Exciting news from the world of cruising! Royal Caribbean International has officially begun construction on its sixth ship in the revolutionary Oasis Class, and the cruise line has just revealed the name of this highly-anticipated vessel: Utopia of the Seas.
The steel-cutting ceremony, held at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marked the beginning of the 30-month journey to bring Utopia of the Seas to life. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and the shipyard were on hand to celebrate this important milestone, including Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Photo Credit: © Bernard Biger – Chantiers de l’Atlantique
What makes this ship so special? For starters, it will be the first Oasis Class ship powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). This is a bold evolution of the game-changing Oasis Class that redefined cruising with the introduction of Oasis of the Seas in 2009. Today, these ships are renowned for their family-friendly experiences and innovative features, and Utopia of the Seas will be no different.
According to Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, “vacationers can look forward to the signature combination of Royal Caribbean experiences and many brand-new adventures that has and will continue to make the Oasis class of ships the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages.”
And, as if that weren’t enough, the introduction of the first LNG-powered Oasis Class ship is a big step towards a cleaner energy future. After the debut of Icon of the Seas (the first LNG ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet) in fall 2023, the use of the cleanest fossil fuel available to cruise ships today, along with other environmentally-friendly features onboard Utopia of the Seas, will help boost energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
So there you have it! Get ready for a new adventure, as construction is now underway on Utopia of the Seas, the newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s legendary Oasis Class. Come spring 2024, you’ll be able to experience the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages, powered by clean energy.