Agents who sailed on Utopia of the Seas for the naming event have spoken to Travel Weekly about their favourite elements of the new ship.
The sixth vessel in Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis Class hosted godmother Meghan Trainor alongside trade partners and journalists for a three-night sailing from Port Canaveral, taking in the line’s private island in the Bahamas.
The UK agents said they were very impressed with the 5,668-passenger ship and suggested they would be able to sell it to clients interested in combining it with a land-based holiday in Orlando.
Bolsover Cruise Club chief operations officer Katie Wilson said: “I sailed on Oasis-class ships as a teenager, so coming on Utopia of the Seas was like coming back to a familiar feeling, but it’s a hugely upgraded version.
“It’s just amazing – it’s a ship for everyone. It’s got so much to do that you’re never going to get it all done in one weekend. You’re going to have to come back and do a second weekend.”
Creative Travel Company cruise specialist Olivia Cairns highlighted the entertainment as among the standout aspects, describing the AquaTheatre performance as “out of this world”.
She added: “I’d never sailed with Royal Caribbean before. You’ve got an idea of what you think it’s going to be, then you come on board and it’s more than you could ever imagine. It’s completely immense – there’s something for everybody, whether you’re a couple, a family or a multigenerational family. It’s the perfect family getaway.”
More: Royal Caribbean holds naming ceremony for Utopia of the Seas
Paul Frost, commercial and product lead at The Cruise Line, said he was particularly impressed with new dining experience ‘Royal Railway’.
“I think it’s a phenomenal idea and it will be fantastic for couples and families,” he added.
Oasis Travel head of cruise Alison Hamilton praised the atmosphere in Central Park and described the entertainment and nightlife as “brilliant”.
She added: “This is much better value for families and couples than booking two or three nights in a premium hotel in Orlando and this is so much better than a premium hotel.”
Mark Henderson, head of specialist product at Dnata Travel in the UK, said: “This is my first experience of Royal Caribbean, and Utopia of the Seas has blown expectations out the water.”
He said there was a “place for everyone” on the ship, contrasting the “serenity of Central Park” with the “tranquillity of the Solarium”.