Is Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Worth It? My Nassau & CocoCay Cruise Review

I just got back from a cruise to the Bahamas on Utopia of the Seas with Royal Caribbean International, and honestly it was one of the easiest and most relaxing trips I’ve taken in a while. The itinerary included stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, plus two days packed with things to do on the ship itself.

If you’re considering this cruise, here’s exactly what my experience was like—from boarding the ship to exploring the islands.

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Boarding the Ship Was Surprisingly Easy

One thing that really stood out right away was how smooth the boarding process was. When we arrived at the port, the line actually moved pretty quickly.

They give you a “check-in” time but that isn’t really enforced. You can show up whenever you want. We got there about three hours before the ship left. We were able to put our bags in the room and walk around.

As long as you have your passport and cruise documents ready, the process is pretty straightforward. After checking in and going through security, we were on the ship faster than I expected. Within a short time we were already exploring the decks and grabbing our first drink.

For such a massive ship, the process felt very organized and efficient.

What the Staterooms Are Like

Our stateroom was comfortable and had everything we needed for a short cruise.

Here’s what you can generally expect in a room on Utopia of the Seas:

A comfortable bed (ours could be split into two twins or one large bed)
A small bathroom with shower
A small sitting area
Closet space and drawers
TV
Desk / Mirror to do makeup
Plenty of outlets for charging devices

The rooms aren’t huge, but they’re designed really efficiently so you don’t feel cramped. We didn’t have a balcony; you have to pay extra for that. For rooms inside you get a video feed of the outside of the ship, which is kind of cool in a way so you’re still able to see where you are.

One thing to know ahead of time: WiFi is not included. On our cruise it was about $20 per device per day, so if you plan on using your phone a lot, that’s something to budget for.

I did think it was worth it to get the wifi, especially if you need to stay connected. The free wifi is terrible and won’t work. I would recommend getting the wifi, but if you’re able to go without your phone for a few days and truly disconnect, then go for it and save some money.

Things to Do on the Ship

One thing about Utopia of the Seas—you will not be bored.

There are activities happening all day and night.

Shows You Shouldn’t Miss

Two of the biggest shows on board were:

Aqua80too
All In!

Aqua80too was probably my favorite. It’s held in the Aqua Theater at the back of the ship and includes Olympic high-diving, acrobatics, synchronized swimming, tightrope walking, 80’s music, and crazy stunts in and above the water.

All In! This was a fun show to see on the first night. Lot of singing, dancing and cool video effects as well.

Both shows are definitely worth making reservations for.

Sports & Activities

If you like being active, there are plenty of options:

Basketball court
Pickleball courts
Mini golf
Running track
Ping Pong
Zip Line
Rock Climbing
Surfing
Fitness center

You’ll always see people playing pickup games or just enjoying the outdoor spaces. Check the app for tournaments as well.

Pools & Water Slides

There are several pool areas depending on the vibe you want:

Main pools with DJ music and activities
Relaxed lounging pools
Hot tubs all around the deck
Outside Tiki Bars all over serving different drinks every day.

The ship also has waterslides, which are honestly fun even for adults.

Adult-Only Area

If you want something quieter, the Solarium is the adult-only section of the ship.

It’s a really nice space with:

Heated Pools
Hot tubs
Loungers
Bar
A calmer atmosphere

It was one of our favorite spots to relax during sea days.

The Casino

The ship also has a large casino where you’ll find:

Slot machines
Blackjack
Craps
Roulette
Poker tables

Even if you’re not a big gambler, it’s fun to walk through and watch the action at night or sit at the bar watching some of the TVs.

Kid-Friendly?

There were a lot of kids on the ship. Mainly on the pool deck. I did think it was a good balance though. Yes, there were a lot of kids, but I also didn’t really think my cruise was ruined by a lot of kids on the ship.

On the other note the cruise is very kid friendly. Lot of activities for kids and things for them to do. It was a good balance of kids and adults.

Best Free Places to Eat on the Ship

There’s a lot of specialty dining on the ship, but honestly you can eat really well without paying extra.

Some of our favorite free spots included:

Windjammer Marketplace

The main buffet on the ship with tons of options including:

International foods
Pasta
Carving stations
Burgers, hot dogs, French fries
Desserts
Breakfast options

It’s perfect when everyone in your group wants something different. You can pretty much get anything you want here.

Sorrento’s Pizza

Late-night and still hungry? Sorrento’s is the place to go. Open until 3am

It’s quick, easy, and honestly pretty good pizza for being on a ship. If you’re one to get the drink package and stay out late at the bar or the casino, then this is the perfect drunk food.

El Loco Fresh

Pretty much a make-your-own taco bar. I loved this place and had lunch here several times. Think chipotle but instead of getting shorted portions of steak, you can load up your taco with steak and whatever else you want.

Great spot for tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos. Outside by the pool and really nice to sit next to the windows and have lunch with a view

The Main Dining Room

The main dining room dinners are included and feel more like a traditional restaurant experience with multiple courses. Each night is a different theme, so be sure to check the app to see the menu and the dress code for the night.

The service was really great here, very attentitive and quick service with great quality of food. I had the filet mignon with asparagus, mashed potatoes and salad and it was so good.

You also get an appetizer and choice of dessert as well.

Best Bars on the Ship

There are 23 bars all over the ship, but a few stood out to us.

The Lime & Coconut

This is the main pool bar and one of the liveliest spots on the ship. Music, frozen drinks, and a fun atmosphere make it a great daytime hangout.

drinks at the beach bar on Utopia of the seas — Drinks at the pool bar on Utopia of the Seas

Rising Tide Bar

One of the coolest bars on the ship because it actually moves between decks while you sit and drink.

Schooner Bar

A more relaxed bar with live piano music and a cozy atmosphere.

Mason Jar

A country themed bar with live bands every night.

Giovanni’s Wine Bar

Feeling a little fancy? Stop here for a nice glass of wine or a wine tasting. We were able to get a flight for only $13 here.

Pesky Parrot

A lively Caribbean-inspired bar on the Royal Promenade with fun tropical cocktails and a fun atmosphere.

Should You Buy the Drink Package?

This is one of the biggest questions people have before cruising.

For us, we decided not to buy the drink package, and honestly it was the right choice.

The drink packages can be pretty expensive, and when we thought about it realistically, we knew we wouldn’t drink enough every day to make it worth it. If you buy the package ahead of time it’s about $90 USD per person, if you wait until a few days before the cruise then it jumps up to $120 per person.

Beers on the ship were around $7-$9, and if you wanted a tropical cocktail, then you’re looking around $13-$15.

We also wanted to stay active, explore the ship, and enjoy excursions without feeling tired or hungover.

That said, if your goal is to let loose, party with your friends and day drink, then the package might be worth it for you.

It really depends on your travel style.

Things to Do in Nassau

The cruise stopped in Nassau, and there are plenty of things to do once you get off the ship.

Explore the Shops

Right near the cruise port there are tons of:

Souvenir shops
Local vendors
Jewelry stores
Rum and cigar shops

It’s easy to spend some time just walking around and exploring.

However, do be warned, if you leave the cruise port you will be hounded by locals trying to get you to check out their shop or do an excursion with them. They are very persistent. Just smile and keep walking.

Check Out the Bars

There are several bars and restaurants within walking distance of the port:

Señor Frog’s is a big party bar and fun vibes
Island Bar & Grill is another fun bar in the dock area
Lukka Kairi Waterfront Bar & Grill right on the water outside the cruise port
Blue Marlin Restaurant

You can grab tropical drinks, local Bahamian food and more.

It’s a fun way to soak up the island vibe.

Popular Excursions

If you want something more adventurous, there are lots of excursions available like:

Snorkeling tours
Swimming with the pigs
Private Yacht Fishing Charter
Private Snorkeling, Turtle Spotting & Sunset Tour
Nassau Food Tour
Jet Skiing, snorkeling, open bar, swim with pigs, kayak, beach day (FULL-DAY)
Boat tours around the island
Beach day excursions

Swimming with the pigs is one of the most popular activities people book in the Bahamas.

We did the snorkeling excursion with the one-hour open bar and it was honestly one of the best experiences we had on this trip. Click on the link to check it out.

What to Do at CocoCay

Our other stop was Perfect Day at CocoCay, and if you’re looking forward to lounging at the beach or day drinking at the bars, this is your day to do it. This was a nice relaxing beach day for us and they had free chairs and umbrellas for everyone to use.

Since it’s Royal Caribbean’s private island, everything is very organized and easy.

Relax on the Beach

The beaches here are beautiful with:

Clear turquoise water
Plenty of lounge chairs
Palm trees and shaded areas

You can easily spend hours just relaxing and going in the water

The Pool

There’s also a massive pool area if you prefer a pool atmosphere instead of the beach.

It has music, swim-up bars, and lots of space to hang out.

Beach Bars

The beach bars are great for grabbing frozen drinks while you relax by the water.

Free Food

One of the best parts: food on the island is included.

There are several buffet spots where you can grab things like:

Burgers / Hot Dogs
Chicken sandwiches
Tacos
Salads
Fruit
Soft-serve ice cream

So you really don’t need to spend extra money unless you want to.

The Staff Made the Cruise Even Better

One thing that truly stood out during the whole trip was how amazing the crew was.

Our housekeeper was very friendly, he remembered our names, asked us how our day was, what we did and always left a “towel animal” on the bed as a fun surprise.

The dining staff, bartenders and everyone else just roaming around cleaning and helping out were all terrific and very friendly. It made the trip much more enjoyable.

It really makes a difference when the crew genuinely seems happy to help and wants you to have a great experience.

Final Thoughts: Is Utopia of the Seas Worth It?

After spending a few days on Utopia of the Seas, I can honestly say it was an amazing trip.

Between the Vegas-like shows, pools, restaurants, island stops, and overall atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

Central Park Area of the Utopia of the Seas

What stood out most to me was how easy and relaxing everything felt. The crew was great, very prepared and organized. The ship was clean; the food was good. Boarding and exiting the ship was very easy and smooth.

The stops in Nassau and Cocoa bay were great as well. If I went on another cruise I would want to island hop, get out at more ports to do more excursions and see places I’ve never seen before.

Staying on the boat too long I feel like could get a little boring if I’m being honest. We enjoyed getting off the ship during the day and then grabbing dinner, drinks and entertainment on board in the evening.

If you’re looking for a fun, unique experience for a very affordable rate, then I would definitely consider taking a cruise with Royal Caribbean. I think it’s a great way for people who want to travel, but don’t want to deal with a lot of the headaches of travel, to be able to see the world and experience new places.