Our Third Cruise Adventure: Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas
In January 2025, our family of four had the incredible opportunity to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship—Utopia of the Seas. This was not just any cruise—it was our third cruise overall, our third wedding anniversary cruise, and our first time aboard the second-largest cruise ship in the world (next only to Icon of the Seas).
This blog post will share our story—how we budgeted, booked, and travelled from Alberta to Florida, explored Orlando before embarkation, and then fully enjoyed everything Utopia of the Seas had to offer, from Perfect Day at CocoCay to Nassau’s Atlantis. Along the way, I’ll also give you a detailed walkthrough of the ship itself, so you know exactly what to expect if you’re planning your own cruise.
Planning & Budgeting for the Cruise
Traveling with kids means budgeting carefully. Before booking, we considered every detail: cruise fare, flights, hotel, rental car, excursions, and meals. One of our best strategies was waiting for Black Friday deals, which usually appear from late October to November.
That’s when we found an amazing deal: $2,300 CAD for four people in a balcony stateroom—and kids sailed free! For a brand-new ship like Utopia, this was a steal. We locked it in immediately because prices for popular sailings can change overnight.
Booking Flights and Hotel in Orlando
Since we’re from Edmonton, Alberta, flying into Florida is a long journey. A key tip: never fly in on the same day as your cruise. Delays or winter weather could make you miss embarkation, and the ship will leave without you.
Instead, we booked flights to Orlando three days before embarkation, giving us time to explore and adjust. Our roundtrip flights cost around $2,300 CAD total for four people, which was very reasonable for international travel.
For our stay, we booked SPOT X Hotel Orlando by Red Collection through Expedia for $480 CAD (4 nights). The hotel was family-friendly, included complimentary breakfast, and was conveniently located near Disney and Universal.
To make exploring easier, we rented a car through Enterprise for $220 CAD and picked it up directly at the airport.
Exploring Orlando Before the Cruise
Arriving early gave us time to enjoy Orlando before heading to the port. Some highlights included:
- Disney World – Truly magical, especially for the kids.
- Universal Studios Orlando – Full of rides and attractions we all enjoyed.
- NBA Game at Orlando Magic Arena – A bucket-list experience to watch live basketball in the U.S.
- Downtown Orlando – Great food and vibrant nightlife.
This pre-cruise stay made the trip even more memorable. (I’ll write another blog focused on Orlando travel tips soon.)
Driving to Cape Canaveral – Embarkation Day
On embarkation morning, we drove about an hour to Cape Canaveral. The drive was smooth and tolls were handled electronically through the rental car’s built-in sensor—very convenient.
At the port, we dropped off our luggage. Pro tip: print your luggage tags before you leave home. You’ll get them by email after check-in. Using plastic luggage tag holders from Amazon helps prevent damage. A small tip for the porters ($10 USD per bag) is appreciated.
The Royal Caribbean app made check-in effortless. From safety drills to stateroom info, everything was handled through the app. Within minutes, we were cleared and boarding began.
First Impressions of Utopia of the Seas
Stepping aboard was breathtaking. Utopia of the Seas isn’t just a ship—it’s a floating city divided into neighborhoods, each offering something unique. Here’s a walkthrough of what we discovered:
🌳 Central Park
- Open-air neighbourhood with real plants, trees, and peaceful benches.
- Specialty restaurants like Chops Grille (steakhouse) and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
- Perfect for quiet walks and late-night relaxation away from the hustle.
🎉 Royal Promenade
- The lively hub of the ship with shops, bars, live parades, and music.
- Starbucks, Sorrento’s Pizza, and onboard shopping can all be found here.
- At night, it transforms into a lively entertainment area.
🍴 Dining Options
Royal Caribbean ships are known for food, and Utopia didn’t disappoint. We ate at:
- Windjammer Marketplace (buffet) – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with international cuisine.
- Main Dining Room – Elegant dinners with rotating menus.
- Specialty Dining – For our anniversary, we treated ourselves to a romantic dinner at one of the ship’s exclusive restaurants (worth the splurge).
- Casual Eats – Grab-and-go options like Sorrento’s Pizza and the Café Promenade.
🎭 Entertainment & Activities
- AquaTheater Shows – Acrobats and divers performing breathtaking stunts over water.
- Broadway-Style Theater – Full-scale productions rivaling land-based shows.
- Comedy Club – Adult-only late-night laughs.
- Live Music – Jazz, piano, and even Latin dance nights throughout the ship.
👨👩👧👦 Kids & Family Fun
Our kids loved every moment because Utopia is packed with family-friendly features:
- Adventure Ocean Youth Program – Supervised activities for kids by age group.
- Splashaway Bay – Water play area just for kids.
- Arcade & Sports Court – Basketball, mini-golf, and more.
- Pools & Slides – They swam every single day without fail.
🏋️♂️ Relaxation & Wellness
- Solarium (Adults Only) – A peaceful escape with pools and hot tubs.
- Spa & Fitness Center – Full-service spa and a modern gym.
- Sun Decks – Plenty of lounge chairs with ocean views.
Port of Call 1: Perfect Day at CocoCay
This was our second visit to CocoCay, and it remains one of our favorite destinations. The island offers:
- Thrill Waterpark with Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest slide in North America.
- Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool.
- Cabanas and Chill Island for relaxation.
- Up, Up, and Away balloon ride for breathtaking views.
For families, CocoCay is paradise—you can choose between adventure or relaxation, and food is included.
Port of Call 2: Nassau & Atlantis Paradise Island
In Nassau, we booked an excursion to Atlantis Paradise Island, one of the world’s most famous resorts. Highlights included:
- Aquaventure Waterpark with rivers and high-speed slides.
- The Mayan Temple slide, which goes through a shark tank (a must-try!).
- Pools and lagoons for relaxing and swimming.
- Marine habitats where you can see exotic sea life.
My wife and daughter braved the slides while my son and I enjoyed the lagoons. Atlantis is a must-see if you’re visiting the Bahamas.
Sea Days – Life Onboard
Sea days are what make cruising so enjoyable. On Utopia, there’s always something happening:
- Morning swims and sunbathing on the pool deck.
- Games, trivia, and competitions organized by the crew.
- Shopping and exploring the ship’s hidden corners.
- Kids staying busy in the pools and kids’ clubs.
- Romantic anniversary dinner in a specialty restaurant.
- Nightly theater shows, live bands, and AquaTheater performances.
Even just lounging with a drink while staring at the endless ocean was perfect.
Disembarkation & Return Home
Our cruise ended at Cape Canaveral, where we returned the rental car and caught a pre-booked shuttle bus to Orlando Airport. Our flight home to Edmonton was in the afternoon, giving us plenty of time to disembark without rushing.
Final Thoughts
Cruising on Utopia of the Seas was one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had. From exploring Orlando before the cruise to enjoying the ship’s incredible features and ports of call, every moment felt special.
For us, celebrating our wedding anniversary at sea for the third time made it unforgettable. Utopia of the Seas has set the bar even higher for our future cruises.
My Top Tips for Future Cruisers:
- Book during Black Friday or other sales to save big.
- Fly in 1–2 days early to avoid missing embarkation.
- Bundle flights, hotels, and rentals through sites like Expedia.
- Use the Royal Caribbean app for a smoother cruise experience.
- Don’t miss CocoCay—it’s truly the “Perfect Day.”
- Balance activities and rest so you don’t burn out.
We’re so thankful for these memories and hope one day our friends, family, and readers can experience cruising too.
If you’re interested in booking a cruise, hotel, or trip, feel free to email jestrada@aprilandjunetravel.com or reach out through our website. I’d be happy to help you plan your dream vacation.
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