By
Laura Hyde |
Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas was floated out of dry dock at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, for the first time. The Oasis-class ship is now one step closer to its debut in Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida, which is scheduled for July 2024.
The float-out process took almost 15 hours to complete, beginning with the shipyard filling the dry dock with more than 46 million gallons of water. The ship was then moved into an outfitting dock, where the next stage of construction can begin, including installing the longest dry slide at sea, the 295-foot-long Ultimate Abyss. Once complete, Utopia of the Seas will also offer passengers more than 20 bars and entertainment venues, over 20 dining options, five pools, mini golf, a FlowRider surf simulator and a Utopia Playscape for young children.
When it debuts, Utopia of the Seas will be the first Oasis-class ship to be powered by LNG, and the second in the wider Royal Caribbean Group fleet. The first will be Icon of the Seas, which is scheduled to welcome its first guests in January 2024.
“Utopia will advance Royal Caribbean’s decades-long commitment to the environment by combining LNG technology with a line-up of the brand’s already-established environmentally friendly initiatives and features, from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection,” said a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International.
From July 2024, Utopia of the Seas will sail three-night weekend cruises and four-night weekday voyages from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas. Every itinerary will visit Nassau in and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island which will feature its first adults-only space, Hideaway Beach, from January 2024.