Utopia of the Seas sailed from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France for five days of sea trials, marking a significant milestone before its debut this July.
Over the next few days, over 900 specialists in engineering, naval architecture, design, and navigation will push the Royal Caribbean-owned vessel to its limits. They will conduct hundreds of tests and evaluations to ensure the ship’s safety and operability.
The team will also monitor how the ship moves in open water, its engine performance, and its navigation systems. The ship will travel over 1,000 miles before returning to the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, where it will receive the final touches in its construction.
On July 19, 2024, Utopia will be the first Oasis-class vessel to offer three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. Its highly anticipated amenities include the train car-inspired Royal Railway dining venue, ten pools, and the 216-foot dry slide Ultimate Abyss.
More Cruise Ships Coming Soon
Utopia of the Seas is part of a four-ship rollout for Royal Caribbean that includes a seventh unnamed Oasis-class ship and two Icon-class ships: the Icon of the Seas, which left for its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024, and the upcoming Star of the Seas, expected on August 31, 2025.
Icon of the Seas is currently the world’s largest ship, surpassing the Royal Caribbean record holder by 10 feet. Compared to Wonder of the Seas, formerly the largest cruise vessel, it has two additional decks.
Aggressive marketing, strong demand, and the Icon’s record-breaking size boosted cruise line bookings, leading the company to enjoy the highest number of reservations in 2022.
Hopes are equally high for Star of the Seas. Once the $1.1 billion ship is built, it will resemble its Icon-class sister in terms of weight (250,800 tons), passenger capacity (5,610 passengers at double occupancy), and amenities.
Beach Clubs Under Development in Cozumel and Nassau
Alongside its new builds, the cruise line is developing two new destinations, one in Cozumel, Mexico, and another in Nassau, The Bahamas. Both fall under the cruise line’s Royal Beach Club brand.
The 17-acre exclusive resort in The Bahamas began construction last April and is expected to open in 2025. Meanwhile, the Royal Beach Club in Cozumel will be ready by 2026.
