Utopia Of The Seas - Too much of a party ship for kids (age 13 & 11)?

[TheyCallMeStacey]

We're just starting to look at sailings out of port canaveral and it looks like a lot of them are on Utopia. I've seen that it's being marketed as a "party cruise" and just wasn't sure how family friendly it actually is. I'd love any thoughts / experiences that can help with whether or not this would be a good fit for our family.

 

[peacefrogdog]

I haven't been on it yet but I heard some podcasts describing it having more party events than on other ships, but not the same as it being a party every hour of the day. I'm guessing whereas most ships will have a party on the promenade once per 4 night sailing (e.g. disco party), Utopia may have them every night as well as options on the pool deck at night or things like silent discos.

I highly doubt it will come at the expense of having options for those in your kids' age range. It will be RC's newest ship and will no doubt be beautiful.

If able to, can always book it with a refundable deposit now and cancel later. Alternatively, Explorer and Voyageur are older but still solid options

 

[GhostHost24]

We're just starting to look at sailings out of port canaveral and it looks like a lot of them are on Utopia. I've seen that it's being marketed as a "party cruise" and just wasn't sure how family friendly it actually is. I'd love any thoughts / experiences that can help with whether or not this would be a good fit for our family.

everything i have read so far is it's still great for families and you can easily avoid the party atmosphere if you want

 

[ghtx]

I'm wondering if anyone has been on it with kids that age and felt that it was not age appropriate for kids. My daughter and I went on the Allure of the Seas last year, and this ship looks like it has basically the same stuff, so I'm not sure whether this ship's "party" reputation is something to worry about.

 

[hedberg1661]

I was just on Utopia and I think you will be fine.

 

[sam_gordon]

My understanding (no personal experience) is it's not that a ship is/isn't a "party ship" as much as the length of the cruise determines the "party atmosphere". Supposedly 3/4 day cruises are more "party" centric/"booze cruises" than longer itineraries.

OP, I would think those ages would be fine, just try to avoid the bar areas (probably true on many sailings).

 

[pjacobi]

RCCL has learned from DCL to segment the ship into different age groups. There are child-friendly areas and then there are more adult-oriented party areas where children are not permitted.


-Paul

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

RCCL has learned from DCL to segment the ship into different age groups. There are child-friendly areas and then there are more adult-oriented party areas where children are not permitted.


-Paul

how do i find more information about where children are not permitted?

 

[sam_gordon]

how do i find more information about where children are not permitted?

Basically Solarium and Comedy Clubs I think are the only places children aren't permitted, and the Solarium they can walk through IIRC.

Kids are allowed at the bars (they have to get their drink on too - non alcoholic that is) and pretty much anywhere the rest of the cruisers are.

There are events that are "adults only" like the Quest (which I still haven't done ) but I don't think kids are even kicked out of that, just HIGHLY encouraged not be there.

 

[keishashadow]

I don't think kids are even kicked out of that, just HIGHLY encouraged not be there.

Problem is many of the adults complaining about the ship being a party cruise, do indicate their kids were “exposed” to adult behavior in traditional adult sort of venues. Common sense should prevail, even on vacation.

We were on 4 night in December with CC cancelled due to bad weather. Will say there was a bit of shift in atmosphere after that announcement. the hardy partying seemed to amp up just a bit…drowning one’s sorrows & all that lol

 

[peacefrogdog]

If people are concerned about too much of possible party vibe on Utopia, I suggest looking at Wonder. It is only a few years older, also looks to do 4 night sailings and if I recall correctly has most if not all of the features as Utopia (except the new elevator system).

 

[pjacobi]

... indicate their kids were “exposed” to adult behavior....

This can happen on any cruise ship, even on a Disney cruise or any public place on land. If the situation occurs, use it as a teachable moment.


-Paul

 

[sam_gordon]

If people are concerned about too much of possible party vibe on Utopia, I suggest looking at Wonder. It is only a few years older, also looks to do 4 night sailings and if I recall correctly has most if not all of the features as Utopia (except the new elevator system).

If Wonder is doing the same 3/4 night sailings, why would it be different "vibe"?

 

[GhostHost24]

I just got off the ship yesterday. Def easy to avoid any of the raunchy party stuff. I didn't notice any of it. Also there were WAY more kids on that ship than I figured there would be.

 

[peacefrogdog]

If Wonder is doing the same 3/4 night sailings, why would it be different "vibe"?

Utopia seems to get more of a party reputation compared to Wonder and other RC ships that do 3 and 4 night sailings. Having not been on it I can’t speak to if that’s true.

 

[ghtx]

I just booked our Utopia sailing for this summer with my 13-year-old daughter. I'll find out if this 4-night cruise is any different than the 4-night one we took on the Allure last summer.

 

[tgarre06]

I just booked our Utopia sailing for this summer with my 13-year-old daughter. I'll find out if this 4-night cruise is any different than the 4-night one we took on the Allure last summer.

Have you cruised DCL as well? If so, on your Allure cruise, did you find the atmosphere less family friendly? We have been considering a Utopia cruise, but years ago extended family decided on a Carnival cruise that we all went on, and it was not at all pleasant. There were drunk people wandering around, and we even had to call security on a domestic abuse situation in the stateroom next to us. It has scarred me from leaving DCL, but the Utopia is half the price, so I was considering trying it.

 

[ghtx]

Have you cruised DCL as well? If so, on your Allure cruise, did you find the atmosphere less family friendly? We have been considering a Utopia cruise, but years ago extended family decided on a Carnival cruise that we all went on, and it was not at all pleasant. There were drunk people wandering around, and we even had to call security on a domestic abuse situation in the stateroom next to us. It has scarred me from leaving DCL, but the Utopia is half the price, so I was considering trying it.

Yes we have been on both DCL (twice) and on RC - Allure (once). We did NOT notice any difference in the family-friendliness. Did not notice drunk people wandering around either cruise, though of course liquor was freely flowing on both cruises. Lots of kids on both cruise lines. We've never sailed on Carnival, or any other cruise line. And by the way, our two DCL cruises were a 5-day and a 7-day, and our RC cruise was a 4-day.

 

[pjacobi]

At the risk of over generalization, 3-4 day cruises, no matter the boat or cruise line, will likely be more party focused than 7-day or longer cruises. The longer cruises have a different atmosphere than the shorter duration cruises.


-Paul

 

[keishashadow]

I just booked our Utopia sailing for this summer with my 13-year-old daughter. I'll find out if this 4-night cruise is any different than the 4-night one we took on the Allure last summer.

We took our GD on the Allure pre 4th of July WDW trip. It was more of a party crowd than the Utopia.

My thot is, in addition to the shorter cruises, the lower cost of the sailing also draws in those looking for more of a party.

We had to concentrate to try to work in most of what Utopia had to offer over 4 day cruise lol