Royal Caribbean officially names another giant cruise ship
A giant disco ball maneuvered around the outer decks with the help of drones, purple and blue confetti rained down on passengers so heavily it was difficult to see, and recording artist Meghan Trainor toasted her audience with a glass of Champagne in 90-degree heat. With that, Trainor, the godmother of Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Utopia of the Seas, named the vessel – the 28th in the line’s fleet — making Royal Caribbean the cruise line sailing the largest number of ships in the industry.
The naming ceremony was held in Port Canaveral, Florida, near Orlando on Monday at the ship’s sun-drenched outdoor AquaTheater. It kicked off with a set by DJ Ruckus and Rev Run of Run DMC fame, followed by a performance from the vessel’s AquaTheater cast and blessings from local clergy.
“This is one hell of a ship,” said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s president and CEO. “... eight neighborhoods ... 40 restaurants, endless pools and Jacuzzis, incredible entertainment ... that’s why Utopia of the Seas is the ‘World’s Biggest Weekend.’”
The term is fitting, given that Utopia of the Seas will be focused on short sailings – something cruise lines usually reserve for older vessels. Royal Caribbean has recently begun using some of its flashiest ships for shorter voyages with the aim of luring first-time cruisers who might not feel comfortable setting sail for a whole week.
“It’s not about the size,” Bayley said of the now second-largest ship in the world (next to Royal Caribbean's recently launched Icon of the Seas). “It’s because you can make the most of every single minute in more ways than ever before.”
The 5,668-passenger ship is the sixth in the line’s Oasis Class of vessels. Nearly 15 years after the class debuted, it remains Royal Caribbean’s most popular. The line has evolved the series over time to include updated amenities, innovative cabin types and the latest technology.
New-for-the-class features on Utopia of the Seas include an immersive train-themed dinner theater called Royal Railway Utopia Station, a food truck called Spare Tire and an indoor tiki bar called Pesky Parrot.
The ship also has an enlarged version of Giovanni’s Italian, an Italian eatery found on some other Oasis Class ships. It's now two decks instead of one and overlooks an open-air amusement area of the ship called the Boardwalk. On earlier Oasis Class ships, it was positioned in the garden-like Central Park area, which also appears on Utopia of the Seas.
Among venues found on earlier Oasis Class ships that are making a return are the Rising Tide Bar, which “levitates” on hydraulics between the ship’s Royal Promenade and Central Park neighborhoods; the Boardwalk neighborhood’s carousel and Ultimate Abyss slide, which twists down 10 decks; and the jaw-dropping Ultimate Family Suite, which is ideal for parents with young children, offering separate bedrooms, hangout spaces with games and a slide that takes kids from their bedroom to the living room below.
Through at least 2026, Utopia of the Seas is scheduled to offer three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.