GhostHost24
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2024
- Messages
- 484
I just did a 4 night cruise on Utopia this week. I hadn't been on a RC ship in over 10 years (I don't even remember what ship it was), and I had done a DCL back last Feb.
I'll start with some cons first:
First of all, I was completely surprised just how many little kids were on the ship. It honestly didn't feel much different than being on DCL with the amount of kids. That part doesn't bother me, RC still caters to families. What bothered me was parents did 0 supervision. I saw way more kids out of control on this ship than I did on DCL. That part was highly frustrating, and RC doesn't do anything to stop it like Disney will do. I saw 0 policing of any rules during shows etc.
I was disappointed in lack of trash cans/lack of places to put things. There are so many places to get food gets water etc, but there's barely anywhere to put things when you're done. So many times I got a cup of water, or got a slice of pizza and walked somewhere only to find there's no where to put it. I didn't like just setting things on the pool deck or some random table, but there was no alternative.
I saw a lot of comments leading up how much the cruise director isn't any good. Now I couldn't care less if I don't see her around, I don't let that affect my trip, but I was a little disappointed in the lack of activities to do. Also, I don't know how they come up with questions to their trivia, but it needs revamped. Some answers were completely wrong or they just weren't good questions (one small example being a TV tunes trivia, and 4 of the 15 questions were all the CSI spinoffs).
Finally, and I saw this in the Facebook group for our cruise too, but some the rudest cruisers I've ever seen. Amount of people that would bum rush the elevator while you're trying to get out, crowding stairwells etc.
Now to the good stuff:
We never did the main dining, as had two reservations at specialty restaurants for dinner (Hooked and Chops), and they were both fantastic. Both the service and the food was top notch. It felt more personable than MDR. The waiters learned our names and used it throughout the meal, and our waiter on Chops chatted with us for a few minutes and learned where he's from and his journey on RC.
Mason Jar bar is the best thing on that ship. If you like whiskey/bourbon, just setup shop in that bar. I think I had a total of 10 drinks from there over the 4 nights. The bartenders were quick to get to know me and recognize me when I came in. If they have the means, they'll make anything you want. I saw they had a smoked bourbon with coke, and I asked if they would be willing to make a smoked old fashion (my favorite drink), and they were happy to do it even though wasn't on menu. Also, the Apple Pie Old Fashion is a 10/10. We ate their brunch, and the food was decent, but a little disappointing.
The ship is beautiful, I loved being in Central Park at night. Schooner bar was great too with the piano bar in the evening.
Lastly, the shows, all 3 were absolutely amazing. Their original production All In was really well done, the ice skating is a lot of fun. But the top is the Aqua show. I think I enjoyed that more than any show I saw on the Disney Dream. What they do is amazing.
Overall, it was a solid trip, and I had fun. But, I don't think I'll ever want to go back on it again. On the final night, I was ready to get off the ship.
I'll start with some cons first:
First of all, I was completely surprised just how many little kids were on the ship. It honestly didn't feel much different than being on DCL with the amount of kids. That part doesn't bother me, RC still caters to families. What bothered me was parents did 0 supervision. I saw way more kids out of control on this ship than I did on DCL. That part was highly frustrating, and RC doesn't do anything to stop it like Disney will do. I saw 0 policing of any rules during shows etc.
I was disappointed in lack of trash cans/lack of places to put things. There are so many places to get food gets water etc, but there's barely anywhere to put things when you're done. So many times I got a cup of water, or got a slice of pizza and walked somewhere only to find there's no where to put it. I didn't like just setting things on the pool deck or some random table, but there was no alternative.
I saw a lot of comments leading up how much the cruise director isn't any good. Now I couldn't care less if I don't see her around, I don't let that affect my trip, but I was a little disappointed in the lack of activities to do. Also, I don't know how they come up with questions to their trivia, but it needs revamped. Some answers were completely wrong or they just weren't good questions (one small example being a TV tunes trivia, and 4 of the 15 questions were all the CSI spinoffs).
Finally, and I saw this in the Facebook group for our cruise too, but some the rudest cruisers I've ever seen. Amount of people that would bum rush the elevator while you're trying to get out, crowding stairwells etc.
Now to the good stuff:
We never did the main dining, as had two reservations at specialty restaurants for dinner (Hooked and Chops), and they were both fantastic. Both the service and the food was top notch. It felt more personable than MDR. The waiters learned our names and used it throughout the meal, and our waiter on Chops chatted with us for a few minutes and learned where he's from and his journey on RC.
Mason Jar bar is the best thing on that ship. If you like whiskey/bourbon, just setup shop in that bar. I think I had a total of 10 drinks from there over the 4 nights. The bartenders were quick to get to know me and recognize me when I came in. If they have the means, they'll make anything you want. I saw they had a smoked bourbon with coke, and I asked if they would be willing to make a smoked old fashion (my favorite drink), and they were happy to do it even though wasn't on menu. Also, the Apple Pie Old Fashion is a 10/10. We ate their brunch, and the food was decent, but a little disappointing.
The ship is beautiful, I loved being in Central Park at night. Schooner bar was great too with the piano bar in the evening.
Lastly, the shows, all 3 were absolutely amazing. Their original production All In was really well done, the ice skating is a lot of fun. But the top is the Aqua show. I think I enjoyed that more than any show I saw on the Disney Dream. What they do is amazing.
Overall, it was a solid trip, and I had fun. But, I don't think I'll ever want to go back on it again. On the final night, I was ready to get off the ship.
