Utopia vs Icon of the seas
Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are brand new additions to Royal Caribbean’s Fleet in 2024, but they cater to slightly different experiences. Icon of the Seas, the trendsetter, is the first of the brand new Ion class, boasting the title of the largest cruise ship in the world at 250,000 gross tonnage, while Utopia of the Seas, the grand finale of the successful Oasis class, is still a mega ship but slightly smaller than Icon at 236,860 gross tonnage. These two ships are absolutely breathtaking and packed with
amazing features that will entertain families, couples, solo travelers, anyone really for hours and hours. But how do you compare and which is the better ship ? Let’s take a look.
Utopia of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas, the sixth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, is set to begin operations from Port Canaveral on July 19, 2024. This vessel, larger than its sister ship Wonder of the Seas by gross tonnage, marks a milestone as the first in its class powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Announced in February 2019 and ordered from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, construction milestones include the steel cutting ceremony in April 2022 and keel laying in July of that year. The ship’s LNG tanks, supplied by Wärtsila, were delivered in November 2022.
Delivered to Royal Caribbean on June 13, 2024, the ship is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas is the lead ship of the Icon class, launched on 27 January 2024 from Port Miami, USA. The title of the world’s largest cruise ship belongs to a vessel boasting a gross tonnage of 248,663 GT.
Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku inked a deal for two Icon-class ships in October 2016. The construction of Icon of the Seas began with steel-cutting in June 2021, and the first LNG tank was installed in October 2021 in Rostock, Germany. The keel was laid in April 2022, confirming it would exceed the size of the Oasis class.
Sea trials commenced on 19 June 2023, followed by adjustments and interior completion at Meyer Turku. The ship was handed over to Royal Caribbean on 27 November 2023, ahead of its official debut in January 2024 from Miami.
On 1 December 2023, Icon of the Seas passed under Denmark’s Great Belt Bridge before final outfitting in Cádiz, Spain. It departed for Puerto Rico on 23 December 2023, arriving at PortMiami on 10 January 2024. The ship was christened by Lionel Messi on 23 January and began its maiden voyage on 27 January.
On 25 June 2024, a fire broke out while docked at Costa Maya, Mexico, causing temporary electrical power loss, but the flames were quickly extinguished.
Difference Between Utopia and Icon of the seas
Here is a Comparison Utopia vs Icon of the seas :
| Feature | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas |
| Owner | Royal Caribbean Group | Royal Caribbean Cruises |
| Operator | Royal Caribbean International | Royal Caribbean International |
| Port of registry | Nassau, Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Builder | Meyer Turku, Turku, Finland | Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France |
| Cost | €1.86 billion | Not specified |
| Yard number | NB 1400 | Not specified |
| Laid down | 4 April 2022 | 2022 |
| Launched | 9 December 2022 | July 2023 |
| Sponsored/Christened by | Lionel Messi (23 January 2024) | Not specified |
| Acquired/Completed | 27 November 2023 | 13 June 2024 |
| Maiden voyage | 27 January 2024 | July 19, 2024 |
| In service | 2024–present | July 19, 2024 |
| Identification | Call sign: C6FU5 IMO number: 9829930 MMSI number: 311001178 DNV ID: 38545 | IMO number: 9880001 |
| Class and type | Icon-class cruise ship | Oasis-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage (GT) | 248,663 GT | 227,700 GT |
| Tonnage (NT) | 307,895 NT | 236,860 short tons |
| Length | 364.75 metres (1,196.7 ft) | 362 m / 1188 ft |
| Beam | 48.47 metres (159.0 ft) | 211 ft |
| Draught | 9.25 metres (30.3 ft) | Not specified |
| Decks | 20 | 17 |
| Installed power | 3 × Wärtsilä 14V46DF, 16,030 kW each 3 × Wärtsilä 12V46DF, 13,740 kW each | Not specified |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric; 3 × 20 MW ABB Azipod, all azimuthing 5 × 4.8 MW Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters | Not specified |
| Speed | 22 knots (41 km/h) | 23 kn / 43 km/h / 26 mph |
| Capacity (passengers) | 5,610 (double occupancy) 7,600 (maximum capacity) | 5,668 passengers |
| Crew | 2,350 | 2290 |
| Status | In service | Delivered to Royal Caribbean |
Restaurants :
Icon of the Seas: With Central Park as inspiration, Icon might offer innovative dining experiences with farm-to-table options featuring fresh ingredients grown onboard. Icon of the Seas offers these exclusive restaurants not seen on Utopia of the Seas :
- Empire Supper Club: A super premium dining experience with a 1920s New York vibe, offering 8-course dinners with curated cocktails and specially selected music.
- Aqua Market: A food hall with a variety of food options including savory and sweet crepes, Asian-inspired dishes, sandwiches, and a venue themed around mac and cheese.
- Surfside Eatery and Surfside Bites: Buffet restaurants with options tailored to families and casual snacks like fries, popcorn chicken, and donut holes.
Utopia of the Seas: Building on the success of the Oasis class, Utopia is likely to boast a diverse selection of restaurants catering to all palates, from casual cafes and poolside grills to high-end steakhouses and specialty Asian cuisine. Specific restaurants include:
- The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant and Bar: Offering southern staple foods and BBQ with live country music.
- Immersive Train Dining Experience: Guests can expect a dining experience that simulates a scenic train journey.
- Staterooms and Suites: Both ships offer a wide range of accommodations, from inside cabins to multi-story suites. Icon of the Seas has a higher maximum capacity due to more family rooms and suites, while Utopia of the Seas offers more guest staterooms overall.
FAQ
Utopia of the seas capacity
The Utopia of the Seas can accommodate a maximum of 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.
Utopia of the seas size
Length: 1,188 feet (362 meters)
Width: 211 feet (64 meters)
Gross tonnage: 236,860 GT
Utopia vs icon of the seas Passenger Capacity
Passenger Capacity: Icon accommodates a massive 5,610 guests across 18 passenger decks, while Utopia offers space for 5,668 passengers on 16 passenger decks.
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