This Cruise Ship Is Called the “World’s Biggest Weekend” — and It’s Surprisingly Great for All Ages

I’d only sailed once before on a weekend cruise from my home port of Long Beach down to Ensenada, Mexico, and back. The experience hadn’t left me eager to sail again, especially as a traveler who prefers the freedom to tailor her own itinerary. Still, I was excited (dare I say, giddy) as I stepped onto the second largest cruise ship in the world in Port Canaveral, Florida.

“It feels like Las Vegas,” I overheard another passenger say between sips of complimentary Champagne as we stepped into the Royal Promenade, one of eight onboard neighborhoods and the place where every passenger starts their journey aboard Utopia of the Seas. With shops, restaurants, bars, and art as far as the eye can see, it truly did feel a bit like Vegas — in the best ways. With an almost dizzying lineup of dining, entertainment, nightlife, and family-friendly options to explore onboard, Utopia of the Seas feels like its own city on the water.

I was most excited to see if cruising could be a viable vacation option for my daughter and me. While I wasn’t always keen on cruises, I’m now traveling solo with my (then) eight-month-old daughter, and becoming a parent changes everything — even your travel style. Jam-packed itineraries and hopping between destinations on a single trip (my usual style) now sounds like a logistical nightmare, thanks to nap schedules, diaper changes, and bulky baby gear to juggle.

Just like that, the idea of having everything we could possibly want — from a splash pad, to restaurants, to tropical destinations, and even babysitting services — just outside of our cabin door sounded like heaven. And Utopia of the Seas didn’t disappoint.

Photo: sbw-photo

As a new mom, I quickly learned that the term “family-friendly” is used generously, sometimes to describe amenities that are decidedly not. While I expected a cruise to be one of the more accommodating travel options, I almost couldn’t believe just how family-friendly Utopia of the Seas actually was.

Once on board, a notification came through on the Royal Caribbean app — the hub through which guests can view the daily schedules, make dining reservations, view professional photos taken throughout the trip, and much more. The notification encouraged me to check out Adventure Ocean, the onboard kids’ club that, to my delight, includes a nursery that takes babies as young as six months. With my daughter being eight months old during this trip, the idea of at-sea babysitting was an absolute gamechanger.

Once we’d settled into our cabin, we made our way to Deck 14 to explore Adventure Ocean. This massive children’s area includes childcare and activities for youths up to age 11, separated into four age groups. The nursery takes infants from six to 36 months, while the Juniors room is dedicated to kids between three and five years of age. Two additional rooms are dedicated to kids ages six to eight and nine to 11. There’s also the AO Play Place, filled with soft play equipment for children to enjoy with their parents, as well as an escape room and theater. With nursery reservations secured, I was able to plan for baby-free ship exploration throughout the cruise.

I was also pleasantly surprised with how many options Utopia of the Seas offered for children — even infants — to enjoy the cruise. On the pool deck, Splashaway Bay is a kid-friendly waterpark filled with fountains and slides. It features a splash pad called Baby Bay for the cruise’s youngest guests. There’s also plenty to keep the older kids entertained, including water slides; activities like rock climbing, laser tag, and mini golf; a teen room; and an arcade.

Perhaps what truly made Utopia of the Seas stand out as family-friendly was the crew, who were especially friendly to my daughter and me. Many of the crew members, as it turned out, were also parents, and I enjoyed every opportunity to see photos of their own children. The crew’s warmth toward my daughter and me was not only welcoming but also genuine — and it was their kindness that made this cruise truly family-friendly.

Photo: sbw-photo

Royal Caribbean’s marketing for Utopia of the Seas as “the world’s biggest weekend” is largely thanks to its three- and four-night sailings and seemingly endless onboard amenities. There was so much to explore, in fact, that I couldn’t have done it all if I’d tried. After all, the 18-deck ship boasts more than 20 dining options, 12 bars and lounges, five pools, two casinos, an ice skating rink, and eight distinct neighborhoods, plus a fitness center, spa, and outdoor park.

Entertainment options include the Youtopia ice skating show, Aqua80too (an ‘80s-themed AquaTheater show), and All In!, an original production in the Royal Theater. There’s also live music at the Music Hall, Schooner Bar, Boleros Bar, and The Mason Jar restaurant, just to name a few, with additional entertainment offerings like the Comedy Club, karaoke, and themed evening parties. As if that wasn’t enough, Utopia of the Seas also offers rock climbing, miniature golf, laser tag, an arcade, outdoor movies, FlowRider surfing, and The Ultimate Abyss, the world’s largest dry slide at sea. Each day is filled with a neverending lineup of events and activities, from scavenger hunts and game shows to poolside parties, sports competitions, and solo traveler meetups.

With such a staggering lineup, it wasn’t long before I realized that this wasn’t intended to be approached as a checklist of experiences. Rather, guests can simply enjoy the cruise style they prefer most, whether they’re seeking adults-only serenity, a party-filled weekend, or, in my case, a family-friendly getaway. It was mind-blowing to me that two people could be on the same ship and each have jam-packed itineraries, all while never crossing paths.

This is the beauty of Utopia of the Seas: its flexibility. It’s hard to nail the one-size-fits-all approach, but Utopia of the Seas manages to offer a variety of sailing experiences on a single ship. Throughout my time on the ship, I couldn’t help but think of what a crowd-pleaser this cruise would be for larger groups, especially multi-generational families looking for a vacation option to suit differing travel styles.

For our family-friendly experience, we opted for morning stroller walks through Central Park (an onboard park themed after its NYC namesake), a family festival and carousel rides at The Boardwalk, a superhero-themed concert on The Royal Promenade, and splash pad fun at Baby Bay. My daughter loved sampling all sorts of new flavors at the Windjammer buffet, and she even had her first steakhouse experience at Chops Grille.

Photo: EWY Media/Shutterstock

If the onboard amenities weren’t enough, all Utopia of the Seas sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. I was excited for my first visit to the Bahamas, and it didn’t disappoint. Crystal blue waters and breezy island temperatures set the tone for a relaxing beach day at CocoCay.

Once we made our way to the island, we were welcomed by Royal Caribbean staff who helped passengers navigate their way across the island. (One of the staff also worked in the nursery and greeted my daughter and me with a huge smile.) While the island isn’t large, it features a tram system to make it easier to get where you want to go, and despite the its smaller size, the island packs quite a punch: guests can choose from the very swimmable Oasis Lagoon (one of the more popular choices); water slides and fun at Thrill Waterpark; the brand new, adults-only Hideaway Beach; and a handful of oceanfront beaches.

We spent our “Perfect Day at CocoCay,” as Royal Caribbean calls it, at Chill Island, a laid-back beach with turquoise waters that certainly lived up to its name. Just a few minutes from the bustling main entrance, Chill Island feels like a private oasis. We cozied up on a daybed, which made for the perfect — and shady — home base for a few hours at CocoCay. The water here was warm and rather still, making it a wonderful option for my daughter’s first dip in the ocean. After playing in the water, we could easily relax on the daybed while enjoying those beautiful Bahamian views. We were steps away from dining options, bars, and the island’s market, a must for souvenir shopping.

Most families seemed to gravitate toward Thrill Waterpark, which offers adrenaline-pumping water slides with names like Daredevil’s Peak and Dueling Demons. There are more tame options for younger children, like the much more slow and steady Manta Raycers water slide, and the nearby Splashaway Bay, like its sister onboard the ship, is a fun splash pad area with slides, fountains, and a tipping bucket. We opted for a more relaxing experience on our first trip to CocoCay at Chill Island, but I know we’ll be back for the waterparks when my daughter is a little older.

From Chill Island, I had my first real view of Utopia of the Seas. She was docked next to a sister ship from the Royal Caribbean fleet, Vision of the Seas, and seeing the two side by side really put into perspective just how massive the second largest cruise ship in the world is in size.

Our Perfect Day at CocoCay was our last full day on Utopia of the Seas. In just three nights, Utopia of the Seas did what I suspected it might: convert me into a cruiser for life. As another passenger told me, I’d become “loyal to Royal,” as Royal Caribbean passengers like to say.

And now that the ship has officially debuted since its inaugural sailing in July 2024, travelers of all styles can discover the “world’s biggest weekend” for themselves aboard Utopia of the Seas.