Yes, we are aboard the brand new, second-largest-in-the-world ship: Utopia of the Seas for a fun family cruise. This is an amazing adventure onboard with my sister Linda, her husband Norm and my daughter Karina, son-in-law Jason and our two wonderful grandsons. This 4-night cruise fit perfectly during their fall break and was easy enough for us to reach in Port Canaveral. And of course the unofficial cruise director (me) had the typed agenda all set – after all, this was a big ship with much to see and do – we wouldn’t want to miss anything. ((I have a YouTube video of the highlights)
For us, the best way to cruise from Port Canaveral is to get to Orlando the day before, stay the night in a hotel near the airport and then make the 45 minute drive directly to the ship in the morning. Linda and Norm flew in from California, arrived late evening due to delays enroute, but we managed to gather and plan for the morning’s departure. Everyone had breakfast and was ready on time in the morning for the drive to the ship – I am proud of my cruisers!
If you have ever cruised, you know the anticipation and delight as you approach the pier, the huge ship looming over the parking decks and embarkation building, as big as a skyscraper. Security and check-in have become much smoother with the help of digital passes, but it is always a hustle and flow of people, bags, kids, walkers and wheelchairs. But this was definitely the smoothest and quickest check-in ever. You make your way past the photographers and up the ramps and suddenly the crew is welcoming you aboard and into the ship! Wow, how exhilarating, how fun, what energy, how LOUD! Ok then, let’s get the party started and make our way to the food and fun. Ready? Let’s go!
We split up, Linda and I headed to the dining room to be sure we had a table for 8 set for the 5:00pm seating and the rest heading to their muster station for the safety briefing. That finished, we exited up the elevator to a quieter location to find food and drink. This was the first time aboard a Royal Caribbean ship for Jason, Karina and the boys, so they went off exploring. I was headed to the Windjammer buffet in search of what I heard was a seafood spread featuring lobster tails. I wasn’t disappointed. Lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp – oh my! And in the buffet. That is definitely a first for me.
By 1:00 we were able to check in to our rooms, where our bags and room cards were waiting. We each had balcony rooms, some overlooking the Boardwalk deck, some overlooking Central Park. Exploring the ship, checking out the bars, pools and such was the next adventure – and learning that the sail away party involved more LOUD music and party vibes. It was definitely an upbeat atmosphere onboard.
So what did we do for our 4 days? Was it enough time? We packed in everything we could and more, and it was just right for a week off. Here are highlights:
I already mentioned the seafood surprise on day 1. Dinner was just as delicious. We made our way to the early seating, main dining deck 3 and after a bit of a “let me check” moment to find our reservation, we were escorted to the center of the room, under the huge chandelier, to a round table with high backed chairs – the premier spot of the dining room! How special. The boys were perfect each night, ordering their selections of fruit cup, fries, chicken fingers, toasted cheese or spaghetti (I kind of forget exactly), and of course ice cream. Our servers Christopher and Tamera were excellent and attentive. And we waved the napkins in salute to the kitchen staff.
The first night’s entertainment was in the main theater for “All In!” a song and dance performance that was great fun. Good that we had reservations to get good seats and we were even treated to lighted drones flying about.
Nassau Port Day: We stayed onboard to enjoy the pool, flow rider, rock climbing and more, since a lot of folks had left the ship. Wyatt and I made a run down the waterslide and he and Owen got plenty wet in the pool and Splashaway Bay. Norm found some comfy couches and chairs in the shade by the pool and Lime & Coconut bar and we kind of claimed the spot each day. A mid-afternoon shower sort of chased the crowd away, but we hung in there, since the bar was right there (don’t want to waste that drink package). The show at night was in the Aqua theater in the stern of the ship: Aqua80Too. Amazing feats of diving, splashing, swimming, aerial acts, and slack line.
Sea Day: (and I might have my days a bit mixed up, it was THAT much fun). Doug and Wyatt did the boogie board on the flow rider just before lightning struck and a storm rolled in. The boys played mini-golf, ate ice cream, searched for five chrome monkeys onboard, ate ice cream, watched the superheroes parade and ate ice cream. Jackie, Linda, the boys and I tried the dry slide Ultimate Abyss and survived. The highlight of the day was a power failure aboard that shut down all power for a few hours. The worst part was that the AC wouldn’t turn back on for a bit and things got pretty warm. The show at night was a tribute band that was a bit “off” for the lead singer.
Perfect Day CoCo Cay: We were in port with Harmony of the Seas and were a bit worried about a crush of people, but it really was not a problem. We found lounge chairs, splashed in the water of Harbor Beach on Chill Island, bobbed in the Oasis Lagoon pool and had delicious food (and ice cream) at the Chill Grill. Rumblings of thunder had us exit the water for about a half hour, but no rain and we were back in quickly. The show this night was in the ice arena where we had front row seats for “YouTopia.” Very cool skating and dancing that was very high energy.
There is a quick story for this night: Owen and Wyatt had a big day in Coco Cay, so their family decided to eat in the Windjammer while the rest of us did the dining room. We met up later and they raved about the seafood selection and other good food in the buffet. Hmm, well since Jackie, Linda and Norm were watching the comedy show I thought I would wander up and see if it was true. Oh yeah, there were piles of stone crab legs, mussels, shrimp, clams – so I just had to grab some and find a spot by the window overlooking the boardwalk. “We see you” texted Karina. What? I looked around me, none of my peeps were there. “Outside” texted. What? “On our balcony” she texted and sure enough, across from me and down a few balconies were my grandsons waving to me. They spotted me having my second dinner (and you would think you could go unnoticed on this ship of 6,000 plus!).
What else did I discover? I tried to find all the bars, especially those that were new for me. I had a toasted marshmallow old-fashioned in the Schooner Bar, PB&J old-fashioned in the Mason Jar, Peanut Butter Pina Colada in the Pesky Parrot Bar … well, you get the idea. Our main dining room meals were delicious. Prime rib, Caribbean pork chop, lamb shank, beef bourgeon, onion soup, coconut shrimp, crusted salmon, escargot, calamari, crab cake … all top notch, great service. I got my 2 for $30 t-shirts (used to be $20!) Jackie and I spent some time in the solarium pool and we all got the hang of the new elevator system. You tap your destination on the pad and it tells you what elevator to take. No other buttons. We found the traveling piano player, I spent two nights in the casino playing craps (pretty much broke even), we tried the plunge pool hot tubs, the boys rode the carousel a few times and we all walked around plenty.
The pictures tell the story, and suffice it to say a wonderful time was had by all of us. We started early, stayed up as late as we could and started it all over again the next day. Until the final morning’s departure after breakfast, goodbye hugs and the drive home. Jackie and I made a detour to drive Linda and Norm to see family in South Carolina, so we spent the weekend with them before driving ourselves home.
So what’s next for your favorite adventurers? In a week we head to Panama City Beach with the motorhome, but a hurricane is headed there before our visit, so not sure of the outcome.
I am also in the midst of making lots of glass garden sculptures, fountains and birdbaths and filming the process. I have them posted on my growing (can you believe it?) YouTube channel. I would appreciate it if you view, subscribe and enjoy: youtube.com/@adventureswithdougandjackie But we had a large pine tree come crashing down on my hanging pieces and it pretty much smashed about 30 pieces. So there will need to be some repairs made.
Stay tuned.
Adventures with Doug and Jackie 
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