There's a new kind of experience on Royal Caribbean's cruise ship that is unlike anything else we've seen on a ship , just don't call it "another restaurant."

Royal Railway Utopia Station is an immersive dining experience, where guests feel like they're on a classic train that surrounds them with sight, sound, and visual effects.

Traditionally cruise ship restaurants rely primarily on the cuisine, with a bit of decor style to make it pleasing to the eye.  Royal Railway goes well beyond that by incorporating the two things most people look for in a vacation: food and destination.

Think of Royal Railway as a platform, rather than a restaurant. Unlike Chops Grille steakhouse, Royal Railway can change themes and cuisines to offer different experiences. Over the next few months, Royal Caribbean will incorporate more show types and expand its offerings.

The cost of Royal Railway starts at $74.99 per adult and $24.99 per child. Those with an Unlimited Dining Package can pay a $15 surcharge for adults and no extra cost for kids.

On my visit, I went through the Wild West theme to see what it's all about.

Disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to dine at Royal Railway during a preview event, and I did not pay for my meal.

Going west

The day of the meal, guests receive a paper ticket at their stateroom that they'll need to bring to the restaurant in order to board, just like a real train.

Royal Railway is tucked away on deck 4, and you might not know it's there until you see the train station flip board that hints at what's to come.

You then walk onto the platform, where you wait for your train to board. This is the welcome moment, where adults are given glass flasks of alcohol to drink while they wait for their train. The platform feels purposefully dingy, and the entire area looks like a train station instead of an area on a cruise ship.

A fun fact about the platform is it has a house phone for calling anywhere around the ship, but to fit into the period, it's a rotary phone.

When boarding begins, you have a few minutes to either remain on the platform or board immediately. But you'll probably want to see the train itself and start the journey.

Royal Caribbean says the train car design is based on a few different classic trains of the late 19th century and early 20th century. It's meant to be timeless, rather than a specific train.

There's bench seating that comes in 2 or 4 tops. The tables cannot be moved, as it's just like a train in that sense and fixed.

As you're seated, it might feel like dinner at another restaurant, but once the train leaves the station, that's where the similarities end.

The train starts up, and the subwoofers in the seats provide a gentle jolt as the train slowly accelerates out of the station.  It's not jarring, it simply provides a sensation of movement. The window blinds open up revealing a digital landscape around you that can be seen all around the car.

In the Old West mode, you'll see mountains, deserts, gold rush towns, and every other typical scene you've ever seen in a western movie.

The menu has a choice of appetizer, entree, and desert. Each of the menu choices seems to tick a box of food type: beef, chicken, vegetarian, fish. It's American fare that I think will suit most palates.

Everyone's meals in the car are served at the same time, similar to Chef's Table or Empire Supper Club.

I tried a few different items across the menu, but my favorites were the Fart 'n Dart Beans, Corn Chowder, Royal Railway cigar dessert.  My tablemate commented the lobster was fantastic.

Throughout the meal, there's a story being told and this is when the immersive experience begins to take shape. Not only are you seated in a train car, but you now have the visuals around you, characters in the car pulling you into the story, and of course the meal you're enjoying.

The story aspect is light hearted and a pleasant interlude between servings.  There's still plenty of time to relax and talk with your tablemates, and each of the scenes that takes place only takes a few minutes.

My favorite part of the story is the conductor that comes in with telegrams that are addressed to certain guests in the car.  He reads them aloud, and they're silly and sure to get a laugh when you hear the subject and then realize it's for someone in your group.

Our reservation was for 8:30pm and it was complete by about 9:45pm.

More ideas to come

The Wild West story is certainly a family-leaning experience, but Royal Caribbean plans to offer more themes.  In about 30-45 days, they hope to launch their second theme, Silk Routes, which is a Marco Polo journey from the Orient back to the West.  It's more adult-themed in the sense they envision it being a good fit for date night.

There's plans for a few more themes, along with a brunch option, and even whiskey tastings.

A platform with many possibilities

It became very apparent to me the incredible potential the train car has once Royal Caribbean is able to fully leverage it with a series of themes and offerings. It reminds me of a video game console, where one game alone might not be enough, but when you add multiple games, then you really enjoy it.

I enjoyed the Old West theme, and would love to bring my family onboard so they can experience it.  But I'm even more excited for the next iterations of Royal Railway because it adds so much repeat value.

Unlike specialty restaurants, I think Royal Railway is about experience first, and food second.  That isn't to say the food is bad at all, rather, it's a total package instead of being just about what you eat.

A real memory maker

Visually, it's stunning, and I think it's one of those things to do on a cruise ship that will resonate with families.

Royal Caribbean is always looking for ways to create memories for its guests, and it seems Royal Railway was created to do just that. It's an undeniably different kind of meal, and that will make it stand out when you look back on your vacation.

I think someone booking Royal Railway is going to do so because they want to do something fun and different during their cruise. The sort of activity that they can talk about when they get back home.

Royal Railway is unlike any other specialty restaurant I've tried on a cruise ship because it's not really a specialty restaurant.  It's something completely different that doesn't really fit into the defined categories we usually think about on a cruise. The fact there's something new to try is what has always appealed to me about cruising, as well as Royal Caribbean's continuous drive to push the envelope of what you can do on a ship.

Meghan Trainor could have brought her Gucci on and wore her Louis Vuitton onto Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

The famous singer was the center of attention on Monday for the official christening of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean celebrated the launch of its newest cruise ship at a ceremony held onboard the ship while in Port Canaveral, Florida. Ms. Trainor took part in the traditional naming of a new cruise ship. The ship, which formally sets sail for the first time this weekend, is the second biggest ship in the world.

With her help, a bottle of champagne was broken against the bow of the ship — something that is supposed to bring good luck to the vessel and its passengers.

"I'm privileged to be a part of naming Utopia of the seas. This is crazy," she said as she took to the stage for the ceremony. 

She also talked about how sharing the experience with her family means so much to her, "I've never been able to vacation on a ship like this, and neither has any of my family."

"We're so excited and honored. And my son is going to have the best trip of his whole life. So thank you, Royal Caribbean for making this happen."

She went onto sing "All About That Bass" to the crowd on her ukulele. 

Utopia of the Seas offers 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas, which is a bold move by Royal Caribbean because new cruise ships usually begin service with 7-night cruises.

The reason for the change in game plan is to attract more new cruisers to try a cruise vacation on Royal Caribbean. The combination of a brand new ship offering the very best Royal Caribbean has to offer and homeporting of the ship very close to Orlando is what the cruise line thinks will be a winning formula.

Who is Meghan Trainor?

Meghan Trainor is an American singer-songwriter known for her catchy pop songs with retro influences. 

She became famous with her catchy debut single, "All About That Bass" was released in 2014.  Not only was it a good tune, but it promoted body positivity.

Trainor has released multiple albums, won several awards, and is recognized for her distinctive voice and playful, upbeat music style.

What is a cruise ship godmother?

A godmother is part of maritime tradition and a ceremonial role that all new cruise ships incorporate.

Cruise lines select someone to christen their new ship. Sometimes it's a well-known celebrity, such as Meghan Trainor, and other times it's an important community member.

As an example, soccer megastar Lionel Messi held the role on Icon of the Seas, whereas a contest on TikTok was held to find a godmother for Wonder of the Seas.

The godmother's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it. 

A vacation for making memories

It's likely there's a Meghan Trainor song or two that always conjures up a memory of where you first heard it, and Royal Caribbean wants Utopia of the Seas to be just as memorable.

"A lot of first time cruisers are looking for first experiences... burn in memories that they're going to have," explained Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer while onboard Utopia.

To that point, Utopia of the Seas has a lot of firsts that Royal Caribbean has never done before, such as an immersive dining car experience, a new tiki bar, new parties around the ship, and much more. 

Plus, the ship visits Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. Perfect Day at CocoCay is an expansive beach and pool playground where cruise ship passengers can enjoy different ways to relax, explore, or party.

When you include all of it together, it's the formula the cruise line thinks will bring in new cruisers.

When Royal Caribbean designed Utopia of the Seas, they had a primary goal of loading it up with the absolute best food and drinks you could find at sea.

Rather than build a cruise ship with the same exact options as previous vessels, the team at Royal Caribbean had the goal of packing Utopia of the Seas with just about every plussed up idea they had.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas guide

If you look back at ships over time, you can find different ideas, initiatives, and upgrades on each. Sometimes they are added in a refurbishment, sometimes they are a new idea at the time when the ship was built, and in other cases, they are one-off enhancements.

The Product Development team at Royal Caribbean wanted to come up the ultimate dine and drink evolution, according to Jay Schneider.

Schneider leads the Product Development team, and it's his job to dream up ideas for cruise ships that will position Royal Caribbean ahead of any vacation option out there.

'Our ultimate dine and drink evolution'

Mr. Schneider said Royal Caribbean's research indicates people choose to cruise for two primary reasons: destinations and food.

While entertainment and retail do factor into that decision, where the person goes and what they eat always rank highest.

"We really wanted to focus on that tradition, evolution, revolution from a food and beverage perspective," Mr. Schneider explained in an exclusive interview with Royal Caribbean Blog.

He's referring to an internal directive for new cruise ship building that relies on embracing aspects that have worked in the past (traditional), improving upon others (evolution), and coming up with completely new ideas (revolution).

Mr. Schneider sees everywhere you look on Utopia of the Seas the very best food and beverage options you'll find on any Royal Caribbean ship.

From a massive overhaul of Izumi and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen with expanded new locations, to something as simple as adding sprinkles to the complimentary soft-serve ice cream on the pool deck, "we leaned into kind of that ultimate dine and drink, which got us to really re-examine every venue, every offering."

Royal Caribbean nicknamed the initiative, "Project Feast", and it's goal was to deconstruct what their guests were looking for in how they dine, drink, and eat onboard.

The team felt good about many of the existing restaurant properties, but wanted more out of them, "Great steak house in Chops, excellent Italian in Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, great seafood in Hooked, great Japanese in Izumi. But even in those, where do they evolve to?"

He says that evolution is present on Utopia of the Seas.

A similar effort was already underway for sister ship, Icon of the Seas, but there was more time to re-evaluate what was working well.

"In the case of Izumi, we really thought we were on to something with Izumi in the Park. Let's take a look at that, deconstruct it and say, where else would we go with it?"

Read more: How Izumi went from concept to success

The result is the biggest Izumi yet, with double the teppanyaki tables, new al fresco dining, a to-go window, and even an omakase experience.

The team saw a different goal with Giovanni's, because they wanted to enhance the restaurant, "We really wanted to lean into great Italian, gorgeous, uplifting the experience."

It's in a new location on deck 12 and spans two stories, and even has an outdoor terrace that overlooks the Boardwalk.

Read more: How Royal Caribbean reimagined its signature Italian restaurant

Chops Grille got the upgraded menu options first introduced on Icon of the Seas, along with brand new decor. Schneider believes it's the best in the fleet now.

While all of those venues got upgrades, Mr. Schneider felt it was time to redevelop completely the Bionic Bar concept.

"Our research said it was tired, it was underutilized, and so it gave us a great opportunity to lean into consumer testing and say, an awesome tiki bar is going to be a really great place if we do it right."

The result is the Pesky Parrot, which he believes is a home run for guests.

Over on the pool deck, there's a new complimentary food truck that gives passengers great complimentary food close to the pools. 

The Spare Tire serves up snacks on Utopia, and it's part of the evolution of an idea to offer more great complimentary options that was first conceived with the Aquadome Market on Icon of the Seas.

Read more: What the Food Was Like on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

"Our research has said they want the unapologetic resort day when they're at sea. And that is amazing access to water, great views and then great food, so they don't have to go very far."

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Weekends now, but a ship for everywhere

Royal Caribbean turned a few heads when it announced Utopia of the Seas would begin with just 3- and 4-night cruises instead of 7-night voyages.  It flew in the face of what traditionally a new ship would do, but Royal Caribbean wanted to offer the very best weekend ship to attract new cruisers.

Read more: 5 moves Royal Caribbean is making to overhaul its weekend cruise business

That's the plan for now, but Utopia of the Seas is ready to longer cruises, should the need arise.

"If you think of kind of the evolution of all of our ships, none of them stay in the perfect itinerary, in the perfect location," Mr. Schneider explained.

"We really honed in on designing a global ship that matches what our brand ambition, our brand DNA, and then all rooted in what our guests are looking for us to deliver."

"I would argue Icon unapologetically has been the best of that so far, and I would also argue Utopia builds on that."

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas is ready to start offering cruises, and reinvent the weekend cruise.

The brand new Oasis Class ship arrived in Port Canaveral on Thursday, and Royal Caribbean Blog received an advanced look onboard to see the new ship.  Work was still be dong to put some finishing touches, but the it's nearly all ready for guests to board for the first revenue sailing.

I walked around the ship, exploring the different neighborhoods and getting a sense of what's new and different on Utopia. 

Enjoy this sneak peek at what you can expect on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

Best in the fleet offerings

One thing I picked up on after walking around Utopia of the Seas are the differences from other Oasis Class ships. Some are major, some minor, but overall, Royal Caribbean has packed it with the best ideas, innovations, and offerings to date.

When you board the ship on the Royal Promenade, the first place you'll see is the Pesky Parrot.

On the surface, it sounds like a fun tiki bar, but when you see it in person, you'll realize it was designed to be your go-to hang out spot.

Bright neon colors, painted wood, and even a digital backdrop all combine to make this bar really pop.

In addition to the special menu found only at the Pesky Parrot, there's even an assortment of pina colada varieties that evolve the cruise classic. Try the Pesky's Peanut Butter Pina Colada.

There were two venues that really blew me away visually, Izumi and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen.

Izumi is massive, and is easily the largest in the fleet. Within this space are hibachi tables, sushi tables, and an all-new omakase table.  Think of it like a Chef's Table experience, but just Japanese cuisine.

There's also a sushi take-out window, where you can drop in for a couple of rolls and take it elsewhere on the ship.

As someone that loves sushi, I can't wait to try the omakase table.

Giovanni's is also in a new location, and the design looks beautiful.

Spanning two decks, guests can dine both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor seating should be stunning, considering you're on deck 11 and overlook the Boardwalk.

I wasn't prepared for how lovely a setting it is overall, and how moving a restaurant from Central Park up to Decks 11 and 12 can have such a big impact.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, recently said he thinks Utopia's pool deck will be the best in class.

There's just about every feature we've come to love on other Royal Caribbean ships on Utopia's pool deck.

A giant aquapark, wide-open pools, and multi-story Lime and Coconut Bar that "fits" better into the look of the ship.

The adults-only Solarium is enclosed, meaning better temperature controls. Sadly, the bridge wings are not on Utopia because the space was taken up by the new Solarium suites.  Alas, there's still plenty of great views elsewhere.

I also loved the herd of hippos hidden in one corner of the Solarium.

There's a clear focus on dining on Utopia of the Seas, including a brand new quick service restaurant at the pool.

The Spare Tire has wraps, a sandwich, and something called "tornados". It's complimentary and very convenient for anyone that is enjoying a day at the pool.

Something else different about Utopia is the fact Royal Caribbean has re-claimed the title of longest slide at sea.

The Ultimate Abyss has been extended 43 feet, which makes it longer than the slide on MSC Cruises.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the destination elevators that are on Utopia of the Seas.

These elevators significantly cut down wait times for an elevator on Icon of the Seas, and I cannot wait to utilize them on Utopia.

Familiar favorites around the ship

It's amazing to me how Royal Caribbean can innovate each ship within a class, but Utopia does that quite well.

Chops Grille has the upgraded menu first seen on Icon of the Seas, and a refreshed look inside as well.

150 Central Park is across the way, and I think this has always been a rather underrated specialty restaurant.

Park Cafe has always been my go-to spot for a breakfast bite to eat, especially before we need to head off the ship for a shore excursion.

Central Park has the same layout as on other Oasis Class ships, but the different venues here will be the most notable change.

Entertainment coming soon

The casts of all the shows on Utopia of the Seas were hard at work rehearsing, so I did not get a chance to see those venues.

Utopia of the Seas will have three primary venues for shows: Aquatheater, Royal Theater, and Studio B ice rink.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas entertainment and shows

More similar to Wonder of the Seas than other ships

If you've sailed on Wonder of the Seas, you'll notice more similarities with Utopia of the Seas than other Oasis Class ships.

The casino on Utopia is quite large, and seems to follow the same layout as Wonder.

The Mason Jar is also on Utopia, which is my favorite bar to hang out in during the evening hours. One change they made was to add a wall behind the stage, which I think will help keep the venue cooler.

The Attic and Crown Lounge are in the same location on both ships.

Fans of karaoke will love Spotlight Karaoke, located on the Royal Promenade. 

Cafe Promenade has the new complimentary drink dispensers that are easier to refill for the crew. These were first introduced on Icon of the Seas.

Like all the Royal Promenades, there is a classic car on Utopia. This one is a classic Pontiac, and it looks very neat!

I especially liked the art in each of the elevator atriums.

Exploring the sports deck

I walked around the sports deck on deck 16, and it's a refreshed version of the popular activities you typically find here.

You'll find a sports court, Flowrider surf simulator, zip-line and mini-golf.

Part of the appeal of any Royal Caribbean cruise is how much there is to do onboard, and Utopia will not disappoint.

Adventure Ocean

One area I always see a noticeable upgrade on every new Royal Caribbean ship is in the kids programming spots.

Adventure Ocean is located on deck 14 forward, and the AO Juniors space is quite well-adorned with play areas. Seeing it now, my kids lost out on this space considering the version they had a few years ago.

The teen club was being used for another purpose on this day, but the outdoor teen deck looked like a great place and has a hot tub.

Royal Caribbean just revealed everything that will be new and different on Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's latest iteration in the Oasis Class will sail mainly weekend and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral. The idea is to offer the ultimate weekend vacation.

Despite Utopia being the sixth ship within the Oasis Class, there are still a lot of tweaks, changes, and additions to this ship.

As the newest ship in the fleet, Utopia of the Seas exhibits a lot of changes that prove how the cruise line is always improving its vessels.

The 5,668-passenger ship features an exhilarating display of amenities, from thrilling waterslides to the brand-new immersive train car dining experience.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, introduced Utopia's additions and changes during a webinar today.

Here are the top differences you can expect to find on Utopia of the Seas.

First-ever outdoor seating for Giovanni's

Jay Schneider called Utopia's Giovanni's "the best in the fleet."

Taking the place of a two-story Wonderland on Decks 11 and 12, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar will be the first specialty restaurant to have outdoor seating.

"What we're probably most excited about is our outdoor alfresco," Schneider said.

The outdoor seating will be perched over the Boardwalk.

Double the hibachi and an expanded Izumi

Utopia of the Seas will also have an expanded Izumi, allowing for double the hibachi capacity.

During the webinar, Jay Schneider shared that Izumi "will have double the hibachi, a new omakase, and an expanded sushi experience."

The Izumi in the Park takeout window, first introduced on Icon of the Seas, will also be featured in Central Park.

Guests will be able to grab sushi and ice cream directly from this window.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

The Pesky Parrot is replacing the Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean is ending the Bionic Bar in its Oasis Class ships.

"It was really fun and novel when it came out, [but] the Bionic Bar is ten-plus years old," Schneider explained.

Plus, human bartenders can make nearly 40 times the amount of drinks robotic ones can in the same time period.

Instead, Royal Caribbean has introduced a reimagined tiki bar in a classic Floridan style.

Schneider called it a "really fun, highly interactive, loud, vibrant" experience.

Additionally, there will be a real parrot inside the bar! Guests are encouraged to go inside and meet "Brian the drunk parrot."

Expanding Park Café

Park Café continues to evolve. Royal Caribbean is expanding the complimentary venue's hours and food offerings.

The concept will be blended even closer into Central Park.

Multi-story Lime and Coconut Bar

Royal Caribbean wanted to continue to develop its open decks on Utopia of the Seas.

"Utopia's open deck will be the best in class," Schneider said.

To this end, the Lime and Coconut will be taken to a new level, with a multi-story design and access from both the forward and aft ends. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for its new mega cruise ship

Expanded Sprinkles

Pool-goers love grabbing ice cream cones at Sprinkles, the complimentary ice cream venue located near the pool deck.

On Utopia of the Seas, this area is also getting an upgrade.

The area has an improved, larger design, and Royal Caribbean is introducing sprinkles on the ice cream for the first time.

Finally, Sprinkles will have sprinkles!

The Spare Tire

Based on guest feedback, Royal Caribbean wanted to add more complimentary food close to the pool and the open deck.

On Icon of the Seas, the AquaDome Market was introduced.

In the case of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribean is adding The Spare Tire, the line's first food-truck-style eatery.

According to Schneider, "In addition to El Loco Fresh, there will be great complimentary food handed out from The Spare Tire right on the open deck."

Extended Ultimate Abyss to remain the largest dry slide at sea

To stake its claim as the largest dry slide at sea, the Ultimate Abyss has been extended 43 feet.

In addition to that, designers have made the slide even more thrilling. 

Passengers will feel like they're flying right into the Boardwalk before they turn at the last minute.

Redesigned Vitality Spa and Salon

Utopia of the Seas will have a reimagined Vitality Spa.

"We've really elevated the design," and Schneider says the cruise line is very excited about it.

The salon area will also have a new design.

Upgraded destination elevators

Cruisers love the destination elevators as a solution to crowding on giant cruise ships.

This computer-assigned alternative ensures that the elevator doesn't stop on every single floor.

The destination elevators were a popular addition on Icon of the Seas, and have been confirmed as available on Utopia as well. 

Solarium suites

Solarium suites are brand-new staterooms coming to Utopia of the Seas, located above the bridge wings on the ship.

Each suite has 270-degree views of the ocean, essentially the same view the captain gets.

Whether at sea or pulling into ports, guests will have that amazing, sweeping sea view from both the bedroom and the main living area.

The Royal Bling store

There will be a Royal Bling store on Utopia, but it won't be its own dedicated space like on Icon of the Seas.

Instead, Royal Bling will be a niche located inside the Effy store.

Icon of the Seas introduced the Royal Bling product as a way to offer special Royal Caribbean jewelry.

The Royal Railway—Utopia Station

Royal Caribbean guests love a classic dinner and a show, or what Jay Schneider likes to call "eatertainment."

To appeal to this desire and bring something unique to Utopia, designers came up with the idea to bring a train car dining experience to the ship.

"What if we put a train on a cruise ship that could take you to more destinations?"

This brand-new dining experience will be a completely immersive adventure.

Guests will receive a real train ticket in their stateroom, which they must bring to the dining venue.

The area has a classic train station platform, with separately numbered dining cars, and real train steam.

Schneider explained that the goal is to blend entertaining performances with amazing culinary dishes.

Passengers will be able to interact with actors dressed up as Wild West characters.

Once the train leaves the station, guests won't be able to "board" their car, so you'll have to show up on time.

Everyone will be called "all aboard," and the train will leave the station, immersing guests in gorgeous Wild West scenery.

A clever solution to a traditional problem on cruise ships is coming to Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship.

Ever since Icon of the Seas launched earlier this year, it earned rave reviews for many changes, including the addition of destination elevators.  And it now appears Utopia of the Seas will have the same feature.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas guide

Giant cruise ships have always had crowding issues, especially when waiting for an elevator. Royal Caribbean tested out a new alternative on Icon of the Seas and it worked quite well.

Bryan James, a musician and crew member on Utopia of the Seas, posted a video confirming the ship will indeed have the new kind of elevators.

"They just upgraded all the elevators on the ship," he said in a YouTube video he posted.

He described it as, "They make it so you don't stop on every single floor that somebody is pressing the button for."

Guests go to a panel in the elevator lobby, and then select which floor they would like to go to.  The computer then assigns you a particular elevator to wait for in the lobby.

When your elevator arrives, there are no buttons to press inside. It already knows which floors it will stop at, based on an optimization for that car to get people to and from.

The result is wait times for an elevator are significantly less, and that's a big deal for cruise ship passengers. Long elevator wait times are a pain point because of how inundated they can become during the day.

On most ships, even if an elevator shows up, it could be already full of people.  And even when it's full, the elevator would stop on every single floor someone has called for one.

Jennifer Goswami, Director Product Development at Royal Caribbean Group, spoke at a recent conference about how well-received destination elevators have become among guests on Icon.

"Elevators, while kind of not always the flashiest of technology, have been an absolute smash hit for Icon," Ms. Goswami stated.

"When you're waiting outside of an elevator for three, four, five minutes, we call them microwave minutes where they feel like the longest minute of your life," she said.

In April 2023, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider, introduced the concept of destination elevators at a presentation and mentioned the Oasis Class ships suffered from long elevator waits, "even with the elevators that we have on the Oasis Class, we still can struggle with lines."

Testing on another Oasis Class ship

Utopia of the Seas may be the first Oasis Class cruise ship with destination elevators, but the line might be considering adding it to other ships too.

Earlier this year, a team from Royal Caribbean Product Development were testing out the Icon-style elevator system on Allure of the Seas.

In April, one elevator lobby was transformed to look like a destination elevator bank from Icon of the Seas. The elevators had temporary letters above each door, to indicate what assignment a passenger would have when requesting an elevator.

Allure is scheduled for a dry dock in February 2025, so it would be an ideal candidate for the upgrade.

More new features coming to Utopia

Ms. Goswami is correct in that elevators are far from the most interesting feature one can look forward to on a cruise ship, so here are a few more notable improvements coming to Utopia of the Seas.

The Royal Railway restaurant is a new immersive dining concept that will debut on Utopia. 

Combining food, visual effects, and theming, Royal Caribbean will have a new kind of restaurant experience that makes you feel like you're in a certain part of the world or in a certain era. It's more than just "another specialty restaurant", in that it aims to make you feel part of a story.

Read more: Royal Railway restaurant preview

If you like thrills, there will be an improved Ultimate Abyss slide on Utopia.

Measuring 259 feet long, Utopia's 10-story Ultimate Abyss will be 43 feet longer than the slides on other Oasis Class ships. There are racing windows and zoom booster rollers for a "surprise" exit on the Boardwalk. 

If you're in the mood for a bite to eat while at the pool, expect a new and easier way to get something.

There will be a "food truck" on Utopia's pool deck, called the Spare Tire. The menu has "handheld favorites" like pulled pork sandwiches, cheeseburger flatbreads, daily rotating desserts.

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas

There will be new shows and parties on Utopia of the Seas. While she may be the sixth Oasis Class cruise ship, there's a whole new lineup of entertainment.

There will be a new show in each of Utopia's signature venues: Royal Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B.

If you like to dance, Royal Caribbean is adding the largest silent disco in the fleet to the ship. Silent Toga! appears to be another silent disco, being described as "[a] toga party with a silent twist."  

Those who prefer poolside action will appreciate the not one, not two, but four pool parties onboard, including the Sail Away Pool Party, Hey Utopia!, Senses Sunset Pool Party, and Plunge Day Pool Party, a Vegas-inspired daytime party. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for Utopia of the Seas

Utopia begins sailing in July 2024

Utopia of the Seas will have her inaugural voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida on July 19, 2024.

Utopia will be the first new Royal Caribbean ship to debut with short cruises, instead of 7-night cruises. Her first sailing is a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas, followed by a 4-night cruise.  The pattern then repeats itself indefinitely.

The goal is for this ship to dominate the weekend cruise market. The idea is by offering 3- and 4-night sailings on its newest ship (instead of older vessels), those curious about cruising are more likely to try it and get hooked on Royal Caribbean.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's master plan to offer the best weekend cruises

Singer, songwriter and now godmother to a cruise ship are the titles for Meghan Trainor.

Utopia of the Seas is a brand new mega cruise ship set to launch in July 2024.

Royal Caribbean announced the news on Friday, revealing one of the final unknown aspects to Utopia.

"We're beyond excited to announce that Meghan Trainor will be the Godmother of Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas," the announcement on social media read.

As part of a longstanding maritime tradition, Trainor will take part in the naming celebration for Utopia in July 2024 in Miami. 

The naming ceremony will take place prior to the inaugural voyage on July 19, 2024.

“Utopia of the Seas is where making the most of the weekend and every moment are more than a state a mind, they’re a reality any day of the week. This is the short getaway that’s all about celebrations, celebrating friends, family and the memories you make together,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. 

“Meghan embodies that in every way, from who she is to how she shares her music with the world, making her the perfect godmother to match Utopia’s big weekend energy. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the family and host a party of epic proportions fit for the ultimate short getaway.”

Royal Caribbean is even giving away 52 free passes to see Meghan Trainor perform live at the ship's naming party. Details for the giveaway are included on Royal Caribbean's Instagram page.

Beginning today, Friday, July 5, and until Sunday, July 7, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fans can enter for their chance to win a pass.

Trainor joins a lineage of celebrities who have been chosen to be named godmother.

What is a cruise ship godmother?

Every cruise ship has a godmother, and it's an important part of maritime tradition.

It's a ceremonial position that is traditionally held by a woman, but in recent years that has changed.  Symphony of the Seas had a Godfamily, and Icon of the Seas had a godfather with Lionel Messi.

Other ships have had women hold the role, including renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

The godmother's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it. 

Who is Meghan Trainor?

Meghan Trainor is a contemporary American singer-songwriter known for her distinctive blend of pop, R&B, and doo-wop influences. 

Her breakthrough came in 2014 with the release of her debut single "All About That Bass," which topped charts worldwide and earned her widespread recognition.

Trainor's debut studio album, "Title," was released in 2015 and included hits like "Lips Are Movin" and "Dear Future Husband." Throughout her career, Trainor has continued to release music that combines nostalgic nods to classic pop with modern sensibilities, carving out a unique niche in the industry.

Beyond her music career, Meghan Trainor has also ventured into television, appearing as a judge on the reality singing competition "The Four: Battle for Stardom" and serving as a guest judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race." Her presence in popular culture extends to collaborations with other artists and contributions to film soundtracks, further solidifying her influence and reach.

Party ship welcomes party seekers

There's a good chance if you're at a party one of Meghan Trainor's songs will be on the playlist, and that's probably part of why Royal Caribbean chose her to be godmother.

The 236,860 gross registered ton (GRT) Utopia of the Seas is just weeks away from hitting the high seas, boasting new features that cannot be found on any of the other five Oasis Class ships. 

Guests onboard the 5,668-passenger vessel can enjoy an exciting array of amenities, from exhilarating waterslides to mesmerizing high-diving shows and the cruise line's first immersive train car dining experience. 

Departing from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Utopia of the Seas will call at CocoCay on July 20 and Nassau on July 21 before returning to Florida and welcoming a new set of passengers onboard for a 4-night cruise.

The ship introduces a new era of cruising, as it's the line's first ship entering service catering to the short cruising market. Rather than reserving older vessels for 3- and 4-night sailings, those loyal to the brand or curious about cruising can experience cutting-edge amenities and world-class entertainment not found on any other short cruise in the world. 

A video shared on YouTube shows what crew cabins are like on the world's second-largest cruise ship. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, including Wonder of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas. Currently, he's at the shipyard in France gearing up for the launch of their newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. 

When he isn't singing, you can find him playing video games or making videos for his social media channels. On Instagram, he's amassed nearly 200,000 followers, while his TikTok has over 800,000. 

In his most recent YouTube video, he gives viewers a look into the crew accommodations on Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class ship. Despite the small quarters—particularly the shared bathroom—, the video has received positive comments thanking James for sharing. 

@Disneyobsessed23 wrote, "Omg this is so cool man! I am now thinking about working on a cruise ship now!"

"Downside: tiny room.  Upside: it's not shared with another random crew member (like most crew cabins on most ships)," commented @pileofstuff.

Let's look at his single crew cabin onboard Utopia of the Seas. 

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas, including a giant slide and train restaurant

"I think...the strangest part about being on a ship is the tiny, tiny rooms we have to live in"

Before showing viewers his stateroom, James tries to explain just how small the room is: "Imagine your adult walk-in closet and then cut it in half, and then cut it in half two more times...that's about the size of our rooms." 

Cabins aboard Icon of the Seas were redesigned to maximize limited floor space; however, those on Utopia don't appear to be as modernized. While James doesn't have to share his stateroom with another crew member, the available space is minimal. 

What you see when you enter is pretty much what you get. The single twin-sized bed is directly across from the personal sink and closet. There's not even a nightstand to store the cabin's phone, so it's hung on the wall. The television is affixed to the wall at the foot of the bed, too. 

James' friend and fellow performer Jeff, who is about 6'4" or 6'5", laid in the bed to show just how small it is. To comfortably fit, he says he curls up when he sleeps. 

The Jack-and-Jill bathroom means he shares it with another crew member

Despite sharing the washroom, there's just barely enough space for a toilet and shower. Both crew members have their own sinks in their stateroom, eliminating the need to work one into the bathroom's floor plan. 

Jeff once again serves as a model to showcase the overall size of the shower: "If I just barely go up on my tiptoes, there's the ceiling." 

"You can never get the shower head actually over your head; you have to kneel down," says James. 

Since there's not a ton of floor space, he has to store the stool in his wardrobe

According to James, the only stressor of his crew cabin on Utopia of the Seas is trying to effectively manage the space: "That's why I try to only bring one bag of stuff because if you have anything more than one bag,...there's no room." 

Above the bed, he shows two cabinets and one open-face shelf for more personal items. The latter is where James keeps water bottles, while the cabinets are where he stores his laundry bag. Jeff has a different approach, as he claims he keeps his clean clothes in the concealed cabinets. 

Beside the stateroom's door, there's a small built-in shelving unit that houses the safe, and there are a few hooks on the wall. Since cruise ship cabins have magnetic walls, James could bring more hooks to hang items like hats, lanyards, small bags, etc. 

You can follow along on James' journey on Royal Caribbean's newest party ship on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. According to his Instagram, he'll be onboard Utopia of the Seas until September 9, 2024. 

Though Utopia of the Seas is officially one month from embarking on her maiden voyage, there's a lot of work to be done before she can welcome guests onboard. 

Royal Caribbean International has taken to social media to share short reels of Utopia's progress. 

While the vessel has taken shape, countless details need to be finalized, from finishing up the brand-new Solarium Suites to planting tens of thousands of plants in Central Park. 

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas, including a giant slide and train restaurant

Izumi in the Park is an Oasis Class first onboard Utopia of the Seas. 

Guests can order classic sushi rolls, hot gyoza, and soft-serve bubble cones at the convenient to-go window, for an additional charge. 

Utopia will also have the largest Izumi Hibachi in the fleet, boasting six Teppanyaki tables with the ability to seat 48 passengers. 

The Boardwalk is another Oasis Class staple found on Utopia of the Seas at the aft of the ship on Deck 6. 

When Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, she was the first cruise ship in the world to feature interior-facing balcony cabins, with staterooms overlooking the Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods. 

In addition to first-of-their-kind cruise ship balconies, the Oasis of the Seas' Boardwalk was the first to feature an outdoor theater called the AquaTheater, where passengers can watch high-diving spectacles into the deepest pools at sea. 

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, while not a new concept, has been redesigned for Utopia of the Seas. 

In addition to being two stories, passengers can dine al fresco on Gio's Terrazza, which overlooks the Boardwalk neighborhood. 

The same space has been used for various purposes on other Oasis Class ships, ranging from Wonderland on Symphony, Wonder, and Harmony of the Seas to a card room on Oasis of the Seas and Chef's Table/the Crown Lounge on Allure of the Seas. 

Though most of the cabin categories on Utopia of the Seas are familiar, the Solarium Suites are a new addition. 

The 839-square-foot suites are perched atop the bridges' wings and feature an infinite verandah design. 

There's a lot to look forward to on the pool deck, too, including the Perfect Storm waterslides. 

At the front of the ship, there's the adults-only Solarium. As you can imagine, the Solarium Suites are just steps from the Solarium, giving passengers easy access to the lounge chairs, whirlpools, and Solarium Bistro. 

The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas will be the longest dry slide at sea, coming in at 259 feet long. It will also feature racing windows and zoom booster rollers for a "surprise" exit on the Boardwalk.

The Vue initially debuted on Wonder of the Seas, and it's making a comeback on Utopia of the Seas. Whether you're sailing away from Port Canaveral or enjoying a day at sea, it's the perfect bar to soak up the stunning views. 

The Royal Promenade is a central thoroughfare with a hub of activity, from the Latin-inspired Boleros Bar to the brand-new Pesky Parrot. 

You'll find Sorrento's, the pub, Starbucks, and a few retail shops here, too. 

Finally, Royal Railway - Utopia Station still has a ways to go before guests are able to enjoy the Utopia exclusive specialty restaurant.  

"The World's Biggest Weekend" just got more exciting, as Royal Caribbean released Utopia of the Seas' entertainment lineup. 

From original productions to late-night comedy shows, here's everything you can expect to find on the newest Oasis Class ship, starting with the AquaTheater. 

Aqua80Too is Utopia's high-diving spectacle and it's a sequel to the original Aqua80s show on Oasis of the Seas.

The show is a musical tribute to the decade.

First launched on Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a fan favorite, with an enhanced, indoor theater found on Icon of the Seas. According to the infographic shared by Royal Caribbean, the show will feature 80s hits. 

The ice skating rink is another popular entertainment venue onboard Royal Caribbean ships. In addition to hosting unique skating shows, the rink can be transformed into an arena for game shows and even a nightclub! 

Youtopia is the name of the "fantastical ice skating show" on Utopia of the Seas. While details have yet to be revealed about the new show, past ice skating performances have included high-tech features, including synchronized drones! 

Plenty of entertainment onboard requires audience participation, too, including the ever-popular Crazy Quest, Battle of the Sexes, Family Feud, and Majority Rules. 

Read more: First photos: Inside Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas cruise ship

Utopia of the Seas will not feature a Broadway musical

Royal Caribbean made a name for itself by offering Broadway musicals, ranging from Hairspray on Symphony of the Seas to Grease on Harmony of the Seas and Mamma Mia on Allure of the Seas. 

Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's fourth new build in a row that won't feature a Broadway musical when launched, following Odyssey, Wonder, and Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is home to The Wizard of Oz, a Royal Caribbean Production version of the classic story, rather than the 2011 musical adaption by Andrew Lloyd Weber.

Instead, guests can enjoy All In!, a high-tech original production in the main theater. 

Though not a Broadway musical, all Royal Caribbean Productions, such as Sonic Odyssey on Quantum of the Seas and Once Upon a Time on Freedom of the Seas, bring world-class performers to the high seas. 

Parties aplenty 

What's a weekend party cruise without an amazing lineup of onboard parties? 

If you're a fan of silent discos, you won't want to miss the event on Utopia of the Seas, as Royal Caribbean claims the Shush! Silent Party will be the largest silent disco in the fleet. Silent Toga! appears to be another silent disco, being described as "[a] toga party with a silent twist."  

Those who prefer poolside action will appreciate the not one, not two, but four pool parties onboard, including the Sail Away Pool Party, Hey Utopia!, Senses Sunset Pool Party, and Plunge Day Pool Party, a Vegas-inspired daytime party. 

Back inside, guests can partake in the Rezolution dance party with "epic light productions" and Royal Kappa Chi, a "throwback collegiate party" for those who may want to relive their college days. 

Adults who want to keep the fun going into the late hours can head over to Red, the late-night club with a live DJ, while the Spotlight Karaoke lounge is a bit more family-friendly for those who want to show off their natural talent. 

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas, including a giant slide and train restaurant

With nine different places to listen to live music, you'll have to hop between venues to hear it all!

During the day, you can take in Caribbean beats on the pool deck. 

The ship really comes alive with music at night, though, ranging from the rock and pop band in the Music Hall to the staple piano entertainer at the Schooner Bar, the guitarist at the Bell & Barley Pub, and the sultry Latin band at Boleros. Central Park boasts live music, too, including a solo pianist and jazz band. 

The Country Crew Trio can be found at the Mason Jar, so even if you don't have a specialty meal booked at the Southern-inspired restaurant, it's worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of country hits and good company! 

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Perhaps the most unique form of entertainment onboard Utopia of the Seas doesn't come cheap 

Looking for the ultimate dining experience on your cruise? Look no further than Royal Railway - Utopia Station, which combines dinner with a show! 

Technology and theatrical elements are meant to trick passengers into thinking they're actually on a train traveling through the Old West, and on your journey, you'll enjoy a delicious menu inspired by the time and region. 

Dining at Utopia Station costs $119.99 per adult and $59.99 per child. Those with an Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) can upgrade for $49.99. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's immersive train car restaurant brings the Old West and Far East to its next new cruise ship