French shipyard lays keel for one of the biggest cruise ships ever
Another giant of the seas is on the way.
The massive Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, on Friday laid the keel for a new Royal Caribbean vessel that will be at least as big or bigger than the current size leader in the cruise world — Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.
Scheduled to debut in 2024, the 18-deck-high leviathan — to be called Utopia of the Seas — will be the sixth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Oasis-class series, which debuted in 2009 and includes Wonder of the Seas.
While Royal Caribbean has been coy as to just how big the new ship will be, each new Oasis-class vessel has been at least a tad bigger than its immediate predecessor.
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More than 20% bigger than the next biggest cruise ships, the Oasis-class vessels have taken the cruise world by storm over the past decade with an array of features that no other line can match.
As TPG wrote about in detail early this year when it debuted, Wonder of the Seas is home to an almost incomprehensible number of diversions.
There are multiple swimming pools, water slides, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, and several dozen bars and lounges (plus more than a dozen restaurants). There's even a miniature golf course, ice-skating rink and a basketball court.
Also built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, Wonder of the Seas measures 236,857 tons — about 4% bigger than the previous size leader in the cruise world, Royal Caribbean’s 4-year-old Symphony of the Seas.
With the arrival of Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean now operates all of the world’s five biggest cruise vessels and nine of the world’s 20 largest cruise vessels.
Royal Caribbean hasn't said much about what features will be aboard Utopia of the Seas, but the ship is expected to offer a similar array of venues as Wonder of the Seas.
Wonder of the Seas is similar to Symphony of the Seas and three earlier Oasis-class vessels with a few new twists that contribute to its bigger size, including a dedicated suite area with a private lounge, restaurant and sun deck.
Like the four earlier Oasis-class ships, it is nearly 1,200 feet long — the equivalent of more than three football fields.
Notably, Wonder of the Seas has room for up to 6,988 passengers with every berth filled — more than any other passenger ship in history. It sails with 2,300 crew members, also more than any other passenger ship in history.
As a result, the total number of people on Wonder of the Seas at times can approach 9,300.
Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean
A ceremonial keel-laying event on Friday celebrated the official start of Utopia of the Seas' construction.
The ship will debut in the spring of 2024, soon after Royal Caribbean launches the first of a new series of vessels that may be even bigger than the Oasis-class ships. The first ship in the Icon-class series, as the latter series will be known, will be called Icon of the Seas and debut in the fall of 2023.
“The keel laying for Utopia of the Seas represents the first milestone of an incredible ship and the next step toward a bolder, thrilling future for Royal Caribbean and vacations,” Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement.
“Utopia’s debut in 2024, on the heels of Icon of the Seas setting sail in fall 2023, will build on a new, exciting chapter that is set to redefine family vacations and getaways for all ages in ways we’ll soon reveal.”
The keel-laying event on Friday at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard was built around the placement of the first block of steel for Utopia of the Seas in the dry dock where the ship will be constructed.
It's a moment that is considered the equivalent of the traditional laying of a long foundational keel that was part of shipbuilding in times past. Cruise ships today are built by connecting dozens of pre-built blocks in a drydock.
The ceremony also included the welding of commemorative coins onto the first block of the vessel — a long maritime tradition.
In addition to Wonder of the Seas, the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard also built Symphony of the Seas and several of the biggest MSC Cruises ships, including the recently unveiled MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa. It’s one of the few shipyards in the world that can handle ships of their size.
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Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees