Category Archives: New Utopia

Ladies and gentlemen, has Royal Caribbean done it again? Has the line's sixth Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, somehow managed to be even more innovative than its five predecessors? It didn't seem possible to me, given that I have a soft spot for the original two ships in the class, so I went into a recent Utopia sailing a bit skeptical. I emerged a convert.

The ship debuted as the second-largest cruise ship in the world (a tad bigger than its Oasis Class siblings but smaller than its gigantic sister ship, Icon of the Seas). Royal Caribbean has also dubbed it the "world's biggest weekend," thanks to its short itineraries three- and four-night Bahamas and Caribbean voyages. This is the first time the cruise line has dedicated a brand-new ship solely to short sailings, which means Royal Caribbean has found plenty of ways for cruisers to soak up as much fun as they can in what little time they have on board.

But what's really underneath all of those superlatives? Here, I'll break down why I think Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's best Oasis Class ship yet and what you can expect if you decide to sail.

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The lead-up to Utopia of the Seas' debut was somewhat overshadowed by the rollout of fleetmate Icon of the Seas in early 2024, but the Oasis Class ships were the original trendsetters.

When the first one, Oasis of the Seas, set sail 15 years ago, it was the largest cruise ship in the world. It was nearly 45% bigger than the next-largest ship in the fleet, Freedom of the Seas, in terms of tonnage and 46% larger in terms of maximum passenger capacity. It also introduced the cruise industry to a groundbreaking neighborhood concept, which grouped popular themed offerings together in different areas and helped to control passenger flow. (Since then, other lines including Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have developed their own versions.)

Within those neighborhoods, the class also delivered other industry firsts, including the first carousel, AquaTheater (a performance space featuring a pool for high-diving) and zip line at sea in and above the open-air Boardwalk neighborhood, as well as thousands of live plants tended by a resident gardener in the Central Park neighborhood. Both of these neighborhoods incorporate a central area of activity surrounded above by interior-facing ocean-view and balcony cabins an idea pioneered on Voyager of the Seas in 1999 on the Royal Promenade, a mall-like indoor thoroughfare that has carried through to the line's newest vessels.

"This class of ship for Royal Caribbean has been a true game changer," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, during a media briefing on Utopia when asked about the evolution of the Oasis Class and why it remains so popular.

"It just consistently delivers every single time, and it ages so well," Bayley said. "We've invested in these ships, and we continue to invest .... just before the pandemic, we put almost a quarter of a billion dollars into one of the Oasis Class ships just to bring it up to speed. The reason why it works so well is size and neighborhoods. ... It's the space and the fact that the neighborhoods have been able to pull people together into spaces that they really enjoy."

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In other words, Royal Caribbean struck gold with this type of ship.

Although the Oasis Class is still evolving after 15 years, Utopia of the Seas remains largely unchanged from the original Oasis of the Seas prototype. Royal Caribbean has taken passenger favorites from the first few Oasis Class vessels and carried them through, or removed concepts that have run their course and added some fun new ones in their place, on Utopia of the Seas.

The highlight of the new additions is a meal at the Royal Railway Utopia Station. It's an immersive train-themed dinner theater restaurant that makes you feel like you're actually in a dining car with scenery passing by via LED "windows." Live actors carry out their antics around you, complete with sound effects and "butt-kickers," which jolt your seat to make it feel like you're really on a train. The experience has a capacity of just 96 passengers per night with a price $75 per person that's just as expensive as the venue is exclusive. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag a reservation during my sailing, but I was able to tour one of the train cars, and it does truly suspend reality.

The next major addition is the Pesky Parrot, a tiki bar along the Royal Promenade. It's home to Brian, a drunk animatronic parrot who hadn't yet arrived at his perch on my voyage. (I'm told he's already made his debut, though.) Don't know which of the tropically themed drinks to order? Roll the bar's cylindrical accordion-style menu to help you figure it out.

Pesky Parrot replaces the Bionic Bar, a gimmicky bar found on other Royal Caribbean vessels, featuring robotic arms messily mixing up cocktails that passengers order via tablets. Trust me: The results at Pesky Parrot are much tastier, immensely more personable and far less sticky than their robot-crafted counterparts.

Spare Tire is a food truck-style concept on the pool deck that offers a walk-up counter with reheated frozen items like cheese and pepperoni tortilla roll-ups, ranchero beef and cheese tortilla roll-ups, chipotle chicken sandwiches, Mediterranean veggie wraps and fried raspberry cheesecake pockets. Although the food is tasty (and free), I was disappointed that the truck's items were probably some of the least homemade on the ship.

Other new additions to Utopia of the Seas include an extra-fee shave ice stand at the back of the ship near the FlowRider surf simulator; a two-deck Giovanni's Italian specialty restaurant, which replaces molecular gastronomy restaurant Wonderland and offers great views over the Boardwalk neighborhood; bright, airy and spacious Solarium Suites located above the ship's adults-only Solarium area; and Omakase, an exclusive six-seat, eight-course Asian dining experience that costs $129 per person.

What all of this means is that passengers are able to experience the best of what other Oasis Class ships have to offer, as well as some new additions that make Utopia of the Seas feel even more fresh and exclusive.

Utopia of the Seas sails only short itineraries, so it offers a low-commitment entry point for people who want to try cruising but worry they might not like it. Because it's a new ship, it also gives those people a chance to try something modern and splashy, rather than settling for older hardware.

"The percentage of new-to-cruise that will sail on Utopia is fantastic," Bayley said. "It's a short product, so people don't have to commit so much time and money to a longer experience. It's a much easier weekend break. It's no big deal to really hop on Utopia on a Friday and be in the office Monday morning."

For me, a three-night sailing was just long enough to whet my appetite for more. Utopia of the Seas is crammed with so many activities, amenities and places to chill that you'd be hard-pressed to see and do everything during a voyage twice as long as the ones the ship offers. If other passengers are anything like me, they'll be back, which is exactly Royal Caribbean's goal.

Utopia is also currently the only Oasis Class vessel that sails short cruises out of Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral, Florida about an hour from Orlando. Voyages on Utopia of the Seas allow travelers to better utilize their limited vacation time by combining a cruise with visits to Florida beaches, the Kennedy Space Center, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and other nearby attractions.

"One of the reasons we put this brand-new Oasis Class [ship] into this market is that we really expect to see a certain amount of demand coming from tourists who are going in [to Orlando], either for ... Disney or Universal," Bayley said. "They can also package themselves a vacation, which includes a three-night, four-night [cruise] to Perfect Day."

With Utopia of the Seas sailing short cruises, Royal Caribbean's entertainment team has had to reconfigure some of its offerings. The ship combines three new shows with energetic live music and more parties than any of the line's other vessels to date. The changes speak to what passengers want on shorter voyages more partying and less sitting in one spot for large chunks of time. It all ties back into the long-weekend theme and the line's goal of helping passengers maximize their vacation time.

"Utopia is a taste of what, possibly, you could experience on maybe a longer itinerary," said Allison Rider-Davidoiu, Royal Caribbean's director of headliner entertainment, live music and enrichment, during an interview on board. "It was really important to ... go in a little bit of a different direction and have one party after the other to where you don't ever stop."

In fact, parties are so important on board that the ship employs a dedicated party squad, a new addition to Royal Caribbean's entertainment team. The goal of the squad members is to keep passengers engaged. There's also an entire team of hired "party influencers" who are simply meant to "keep the vibe going and look cool," according to Rider-Davidoiu.

In addition to the usual outdoor sailaway soiree, red-themed nightclub party and music-forward "street parties" along the Royal Promenade, some of the key celebrations on Utopia of the Seas include Senses, a pool deck party where cruisers will find house music and sunset scenes on the big screen; ReZolution, where passengers wear white and become living art through a series of high-tech projections; and Plunge, a daytime pool party with surprise giveaways, music and water guns that shoot Champagne.

Catering to adults who want to cut loose and relive their college days, Silent Toga is a silent disco where crew members hand out togas and show passengers how to wear them, and the Royal Kappa Chi afterparty is the place to find games of beer pong, Flip Cup and Quarters backed by the skills of one of three resident DJs. On my sailing, the latter shindig didn't end until 4 a.m.

Music is also a big focus on Utopia, with many passengers choosing their favorite live performers and returning to the same venues night after night to enjoy their performances.

"We've noticed guests on three- and four-day cruises, many times as incredible as our shows are they'd much rather gravitate toward live music," Rider-Davidoiu said. "So we put a lot of focus on getting the best bands and the best talent."

But that doesn't mean the ship's shows aren't phenomenal. In fact, that's far from the case.

Bridging the gap between party and production show is "The Effectors Homecoming Parade," a hybrid that takes place along the Royal Promenade. The large cast features six main characters: superheroes Pixel, Reverb, Lume and Captain Viz, as well as villains Crash and Burn. This latest installment of "The Effectors" trilogy of original shows with the first two appearing on a small number of other vessels in the fleet is a street party-style celebration of Crash's defeat.

"All In" is the main production show in the theater on each sailing. Royal Caribbean has pulled out the stops with high-tech lighting and sound, interesting props, jaw-dropping acrobatics and creatively timed LED screen animations. It also leans heavily on the massively talented cast of singers and dancers who perform hits from Bruno Mars, Camila Cabello, Gloria Estefan, the White Stripes, the Eurythmics and more.

Most impressive, though, are Utopia's high-dive and acrobatics show "Aqua80Too," held at the ship's aft-facing AquaTheater, and the "Youtopia Ice Spectacular," held in the ship's ice rink where professional figure skaters perform to well-known tunes in colorful costumes amid a series of fun projections. If you have to choose, these two are the ones to see during your sailing.

There often isn't much that differentiates new ships in a particular class from their predecessors, but that's not the case with Utopia of the Seas.

Its short itineraries make the ship a superb pick for weekend warriors or travelers with little vacation time, as well as anyone who's curious about cruising but who isn't ready to commit to an entire week on board. The vessel is also a great option for active travelers who enjoy live music and parties, and for fans of large ships who want a mix of tried-and-true favorites and the latest bells and whistles.

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First impressions: Is Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas the best Oasis Class cruise ship ever? - The Points Guy

Short cruises or not, Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas offers some of the line's best in class features on a brand new ship.

Utopia has made headlines for being Royal Caribbean's new party ship and for just offering 3- and 4-night cruises, but those tag lines overlook the things that make the ship stand out.

I sailed on a 3-night media preview sailing (full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail. I paid for the revenue sailings), followed by Utopia's first two revenue sailings in order to get a full sense of what the ship is all about. After all, there are so many activities, parties, and events happening around the ship, and I wanted to try as many as possible.

The choice to offer just short cruises to start was met with raised eyebrows by some cruise fans, but Royal Caribbean is adamant this is part of a larger strategy to appeal to first time cruisers. They want someone who has never cruised before to reconsider their land vacation and go for a cruise instead because of the fact Utopia is brand new and offers a lot.

It's hard not to be intrigued by a ship you can sail on for just the weekend and enjoy waterslides, a train simulator restaurant, late-night parties, and visits to a private island in The Bahamas.

Don't expect a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas to be just lounging around the pool and sipping pina coladas.

While you certainly could do just that, it's clear Royal Caribbean wanted Utopia to be more than a traditional cruise ship because they want to attract untraditional cruisers to give it a try.

The ship is marketed with lots of hype about it being "the world's biggest weekend", and to that effect, there's more ways to splash, party, and eat onboard.

What this translates to is Royal Caribbean has more of each of those things to do onboard, and it's the best versions of each yet.

The pool deck has been updated with a better Lime and Coconut bar that fits the look of the ship better, along with a giant aquapark, wide-open pools, and an enclosed adults-only Solarium.

The entertainment team worked overtime to come up with all sorts of new parties and events on Utopia, with a clear direction to try to bring more energy to the experience.

You'll find a silent DJ party with togas, an opportunity to play beer pong, Vegas-style pool parties, and late-night DJ experiences.

Don't worry, there's still plenty of traditional cruise activities, including karaoke, trivia, bingo, and game shows.

And then there's all the dining choices onboard. There's a new pool deck snack location to keep you going without having to go very far with the Spare Tire.

A new chef-driven Japanese restaurant has been added, while the line's Italian specialty restaurant was moved to a stunning location. And then there's the innovative immersive dining experience that makes you feel like you're on a classic train traveling through the Old West.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's immersive train experience

Big and small changes, they all combine to make Utopia stand out from not only other Royal Caribbean ships, but any ship you could go on for just a few days.

As someone that cruises a lot, I'm always drawn to what's new and different on a cruise ship. Partly for novelty, and partly because who doesn't enjoy a new shiny thing?

It's clear Royal Caribbean spent a lot of time not only coming up with brand new things to add to Utopia of the Seas, but also re-visiting established features. While Utopia may be the sixth Oasis Class ship in the fleet, she is anything but a copy-and-paste cruise ship.

Read more: Everything new and different coming to Utopia of the Seas

When you walk onto Utopia of the Seas for the first time, there's a good chance you'll see the first clear winner for favorite change, and that's the Pesky Parrot.

Not only does Pesky Parrot replace an aging Bionic Bar idea, but it brings a new bar that you'll actually want to hang out in to the ship. Cruise ship bars are a lot like being a kid in high school: it's hard for the new ones to compete with the popular ones that everyone already knows.

Before you even try a drink, you'll pick up on it's a fun place to hang out. It's bright, wide open, and so much seating that you can't help but plop down.

There's a variety of specialized pina coladas offered (try the peanut butter one), fun mugs, and the bar was busy every single day I was onboard.

The hot ticket on Utopia is the Royal Railway, which is a brand new kind of experience that is meant to wow you with how immersive it is.

In short, Royal Caribbean has designed a restaurant that looks and feels like you're on a classic train. It's much more than curtains and paint, there are digital screens, sound effects, vibrating seats, and more that all contribute to make it really feel like you're on a train.

The first show offered on Royal Railway is an Old West journey, but new shows and tastings are promised for the near-future, including a more adult-focused dinner, brunch, and wine tastings.

Speaking of dining experiences I really liked, the omakase dinner was a welcome treat.

Royal Caribbean has done sushi and hibachi for years, but they've expanded to now have a chef-driven Japanese meal. Seating just six people, it's the kind of meal anyone that loves sushi will relish.

While sushi is the focus, I enjoyed the other courses that went beyond nigiri or sashimi. It was a culinary experience I liked even more than I expected.

While the high energy pool parties are what you'll see advertised a lot, I thought the decision to have an enclosed Solarium was a great counterweight to the party pool scene.

Utopia is not the first Oasis Class ship to get an enclosed Solarium, but I'm glad they kept it. Not only does it keep it from getting too hot in the summer (or chilly in the winter), but it means you can be very comfortable and enjoy the best pool views you'll find on the ship.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I also enjoyed tried and true favorites on Utopia. While the new things may get a lot of the attention, there are lots of well-established Royal Caribbean staples on Utopia.

The Country Trio band at the Mason Jar Bar were a must watch for me every night they performed. Bryan, Jeff, and Josh are truly talented musicians, and a shining example of Royal Caribbean's dedication to live music.

Dinners at 150 Central Park, Playmakers, and Coastal Kitchen did not disappoint in the slightest, and it's why I go there to dine on most cruises.

Of course, the visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay was one in a long string of great days at Royal Caribbean's private island. It's the reason why the rest of the cruise industry has taken notice of Royal Caribbean's success there.

Across my collective 13 nights on Utopia, I tried two different cabins.

On the first sailing that Royal Caribbean invited me to, I was in an oceanview balcony cabin on deck 10.

While I think the shower in a standard cabin are superior on Icon of the Seas, I love how much storage space there is on Utopia.

There's a ton of storage space in the stateroom, and for a room meant for two people, I think it's a great choice for a room. It's probably why balcony cabins are so popular due to the fact they have just enough space, a private view, and natural light.

Once my back to back cruise on the first two revenue sailings began, I moved up to a Crown Loft Suite within the Suite Neighborhood area of the ship.

This two story giant suite has two bathrooms and comes with fabulous perks, such as complimentary drinks in the suite lounge, reserved seating at shows, and access to a restaurant just for suite guests.

While a balcony cabin is practical, a suite is simply a splurge. Having all the amenities included, along with significantly more living space is a welcome treat. It's hardly a bargain in terms of price, but I was able to see how the suite experience compared on Utopia.

Read more: Guide to Utopia of the Seas cabins and suites

In looking back, there are probably two aspects of the new ship I think can be improved.

The production shows in the Royal Theater and Studio B theater I thought didn't continue the trend of upping the ante in Royal Caribbean's ever impressive shows.

The performers were extremely talented, but it seemed like neither moved the needle as other productions show have on Royal Caribbean's recent shows, such as The Effectors on Wonder of the Seas or Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas.

Both utilized technology in impressive ways, and I loved a few of the song selections in both shows.

The other qualm I had was at Playmakers, which is an open air sports bar within the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Playmakers is great, but the lack of air conditioning made it less enjoyable than other Playmakers locations. Considering a majority of the year Florida and The Bahamas deal with stifling humidity, I thought it would have been better indoors. Or perhaps with walls/windows that can be easily opened if it's comfortable weather outside.

In the case of both these issues I found, there were plenty of passengers who were having a great time.

The weekend party is what you'll see advertised, but the truth is Utopia of the Seas has parties, just like it has things for kids, their parents, and grandparents.

I was impressed how much there is to do on this ship. For just a 3-night sailing, I think you're going to have to prioritize activities very quickly because time goes quickly and you simply cannot do it all. It's why I was happy I opted for going back again on a second sailing.

Royal Caribbean has always been a multigenerational family brand, and that doesn't change with Utopia. What has changed is how much more they're offering for those that want a party.

Royal Caribbean divulged last week one out of every two customers is a millennial or younger, and there's a clear push to offer these customers more.

But there's also lots for anyone that doesn't want a DJ, champagne gun, or toga in their future. Like a new car, I can appreciate the latest and greatest finishes even if it has features I'll never use.

My top takeaway after over a week onboard is Utopia of the Seas is just like Icon of the Seas in that it offers the very best cruise experience right now. If a weeklong cruise doesn't seem right, then Utopia is your choice. Otherwise, Icon is waiting with even more exciting things to do.

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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. - Royal...

Royal Caribbean is redefining the cruise experience with its latest addition to the Oasis Class fleet, Utopia of the Seas. Set for its maiden voyage in 2024, this innovative cruise ship brings a fresh twist to ocean travel by incorporating train-inspired elements, creating a hybrid experience that will captivate passengers. Utopia of the Seas is a floating city designed to transport guests across the ocean and through time and space. The ships most distinctive feature is the Royal Railway Utopia Station, a dining experience that simulates a train journey.

Every Royal Caribbean vacation is about memories, President and CEO Michael Bayley said during a preview voyage at the ships naming ceremony, according to USA Today. With Utopia of the Seas, we said, Lets make those moments possible for every mood, every weekend and any day of the week.'

Found on Deck 4, the Royal RailwayUtopia Station has two unique train cars that seat 24 passengers each. The station also features a classic Flipboard outside and a train platform. Guests can enjoy a 90-minute Wild West Train Trip, where vibrations simulate the feel of train tracks underfoot while screens in window panes display the ever-changing scenery of mountains and cacti. Themed menus and entertainment further enhance the experience.

Beyond the railway experience, Utopia of the Seas offers many activities and amenities across its eight distinct neighborhoods. There are 21 dining options, including the new two-story Giovannis Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. Thrill seekers will enjoy adventure activities like the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, and a zip line. Additionally, there are five pools and eight whirlpools.

Utopia of the Seas is pioneering short three- and four-night sailings, a first for Royal Caribbeans Oasis Class ships. These quick getaways will visit the lines private island destinations in the Bahamas: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

With a guest capacity of 5,668, Utopia of the Seas caters to a wide range of travelers. The new Solarium Suites provide 280-degree views at the front of the ship while connecting rooms and spacious retreats like the Ocean View Large Balcony cater to larger groups.

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Royal Caribbean's New 'Utopia Of The Seas' Ship Will Provide An Atmosphere Similar To A Train - Travel Noire

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas has many types of cabins and suites, and I booked the inaugural sailing in a Crown Loft Suite with my family.

Suites are never cheap, but they do come with perks that help make the cost more palatable. They're a luxury, and not about necessarily the best value you can find.

For the first sailing of Royal Caribbean's brand new cruise ship, I wanted a cabin for my family that had enough room for everyone, and most importantly, a second full bathroom. Plus, I wanted to be able to experience the suite amenities on the ship because we often get a lot of questions about what the suite areas are like on a new ship.

The Crown Loft Suite is a two-level suite that offers the mid-tier suite benefits, which includes access to the a private lounge, reserved seating at shows, and concierge services.

A suite on a Royal Caribbean ship will almost certainly cost significantly more than a balcony room, especially on a brand new ship like Utopia of the Seas.

I booked the cabin on the day Royal Caribbean opened bookings up for Utopia, and it cost $10,784.52 for the four of us on the inaugural 3-night cruise.

To put that in comparison, two people in an oceanview balcony guarantee cabin on the same sailing cost $2223.

One big thing you'll notice quickly about a suite is just how much space you get.

That oceanview balcony cabin I compared earlier is nearly 4 times smaller than the Crown Loft Suite, and has one less bathroom.

Cruise ship cabins are notoriously small to begin with, so a suite is one way you could spread out and not feel as cramped.

In addition to the 670 square feet of living space, you get an additional 105 square foot balcony.

The balcony comes with two plus chairs and ottomans, which are great for lounging. There's a small table too, so you can order room service to be delivered right to your balcony.

The extra large balcony space means everyone can fit on it for sailaway, or even have friends come to visit.

One thing someone new to cruising might notice is how much smaller cruise ship cabins are compared to hotel rooms. With a suite, that's not much of an issue.

The lower level has a living room with couch, large screen television, chairs, and even a dining room table that can seat four.

The couch can be opened up to become a bed, meaning two more people can sleep there.

We had a bottle of champagne waiting for us upon entry into the suite as a welcome gift on the wet bar, and it's where you can store all your drinks.

While the suite does not include drinks as part of the cost, if you bring any drinks back to the room, you can store them there. This is true of the complimentary Crown and Anchor beverages we receive as part of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program benefits.

There's also a complimentary coffee machine you can use.

On the upper level is the master bedroom, which overlooks the lower level.

There's a privacy curtain that you can extend to not only section off the master bedroom, but also make it darker.

The television descends from the ceiling and can retract with the push of a button.

Suites have large bathrooms, including a shower and a tub. This is a favorite feature for many why they upgrade to a suite.

There's only one mirror and sink (some of the bigger suites have two in their master bathroom), but there's enough counter space for two people's toiletries.

I booked this particular suite over other suites because it has a full second bathroom.

Located on the lower level near the entrance, it's great for whomever is sleeping on the lower level. Or if you're planning to entertain in your suite, another place for guests to use instead of your bathroom.

There's more closet and storage space than you'll find on most cruise ships, and certainly more than enough space for a short weekend cruise.

The master bedroom closet has two sliding doors to provide lots of hangers, in addition to shelves recessed inside the closet.

The closet is also where you'll find the safe.

Next to the closet is a vanity with large mirror.

Cruise ships have finally gotten the memo that passengers want to be able to easily plug-in their devices without having to buy special adaptors.

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

Equally impressive is you can control the room television, curtains, and air conditioning from the Royal Caribbean app. There are physical controls too, but I loved being able to open the blinds from my bed with my phone.

While the suite is impressive, it comes with even better amenities that I think are what justify the cost for a lot of cruisers.

Here's a list of the top Sky Class benefits:

The suite lounge and suite sun deck are the best amenities, given how much value they provide.

I think the suite sun deck on Utopia of the Seas (and Wonder of the Seas) is Royal Caribbean's best suite sun deck on any ship. There's a bar, seating in the sun and shade, and a terrific pool to cool down in. It's rarely busy, and a favorite spot to do work from.

Moreover, the suite concierge can do a lot, especially pre-cruise. They can book show and dining reservations before you get onboard, and they are very helpful with billing issues.

Sky Class suites come with a complimentary one-device internet package for everyone in the suite, which saves a couple hundred dollars for a family.

It's undoubtedly a steep cost to stay in one of these suites, but having a full second bathroom and the array of Sky Class benefits was a lovely way to cruise with my family.

I booked this suite partly because I wanted to have a stateroom with enough space for my family, and partly because I wanted to experience the suite options on Royal Caribbean's newest ship.

The combination of sailing on a brand new ship and on its inaugural voyage meant I was never going to get a low price on the fare, so bargain hunters will likely never see the value in this booking.

Ultimately, I think it's a good choice for a family or friends looking to stay in a cabin with upgraded amenities and a second bathroom. Plus, the location on deck 18 was very convenient to the ship's Suite Neighborhood.

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$10,000 Luxury Suite on Royal Caribbean's New Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship: Review - Royal Caribbean Blog

For many people, a cruise is a real commitment. Ranging from a four to five-day experience to an expedition lasting a few weeks, setting sail is rarely seen as a light jaunt. But it can be.

I learned this firsthand as Royal Caribbean debuted its latest behemoth of a vessel among its fleet of almost 30 ships, titled the Utopia of the Seas, setting sail from Port Canaveral in Orlando, Fla and reaching the Bahamas. What sets it apart from other offerings is that its meant to provide the ultimate getaway for people who want to, for example, set sail for the weekend and be back in time, and refreshed, to go to work on Monday. Get in, have fun, and get off without breaking the bank.

The different people I spoke to had diverse thoughts on who the cruise was most catered to. I heard about attracting young travelers from some and also that the cruise is a must for families from the head honcho himself.

This is an unbelievable experience thats really focused on the multigenerational family with multiple neighborhoods, said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, during a press briefing on day two. Each neighborhood does an incredible job of pleasing different segments. Its a stunning product.

He added, We feel like this product, which weve curated and created, is perfect for families, particularly for young families. We feel like its really going to do a great job.

I traveled with my own young family, including my husband and two kiddos under four. We did plenty together, including enjoying the fare at Windjammer Cafe, playing skeeball and basketball at the arcade on the Boardwalk, going for walks through Central Park, and getting shriveled up like a prune after hanging in the wave pool and in the waters at Thrill Waterpark on CocoCay for hours.

Still, I thought the best way to tell you about what the cruise has to offer, as people of different backgrounds and desires, would be for me to walk just about the entirety of the ship to get the inside scoop. What is there to see and do in three nights?

The answer? A lot. I strapped on my new cushy Crocs and walked up and down the Utopia on our second day as my family relaxed in our cabin (which has a great pullout couch that becomes a cozy bed for kids and has a bit more room than what we had on Icon by the way). At the top of the ship are some exclusive sites for those who are lucky to have access to Utopias spacious Solarium suites. But as I made my way down the ship, using a combination of stairs (bedecked in gorgeous artwork) and fast-acting elevators, I took in a number of excellent offerings.

For seafood lovers, theres Hooked Seafood, which, per the menu, offers everything from mussels, surf & turf, ceviche, lobster rolls, and more (including a tasty kids menu). The Mason Jar, which has some red velvet pancakes, fried chicken and waffles, jalapeno cornbread, and other Southern-inspired tastes, looked to be the place to be for brunch. Izumi in the Park is for hibachi grill lovers who want sushi, fried rice, ramen, and crispy, flavorful appetizers.

A new spot delivering bites to go is The Spare Tire, a food truck with sandwiches, flatbreads, and delectable desserts. And then theres Chops Grille, which my husband and I loved immensely. The place, per its name, is an Americana steakhouse, and we couldnt get enough of the crispy goat cheese salad (with green apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and balsamic dressing spectacular, I tell you), the organic roasted chicken served with au jus and the grilled branzino with sauteed spinach. The sides of grilled asparagus, yukon gold mashed potatoes, and sauteed mushrooms were the cherry on top. And the kids enjoyed their grilled salmon with a side of fries, of course.

Hungry late at night? There is a clutch pizza joint on deck 5 called Sorrentos that serves complimentary New York-style slices all night long. It hits the spot when your palate is craving something, anything, at 11 p.m. The only place I really wanted to check out that I couldnt that received rave reviews is the new Royal Railway Station on deck four. Its said to be an immersive dining experience that, through some cool technology, presents the old Wild West all around you as you dine in booths designed as classic train cars. Ill be sure to reserve a spot next sailing!

There are also top-notch bars offering delicious concoctions, both mocktails and cocktails, by the way. I was blown away at the brand new spot, Pesky Parrot, by the Tiki Mosa, which was a blend of pineapple rum, lime, and orange juice with passion fruit, orgeat syrup, and sparkling wine. It was fantastic. My husband enjoyed a frozen cocktail there. Every drink I had during my three-night experience was a great blend of flavor without the alcohol overpowering it. That includes the margarita I got at our cabana at Thrill Island at CocoCay, and a mystery cocktail in a goblet that, unfortunately, I cant remember during the media meetup (Sorry!).

People also love Bell & Barley, the cruise ships take on an English pub, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade on the Boardwalk of deck six, The Lime and the Coconut, a massive bar for pool partygoers on deck 15, and more. I was fond of the lounge Spotlight Karaoke on deck five, where brave guests would get on stage and sing their hearts out in front of a room of spectators, including some grabbing a drink at the spots bar. After singing along with an off-key performance of Marios Let Me Love You and a pretty fantastic rendition of Evanescences My Immortal, I moved on to see other things. (The space was so welcoming, though, one guest I peeped was there from the early afternoon to the end of the night, singing country classics. As the story goes, shes still there)

As for the entertainment, it was very hard to be bored on a ship with eight neighborhoods and so many things to engage in, including live music, ziplining, parties, and shows (including scavenger hunts, Friendly Feud, and AquaTheater featuring a soundtrack from the 80s). I got caught up at the Arcade on deck 16 (the Bop It game had me in a chokehold, honestly), but for the ultimate all-in-one experience, I would definitely recommend deck five.

There were countless things there, and it was the first deck we actually experienced when we boarded the ship. There are shops, bars, including my beloved Pesky Parrot, a Starbucks to help revive the weary, karaoke, as mentioned at Spotlight, and a running track for fitness enthusiasts. If you go there in the late evening, you can enjoy a drink, consider buying a vintage Louis Vuitton wallet at one of the shops, and watch people dance in the center of the ship to tunes while staff throw a party for guests.

I just happened to be present for one that moved to the fourth floor (which also houses an impressively sized casino, a colorful art gallery, and The Attic, a comedy spot). There, in Studio B, the ship threw an even bigger dance party called Rezolution that brought out hold on to your own signature hat Rev Run of Run DMC fame to help the DJ spin classic hip-hop, dancehall, reggaeton, pop, and Hot 100 hits. I danced with the crowds until I realized I didnt get a nap in to allow me to hang past 1:30 a.m. But boy, did I have a time!

As for resources for all kinds of travelers, I saw plenty of people shuffling in and out of the Vitality Spa & Salon on deck six, where massages, beauty services, and facials were provided. I was personally grateful for the Aventure Ocean youth program on deck 14. There sat a nursery for my youngest son, equipped with trained, friendly caretakers who had Ms. Rachel going, and a junior spot for my four-year-old where kiddos played, enjoyed story time, and kept one another entertained. The hangout for tweens was packed! There is also the Social 100 space on deck 16 with video games for teens to enjoy while parents explore the ship.

Lastly, what is there to say about the perfect day at CocoCay that hasnt already been said over the years? The island is beautiful. Friendly staff on the ground in the Bahamas keep it pristine, raking sand and keeping cabanas and beach chairs cozy while helping guests find their way.

There are so many ways to enjoy the waterpark, including by testing your luck on Daredevils Peak, checking out the winding Twister slide, or hanging out with adults only at the new Hideaway Beach. Kick it in Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, snorkel at Chill Island, or frolic with your kids on the slides at Splashaway Bay. And the waters are stunning in their blue hues, so if you just want to get in the ocean, you can. You just have to get back on the boat by 4:30 p.m.

Overall, the likelihood of a person getting to experience every aspect of the 16 guest decks (there are 18 in total) and all of CocoCay in three to four days is not the strongest. But thats the point, right? For you to create the experience you want to have. What you are able to do, which you can choose based on your interests and time, will certainly leave you wanting to try out another weekend getaway at sea asap. There is truly a good time to be had for those with young families, for those just looking for a chance to have fun with itinerary options provided for them, and for solo travelers seeking a quick trip to the Caribbean and back, with plenty of good food, entertainment, and merriment along the way. While the Utopia of the Seas is massive, what it can provide in a limited amount of time still manages to make it a very inviting ship, and the best place to be for a light vacay this summer, this fall, and all year round.

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Royal Caribbean Has Curated The Perfect Three-Night Cruise With Its Latest Ship, Utopia Of The Seas - Essence

Paganis peers may be moving towards electrification, but the Italian marque has no intention of changing lanes anytime soon.

The automaker unveiled its latest hypercar, the Utopia, on Monday. The companys third distinct model isnt equipped with an electrified powertrain. Instead, it features the same kind of internal combustion engine thats been in all the brands vehiclesa monstrously powerful V-12.

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Paganis latest shares a name with Thomas Mores 1516 book Utopia. The slim tome was the philosopher and statesmans attempt to imagine an ideal world, where people lived together in peace and harmony. The automotive Utopia is theboutique automakers founder Horacio Paganis attempt to design and build the ideal hypercar. To that end, he surveyed some of his most valued customers to find out what they felt was missing from their vehicles. Three things kept coming up: simplicity, lightness and pleasure of driving.

And based on what weve seen so far, it seems like the brand was listening. The Utopia doesnt look wildly dissimilar from its predecessors, the Zonda and Huayra, but its easily the brands most streamlined effort yet. It still looks like a futuristic racecar, with its bubble cockpit and giant fenders, but theres a smoothnessand an attendant lack of ornamentationthat sets it apart. These subtle changes result in a car thats more elegant and aerodynamic than the brands past offerings.

Butterfly doors open to reveal a cabin that is as bold as its lightweight carbon-fiber exterior. Theres a nice retro-futuristic feel to the space, with the brand opting for individual analog gauges and dials rather than a massive touchscreen infotainment display atop the center stackthough there is a digital display in the drivers cockpit next to the speedometer. The steering wheel has also been fashioned from a single aluminum block.

Powering the Utopia is an AMG-sourced 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-12. The beastly mill can be mated to either a 7-speed manual or 7-speed automated manual transmission. Whichever gearbox you opt for, itll deliver 852 horses and 811 ft lbs of twist to the rear wheels. All that grunt rides on a set of striking alloy wheels21 inches on the front axles, 22 inches on the rearthat have turbine vanes that help cool the brakes. We dont know what kind of numbers youll be able to put up in the car just yet, but the automaker says its powerplant is clean enough to meet even Californias stringent emission standards.

The hypercar also features a monocoque chassis made from Carbo-Titanium, a unique mixture of composite and high-strength metal that was developed by Pagani, as well as front and rear subframes made from chrome alloy. Its also equipped with a quad exhaust, a double-wishbone suspension and carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the back. Pagani has done everything it can to reduce excess weight wherever possible, resulting in a car that tips the scales at just 2,822 pounds.

Pagani plans to build just 99 examples of the Utopia. The automaker hasnt announced a price or timetable for the vehicle, but Car and Driver reports that the entire production run is already spoken for. We imagine at least a couple of those vehicles will end up on the auction block at some point in the not-so-distant future. Just be prepared to spend well into six figures for one.

Clickhereto see all of the photos of the Pagani Utopia.

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Pagani's New Utopia Is an Ode to Old-School Hypercars With a V-12 and Manual Transmission - Yahoo Canada Shine On

TRIPPING ON UTOPIA: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science, by Benjamin Breen

Halfway through Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science," the historian Benjamin Breen presents a tantalizing hypothetical, one that would have had an inestimable impact on culture, medicine and perhaps the whole of civilization had it come to pass: What if, in the mid-1950s, Margaret Mead had publicly endorsed psychedelics?

Its not as outrageous a proposition as it may sound. The pioneering anthropologist made studying LSD something close to her full-time job in the summer of 1954. Though we dont know about her own experience with the drug, Mead was surrounded by researchers and users who enthused about the nonaddictive, liberatory, insight-generating potential of acid and mescaline, and she had written about the curative properties of peyote two decades prior while studying the Omaha people.

These natural drugs were new to the white West, and LSD was new to the entire world, having been (accidentally) discovered by a Swiss chemist in 1943, so these substances were free of criminalization and stigma. Meads blessing might have created a climate in which they still would be.

Tripping on Utopia makes the convincing case that Mead and her cohort were key players in the first wave of psychedelic science, which began not in the 1960s but in the 1920s. Timothy Leary and the baby boomers did not usher in the first psychedelic era, Breen writes. They ended it.

Meads interest in psychedelics stemmed from her lifelong quest to find a way to help humanity design peaceful, culturally diverse societies full of self- actualized individuals in essence, a utopia. For her, the dream only intensified during World War II and the Cold War, when the specter of nuclear apocalypse (and the less totalizing yet still nefarious psychochemical warfare) loomed.

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Book Review: Tripping on Utopia, by Benjamin Breen - The New York Times

In her brief time as a movie star, Cynthia Erivo has already made a lot of big films. Before the SAG-AFTRA strike began, she was in production on Universals two-part blockbuster Wicked, now on pause. She got her first Oscar nomination for playing Harriet Tubman in the eponymous 2019 biopic from Kasi Lemmons. She first made her name in Hollywood as a scene-stealer in major studio projects like Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale. But now that the Broadway starbest known for her Tony-winning turn in *The Color Purple*has done all that, shes increasingly turning her attention to passion projects as she develops the cachet to help get them off the ground.

Enter Drift, a poignant, stark character study that marks Erivos screen debut as a producer and one of her most impressive screen performances to date. Set and shot in Greece, its an uncompromising indie that was not made under a SAG contract, permitting Erivo to promote the project. Following a strong Sundance premiere, its launching a scrappy awards campaign via distributor Utopia. (The film will have a qualifying 2023 release before breaking wide theatrically in January 2024.) Erivo plays a Liberian refugee processing her traumatic past as she tries building her new life in Greece; the movie stays close to her perspective, demanding of its star a quiet, warts-and-all portrayal. And thats in addition to both her active producing duties and her bonus contribution of the moving original song It Would Be, which closes the film. (Erivo was also Oscar-nominated for cowriting Stand Up, Harriets original song.)

As Drift inches closer to its release, the films individualized portrait of wars impact and the scars it leaves seems to resonate more by the day, particularly amid the rapidly intensifying Israel-Gaza conflict. For Erivo, the painful timing fits for a film that she hopes speaks authentically and humanely to the refugee experienceto the micro effects of macro conflicts. In pulling out one person, you get to understand that each person you look at isnt just experiencing the same thingthey are all going through their own separate experiences and pain and loss, Erivo says on this weeks Little Gold Men (listen below). Being able to focus on one person allows us to see the whole a little bit clearer.

Vanity Fair: How are you thinking about this movie right now?

Cynthia Erivo: When you do these things, you dont know how relevant theyll be or how much of an effect theyll make. I just knew that when I was making it, I read it and it was beautiful, and I desperately wanted to give voice to those people who wouldnt necessarily even be noticed. And with everything thats happening today, right now its really important for people to take a look at those who you might not realize are going through things that we could never even imagine. The fact that theyre still standing or even making an effort to move forward every day is a freaking miracle.

Given that current resonance, in the research of this character, what did you learn about that experience that was important to you to bring forward?

The thing that I really felt was important was to make sure that we didnt lose her humanity, we didnt lose the will that she had to live, and we didnt lose her dignity. My mother was an immigrant. She came over from Nigeria and she was also a part of the Biafran War. The thing that we dont get to see when these people are portrayed on film or TV is dignity. Yes, we see their circumstance, we see what theyre going through, we see how much they need, but we lose the fact that they still are people who want to present themselves in a certain way. The wonderful thing about Jacqueline is that she still wants to present. She still wants to be as together as she possibly can with whatever little that she has.

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Cynthia Erivo's Stark New Film Is Already More Relevant Than She ... - Vanity Fair

By PABLO Y. MENDEZ Sheridan High School Student

This column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School dual-credit program students and Human Services teacher Abby Williams.

Throughout the year of 2023, there have been many great artists releasing new music for people to listen to and enjoy.

However, many of these artists lack an important factor that the bigger, more popular mainstream artists have. They lack the ability to move the needle as they call it. They lack the ability to make an impact and elevate the status of the music industry. They dont have the innate skill to push the boundaries of what music is and can be. While many of these artists have released enjoyable music filled with quality, none of them have been able to create an important moment in time.

There have been many great attempts throughout the year, with some examples being Logics album, College Park which is a Hip-Hop album filled with passion and great storytelling, or Lil Uzi Verts The Pink Tape, which is a fun, extravagant take on Rap and Rock music, or Daniel Caesars romantic ballads with beautiful melodies on an R&B album such as Never Enough.

While many of these albums are great and enjoyable, none of them were able to last in the conversation for too long. None of them made an impact strong enough to make other artists aware of the growing competition in terms of music.

However, in what many consider to be a slow year for big-name releases, an artist known as Travis Scott made his long-awaited return. After being away from the spotlight for five years after his massive 2018 release of Astroworld, an album which many consider to be a modern trap classic, Travis Scott returned with his long-awaited album Utopia.

Utopia was released on July 28, 2023. It was a massive night in the music industry. The album was the first of the year to reach 500,000 first-week sales. It broke streaming records, becoming one of the most streamed albums on all music platforms; so far it has been the only album this year to push the narrative further and move the needle.

Utopia is a dark psychedelic experience infused with advanced, yet dirty industrial sounds that make the listening experience one to remember for any music fan.

Songs like Hyaena with hardcore drums and an exceptional rapping performance, songs like Fe!n with cinematic and grandiose synths, or a song like Telekinesis with psychedelic vocal inflections are all examples of what makes Utopia the album the best of the year and one of the best of the decade so far.

Travis Scotts Utopia is regarded as the best album of the year by many fans and critics alike and it has so far been an album that has most definitely moved the needle.

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Why Travis Scott's Utopia is the Album of the Year - Hamilton County Reporter

Perched on top of her fridge with a bucket hat, cowboy boots, and an acoustic guitar, Adrianne Lenker, lead singer and songwriter of Indiefolk band Big Thief, belts out a verse from the bands recent single Vampire Empire, an emotionally explosive track that details a toxic love gone bad like expired milk.

Swinging her boots, rocking back and forth to the rhythm with eyes closed, Lenker appears blind to the neurotic chaos that floods the TikTok comments. GET DOWN FROM THERE AND GET IN THE STUDIO, reads a comment with over three thousand likes. I love big thief (you have 48 hours to release this) says another amusing (but also ominous) comment. For over a year, the band has played the song live on their Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You tour, and even performed it live on Colbert, which only added more fuel to the songs flaming popularity as a TikTok sound.

Over the summer, fans overwhelmed the comments sections of each new social media post with desperate pleas for the songs release. But when the song finally got an official release on July 19 this summer, fans were upset for another reason.

In the studio version, Lenker removes the lyrics in a row from the line, I walked into your dagger for the last time in a row / It's like trying to start a fire with matches in the snow. The rhyme is now gone. She also took out the line I'm the fish and she's my gills from the chorus, a TikTok audio favorite. The lyrical changes, along with new drums and the removal of a flute melody, caused a fight among fans either defending the studio version or hating it because of changes from the beloved demo. Artists need to start understanding that their music isn't for them," says the onscreen text from a TikTok video by user @bubbledbongwater. "We pay for presales, we pay for tickets, we pay for your merch.

With modern social media giving fans the ability to easily share and discuss unreleased music, leak obsession has created a toxic relationship between artists and fans, where fans now feel entitled to receive the music they want when they want it, regardless of the artists feelings.

Although leak obsession has now spread to all corners of music social media, the phenomenon is most well known as being associated with the online hiphop community. Artists like Playboi Carti have a long history of leaked songs that have either never been released or were significantly altered before release. Over sixteen songs originally planned to appear on Cartis 2020 album Whole Lotta Red, dubbed v1 in online forums like r/playboicarti, were uploaded to the internet by leakers in the months following the release of Die Lit on May 11, 2018.

Because of the leaks, which like Vampire Empire gained a massive amount of plays through illegal streaming on sites like SoundCloud, Carti decided to scrap the entire album. When an almost completely new version of Whole Lotta Red was finally released two years later, on Christmas of 2020, fans, upset that they didnt get the original version of the album, were quick to spread negative comments and declare the album mid. It wasnt until months later when footage of Cartis electric performance of the album at Rolling Loud went viral on YouTube that fans started to see past the leaks and respect Cartis artistic vision for the album.

With leaks now posing a serious threat to the release and reception of albums, some artists like Travis Scott have started to fight back against leak culture. Before Scott released his highly anticipated album UTOPIA earlier this July, the rapper was photographed in multiple locations with his bodyguard handcuffed to a leather briefcase labeled Utopiain this case, a hard drive storing the unreleased album. On a practical level, storing the album on a hard drive instead of in the cloud helps prevent online leaks, but the handcuffed briefcase also sends a clear message to fans: Travis Scott is in control. Among other examples, Scotts UTOPIA rollout signals a growing desire among artists to take back control of their music in the age of internet leaks.

In an Instagram post accompanying the official release of Vampire Empire, Big Thief comments to their fans: The live version you may prefer exists and now another version exists. We werent gonna go into the studio and try to replicate what we played on Colbert plus theres no way it wouldve been the same, because songs are vessels for the expressions of our present selves, and not highly manicured concoctions polished to be consumed based on demand.

Fans need to understand that music is not just a commodity created for their enjoyment, but also an art and a means of selfexpression, and artists should have control over how they express themselves, whether that means changing lyrics or releasing a song at a later time.

Social media algorithms, like TikTok, promote negativity to drive engagement, which creates consistently hatefilled comment sections. Growing tensions between artists and their fans are just one unfortunate side effect of this wider issue that is perpetuated by profitseeking tech companies. Hopefully, in the future before they start an argument in the comments, fans will consider: Is this worth it? If they can learn to navigate social media, and understand that unreleased music is art in progress, then maybe artists and fans can have a less toxic relationship than the lovers in Vampire Empire."

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Vampire Empire and the Toxicity of Leak Culture - 34th Street Magazine