Royal Caribbean International held a naming ceremony for Utopia of the Seas featuring musical performances from godmother Meghan Trainor and Rev Run from Run-DMC.
The ship, the sixth vessel in the line’s Oasis Class, hosted trade guests and journalists for the ceremony at Port Canaveral in Florida yesterday (Monday).
Royal Caribbean Group president and chief executive Jason Liberty said the aim in building the ship was to create “a utopian playground on the ocean which delivers the perfect short getaways and the ultimate vacation experiences”.
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He noted the ship’s “complicated” design featured “enough cable to wrap around the planet twice”, adding that the vessel took more than 10 million working hours to finish.
Grammy Award-winning Trainor, who performed her hit ‘All About That Bass’, said she was honoured to be the ship’s godmother.
“This is a bucket-list moment,” she added. “This is a dream come true.”
The ceremony, compèred by the ship’s cruise director Katy McCullagh, also featured bagpipers, a performance from the AquaTheatre cast, blessings from a rabbi and a pastor and DJ set delivered by DJ Ruckus and Rev Run.
Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Michael Bayley told guests: “Welcome to the party that never ends. You will leave this ship exhausted in a couple of days. You’re going to party all weekend.”
The ship, which has a capacity of 5,668 passengers, will follow an itinerary incorporating a visit to Royal Caribbean Group’s private island in The Bahamas – Perfect Day at CocoCay, one of the Berry Islands.
The first official sailing is on Friday, July 19.
Picture: Meghan Trainor at the naming ceremony for Utopia of the Seas