Utopia’s ridiculously LOUD sound levels

[GatorCruiser]

All fair points about market margins and profits and attracting new cruisers. But for Pete’s sake the cruise fares could level out a bit. The pendulum has swung over to great gatsby’ing flappers excess. 

[Southern Dan]

I hope as Star gets going this summer, Legend comes out next year and then Icon IV gets announced the prices start to come down just a little bit.  There's gotta be a breaking point where they exhaust the "first time cruisers" people who want to try it out, the old time Loyal to Royal people who are tired of the always increasing prices who jump to other cruise lines/land-based vacations and overall burn out of the limited itineraries that both Oasis and Icon Class ships are capable of.

I could be completely wrong though and the prices will do nothing but rise from here-on-out.

[smokeybandit]

Last April there was a brief but tangible drop in prices, including Star. I'm hoping we get something similar this spring.

[GatorCruiser]

33 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Last April there was a brief but tangible drop in prices, including Star. I'm hoping we get something similar this spring.

Indeed my friend, but hope isn’t a plan. The cruising fad pendulum needs to swing back for us loyal cruisers. I remember blushing about what we paid for a Disney crusie back in 2019 and now look back fondly on that fare now with Royal. Irony is ironic. 

[Babsy47]

I was looking at Legend.  The Royal Suite was about $100,000 for three.  I wonder who makes up the market for a $100,000 seven day trip?  It is not famous people.  Is it low key really wealthy people?  And why?  For 100k, the world offers many options.

[tonyfsu21]

55 minutes ago, Babsy47 said:

I was looking at Legend.  The Royal Suite was about $100,000 for three.  I wonder who makes up the market for a $100,000 seven day trip?  It is not famous people.  Is it low key really wealthy people?  And why?  For 100k, the world offers many options.

Remember someone actually bought the $100k gold royal bling cup. There are folks out there that wouldn’t blink an eye at $100k for 7 days in the Royal suite. The people will pay. 

[Southern Dan]

I wish they didn’t so they would bring the prices down

[loki007]

14 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

Nashville of the seas ? 

I'll be honest...the first weekend we were on it I referred to it as "Trailer Park of the Seas" 

[GatorCruiser]

Shoot, for 100k , I’d charter a private jet and fly to Europe. 

[smokeybandit]

12 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

I wonder who makes up the market for a $100,000 seven day trip?

A lot more people than you'd think

[twangster]

17 hours ago, Southern Dan said:

I hope as Star gets going this summer, Legend comes out next year and then Icon IV gets announced the prices start to come down just a little bit.  There's gotta be a breaking point where they exhaust the "first time cruisers" people who want to try it out, the old time Loyal to Royal people who are tired of the always increasing prices who jump to other cruise lines/land-based vacations and overall burn out of the limited itineraries that both Oasis and Icon Class ships are capable of.

I could be completely wrong though and the prices will do nothing but rise from here-on-out.

According to CLIA 15% of the US population has cruised before. The new to cruise is a very large market.  Probably why Royal has been advertising during the NFL playoffs. 

The current generation of new to cruise aren't all one and done.  Many of the new to cruise of this era only know current pricing.  It's their normal.  So when they come back they aren't thinking about cheaper cruises, this is how much it costs to them.  It's all they know. So many of them book another since they enjoyed their first experience and they book longer ones the next time.  They tell their friends how great it was and even more new to cruise join the party.  And they tell three friends and they tell three friends.

On the way to reaching 25% of the US population would mean another 34 million first timers.  That's many years of supply.  Unless the economy crashes or some other major event occurs the future for the cruise industry is pretty bright.

Plus land vacations are not cheap alternatives.  Buy three meals a day for a family of four on a seven day vacation.  That adds up quickly. There is still great value in cruising even at higher rates.

[smokeybandit]

I'd be curious how many of that 15% has cruised as adults, or if their only cruise was as a child.

 

[Steve1959]

I agree. We had a central park balcony room and it was so noisy that we had to keep the balcony door closed due to the excessive noise.

Edited February 2 by Steve1959
Left a word out

[asquared17]

On 1/31/2025 at 10:07 PM, Smokey79 said:

However, I liked the aqua show soundtrack and I’m glad I did because it was so loud on the boardwalk you could hear in your soul.

honestly this is the only way to experience aqua 80 too

[UNCHeelCruiser]

This is my 4th time with a Boardwalk Balcony (Oasis, Allure, Harmony), we are as far back as you can get…actually up against Giovanni’s and it’s so freaking loud. It’s 11:00PM and trying to get a three-year-old to sleep isn’t ideal. I know it’s an Ultimate Weekend (although we are weekday) but dang, it was over 100db the entire Aqua Show. Fun doesn’t necessarily mean going deaf. Never even remotely had this issue with the other Oasis Class ships. 
 

[Sea Squirrel]

We didn't love Utopia and would probably rank it as one of our least favorite ships of the 10 we have sailed. That being said, we are booked on Utopia at the end of the month. That says a lot for Royal's ships for us. Even the one we like the least we are happy to sail again and probably again.  

 

[WAYNO]

Younger folks thrive on loud.  Royal is courting the younger cruisers.  The geezers wont be cruising forever. 

[Smokey79]

This thread and my knees remind me that I’m not as young as I want to be. 

[Martin B.]

On 1/31/2025 at 3:28 PM, Frogfather said:

Just got off a cruise trying out the new Utopia ship.  Beautiful ship, but while we are huge loyal to royal fans, this being our 39th cruise… this is our first RCCL vessel that we will not be returning to.  Why… sound levels… Every venue, show, and space was pushed to very very uncomfortable levels.  When you have to order your drink by writing your order down because the bar tender can’t hear you and you cant hear them, even yelling your order… this is ridiculous.

We were told by one of the staff, Royal is trying to make Utopia a party ship and to achieve that they think super loud sound is a requirement to achieve that at all times. 
 

how loud are we talking… we were so uncomfortable our smart watches were sending warning of hearing loss… we registered show sound levels well over 100db.  I believe anything over 90 is on hearing loss and possible damaging ranges.

And the poor staff that have to work in these environments… we found ourselves so disturbed by the excess volume, we avoided areas like the pool deck… and oh… Central Park is supposed to be this wonderful serene space to relax and hear the birds… nope… Deck 15 and 16 is so loud… you can’t hear the person sitting next to you yelling their lungs out sitting in Central Park.

So disappointed in Royal… this is out first Royal ship we are putting on our never again list… I’ve always had such great things to say about Royal, but this is now moved to the top of the list to share… Don’t go on Utopia.

Just to make sure this was not just our opinion, we started polling other guests before and after events, and it was unanimous agreement every time… everything on this ship was way way too loud and they agreed with my points and experiences above. Everyone wished they brought or Royal handed out ear protection… but this should never be needed… just turn down the sound levels to reasonable levels.

Just ended our 4 day cruise on utopia. I agree the sound at times was overboard. Especially dance and aqua shows where you can’t make out what they are singing. Ice show wasn’t as bad to me. The shows were spectacular btw! The volume around the pools does get painfully loud during contests, DJ hours and when the boat leaves ports they ramp it up. But at least that’s not all day - and I know what you mean about the loudness across Central Park and our balcony.  I love a good party - but it gets carried away. That said the cruise was enjoyable - like others, Mason Jar was a great meal, and the chill bay at Cococay was a day well spent. Just had to get my pool time in before noon and after 4pm to avoid the ears from bleeding.  

[r2davis65]

This is 100 percent correct.  We left the ship last week and it was by far the least enjoyable cruise ship that I have sailed.  We were eating lunch on the balcony of the Italian restaurant that overlooks Central Park, and we could not hear each other nor the server.  We avoided the pool areas due to noise, and it was unbearable at the water show.  If you're into that environment, this is the ship for you.  If not, keep looking. 

[CruiseRoyalDad]

On 2/1/2025 at 9:42 AM, Matt said:

 

There's 4 other Oasis Class ships offering longer cruises, and they're probably cheaper per night too!

[InmyElement]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:48 AM, loki007 said:

I'll be honest...the first weekend we were on it I referred to it as "Trailer Park of the Seas" 

That is the best!!!   I almost spit out mt coffee... We experience the Utopia passengers at Hideaway Beach..you could tell..

We're out... thanks for all the insight..no Utopia for us..

 

[OCSC Mike]

Looking forward to the first of several Utopia B2B's we have booked over the next year or so in just over a month.

Obviously going in with an open mind. I believe everyone who had issues with the noise level but I'm not overly concerned.

We avoid the main pool area on every ship (sun and crowds are not my friends). If the aqua show is loud, I think I can deal for 45 minutes.

We're rarely bothered by much but anything is possible.

[barjpoe]

The noise level across the fleet is bad. or least on the newer ships.

Especially in the entertainment venues. 

I were hearing aids and have to turn them off,

[CruisingNewb]

On 1/31/2025 at 4:12 PM, twangster said:

Bass would cause the rivets in the hull to loosen.

there are alot of live bands that use Bass players playing through Bass amps.

[CruisingNewb]

I recently began researching other cruise lines, just to see what is out there besides the 3 cruise lines we have tried out.

We find Royal to be right in the middle in terms of most aspects of cruising, with dining being closer to the top.

As to noise levels, there are party cruises out there (names I won't mention) that are way louder than RCCL.

Then, there are cruiselines that go the complete opposite way and the ships seem really quiet.

IMO, loud is annoying, but silence is boring.  I try to experience the "loudness" on a ship from the perspective that it is lively instead of annoying.  It doesn't always help my ears, but it helps in my overall mood.  

Im not trying to discount anyone's feelings or experiences.  

[Geezer Of The Seas]

4 cruises on 3 vessel classes with Royal. Our cabin selection rationale has never failed us. We're not fans of sail away parties, so we pre-purchase a bottle of wine and do our own sail away.

Our single trip on Wonder I was frankly amazed how minimal the noise was at sail away once we were underway. 

Midship ocean facing balcony cabins with 2 deck separation from the pools rule......

[loki007]

7 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Looking forward to the first of several Utopia B2B's we have booked over the next year or so in just over a month.

Obviously going in with an open mind. I believe everyone who had issues with the noise level but I'm not overly concerned.

We avoid the main pool area on every ship (sun and crowds are not my friends). If the aqua show is loud, I think I can deal for 45 minutes.

We're rarely bothered by much but anything is possible.

it definitely grew on us after our 2nd sailing. Its tough to get a feel for it on a short cruise. It is busy though unlike short cruises on other ships. Definitely try to get Royal Railway if you can and spend time at Mason Jar in the evening for the live music. 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, loki007 said:

it definitely grew on us after our 2nd sailing. Its tough to get a feel for it on a short cruise. It is busy though unlike short cruises on other ships. Definitely try to get Royal Railway if you can and spend time at Mason Jar in the evening for the live music. 

No interest in Royal Railway... I'm too frugal and my wife would only eat the kids' menu, lol. Thanks though.

We've been on Wonder 5 times, big Mason Jar fans. If nothing else, I pop in to grab a drink most days and love their brunch. Tried dinner for the first time last week and really liked the ribs but decided to go back to brunch.

I'm most looking forward to new shows, Pesky Parrot, the newly renovated CL up on deck 16, GK in its new location, etc. Basically whatever is different from Wonder (which I obviously already love).

[Hoppy2BHere]

  Our 2 cents… 50s - 60s and have sailed Utopia multiple times including inaugural... Loud but plenty of places to escape. Love GK and the staff. Pub is great. Pesky Parrot is awesome hangout especially in the AM sea day..  Solarium is busy but laid back. On this weekend and we are b2b for the President’s cruise. Go in with an open mind and have fun..

J&S

[loki007]

45 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

No interest in Royal Railway... I'm too frugal and my wife would only eat the kids' menu, lol. Thanks though.

We've been on Wonder 5 times, big Mason Jar fans. If nothing else, I pop in to grab a drink most days and love their brunch. Tried dinner for the first time last week and really liked the ribs but decided to go back to brunch.

I'm most looking forward to new shows, Pesky Parrot, the newly renovated CL up on deck 16, GK in its new location, etc. Basically whatever is different from Wonder (which I obviously already love).

Pesky Parrot is fun I'm glad they added it to Allure now CL was still on 4 last time we were on. 

[OCSC Mike]

6 minutes ago, loki007 said:

CL was still on 4 last time we were on

Yeah, it's supposedly being renovated right now according to an article @Matt wrote. Waiting for some posters to check it out who are sailing this month. The deck plan on the RC website already has it up on 16 and shows the old deck 4 CL along with The Attic converted to more non-smoking casino space.

Judging by the deck plan, it looks to be a nice size and deck 16 has to be better than the old windowless basement. The only catch for me is we're always forward so my early morning coffee runs will now involve a walk across the pool deck (which could actually be nice) instead of a quick elevator ride straight down.

[Matt]

14 hours ago, Hoppy2BHere said:

Loud but plenty of places to escape

Exactly. I don't spend any time on the pool deck, especially on embarkation day.