Utopia of the Seas, the sixth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, debuted in July 2024, sailing its inaugural season from Port Canaveral, Florida. At the time, it made waves for a multitude of reasons, including new features and weekend-friendly itineraries.
However, there was one thing that really made this ship stand out: the Utopia of the Seas size. This ship is massive and, at debut, was the second-largest ship in the world. Just how big is it? Here’s everything you need to know.
In This Article:
Just How Big is Utopia of the Seas?
Utopia of the Seas is a giant cruise ship constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. It is 236,473 gross tons, 1,188 feet long, 211 feet wide, and has 18 decks, 16 of which are for guests. The sixth oasis-class vessel also has a passenger capacity of 5,668 at double occupancy and 2,290 crew members.
Debuting as the second-largest cruise ship in the world, Utopia of the Seas fell behind only another Royal Caribbean International ship: Icon of the Seas. The ship was delivered on June 14, 2024, and officially christened by godmother Meghan Trainer on July 15, 2024.
The Oasis class has never been shy of setting size records, however. The lead ship, Oasis of the Seas, was the largest passenger ship in the world when it debuted in 2009, and Oasis-class ships have only increased in size since then.
However, just what can you expect when considering Utopia of the Seas’ size? Let’s get more detailed about the impressive stats.
Utopia of the Seas Gross Tonnage
To start, the ship measures in at a total of 236,473 GT, or gross tonnage. Gross tonnage is a type of measurement that looks at a ship’s internal volume. Each “gross ton” is the equivalent of 100 cubic feet of interior closed space.
Utopia of the Seas is just about a thousand more GT than its sister ship, Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in 2022, but still about 12,000 fewer GT than the largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas Length
The ship is 1,188 feet long, so about a quarter of a mile long. If you were to walk the entire length of the ship, end to end, it would take you about 10–15 minutes, so long as you didn’t stop to look around (which is admittedly hard given all this ship’s cool features).
Utopia of the Seas’ length is very similar to that of both Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, with just a few feet of difference between them.
Utopia of the Seas Height
As for height, Utopia of the Seas is about 240 feet tall. That averages out to about the same size as a 24-story building (or taller than the Statue of Liberty, if you’re just looking at at the height of the statue itself, and not the base!).
Utopia of the Seas Size Comparison
Want a quick look at how Utopia of the Seas size stacks up against other large cruise ships, beyond the Royal Caribbean fleet?
| Gross Tons | Length | Staterooms | Passenger capacity at double occupancy | |
| Utopia of the Seas | 236,473 | 1,188 ft. | 2,834 | 5,668 |
| Icon of the Seas | 248,663 | 1,196 ft. | 2,805 | 5,610 |
| Carnival Jubilee | 182,015 | 1,132 ft. | 2,626 | 5,228 |
| MSC World Europa | 215,863 | 1,094 ft. | 2,626 | 5,224 |
Utopia of the Seas Capacity
A ship of this size can accommodate a lot of passengers, as you’d expect. Utopia of the Seas fits 5,668 passengers at double occupancy. This means that, if every stateroom or suite on the ship has two people staying in them, then the ship can hold 5,228 people.
Of course, as any avid cruiser knows, it’s not typically the case that passengers are so equally divided across a ship. Many suites will have several people or even entire groups in them, while some smaller staterooms may only have one cruiser.
However, the double occupancy passenger capacity provides you with a good average of what to expect, in terms of how many people will be on a cruise. So, if you plan on taking a Utopia of the Seas cruise, plan to do so with about five thousand other people.
Read Also: Icon of the Seas Size Comparison – Facts and Stats
All those passengers are going to need some care and attention, and that’s where the crew comes in. Utopia of the Seas is staffed by 2,290 international crew members, which works out to about one crew member for every two to three passengers.
Utopia of the Seas Cabins
All those people have to stay somewhere. On Utopia of the Seas, you’ll find 2,834 staterooms, but there are many, many different types of staterooms on this ship, including 168 oceanview rooms, 1,918 balcony staterooms, and 176 suites.
Beyond these general categories, the staterooms can be broken down even further. For example, there are…
Studio Single Cabins
These cabins can technically fit two cruisers, but are ideal for single cruisers as they can be booked at a single-occupancy rate, so you can avoid that pesky fee that often comes with booking a cruise ship cabin meant for multiple people as a solo traveler (called a single supplement).
These cabins range from about 95 to 105 square feet, depending on if you have a window or not.
Virtual Balcony interior cabins
While not a feature that’s on all Royal Caribbean ships, Utopia of the Seas does include a few virtual balcony interior cabins. While the virtual balcony feature isn’t exactly new anymore, it is still a cool touch if you’ve never stayed in a room with one before.
Essentially, a large screen projects real-time, outside views, onto your wall, as if you were looking out a balcony window. These cabins range from 150 to 170 square feet.
Spacious Interior Family Cabins
These slightly larger interior cabins, with 270 square feet, are made with families in mind, and feature bunk beds.
Boardwalk, Central Park and Promenade View Interior Cabins
Throughout a few of the ship’s neighborhoods (which we’ll cover in just a moment), there are cabins that are technically interior cabins, but they have large windows that overlook the neighborhood scenery.
These are a nice option if you want a little extra light and less boxy feel than you might get with a standard interior room, but do note that they may come with extra noise from the surrounding neighborhood.
These cabins measure in at around 180 square feet, so they’re slightly larger than the virtual balcony interior cabins.
Boardwalk and Central Park Balcony Cabins
Similarly, and at just a bit larger (190 square feet inside, 50 square feet outside), these cabins feature balconies, but rather than the balconies facing the ocean, they overlook the neighborhood that they’re situated in. So, your boardwalk view balcony would overlook the boardwalk, for example.
Oceanview Cabins
Just what they sound like, these classic cabins offer windows that face the ship’s exterior, for ocean views. They’re around 175–185 square feet.
Family Oceanview Cabins
These cabins are a little larger, at 285 to 365 square feet, and actually offer a second bedroom, as well as a double sofa bed in the living space.
Spacious Ocean View Balcony Cabin
These ocean view balcony cabins offer the furnished, large balcony that you’d expect, but the verandahs are a little on the larger side, compared to what you might get with a balcony cabin facing the boardwalk or Central Park. They’re around 180 to 190 square feet inside, with a verandah that’s up to 80 square feet.
Ultra-Spacious Family Balcony Cabin
This cabin blends the benefits of a family cabin with a spacious private balcony cabin, for more sleeping space and a bigger verandah. All that space adds up to 305–405 square feet inside and 80–110 square feet outside.
Junior Suite
As we get into the suites, the most basic is the junior suite, and it’s not really a suite. There’s no separate bedroom, but you do get all the suite-class amenities and perks, such as access to the suite-guest only restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, and concierge services.
Depending on the exact junior suite you book, it will be either 290 or 300 square feet inside, with either a 80 or 120-square-foot verandah.
Grand Suites
The one-bedroom grand suites are luxuriously outfitted and feature desirable amenities such as double vanities, bar areas and large balconies. They’re 530 square feet inside, with a 110-square-foot balcony.
AquaTheater Suites
The AquaTheater Suite offers a wraparound balcony that can measure up to 650 square feet all on its own, plus a large living room, separate and private bedroom and a big bathroom.
This suite comes in both a one-bedroom and two-bedroom variety. Inside, these suites measure between 560 and 620 square feet for the one-bedroom variety and between 735 and 800 square feet for the two-bedroom variety.
Owners Suites
With a mammoth amount of space, both inside (860 square feet) and out (225 square feet), the owners suites are ultra-comfortable and the furthest thing from cramped.
Crown Loft Suites
These suites are unique in that they feature a two-story loft configuration. The downstairs main level features a sitting area, balcony, storage space and bathroom. Upstairs, you’ll find the master bedroom, bathroom, vanity and closet. In total, there’s 670 square feet inside and 105 square feet on the verandah.
Worth Reading: Icon of the Seas Cabins and Suites Guide
Royal Loft Suites
Similarly, these loft suites are stretched out over two floors, but the royal loft suite is much larger and nicer than the crown loft suites, measuring 2,605 square feet inside and 520 square feet outside.
For example, there’s a bedroom both upstairs and downstairs, a big dining area, hot tub on the balcony and even a baby grand piano in the living space.
Solarium Suites
Solarium suites are big, bright and offer stellar views. Wall-to-wall windows wrap around nearly the entirety of the suite, offering constant views from every angle, no matter if you’re lounging in the large living space or in bed. Do note, there’s no balcony, but inside you do get 840 square feet.
The Ultimate Family Suite
This suite is set over two floors and offers enough space for everyone in the family, with tons of cool features that the kiddos are sure to love. Think an in-cabin slide, floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, air-hockey table, theater and more. It’s the second-largest suite on the ship, at 2,475 square feet inside and 540 square feet outside.
Utopia of the Seas Neighborhood Breakdown
However, you’re not going to be spending all of your cruise days inside your stateroom or suite, no matter how cool or luxurious that stateroom or suite might be. So, what can you expect throughout the ship’s eight neighborhoods?
In general, expect more of what you’d see on any Oasis-class ship, but with a few new additions. Utopia of the Seas’ neighborhoods include:
- Royal Promenade
- Central Park
- Boardwalk
- Entertainment Place
- Pool & Sports Zone
- Youth Zone
- Vitality Spa & Fitness
- Suite Neighborhood
Here’s what you’ll see in each:
Entertainment Place
Starting from the bottom of the ship and working our way upwards, the Entertainment Place neighborhood starts on Deck 4, where you’ll find the Royal Theater, Casino Royale, The Attic, an ice rink, art gallery and Diamond Lounge.
You’ll also notice that there are two casino spaces, one non-smoking and one smoking. A main dining room and the new Royal Railway—Utopia Station immersive dining experience are adjacent.
Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade starts on Deck 5, and you’ll find lots of retail here, as well as Boleros, Sorrento, Café Promenade, Starbucks, Bell & Barley and a few other bars, like the new Pesky Parrot, which is a tiki-style bar. Guest services is also on this deck.
Vitality Spa & Fitness
The Vitality Spa and Fitness neighborhood is exactly what it sounds like — the spa and the fitness center. You can find this neighborhood tucked away at one end of Deck 6.
The Boardwalk
On the other side of Deck 6, though, there’s the Boardwalk neighborhood. There, you’ll find the Carousel, Sugar Beach, Johnny Rockets, Schooner Bar and Playmakers Sports Bar.
Central Park
On Deck 8, Central Park takes over a good majority of the space, with its greenery and light and airy setting surrounded by restaurants and watering holes.
You’ll find a range of retail alongside the dining venues here, which include Park Café, Izumi Hibachi, Izumi in the Park, Trellis Bar, Rising Tide Bar, Chops Grille and 150 Central Park.
Pool & Sports Zone
The pool and sports zone neighborhood is on Deck 16 and 17.
On Deck 16, you’ll find loads of activity, from the multiple pools to Splashaway Bay, to a whirlpool or two, and some waterslides. There are also several bars here, such as Vue Bar and The Lime & Coconut on the pool deck. Restaurants include the Solarium Bistro, The Mason Jar, Windjammer buffet and the new poolside food truck, dubbed The Spare Tire.
Up on Deck 17, you’ll find even more to love, including the Ultimate Abyss slide (the longest dry slide at sea), Flowrider surf simulator, sports courts, the arcade and additional bars and eateries like El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca.
Youth Zone
The Youth Zone neighborhood takes up its own space that stretches across Deck 14 through 16. These spaces include the Adventure Ocean program, nursery and clubs for teens and preteens.
Suite Neighborhood
Lastly, the suite neighborhood likewise sits on decks 17 and 18. As such, the guests in these suites get some of the best possible views from their top-tier locations, as well as a quieter, less crowded spot to retire after they’re done exploring the rest of the ship.
Final Words on Utopia of the Seas Size
there’s no doubt that Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas is a giant of the seas! Even though the vessel is not the largest in the world, it still offers some of the best cruising experiences in the industry.
The ship’s size, with its eight neighborhoods, allows the 5,668 guests to be spread out. There are many different things to keep any type of cruiser busy, even during a sea day. You won’t feel that the ship is overcrowded, and as the sixth in its class, the cruise line has plenty of experience managing this.
Read Also: Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: A Giant Comparison
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship will not be the final one in the Oasis class, so it will likely be overtaken in size when the next ship in the class joins the fleet in 2028. Of course, the Icon class, which started with Icon of the Seas, is the world’s largest.
