<body><div><p>22 <b>Oct</b> 2024</p><p>Utopia of the Seas is dubbed as a "non-stop party," so I wanted to see what it was like to try to keep the fun going all day and night.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=34K7GH_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=34K7GH_0wH2336P00" width="1200" height="800" ></figure><p>When Royal Caribbean launched its first Oasis-Class ship with weekend cruises in mind, it wanted the vessel to offer something new and different.</p><p>Marketed as a "party ship," Utopia of the Seas offers non-stop activities throughout its short sailings.</p><p>It's the perfect combination for cruisers to make the most of their days onboard.</p><p>I spent four nights onboard Utopia this month, and I knew I wanted to maximize my short sailing.</p><p>For our only sea day onboard, I challenged myself to participate in a cruise ship activity all day long—more than 12 hours straight!</p><p>What does a busy day actually look like on Utopia of the Seas? There are so many activities to choose from—but it's more chill than you might expect.</p><p>The constant "party" atmosphere on the vessel actually translated into a calmer, chill vibe. No one was required to bring the energy, as staff and party squads made sure that guests were enjoying themselves.</p><p>In the end, I had so much fun and ended up being less exhausted than I thought I'd be.</p><p>: 5 things to know before sailing on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas</p><h2>9:00 A.M.: Breakfast</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=34cxTE_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=34cxTE_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>I started out with breakfast in the Park Cafe—an elegant, well-lit free cafe in Central Park. </p><p>Breakfast in the Café usually includes fresh fruit, oatmeal, pastries, and more.</p><p>I dined on oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, with a side of fresh grapes and hot coffee.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4OsJYX_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4OsJYX_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>After breakfast, I hit the cruise ship gym, which was surprisingly busy for a relaxing sailing trip! </p><p>Other cruisers, like me, wanted to take advantage of the quality gym and stay active despite all the tempting food.</p><p>However, the gym was gigantic, so I didn't have to worry about overcrowding.</p><h2>10:30 A.M.: Ice skating</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1zUWRQ_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1zUWRQ_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>After the gym, I headed straight down to Studio B for a short ice-skating activity.</p><p>I reserved a slot ahead of time on the Royal Caribbean app, so the staff gave me a wristband right away. When my wristband color was called, I went down to suit up with a helmet (required for safety) and ice skates.</p><p>The rink was a medium-sized, icy square. Skating around on it was fun, but it seemed more directed toward kids.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2U0mdV_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2U0mdV_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>Struggling children kept falling and skating in front of me, which could make the experience more stressful for beginners.</p><p>Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience. How many people can say they've ice skated on a cruise ship? </p><h2>11:20 A.M.: Lunch</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=27TeX4_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=27TeX4_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>After I finished ice skating, I'd worked up an appetite. I took the elevator up to the Windjammer, the ship's complimentary buffet.</p><p>I always enjoy eating at the Windjammer because of its variety of options. </p><p>For lunch I directed myself towards the available brunch food, choosing hash browns, waffles, and biscuits.</p><h2>1:00 P.M.: World's Sexiest Man Competition</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0grotY_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0grotY_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>After showering and meeting with my travel buddy, Val, we returned to the pool deck to watch the World's Sexiest Man Competition. </p><p>Found on most Royal Caribbean ships, this competition is a hilarious, dramatic pageant show featuring several brave cruisers.</p><p>After each man flexes, dances, and poses in front of judges, one man in particular is awarded the title of the most attractive of the cruise.</p><h2>2:00 P.M.: Plunge Party</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=44DdVo_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=44DdVo_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="361" ></figure><p>As the World's Sexiest Man Competition ended, staff transitioned into the Plunge Party, a pool deck dance and music party.</p><p>The ship's "party squad"—a group of four dancers who showed up to each event in fun costumes—took the stage and encouraged guests to bop along to the music.</p><p>As that went on, Val and I headed to the Solarium to soak up the sun for a while.</p><h2>5:00 P.M.: Main Dining Room dinner</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AIjtU_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AIjtU_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>Before the cruise, I selected a traditional, assigned dining time and received the early slot: 5:00 P.M. dinner.</p><p>We went to our assigned table at 5 sharp and were greeted by our friendly waiters.</p><p>Dinner started with bread, and then we placed our orders. For my appetizer, I ordered a tasty, hot tomato soup. </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=02mHTb_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=02mHTb_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>My entree was a delicious crumbed slice of salmon, served with potatoes and asparagus. My waiter recommended the dish to me, and I was glad I ordered it!</p><p>: I spent over a week on Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas. I was impressed by how much was changed for the world's newest cruise ship.</p><p>Dessert was a warm, caramel-covered brownie with a side of vanilla ice cream.</p><h2>6:30 P.M.: Family Karaoke</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1IiyIE_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1IiyIE_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>After dinner, we went to join karaoke in the Spotlight Karaoke venue. For family karaoke, anyone of any age could sign up to choose a song and sing it on stage.</p><p>While I didn't join in performing, I always enjoy watching, cheering, and singing along.</p><p>On the way out of Karaoke, Val and I stopped to pick up togas (really just extra sheets) for the evening's Silent Toga party.</p><h2>7:00 P.M.: SENSES Sunset Party</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3szvR0_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3szvR0_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>One of the new parties I was most excited to experience on Utopia of the Seas was the SENSES Sunset Party. </p><p>The event is one of the more "Chill-topia" experiences onboard, perfect for sitting down with a drink to enjoy the views.</p><p>Just around sunset, the DJ begins to play house music as different views of sunsets from around the world (and around the fleet!) are projected on the screen.</p><h2>8:00 P.M.: Name That Tune!</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4J2fcD_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4J2fcD_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="352" ></figure><p>Name That Tune was titled a "live game show" in the Cruise Compass, and I noticed it was taking place in the Royal Theater.</p><p>The game show was a high-quality, hilarious production hosted by the Cruise Director, Ricky.</p><p>In between rounds of the game, Royal Caribbean performers would join a live band to perform popular songs.</p><p>Name That Tune far exceeded my expectations—it was like watching Family Feud or Wheel of Fortune live!</p><h2>9:00 P.M.: Royal Kappa Chi</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0WJOiS_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0WJOiS_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>The Utopia Chapter of Royal Kappa Chi is a throwback to the collegiate days of frat parties, complete with flip cup and beer pong.</p><p>The event was held in Studio B, which had too much seating and stage space to accommodate all the ping-pong tables that were set up.</p><p>It was hard for all the attendees to find space to join in playing games or dancing, so many just ended up sitting down in chairs and watching the games.</p><h2>10:45 P.M.: Silent Toga party</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=47kCYR_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=47kCYR_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>Our last event of the night was the Silent Toga Party, held in the Solarium.</p><p>I always love joining silent parties, in which every guest is given a headset with multiple music channels.</p><p>Royal Caribbean added a new and fun twist to the Silent Party on Utopia by making it a toga party—each guest was welcomed with a sheet and taught how to tie it on.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0r6dAR_0wH2336P00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0r6dAR_0wH2336P00" width="500" height="375" ></figure><p>A common uniform always makes groups feel closer, so I thought this was a fun way to tie together the independent style of a silent party.</p><p>After the party, we headed back to the stateroom—tired but satisfied with our busy day. </p><p>Calista Kiper graduated from Wheaton College, IL, with a B.A. in English Writing. </p><p>Growing up traveling around the world, she developed a passion for diversity and cross-cultural communication. From her first cruise on Wonder of the Seas, she has delighted in the intersection between travel, diversity, and writing in the cruising world.</p><p>Calista spends her free time reading, cooking, and researching the latest human-interest stories. </p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

Utopia of the Seas is dubbed as a \"non-stop party,\" so I wanted to see what it was like to try to keep the fun going all day and night. When Royal Caribbean launched its first Oasis-Class ship with weekend cruises in mind, it wanted the vessel to offer something new and different.

Utopia of the Seas is dubbed as a "non-stop party," so I wanted to see what it was like to try to keep the fun going all day and night. When Royal Caribbean launched its first Oasis-Class ship with weekend cruises in mind, it wanted the vessel to offer something new and different.