By Amanda Mesa | Published on April 19, 2024
It's no big secret that cruising is one of the most convenient options for a family vacation. Most major cruise lines cater to families, featuring ships that offer all kinds of fun activities, entertainment and even family suites designed to give everyone plenty of room to unwind comfortably. But with so many cruise lines and ships to choose from, how do you narrow down your search and find one that checks all your boxes for an unforgettable escape?
Take it from a seasoned traveler: One of the top options out there right now is Utopia of the Seas℠. The newest Oasis Class ship is loaded from bow to stern with adrenaline-amping attractions like the longest slide at sea, plenty of complimentary and specialty dining options to please the most finicky of eaters and spectacular, family-friendly entertainment to light up every night of your sailing. This ship is also home to one of the most jaw-dropping accommodations on the ocean — the sprawling Ultimate Family Suite with its own karaoke and cinema room and an in-room slide. What's more, Utopia of the Seas℠ emphasizes three- and four-night getaways, making it easy for families to make memories even if they only have a few days to spend on an escape.
Read on for everything you need to know to have the best family vacation on this latest addition to the Oasis Class.
Plenty For Families To Do During The Day
OOasis Class ships are known for their standout onboard attractions, and Utopia of the Seas℠ brings back lots of guest favorites — in a bigger and better way. The ship is home to the Ultimate Abyss℠, rising 10 stories with zoom boosters and transparent racing windows and qualifying as the longest dry slide at sea. At The Perfect Storm, you'll also find the Supercell℠ and dual racer slides Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠, the latter filled with pulse-pounding twists and turns that will have both parents and kids shrieking with excitement.
If you've read my previous reporting on cruises, you may remember that my favorite place to hang out on any cruise ship is poolside. So when I found out that Utopia of the Seas℠ offers one of the boldest pool scenes in the fleet, it quickly climbed the ranks on my "top ships" list. There are a whopping five pools on board — two resort-style and one with a sloping beach entry on the top deck. This is where families will find most of the action, including reggae bands and impromptu pool parties that guests of all ages will love. Then there's the adults-only Solarium pool (more my vibe), where guests aged 16 and older can chill with plenty of room to lounge and bubbly whirlpools affording breathtaking views. The Solarium pool even has its own bar, so grown-ups can enjoy all their favorite vacation libations just steps away.
If you and your fam want a little extra privacy and space, you can reserve one of the ship's casitas. Each of these poolside cabanas comes with exclusive attendant service, delivering snacks and sips directly to you.
In addition to an epic pool scene and adrenaline-amping slides, Utopia of the Seas℠ boasts an iconic FlowRider® surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls, a zip line that soars across the ship's Boardwalk® neighborhood and a fun, all-ages mini golf course, Aqua Dunes. All of these attractions are complimentary for guests, so you can pack every day at sea with thrill-filled adventures for free.
Exclusive Play Spaces For Teens And Kids
Knowing a cruise ship offers dedicated kids' clubs or childcare programs can be a huge deal for traveling families — including mine, as I remember feeling bored as a kid on vacation with my parents and their grown-up friends. When my husband and I travel with couples who have small children or teens, it's nice to know we can still enjoy some adult time on board while the littles have a blast hanging out with guests their own age in a safe, supervised environment.
Utopia of the Seas℠ offers the cruise line's award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, which provides full days of supervised activities and entertainment for kids aged three through 11 — all complimentary to cruise guests. Cruisers bringing babies along can take advantage of the Royal Babies and Tots℠ Nursery, offering care for the littlest guests for a fee. And if you're cruising with teens, they'll be happy to know this larger-than-life ship has a swanky cool hangout with daily programming (think disco parties and game nights) they can experience with others in their cohort.
Yet another thrilling space for kids on board Utopia of the Seas℠ is the Wonder Playscape, which features slides, climbing walls, puzzles and other interactive features for kiddos. The space was completely reimagined for this ship, so you can expect surprises even if you've experienced the Wonder Playscape on board another ship in the past.
Restaurants To Please Every Palate
Foodies, rejoice! Utopia of the Seas℠ goes big and bold on flavors, no matter what you or your kids are in the mood for. You'll find more than 20 unique dining venues on board, including brand-new concepts. At the Windjammer, you and your family will have over 200 incredible dishes to choose from every night of your sailing, not to mention delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch options, totally free of charge. The casual restaurant has more than 1,000 seats, so you never need to worry about snagging a table for you and your crew.
Two of my other favorite free restaurants are Sorrento's Pizza, an open-late spot that serves up perfection by the slice, and Dog House, known for its yummy artisanal brats piled with all your favorite toppings. If you're a brunch lover like me, you'll find plenty to rave about at The Mason Jar, a Southern-inspired specialty restaurant that highlights hearty eats from the bayou and the Low Country. Standouts include crispy chicken paired with fluffy waffles, decadent cinnamon rolls, smoky BBQ and incredible lobster and crawfish gumbo. Brunch here steals the show, though you can also chow down at dinnertime and late at night — The Mason Jar is open until 1 a.m.
If you're looking to plan the perfect date night, all you have to do is head to Central Park®. The Trellis Bar there is great for enjoying pre-dinner sips, from cocktails to fine wines and bubbly. This leafy, lush neighborhood is home to some of the ship's top specialty restaurants, including Chops Grille℠, an elegant steakhouse that provides a great backdrop for special occasion dinners like birthdays and anniversaries.
For an elevated family dinner, try Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. This chic specialty restaurant emphasizes rustic Italian dishes, many served family-style. From tender osso buco to cheesy lasagna and kid-friendly pizzas, everything on the menu is exemplary. Prefer to keep dinner a little more casual but still want to dial it up? Hooked Seafood℠ — a laid-back yet stylish specialty dining venue delivering an authentic taste of the New England coast — is a wonderful option. Among my favorites are their Maryland crab cakes and creamy Maine lobster rolls.
Wow-Worthy Evening Entertainment
The fun doesn't stop when the sun sets on board Utopia of the Seas℠. This ship keeps the good times going strong long after dark, with spectacular shows every night of your sailing. At the AquaTheater, the deepest pool at sea, guests can watch as world-class divers dazzle with deck-defying acrobatics, stunts and synchronized swimming. The ice-skating shows are just as awe-inspiring, featuring a talented team of figure skaters that will wow you with their dizzying spins and graceful jumps. And of course, you can look forward to incredible Broadway-style musicals in the ship's main theater, performed every evening for your family's viewing pleasure.
All onboard shows are complimentary — they're one of many things included in your cruise fare. All you have to do is reserve your seats in advance via the Cruise Planner app or on board at the box office. This will ensure you can snag seats for everyone in your party in the same row or section.
If you're cruising with adults or planning to take advantage of the ship's convenient evening childcare options so you can enjoy a night out on deck, you'll find plenty of bars and venues to keep you occupied into the wee hours. My favorite spot for dancing is Boleros, a Latin-themed nightclub. Hosting a live band every night that delivers a hip-swinging medley of sultry salsa, samba and merengue classics, Boleros also mixes legendary mojitos.
If you prefer a concert, head to Music Hall, where incredible cover bands command the stage, giving you plenty of inspiration to bust a move. And at The Attic, you can indulge in late-night belly laughs. This cozy, adults-only comedy club showcases a rotating lineup of fabulous stand-up comedians, from slapstick pros to unrivaled pun-masters. Maybe karaoke is a cornerstone of your identity, as it is for me? You won't want to miss out on Utopia's Spotlight℠ Karaoke — a lively spot that lets you belt out your favorite hits in front of a full house, or book a private room for a more intimate concert with friends or family.
Staterooms Designed For Families Of All Kinds
In addition to the incredible onboard activities and restaurants Utopia of the Seas℠ offers cruisers of all ages, the ship's accommodations show a clear family focus. There are staterooms on board to suit groups and families of all kinds, including plenty of options for connecting rooms. You can take your pick of spacious staterooms with stunning views and upgraded amenities, like a sprawling Ocean View Large Balcony or an Ultra Spacious Ocean View Balcony.
If you're traveling with older teens or exclusively adults and want to stay close to the Solarium, consider a Solarium Suite — a new suite category only available on Utopia of the Seas℠. Each Solarium Suite features 280-degree views from the ship's uppermost levels, as well as all of the experience-enhancing perks that come with Royal Suite Class Star status, including unique amenities, expanded access to suites-only parts of the ship and surprises curated by your very own Royal Genie.
That said, the crown jewel of staterooms and suites on board Utopia of the Seas℠ is without a doubt the ship's Ultimate Family Suite. This sprawling hideaway includes three huge bedrooms that can accommodate up to 10 guests, plus an in-suite cinema and karaoke station, a corner balcony with a private whirlpool, table tennis, spectacular views and even a two-story slide that young ones (and the young at heart) will love.
Whether you're traveling with a baby, kids, teens or the extended family, Utopia of the Seas℠ makes coordinating family vacations stress-free.
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