Spotlight: Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the SEas

Rachael Eldridge
Jan 31
5 min read

So you want to know how travel agents do travel? You've come to the right place! Rebecca and more than forty Smiley Travelers recently took a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas. Keep Reading for Rebecca’s recommendations on this exciting new ship.

By Rachael Magruder

Some Smiley Travelers got together for a group photo!

Setting the Tone

Royal Caribbean really knows how to lean into a good theme. Not only are the menus at their various restaurants curated around specific cuisines, but the decor, music, and the entire atmosphere of each eatery whisks you away to another place for the duration of your meal. Coupled with the amazing food they’re serving up, and you’re sure to be in a great mood the whole trip.

First, a few notes on cruising:

You might not know…

Most cruises—with Virgin Voyages being the main exception—offer what is called “main dining.” This is a hosted multi-course dinner offered for all guests. You usually have the option of two time slots and can choose your courses each night. There is also sometimes entertainment provided during these dinners.

I mention this because while some seasoned cruisers may think this is obvious, even the most well-traveled person may be new to cruising. On Rebecca’s first cruise, she ate all her meals at the buffet because she didn’t know main dining existed! Mistakes like that happen to

everyone, and we’re here to make sure you get the best experience every time.

Dressing for the occasion...

Similar to resorts, cruises may have dress codes listed on their various restaurants. Unlike resorts, these are not always heavily enforced (depending on the cruise line). That being said, sometimes the true enforcers are the people around you. Do you really want to be the only person in the nice Italian restaurant in board shorts and crocs?

The buffet is still a great option. We don't think there's

a "bad" one on this cruise ship!

Rebecca’s Recommendations

Royal Railway—Utopia Station

You took a plane to the port city, rode in a car from the hotel, and now you’re on a boat wondering how you can tick off one more form of transportation on your epic adventure. Have no fear, Royal Caribbean has you covered. For an additional fee, you can experience the old-fashioned, romantic concept of a dinner train. The restaurant features “windows” at each table, showing the scenery outside as your train moves through the American frontier. This experience felt so real, Rebecca says, from the steam of the engine when you walk in the door to the vibrating floors that make you feel like you're moving, every detail has been considered to completely immerse you. You can enjoy whiskey flights and charcuterie if you’re curious about the experience, and they also offer a full 90-minute dinner for travelers who want more.

The Mason Jar

Southern food and bourbon, two things that will always feel like home to me. Even a thousand miles away from Kentucky, give me a plate of fried chicken and an old fashioned and I’m going to be smiling and saying "y’all" the rest of the night. The Mason Jar is for anyone who relates to that. Just like all of Royal Caribbean’s restaurants, this one is perfectly curated,

from a menu that features all of the best southern comfort food to mason jar cocktails. Pop in for dinner and nosh on fried green tomatoes and their fantastic bourbon cocktails; Rebecca recommends the PB&J old fashioned. They also serve brunch!

What else does Utopia have to offer?

When you consider the Utopia of the Seas by the numbers, it’s almost too much to comprehend. With five pools, eight hot tubs, twenty three bars, two casinos…I could go on…it’s literally impossible to run out of things to do on your cruise. Rebecca’s made it easy for you, though, and chose a few of her favorite activities on Royal Caribbean's gigantic liner.

Aqua80 Too

Rebecca’s number one recommendation when it comes to shows and events on the Utopia is their water show, Aqua80 Too. Set to nostalgic 80’s hits, this show features high diving, aquabatics, acrobatics, and athletic prowess. It’s exciting and entertaining for the whole family and Rebecca looks forward to seeing it every time she gets the opportunity.

The Solarium

The decks of this cruise ship are themed “districts” like The Boardwalk and Central Park. Some are more lively than others, with nightclubs and bars that keep the party going all night long, while other decks are more family friendly. For our adult travelers, Rebecca recommends the Solarium. It’s an adults-only district that features an indoor/outdoor pool and lounge area, perfect to relax and reset away from the louder, more crowded pools.

Get Away…to CocoCay!

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island so if you've cruised with them before, you might have already visited this small, picturesque tropical island. The thing I love about CocoCay is that it really does have something for every type of traveler. Keep reading to see what activity at CocoCay matches your traveling style. Heads up, most of these are "upgraded experiences," meaning that they will have additional charges.

A few Smiley Travelers (including Rebecca's Parents!) having a Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For the Adventurous

If you're the type who loves chasing thrills and adrenaline rushes, you're going to want to head to Thrills Waterpark. Thrills has 14 waterslides, including the Daredevil's Peak, the tallest slide in the Caribbean, which towers at 135 feet tall.

For the Party Animal

If you've been waiting for your chance to cut a rug on the beach, your first stop on this excursion should be Hideaway Beach. This adults-only paradise features a live DJ to keep the party going all day long. Rebecca recommends you grab a Slice of Paradise, their shockingly good pizza joint hidden away on Hideaway Beach.

For the Beach Bum

If you're the type of traveler who goes on vacation just to spend the entire day laying on the beach, we aren't judging you! We're just directing you to Chill Island, where you can rent a private cabana for the whole family. The cabanas accommodate up to eight guests and includes private lockable storage, premium towels, water bottles, complimentary dining and two floating mats. They're also close to excursions like snorkeling and jet skiing, making it the perfect place to make home base.

Does the Utopia of the Seas sound like the perfect vacation to you? If so, reach out to Rebecca to start planning today!