Our First Day on Utopia of the Seas - Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship!

[@danettegipson5500]

Royal Caribbean nailed it, short cruise on a large ship! Love it

[@remoorepharmd]

I'm going Aug 19th, I'm so excited

[@wanghaf_Gl0yper]

My wife and I are going to do a 3-4 night on utopia then hit the Icon right after getting off. I like the shorter cruise idea so you can pair it up without doing a full back to back

[@CruiseHabit]

We've never actually done a 'side by side' cruise like that. I've had a day between, but never less. There was a chance to do that this November but some other logistics made us change. Maybe that'll be a goal for 2025. We've got sailings in Jan, April, and May so far, with more to come!

[@milnjohnmemoirs7777]

Mil and I will be onboard in August to celebrate our anniversary. Can't wait to record it all for our channel as well..😊😊😊

[@CruiseHabit]

Congratulations! We've give you a follow!

[@DelMak]

Thanks for the lovely review of my show All in! in the Royal Theater! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@emilianogabriel9613]

Will be cruising on Utopia next year February back to back 4 n 3 days

[@CruiseHabit]

Enjoy! Love that they're doing unique offerings b/w the 3 and 4 night sailings to make it a great option.

[@christophermullinix8418]

Me, my wife and two kids will be on the October 25th sailing. We booked it several months ago but then saw this video while we were looking for footage of this beautiful ship.

[@CruisingWithJT]

Thanks for sharing your day onboard! Utopia is amazing 🤩 Have a great rest of your media cruise!

[@Caligul9898]

Going 7/26...can't wait!!!

[@LifeWithUsTV]

Heyyy Billy. That’s a good looking ship. We will sail in September ish ✔️

[@CruiseHabit]

Was hoping we'd see you here this week! Enjoy in Sept, and give us a shout when in S FL next. ❤️

[@GalaxCici]

I was on the Visions cruise right next to you guys at Coco Cay! Our comedian that night made a joke that you guys were getting off your ship to get onto ours to tour the island! LMAO

[@CruiseHabit]

Hope you guys had a blast and are enjoying your cruise! Utopia is great, but there is definitely something to be said for small ships.

[@billwings2]

Looking forward to it. Sailing Oct 7th.

[@leomeireles22]

Bom dia! Ótimo vídeo, parabéns! Estarei no Utopia com minha família em Setembro. Gostaria de saber sobre o despacho das malas. Estaremos no final de nossas férias e com muitas bagagens cada um. Você despachou na entrada? Grande abraço do Brasil

[@CruiseHabit]

Bom dia! Agradecemos o comentário! 🙂 A nossa preferência é despachar a maioria da bagagem, mas ficar com uma ou duas malas menores de rodinhas contendo tudo que vamos usar no primeiro dia (medicamentos, protetor solar, roupas de banho, uma troca de roupas para o jantar, etc.). Já que as cabines podem demorar um pouco para ficarem prontas no dia do embarque, é melhor evitar ter muita coisa para carregar em um navio cheio. Só não despachamos tudo porque já aconteceu da bagagem demorar até depois da janta para ser entregue, e nem sempre vem tudo ao mesmo tempo. Um grande abraço e aproveitem a viagem! 🚢

[@evelyn_savvy_queenager]

tell me more about the Brightline ride. Did you get the premium seating? Did you rent a car to make it from the Orlando airport to Port Canaveral or Uber? How long is the ride? I am considering the Brightline but would have to get an SUV uber to get to the hotel first; then another in the morning.l How late does the Brightline operate?

[@angelamaxwell2978]

Do you recommend purchasing the drink package?

[@CruiseHabit]

There are two scenarios where it makes sense: 1) You don't want to have to think about it each time - so you're just paying for the convenience (and getting to try anything you want). 2) You look at the menus and your itinerary and you think you'd spend more on bottled water, specialty coffees, soda, and alcoholic beverages than what you'd pay for the package. This depends a lot on not just how much you drink while on the ship and at Coco, but what you drink. I have an article on this topic, though I need to update it as it's a bit old, to be honest. www.cruisehabit.com/cruise-line-beverage-packages-should-you-get-drink-package

[@SilverHonda0767]

You said “invited on” so your cruise is free by Royal Caribbean ?

[@CruiseHabit]

Correct. This is a trade cruise - so it's agents, media, etc. The first revenue ('normal') sailing leaves tomorrow.

[@SilverHonda0767]

@@CruiseHabit ok, I wish that you would’ve said that in the beginning that your cruise is paid for instead of “invite on” I have no problem with content creators and channels making videos of the new ships but I wish they would put a disclaimer that either they’re getting paid or the cruise is free. This way I can make a better decision to subscribe. I’m sorry, I can’t subscribe.

[@CruiseHabit]

​@@SilverHonda0767I appreciate the feedback. "We're on for a trade preview cruise - we were invited on by Royal Caribbean" seemed clear, but perhaps not. We generally pay for our cruises like anyone else, and pride ourselves in being transparent for the rare exceptions.

[@jeffm5028]

Great info, the ship looks great. I’m also jealous of your access to Brightline, would love an affordable option to get to LA ports and Disney. Have a great trip!

[@CruiseHabit]

Brightline to Orlando was faaaantastic. Hopefully the West Coast project works out. 🤞

[@bryantbridgettetaylor8426]

Going in September. Super excited 🎉

[@jereldonovan834]

I like how you pointed out (early in the afternoon) that you haven’t had a drink since last night. As if that’s a long time, lol

[@CruiseHabit]

I meant I'd not had anything at all - not just alcohol bad a sip of water on the train and nothing else. 😂

[@opiemom66]

my 26 year old daughter and i are booked for the first weekend in October. I loved the idea of a quick weekend getaway but didn't think this would be a loud party all weekend thing! I hope there is some relaxing time at coco kay. thanks for the preview of some areas. its looks very beautiful!

[@CruiseHabit]

Today it was a bit more relaxed. The party element is still present, but the daytime by the pool on the sea day was w bit more traditional. We'll see where it all lands. Be sure to check out our day two video when it's out!

[@uzipolo]

What type of camera are you using?

[@CruiseHabit]

Everything in this video was shot on a Galaxy S24U Ultra.

[@uzipolo]

@@CruiseHabit that's beautiful man

[@brittanydickson6115]

I’ll be on there in august

[@edvaira6891]

Have you run into Matt yet?

[@CruiseHabit]

Matt who? 😏 Yep, hanging out!

[@candicelind3311]

I’ll be on Utopia on October 25th for my birthday weekend!!

[@CruiseHabit]

Excellent! Definitely ping us!

[@RocketshipRob]

We'll see you in October!

[@CruiseHabit]

Woohoo!

[@cathyfrederick5073]

Going on this ship in November 2025 with a friend and her family. Thanks for showing what she looks like. :D

[@CruiseHabit]

Stay tuned for our upcoming vlogs and tours, too. We'll be less tired, we promise 😂

[@jcsdesign]

Hope you got a damn good deal for booking that far out.

[@michelleb749]

Do you think they are trying to compete with Virgin with the party vibe?

[@CruiseHabit]

While lines definitely influence each other in this way, I don't think Royal looks at Virgin and says, "those specifically are the cruisers we want." I think in this case it's more that they're taking the opportunity to show that they have a product that can offer endless options on a new ship and a lot of fun - even if it's just for a weekend.

[@kyourpersonalshopper5299]

I dont like it that after we paid our hard earned pennies to be the first ones on the ship, Royal Caribbean lets people on it for a preview cruise for free, makes no sense.

[@RoyalCaribbeanCruiseChronicles]

@@kyourpersonalshopper5299 the first paying guests are more valued and special

[@CruiseHabit]

@kyourpersonalshopper5299 This is pretty standard across the industry, and in fact, it is to the benefit of guests on maiden voyages because it gives them a chance to run through operations to make sure things are running smooth. Also keep in mind that sometimes maiden dates are pushed back, or other revenue sailings added in advance of what you booked. We wrote about this a few years back: www.cruisehabit.com/what-are-maiden-and-inaugural-voyages

[@kyourpersonalshopper5299]

@@CruiseHabit I understand, but still bothers me, they had a whole month having the cruise employees trying each and every venue to make sure it was in pristine condition for when we come in on 7/19, and I have nothing against you, I love your content, it just bothers me that we are not the first ones sailing on it. Its been back and forward Coco Cay since saturday. I feel it stole that from us the paying guests. Thanks for the reply!

[@dtkristy1]

How is it that you have determined that Utopia “has been designed for 3 and 4 night cruises?” I mean, it’s an Oasis class ship, nearly identical to Wonder, with a few nice enhancements and tweaks, but specifically designed? I’d bet within two years it is going out of different ports and doing seven night itineraries. I’m not sure I see anything that is geared toward a shorter cruise experience.

[@CruiseHabit]

Royal has said from the start that their intention was to have this ship for weekends, and I think it's mostly about the pace and entertainment being more "quick fun getaway". So, while I see some of those things playing out, it's also that Royal has made this a clear goal. It may do longer sailings one day - though they've had Allure on weekends, so there seems a market for an Oasis class on short sailings - at least for now.

[@dtkristy1]

I get all that, but “ship design?” I think it is more about “vacation design.” I get what you are saying, and yes Allure doing short ones too, but Allure was built what, 14 years ago and never renovated? I respect your opinion. I guess we’re maybe talking about two different things.

[@SilverHonda0767]

You said you were invited by Royal Caribbean? That means your cruise is paid by them? If so, I just don’t understand how you give could get an honest review.

[@CruiseHabit]

I don't propose these to be a review, just sharing my experience and being transparent.

[@RoyalCaribbeanCruiseChronicles]

Hi Billy. Wonder 2.0

[@CruiseHabit]

A bit. Definitely some changes, but she's in the same vein, for sure. I don't think it's a bad thing, either!

[@RoyalCaribbeanCruiseChronicles]

@@CruiseHabit it’s a huge improvement to the weekend cruises compared to the old days lol.

[@CruiseHabit]

@@RoyalCaribbeanCruiseChronicles For sure! I think across much of the industry the short cruise experience has improved - albeit not as much as this!

[@RoyalCaribbeanCruiseChronicles]

@@CruiseHabit I’ll be on in less than 2 weeks but doing B2B

[@jaklg7905]

How can you do a review but not show us the food? 😢

[@CruiseHabit]

We'll get some good coverage in tomorrow's video for you :-)

[@Mowienatic726]

We are going in February! So excited! 💜🚢🦜 any advice for families?

[@CruiseHabit]

We don't have kids, so I avoid some of those tips because of my lack of experience. That said, Royal is really all about having something for everyone. What ages are involved?