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Last updated: 8/19/24 @ 2:03 UTC

What / When / Where

We are doing a[n optional] night in Cape Canaveral, Florida, then spending three nights on the world's (second) largest, and newest cruise ships - Utopia of the Seas!

Day Zero's arrival buffer is Thursday, January 23rd, the ship departs on Friday, January 24th, and returns on Monday, January 27th.

Airport: Orlando (MCO)

Seaport: Cape Canaveral

Ship: Utopia of the Seas (Wiki) (RCI) (Deck Plans)
Ports of Call: Nassau, Bahamas; & CoCoCay

Booking

​Notes regarding decks...

  • ​​Here is a large image of all the decks side-by-side.

  • Each deck has four large staircases, and twenty-four spacious, glass elevators.

  • Deck 2 - “Landing Deck” is where passengers exit from, and return to, the ships at ports of call, the closest deck to this for booking is Deck 3

  • Deck 5 - “Promenade Deck” is home to fresh air, lifeboats, and a running track all on the outside perimeter. Inside features several bars, retail shops, Starbucks, direct access to the upper level of the theater, the top level of the Dining Room, and a late-night pizza spot.

  • Deck 6 - In addition to our stateroom, this deck has a piano bar, a fitness center at the bow, the Aquatheater at the stern, and the Boardwalk neighborhood which is home to a sports bar and grill, the exit of a ten-deck waterslide, a candy shop, and a carousel!

  • Decks 7 - 12: Almost entirely staterooms

  • Deck 13 - A pocket dimension that is extremely difficult to access.

  • Deck 14 - Mostly staterooms, but right under the Lido Deck, so you might be able to foot traffic from above (we’ve never booked on this deck, reviews vary regarding noise).

  • Deck 15 - The “Lido Deck” (LEE-doh) is the primary fun-in-the-sun deck with pools, bars, a child-free zone at the bow known as the “Solarium,” and at the “Windjammer” at the stern (a large buffet hall open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - “Washy, washy; happy, happy!”)

  • Deck 16: Hot tubs, bars, ping pong tables, the Arcade, a large sports court, a zip line, “Flowrider” (a surf machine), the entrance to “Ultimate Abyss” (the ten-deck waterslide), and “Social100” (an area exclusively for teens).

Deposit

Typically, you will only need to put down a $200 deposit, which is fully refundable up until November 10th.

Cancellation / Refund

  • 74 to 61 Days Prior to Sailing - 50% Per Guest - 11 NOV 2024

  • 60 to 31 Days Prior to Sailing - 75% Per Guest - 25 NOV 2024

  • 30 to 0 Days Prior to Sailing - 100% Per Guest - 25 DEC 2024

Add-ons

If someone wants to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package all guests booked in that stateroom of legal drinking age must also purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package.​

If you don’t opt for VOOM internet you can text other passengers via the Royal Caribbean app.

Internet is included in The Key.

Some benefits are listed below; click link for complete list.

  • Priority boarding at seaport

  • Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom

  • Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room

  • Access to the fast lane at onboard activities

  • Priority departure at tender ports of call

  • Access to high speed internet per person who purchases the package

  • On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure

Packing

  • Passport (required)

  • Swimwear and warm-weather clothes (it was 77º in The Bahamas during this time in 2024), we procured some light and airy cruise-wear for our first cruise.

  • Dramamine (for motion sickness) - if you forget and need it, they also provide this at the front desk

  • Lanyard (for room key card, and paying for things onboard)

  • Cash

    • Stateroom attendant on last day

    • Pay for things on shore

  • Alcohol - From RCI’s FAQ:

    • “On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne.”

  • The second night is typically “formal night” in the Dining Room with steak and lobster, so you should look snazzy.​

  • Pack prescriptions in official bottles (just in case)

  • Checked (self-tagged)

  • Carry-on (if you opt for “The Key” these bags will be brought to your stateroom by staff while you’re enjoying lunch at a specialty restaurant).

  • Don’t bring drugs that are legal in some states!

  • Pool towels are available near pools and hot tubs (but you acquire them by scanning your room card, and the towels are tagged with RFID chips) if you don’t return one or more towels you will be charged at the end of the cruise

  • How to text with other passenger without purchasing Internet access:

    • Both people need to have the Royal Caribbean app

    • Then you do it with the app… somehow

Itinerary

For those arriving the day before, we'll be having a casual get-together a hotel bar, or a watering hole within walking distance.

Have your luggage tags printed and attached to your bags before going to the seaport.

Similar to a flight, checked bags will be taken and brought to your stateroom.

Those who sign up for "The Key" will have their carry-on bags delivered to their stateroom as well. We recommend packing a swimsuit (and anything else you'll immediately want) in a personal bag you keep on you.

These sections will fill up more as time passes.

There are official on-shore excursions you can book through Royal Caribbean (if you're with an official group, and running late to return to the ship, it won't leave without you).

This is the day TP hit the big XL!

CoCoCay is an island owned by Royal Caribbean.

We'll see about arranging something for a group dinner.

Breakfast...

...back to land...

...smell ya later.

Attendees

Tom[my P] & Kelly/Jade

1/23 AA 985

(1:38p EST)

Radisson Resort at the Port

Deck 6

1/27 AA 985

(2:09p EST)

Tim & Frankie

Questions?

Thanks for submitting!

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