“Family Thrills and Utopian Chills!” – Utopia of the Seas 03/10/2025 – 3/14/2025 ⚓🍹

[Lovetocruise2002]

“Family Thrills and Utopian Chills!” – Utopia of the Seas 03/10/2025 – 3/14/2025

It’s been a bit since the @Lovetocruise2002 extended family has gone on a family vacation! We are beyond grateful for another opportunity to travel together. Our last sailing together as an extended family was on Harmony March 2023 (live blog here), and as many of you know, since then, life took our family for a bit of an unexpected turn.

Even though much as changed over the last two years, some things still remain the same…we are all still a little bit CRAZY, a little bit LOUD, and there is still a whole lot of LOVE!

Who’s Going?

Let me introduce you again to the @Lovetocruise2002 extended family!

·       Mom & Dad – my parents

·       My sister

·       BIL – brother-in-law

·       N13 – Nephew (13 years old)

·       N11 – Niece (11 years old)

·       Hubby & I

·       Only one freeloader  just D16 with us on this one

Flight

Flying out separately to MCO. My sister and her family are heading to Disney World a few days early. I have to work until Friday, March 7^th, so we fly out early Saturday morning. My sister wanted my parents to head out early with her to Orlando, but my Dad was not down for hanging out at Disney’s Polynesian all day long. He said he would be bored (as you can see, I don’t take after him in that respect lol), so they will fly out early Saturday morning with us.

All flights are DTW-MCO on Delta. We did not book through Air2Sea this time (long story) so fingers crossed for no flight shenanigans!

Pre-Cruise Stay

Since my sister is doing the parks with her family, and she’s a semi-Disney fanatic, staying at the Polynesian was a given for her. Seeing that I am the exact opposite and want to avoid Disney and small children at all costs, we decided to stay elsewhere.

My parents were not initially coming with us. My sister and I booked this sailing at release, February 2023. Then, my Dad’s health took a turn later that year and we weren’t sure he could travel ever again. Anyhow, praise God my Dad is now stable, and has been for the last year. They decided about 6 months ago that they wanted to join us.

Prior to my parent’s deciding to join us, we thought of staying directly in Cape Canaveral. But when they decided to join us, and did not want to stay with my sister at the Poly, we reconsidered and decided to stay in Orlando instead. There are more options for rooms that can accommodate 4+ in Orlando, and the cost is cheaper than booking 2 separate rooms for two nights.

In my search for two-bedroom options in Orlando, I came across a place that close to Margaritaville where Hubby and I stayed back in July 2024. We’ll be spending 2 nights at the Embassy Suites Sunset Walk. This is a newer hotel (remodel? Not really sure) but they have two-bedroom suites that look more modern, and fresher compared to other Orlando properties, so I decided to give them a try.

And some exciting news! Just recently, while trying to find the nearest Publix to the hotel, I realized that we are 3 mins away from a Raising Cane’s location! @Jax…we will need to try this out for sure!

Our plan is to meet up with my sister on Sunday. They should be done with the parks by then and we’ll do some stuff in Orlando together. Or rather, the plan is they will do some stuff together and Hubby and I are heading to the outlets in Orlando.

As for getting to the port, both my sister and I rented cars, so we will all be driving ourselves to the port on cruise day.

Itinerary

10 MAR ORLANDO (PORT CANAVERAL), FL

11 MAR NASSAU, BAHAMAS

12 MAR CRUISING

13 MAR PERFECT DAY COCOCAY, BAHAMAS

14 MAR ORLANDO (PORT CANAVERAL), FL

Cabins

We’re staying separately this time. No villa on UT. My sister and her family in one cabin, and my parents with us in another. My niece has already asked for our room key lol

Pre-Cruise thoughts

-        It’s everyone’s first time on Utopia. I feel like this ship has escaped me in the sense that when it first came out in July 2024, we were in Europe, and then doing our S2S, and I could not keep up with all the inaugural news. Then, work started back up and it’s been crazy town since then. I am trying to do some fast research on this ship so that I don’t miss too much.

-        Last sailing with the extended family (two years ago), I said I was really going to cherish the memories. My resolve to do that has only grown since. Every day together is a gift, not to be taken for granted.

-        We have lost one freeloader on this one. This makes me sadder than I can put into words. It hits a bit different. We have taken many trips without both, but to bring one, and not the other feels very odd.

-        Once again, in the spirit of a live blog, please do not hesitate to ask any questions.  I will do my best to find out whatever I can for you.

-        When responding to a post with a series of pictures, please do not include the pictures in your reply.  It just makes for easier scrolling.

-        Lastly, I will try to post videos and stories on Instagram.  You can follow me @lovetocruise2002

[Lovetocruise2002]

Some dates to note:

We did not qualify for a Royal Up this time since we had 4+ in the room. My sister did put in a bid. They were offered 60 days out. The ship is sold out though.

Shows opened up early. Around 62 days out.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Shoreside Genie:

This is our second time dealing with the Shoreside Genie service. The initial reach out was January 15, 2025 (about 7 weeks out).

Our first experience with Shoreside was early November for our NYE cruise. I really enjoyed working with Juan despite the rough start. So much so that I took a chance and tried to ask him in late December to be our Shoreside genie for this March 2025 sailing. There were so many bad ones out there that I wanted to keep him since he was efficient. He said he would keep an eye out for our March reservation number and try to grab it.

Anyway, fast forward a bit and just after my NYE sailing, I heard from a different shoreside genie (Maricar) saying she would be handling my March 2025 sailing. Somewhat disappointed, I figured my request did not work. I replied to the new shoreside genie with my dining requests and crickets. About a week later, my OG shoreside genie (Juan) reached out and said he was taking over! I was pretty happy! He again, took care of all dining efficiently, including my sister's dining (they have the UDP).

Around the start of February, I got another email, this time from a third shoreside genie (Brad) saying he was now taking over. Completely puzzled, and not really in need of much else from shoreside at this point, I decided to ask what happened to my OG shoreside genie, not really expecting a response. Shoreside genie #3 (Brad) tells me that my OG shoreside genie is on leave, that shoreside genies, while magical, need time to rest and recharge. And I am now on my 3rd shoreside genie for this March 2025 UT sailing lol.

They must be getting better because over this last month, while I have needed nothing from Brad he has checked in via email twice just to make sure we did not need anything else. Also, nothing appears to have gotten lost in translation because this morning (9 days out), Carlos, our ship genie reached out with a preliminary agenda and it all matches shoreside.

[WAAAYTOOO]

SOOOO glad to hear that your dad is well enough to cruise with you.  He had us worried there, for a while !!

[Lovetocruise2002]

18 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

SOOOO glad to hear that your dad is well enough to cruise with you.  He had us worried there, for a while !!

He is truly living a miracle right now. 

[Ampurp85]

I'm so glad your dad is better, I always keep my cruise blog family in my thoughts and prayers.

Are the rooms close to each other, or will there be a hike?

[Lovetocruise2002]

13 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Are the rooms close to each other, or will there be a hike?

9 and 17. Total hike lol

[Jax]

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

And some exciting news! Just recently, while trying to find the nearest Publix to the hotel, I realized that we are 3 mins away from a Raising Cane’s location! @Jax…we will need to try this out for sure!

This is such big news!! The boys recently told me to try to duplicate their sauce. They will be so jealous.  

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Then, my Dad’s health took a turn later that year and we weren’t sure he could travel ever again. Anyhow, praise God my Dad is now stable, and has been for the last year. They decided about 6 months ago that they wanted to join us.

This makes me so happy to hear.  I was just talking to my sister earlier today on the 1 year anniversary of my dad’s fall, kinda feeling in a funk and then I read this fantastic news in your blog about your dad.  I can’t wait to see what the extended family gets up to.  

[Lovetocruise2002]

8 minutes ago, Jax said:

I was just talking to my sister earlier today on the 1 year anniversary of my dad’s fall, kinda feeling in a funk

I am always thinking of you. I know that both our Dads had health issues around the same time a year ago.

I just told my Mom today that we are going to a place for chicken fingers for lunch next Saturday. Didn't know how else to explain that place to her. I am not even sure I know what all the hype is myself 

[LandstromCruise]

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

We have lost one freeloader on this one. This makes me sadder than I can put into words. It hits a bit different. We have taken many trips without both, but to bring one, and not the other feels very odd.

The wife and I are at odds with this one. We have 5 boys, 2 of which are older and out of the house so no longer get the freeloader status. We have a third that has 1 year left. We have 2 cruises booked for him, but then in 2027 the last 2 are getting to go on Star with us and she thinks the other one should get to go. I said sorry, he will have been 18 for a year and out of high school so he’s done. 

[MLH]

So glad to follow along!  Family cruises are so good!  

My daughter is getting married Saturday and the late night snacks at the after party will be Canes.

[Jax]

41 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am not even sure I know what all the hype is myself 

Don’t worry you will be part of the club soon enough. The sauce has a lot to do with the hype for us but then again so does the chicken and bread.  

[JohnK6404]

So exciting! What a big group this time! Have an amazing time! 

[Lovetocruise2002]

32 minutes ago, LandstromCruise said:

but then in 2027 the last 2 are getting to go on Star with us and she thinks the other one should get to go. I said sorry, he will have been 18 for a year and out of high school so he’s done. 

Oh we would bring her still. But her university breaks are October and February and she no longer has March break with us. That is the problem. We wanted her to come still but she has a midterm on the 14th so that is what finally sealed the deal for her not coming. We have this one and next March left with D16 and then her spring break will no longer match mine. Then it's just Hubby and I on Star of the Seas for March 2027.

23 minutes ago, MLH said:

Family cruises are so good!  

 

4 minutes ago, JohnK6404 said:

What a big group this time!

Yes! Much more hectic, but good!

[Sweety]

I love family cruise. We are going on one December 2025 to celebrate my parents 65th anniversary. They don’t want a fuss. It’s only 12 cabins booked. No Fuss!!!!

[Sweety]

Mason Jar!!!! Yes.

[Lovetocruise2002]

28 minutes ago, Sweety said:

I love family cruise. We are going on one December 2025 to celebrate my parents 65th anniversary.

Wow! 65 years! What a blessing! My parents just celebrated their 51st anniversary 6 months ago.

27 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Mason Jar!!!!

Yes! We have lunch and dinner there and I am excited to see a certain crew member there again! Bring on the Mississippi Moonlights!

[LandstromCruise]

So are you in a SLS? 

[OCSC Mike]

Sorry to interrupt the family and Raising Cane's discussions.

You already know my requests... take pics of the WJ seafood spread (with you in them as proof someone else didn't take them and you were actually there), Pesky Parrot drinks, Mason Jar, etc.

On an unrelated note, we should have a cabin on hold for Star March 2027 by tomorrow.

[Lovetocruise2002]

9 minutes ago, LandstromCruise said:

So are you in a SLS? 

No Star lofts on UT. We are Deck 9. My sister is 17. 

5 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

You already know my requests... take pics of the WJ seafood spread (with you in them as proof someone else didn't take them and you were actually there), Pesky Parrot drinks, Mason Jar, etc.

See screenshot of word doc to Carlos today

8 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

On an unrelated note, we should have a cabin on hold for Star March 2027 by tomorrow.

Yay!!! 

Also side note…I am going to see if I can find Jocelle too! 

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am going to see if I can find Jocelle too!

I was waiting til closer to the cruise to remind you but you're already prepared as usual! Please say hi from Mike & Cori.

We're stuck with an even earlier Mason Jar time on Utopia and obviously no genie to make changes. The good news is they're right next door and it's during our turnaround days so we can't possibly be on the ship any earlier... I'll make it work.

[Lovetocruise2002]

50 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I was waiting til closer to the cruise to remind you but you're already prepared as usual! Please say hi from Mike & Cori.

We're stuck with an even earlier Mason Jar time on Utopia and obviously no genie to make changes. The good news is they're right next door and it's during our turnaround days so we can't possibly be on the ship any earlier... I'll make it work.

If I can find her, I will definitely say hello! Also, I would personally prefer an earlier MJ time. I am always hungry on embarkation day. Probably a combo of not eating a big hotel breakfast and dragging around luggage. But I was not sure about the reverse order of doing MJ first and then WJ. I thought WJ first would be better. But really, I just want my Mississippi Moonlight. It’s been almost 2 years! 

[Sweety]

10 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I was waiting til closer to the cruise to remind you but you're already prepared as usual! Please say hi from Mike & Cori.

We're stuck with an even earlier Mason Jar time on Utopia and obviously no genie to make changes. The good news is they're right next door and it's during our turnaround days so we can't possibly be on the ship any earlier... I'll make it work.

Love Mason Jar. Still trying to do Wonder.

[OCSC Mike]

11 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I would personally prefer an earlier MJ time. I am always hungry on embarkation day.

I would too without the WJ issue. We don't ever go on embarkation day, partly b/c we don't mind WJ when it first opens, but also b/c we have been using a D+ BOGO on night one and I don't want MJ brunch plus Gio's dinner in the same day. We like to spread out our specialty meals since we obviously don't have star class or UDP. We made it early for turnaround day (11:30) thinking we'll be up early, I'll have coffee and a pastry not actual breakfast, then be ready to eat 4+ hours later. I didn't factor in the seafood.

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I would too without the WJ issue. We don't ever go on embarkation day, partly b/c we don't mind WJ when it first opens, but also b/c we have been using a D+ BOGO on night one and I don't want MJ brunch plus Gio's dinner in the same day. We like to spread out our specialty meals since we obviously don't have star class or UDP. We made it early for turnaround day (11:30) thinking we'll be up early, I'll have coffee and a pastry not actual breakfast, then be ready to eat 4+ hours later. I didn't factor in the seafood.

The place is packed! The MJ on Utopia makes the Wonders venue look like it’s vacant. I’ve never seen such insanity, it’s almost as if people have finally figured out how amazing the drinks are. 

[Sweety]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I would too without the WJ issue. We don't ever go on embarkation day, partly b/c we don't mind WJ when it first opens, but also b/c we have been using a D+ BOGO on night one and I don't want MJ brunch plus Gio's dinner in the same day. We like to spread out our specialty meals since we obviously don't have star class or UDP. We made it early for turnaround day (11:30) thinking we'll be up early, I'll have coffee and a pastry not actual breakfast, then be ready to eat 4+ hours later. I didn't factor in the seafood.

I booked Wonder. MJ, here we come.

[OCSC Mike]

27 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

The place is packed! The MJ on Utopia makes the Wonders venue look like it’s vacant. I’ve never seen such insanity, it’s almost as if people have finally figured out how amazing the drinks are. 

We just eat meals there and I randomly pop in to grab a drink and leave. It was always packed at night on Wonder but not at other times. Either way, if it takes a few mins to get my Mississippi Moonlight, I'll live.

[tonyfsu21]

4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

We just eat meals there and I randomly pop in to grab a drink and leave. It was always packed at night on Wonder but not at other times. Either way, if it takes a few mins to get my Mississippi Moonlight, I'll live.

You might forget about MJ after trying some of the Pesky Parrot drinks. The bar at MJ on Utopia is chaos but the dining side I would say is a bit more organized chaos. We have had brunch and dinner these last couple trips on Utopia and it was a different vibe than Wonder. I am sure you will enjoy those Mississippi moonlights. Enjoy!

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, tonyfsu21 said:

You might forget about MJ after trying some of the Pesky Parrot drinks. The bar at MJ on Utopia is chaos but the dining side I would say is a bit more organized chaos. We have had brunch and dinner these last couple trips on Utopia and it was a different vibe than Wonder. I am sure you will enjoy those Mississippi moonlights. Enjoy!

We became good friends with a MJ server on Wonder who's now on Utopia. We met her on a family cruise in 2023 and then saw her last year. My wife keeps in touch with her via social media. That's the "Jocelle" you may have seen @Lovetocruise2002 and I mention. Definitely not worried about the service.

As for the drinks, I'm not even a big drinker but there's plenty of room for everything, lol. It also helps that I'm not a whiskey/bourbon drinker since it eliminates a lot of them (especially at MJ). I'll try almost anything rum, vodka, or tequila based (with vouchers of course) so I'll make my way through some of the Pesky Parrot menu. Any personal favs? My wife barely drinks but she really wants to try the Monkey Business (minus the coffee liqueur).

[Lovetocruise2002]

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I don't want MJ brunch plus Gio's dinner in the same day

I hear you. I would not want that either. For Day 1 we picked MJ for lunch and Hooked for dinner. I would normally not do Hooked but my mom loves seafood and she has never tried Hooked so we are going. I probably won't eat much for dinner there.

1 hour ago, tonyfsu21 said:

You might forget about MJ after trying some of the Pesky Parrot drinks.

Oooh...any recommendations? Like I said, I have barely done any research on UT. What are the "not to miss" drinks as Pesky Parrot? I am not a huge fan of rum and I only noticed one tequila based drink there.

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

That's the "Jocelle" you may have seen @Lovetocruise2002 and I mention. Definitely not worried about the service.

I am going to try to ask Carlos to grab a table with her. She is awesome.

[OCSC Mike]

29 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

For Day 1 we picked MJ for lunch and Hooked for dinner. I would normally not do Hooked but my mom loves seafood and she has never tried Hooked so we are going. I probably won't eat much for dinner there.

Makes sense. Even if you did eat more there's a big difference between seafood and Italian as far as heaviness goes.

Got a cabin a hold on the March 2027 Star btw. It will have a refundable deposit and is 2 years away so no guarantees but, barring something unexpected, I don't know why we'd cancel it unless my wife's spring break is moved. We don't actually know for a fact that's her week but it has been for the past several years and is next year as well.

[Lovetocruise2002]

8 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I don't know why we'd cancel it unless my wife's spring break is moved. We don't actually know for a fact that's her week

I don't even know if that is my week! LOL!

In Ontario, the ministry of Education puts out a 5 years calendar of holidays and breaks. The local school boards "almost always" follow the ministry calendar and that is what I use to book our dates in advance. I have in 25 years, been messed up once so far. So fingers crossed it's my date too! We don't even have next year's March break confirmed yet. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

BTW, @OCSC Mike from Carlos:

on day 1 (boarding) we serve lobster at the Windjammer and on the last day (CocoCay) we serve crab.

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

on day 1 (boarding) we serve lobster at the Windjammer and on the last day (CocoCay) we serve crab.

More problems, lol. We don't always stay on CocoCay all day but we do always have lunch there. Might have to head back a bit early and hope there's still some crab left.

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

More problems, lol. We don't always stay on CocoCay all day but we do always have lunch there. Might have to head back a bit early and hope there's still some crab left.

I am not getting off the ship so I will try to scope out the situation for you 

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am not getting off the ship so I will try to scope out the situation for you 

Thanks. I've actually seen detailed pics of the crab claws from a recent blog across the street. TIP: There's a little notch cut into them so you can crack them open with a butter knife. The poster was pretty confused until a crew member explained it.

[Lovetocruise2002]

This is going to be a busy week leading up to the cruise. All work related. I am the type of teacher that needs to make sure I have everything after the break planned so that I am not stumbling back in afterwards. As a result, I feel like I am stumbling my way into the vacation lol.

I spoke a bit too soon, after some communication with Carlos, it turns out shoreside did mess up a few dining reservations for us and my sister, even though they sent two emails to confirm the times, it somehow did not make it through to Carlos. It is all corrected now though without issue. Back on track.

In other news, my sister heard yesterday from the suite concierge and it's Luisa who we had on Voyager when we sailed the Med in July! Pretty excited to see her again as she was definitely one of the better ones we have encountered.

The packing situation is not too far. The only thing packed at the moment is my clothes. Hubby and D16 nothing. My mom has been packed for two weeks apparently lol

[twangster]

I had what I thought was clear communication with shoreside.  I was impressed, it must be getting better I thought.  Once on board Genie confirmed she, nor Utopia, were in the loop.  Genie made it happen on board.  #firstworldgenieproblems

I'm off my current cruise 3/9.  If you still have room on your balcony, it's not too late to add me...

[OCSC Mike]

32 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am the type of teacher that needs to make sure I have everything after the break planned so that I am not stumbling back in afterwards.

This sounds familiar... you don't want to know how far out my wife tries to have her lesson plans done.

It takes a surprisingly long time to do lesson plans for 5-year-olds here, partly b/c the state constantly changes stuff. You'd think someone teaching K for 15-20 straight years wouldn't exactly have to reinvent the wheel every year. Good thing she gets paid so well... err... yeah. End of rant.

We were just discussing plans for our Easter cruise. We might flip flop a couple dinners. I was looking at the MJ dinner menu and I think I could try the entire app section (which is largely new to me). I'm thinking of swapping our Playmakers and MJ nights so I don't stuff myself the night before we go back to Paradise Beach.

Looking forward to your MJ dinner pics since I'm obviously plenty familiar with brunch.

25 minutes ago, twangster said:

If you still have room on your balcony, it's not too late to add me...

Hey, that's usually my line! I've even offered to provide drink service and sleep on the suite sun deck.

[Ampurp85]

So, you are star and your sister, and her family are sky?

I know as a Canadian you feel my pain, but these shorties are breaking my heart. All that travel time just to enjoy about 3 days, makes me sad.

I am also sad the other freeloader can't join. As much as I talk crap about my mom, I am sad she hasn't cruised with us, even sadder that I haven't seen her in 6 months. We keep making either cruise or vacation plans and due to her husband health, they keep falling through. I know you will enjoy the heck out of this vacation with your family .