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A giant disco ball droned around the outdoor deck, purple and blue confetti rained down on passengers so heavy it was hard to see, and recording artist Meghan Trainor toasted her audience with glasses of champagne in the 90-degree heat. With that, the trainer, the godmother of Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, christened the ship – the 28th in the line’s fleet, now the largest in the industry.

The naming ceremony was held Monday at the ship’s sun-drenched outdoor aqua theater in Port Canaveral, Florida, near Orlando. It was kicked off by DJ Ruckus and the rave Run of Run DMC fame, followed by a performance by the ship’s Aqua Theater artists and a blessing from local priests.

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“This is one hell of a ship,” said Michael Bayle, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “… eight neighborhoods… 40 restaurants, infinity pools and Jacuzzis, amazing entertainment… that’s why Utopia of the Seas is the ‘World’s Greatest Weekend’.”

The term is apt, given that Utopia of the Seas will be focused on shorter voyages — something cruise lines typically reserve for older ships. Royal Caribbean has recently begun using its most attractive ships for short cruises with the aim of enticing first-time cruisers who might not feel comfortable sailing for a full week.

“It’s not about size,” Belle said of the now second-largest ship in the world (behind Royal Caribbean’s recently launched Icon of the Seas). “That’s because you can make the most of every single minute more than ever before.”

The 5,668-passenger ship is the sixth of the line’s Oasis class of ships. Almost 15 years after the class’s inception, it remains Royal Caribbean’s most popular. The line has evolved the range over time to include updated features, innovative cabin types and the latest technology.

New-class amenities 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 features a larger version of Giovanni’s Italian, an Italian eatery found on some other Oasis Class ships. It now has two decks instead of one and is located in the ship’s open-air entertainment area called the Boardwalk. On earlier Oasis class ships, it was located in a garden-like central park area.

Like previous Oasis class ships, Utopia of the Seas is designed with multiple “neighborhoods” including a boardwalk and central park.

Sights found on previous Oasis Class ships include the Rising Tide Bar, which “levitates” on hydraulics between the ship’s Royal Promenade and Central Park neighborhoods; a boardwalk neighborhood carousel and the Ultimate Abyss Slide, which twists down 10 decks; and the Ultimate Family Suite, ideal for parents with young children, which offers a separate bedroom, a hangout space with games and a slide that takes the kids down from their bedroom to the living room.

Through at least 2026, Utopia of the Seas plans to offer three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas, Perfect Day at Cocoaque, and Western Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral.

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