Photo: Royal Caribbean
Utopia of the Seas is set to carry passengers for the first time July 19 from Port Canaveral, Florida
When you think of a big ship, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is one of the US Navy’s massive aircraft carriers. Truly a floating air base with a full-length flight deck for aircraft to take off and land, aircraft carriers are indeed huge. Typically 1,092 feet (332.85 meters) long and with a beam of 134 feet (40.84 meters) , they are formidable symbols of naval power worldwide. At the same time, they’re not the only huge ships on the ocean, and in a few weeks, one of the largest afloat will call Port Canaveral home.
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, is roughly the same size, and even a bit longer from bow to stern than an aircraft carrier: at 1,188 feet (362 meters) long, 211 feet (64 meters), it is also a huge ship, one devoted to giving its passengers the ultimate vacation experience. While the Utopia is huge, she is edged out slightly by RC’s Icon of the Seas, it is only only 8 feet longer and therefore carries the title of “World’s largest.”
Sea Trials
Ten weeks before the new vacation’s homecoming party and official introduction in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in July 2024, Utopia departed port in France on May 5th for sea trials—its first journey in open waters. The keel for the massive ship was laid on July 1, 2022, and the ship launched in September of 2023. In the intervening time, it has been outfitted for sea and is in its final testing phases prior to entering service.
Photo: Royal Caribbean
According to Royal Carribean, “More than 900 experts, specialists across areas like naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design, are on Utopia to push the ship to its limits and make sure it’s ready for smooth sailing. The teams are carrying out hundreds of tests and inspections, from how the ship moves through the open water and the operation of its navigation systems to engine performance, back-of-house technical checks and more. The ultimate short getaway will cover more than 1,000 miles during the five-day trial.”
Photo: Royal Caribbean
Photo: Royal Caribbean
Next: Final Touches Before Going Home
They added that once sea trials are completed, a final phase of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and then Utopia of the Seas will head towards its new base of operations, Port Canaveral in Florida. Roughly 40 miles east of Orlando’s international airport, Port Canaveral is the second busiest in the world, and is directly adjacent to Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where roughly 100 rockets are launched yearly.
Utopia of the Seas will carry passengers on 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday cruises and will have plenty aboard for them to do. Royal Caribbean says the ship will have “40 ways to dine, drink and party, including Royal Railway, a first-of-its-kind immersive train car dining experience; to more pools than the days to count, thrills like the longest dry slide at sea; and show-stopping entertainment across air, ice, water and stage, everyone can enjoy their version of the ultimate short getaway on Utopia.”
Booking Information
If you are interested in sailing aboard Utopia of the Seas, visit Royal Caribbean’s website or consult with your travel agent.
