People who don't care about cruising have likely heard about Royal Caribbean's upcoming new flagship, Icon of the Seas.
The ship, which will be the world's largest cruise ship when it begins sailing from Miami in January, has been the subject of countless news stories because it's so over-the-top spectacular,.
The first ship in a new class of ships, Icon will offer numerous innovations that haven't been seen at sea before. The cruise line has doubled down on its "ship as a destination" concept, which started with the Oasis Class ships.
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When Oasis of the Seas first set sail in 2008, it changed the game by making cruise ships more than just floating hotels. You can sail a seven-day cruise on Oasis, or any of her four sister ships -- Allure, Harmony, Symphony and Wonder of the Seas -- without needing to get off the ship and still be incredibly entertained.
These ships, each of which was the biggest cruise ship in the world when it launched, added new venues like the Aquatheater, and brought land to sea with Royal Caribbean's (RCL) Central Park. Located in the center of each Oasis-class ship on Deck 8, Central Park has grass, trees, and flowers, a tranquil setting that's surrounded by restaurants and bars.
Oasis Class ships also offer the outdoor Boardwalk area on Deck 6, which includes a carousel and other family-friendly options. These ships may not be the floating amusement park that Icon will be when it begins sailing, but they're incredibly impressive in their own right.
Royal Caribbean has another Oasis Class ship, Utopia of Seas, which will set sail in summer 2024. The cruise line has shared very little about that ship -- to keep the focus on Icon of the Seas -- but the company appears set to disclose some details. It has launched a web page with a countdown clock promising more details as of June 20.
"Get the latest news on Utopia of the Seas ahead of its arrival, Summer 2024. Plus get special offers and last-minute cruise deals," Royal Caribbean said, appending a signup form.
Image source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet
What We Know About Utopia of the Seas
Other than confirming its existence, Royal Caribbean has said little about Utopia of the Seas. Many people assume it will be the last Oasis Class ship the cruise line orders, but even that has not been confirmed.
The cruise line has not specified from which port Utopia of the Seas will first sail, but during the company's first-quarter-earnings call, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley tipped that it would likely be a Florida port.
"We've also got Utopia coming online in June. We haven't announced the deployment, but Utopia will also be going to Perfect Day," he said.
Now, technically, you can sail to Perfect Day at Coco Cay from New York, or even Galveston, Texas, but Bayley's comment heavily suggests Florida.
Other than some acknowledgements of the ship's existence, that was the only mention of it during the call. Royal Caribbean has also said that Utopia of the Seas would be the first Oasis Class ship not to claim the "biggest ship in the world" title when it sets sail.
"Measuring 1,188 feet long and over 230,000 gross tons, she will be smaller than the record-breaking Icon of the Seas. At maximum capacity, she will be able to accommodate around 7,000 guests, which is similar to other Oasis Class vessels," wrote Elizabeth Wright of Royal Caribbean Blog.
The cruise line has also said that Utopia of the Seas will be the first Oasis-class ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). In addition, the ship will offer a train-inspired immersive dining experience, according to Royal Caribbean Blog, which is not affiliated with the cruise line.
