-water bungalow, make sure to ask for number 16. It is the furthest away from the others, and you have a direct view of the ocean
Over-the-water Bungalow #16 at Coco-Cay
Cruise Cabin Tips:
Cruise ships have a bad reputation for having small rooms and not enough storage. Being a newer ship, Utopia of the Seas made some upgrades from the older Royal ships. There’s storage in your nightstand, a roomy closet, a bathroom with ample shelving, and a desk area that has a lighted makeup mirror.
We stayed in a balcony room and had plenty of outdoor space! It was especially great on sea days. My in-laws stayed in a balcony room that overlooked the boardwalk. Great for people watching, but it might be noisy for some people.
My Advice: Bring magnetic hooks for the walls! They are metal. We used ours for hats, swimsuits and tank tops.
Link to magnetic hooks:
Book the balcony room!
Dining Highlights/Shows:
We ate in the main dining room each night for dinner, and the food was great! Plan to stay at least two hours. Our waiter was amazing and very accommodating. The Windjammer is the ship’s buffet, and where most people eat breakfast. I am not a huge fan of buffets, but the food was fresh, and there was plenty of variety, especially if traveling with picky eaters!
The shows on the ship were great! They had what they called a Broadway-style production and they were entertaining and fun to see after dinner. We also went to the ice skating show, but my nieces and I were not huge fans. You could skip this show if your in between two options.
My Advice: Book shows early! We never booked the Aqua show and ended up not being able to see it on this sailing.
Tips I wish I Knew:
Book dining reservations early. This goes for my time dining and specialty restaurants
Use the stairs when possible. The elevators are slow
Bring a packable beach tote
Link to beach tote: https://amzn.to/3MUNlzW
Print out the Royal Caribbean luggage tags BEFORE you sail
Link to luggage tag holders: https://amzn.to/4c2ItTA
Embarkation lunch tip (go somewhere else other than the Windjammer)
Bring wrinkle release spray instead of a steamer
Link to wrinkle release spray: https://amzn.to/4aF5ivD
Rooms are open at 1 pm. If you pick a later check-in time, you can go straight to your room and unpack
If you want to book an earlier check-in time to maximize your on-ship time, bring a carry-on! When you check your luggage, it can take a few hours to get to your room
Cruise Travel Essentials Links:
Handheld Fan: https://amzn.to/4qW8mrX
Wall hooks: https://amzn.to/3MK0yLJ
Motion Sickness patches: https://amzn.to/4kSgFUr
Luggage tag holders (Royal Caribbean Specific): https://amzn.to/4qM1LjT
Sunscreen: https://amzn.to/4cHW3vR
Hanging Toiletry Bag: https://amzn.to/4tQtBhm
Note: *This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only share products I genuinely love and would and have used myself.