A Long Weekend at Sea
Not every family trip has to be a big, once in a lifetime adventure. Sometimes the best trips are the short ones that are packed with more fun than seems possible in just a few days. That is exactly what our long weekend on Utopia of the Seas turned out to be.
This time it was me, Hayden and Ethan, along with a family we love traveling with, our friends and their two kids. Utopia is Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship, and it was built specifically for three and four night getaways, which made it the perfect fit for a quick trip with the kids.
One of the best parts of a cruise from Florida is that getting there is easy. We drove about two and a half hours north to Port Canaveral that morning, no flights and no hotel the night before, and before we knew it, we were pulling up to the terminal with the ship towering over the parking lot.
Advisor tip: If you choose to stay in a hotel near Port Canaveral the night before, whether you're local or not, check the launch schedule at Kennedy Space Center before you book. If the timing lines up, you might get lucky and catch a rocket launch right from the Space Coast, which is an unforgettable way to kick off a cruise.
Embarkation Day
We walked up the colorful gangway, snapped the obligatory family selfie, and stepped onto the ship right over the giant "Utopia of the Seas" rug. On a short cruise, every hour counts, so we didn't waste any time. Our stateroom wasn't ready until 1:00, which gave us the perfect excuse to go exploring.
First stop was Central Park, where we found Izumi in the Park and its bubble waffle cones. If you've never had one, picture a waffle cone made of crispy little bubbles, piled high with ice cream and toppings. It's the kind of treat you don't need, and absolutely should get anyway.
Once our rooms were ready, Bonnie (our Chief Vacation Officer) claimed her spot on the bed before anyone else could. We booked an extended balcony stateroom, and the extra outdoor space became the place we kept coming back to all weekend, whether we were sitting in port or just watching the water go by. When it was time for sailaway, Hayden took off with his friend, while Ethan and I met up with our friends at the Lime & Coconut and watched the ship pull away from Port Canaveral from our spot above the pool deck.
Advisor tip: Extended balcony staterooms on Utopia sleep up to four, but the couch doesn't pull out like a typical sofa bed. Instead, there's a trundle style bed that slides out from underneath. It works well for kids, but it's worth knowing ahead of time if you're traveling with older teens or adults.
Before dinner that first night, we caught Youtopia, the ship's ice show. It turned out to be so much more than ice skating. There was even a balancing act on the ice, and it was a fun way to kick off the trip before heading to our dinner aboard the Royal Railway.
The Royal Railway: A Wild West Train Ride at Sea
If there's one thing I'd tell anyone sailing Utopia to book, it's the Royal Railway. It's a dinner experience set inside a replica vintage train car, complete with "windows" that make it feel like you're actually rolling through the countryside. We did the Wild West Train Trip that first night, and I fully committed to the theme with a denim dress and boots.
You check in at Utopia Station, where departure boards list your car and table, and you're handed old fashioned tickets before boarding. Once we were seated, the desert scenery started rolling past the window, and it really did feel like we'd left the ship behind.
The food was a highlight on its own. They brought a bread cart with a selection of butters, then corn chowder, and the chef even sent out a little off menu surprise: chips topped with pulled chicken, shaped like tiny cowboy hats. For mains we tried the short ribs and the roasted poussin. Both were excellent.
Then the outlaws showed up. Between courses, a conductor and a crew of masked bandits turned our dinner into a full blown Wild West show. There was a poncho wearing bandit who couldn't seem to catch a break, an outlaw in a long duster coat who ended up on the floor of our car, and plenty of moments where I wasn't sure whether to laugh or hide behind Bonnie. They ask guests not to film during the show, so you'll just have to go see it for yourself.
Dessert was the perfect finish: a chocolate cigar served with a chocolate marshal's badge. Of course the boys immediately started "smoking" theirs. I may have joined in.
Advisor tip: The Royal Railway is an extra cost experience and seats are limited, so book it as soon as your reservation allows. Dress up for the theme. It's more fun when you play along.
Nassau: Face to Face With Nurse Sharks
We woke up docked in Nassau, and the view from our balcony set the tone for the day: the colorful waterfront, with Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Club and its giant anchor right in front of us. Nassau is a busy port, and that morning Utopia was one of five ships lined up along the pier, alongside Jewel of the Seas, MSC Seaside, Disney Wish and NCL Getaway. Seeing them all side by side really put Utopia's size into perspective.
We skipped downtown this time and took a ferry over to Blue Lagoon Island for the Shark Experience and Snorkel. The ride over is part of the fun, with clear turquoise water and views back toward the ships. The island itself is beautiful, with shaded nature paths, a calm lagoon, and dolphins you can watch from the dock.
The shark encounter ended up being my favorite part of the whole trip. As soon as the ferry docked, we were escorted straight to Shark Ray Bay, no waiting around. We got in the water with nurse sharks, and yes, we actually held them. Nurse sharks are calm and docile, and the guides walk you through exactly how to approach and support them. But it wasn't just about holding them for photos. We snorkeled right alongside the sharks, and at one point a huge stingray, easily four feet wide, glided right past us. The boys were excited from the moment we got in the water until the moment we got out, and seeing them that thrilled is something I won't forget.
After the sharks, we stayed on the island for a while. We grabbed pizza and quesadillas for lunch, and then the boys headed straight for the inflatable Aquapark. While they climbed, bounced and slid around, I found a spot to relax and just enjoy watching them have the best time before we caught the ferry back to the ship.
Advisor tip: With a noon start time, we had a relaxed morning on board with no rushing off the ship. Pack reef safe sunscreen, and plan on buying the photo package. Professional photographers capture every reaction, your hands will be full of shark, and these are photos you'll want. I bought ours and I'm so glad I did.
Espresso Martinis, John Squared and Aqua 80 Too
Back on board, the kids took off to explore, and my friend and I claimed a pair of loungers facing the ocean with espresso martinis in hand. After a morning of swimming with sharks, it was the perfect way to slow down. That's one of the things I love about traveling with another family: everyone gets their own version of a great day, and then you all come back together for dinner with stories to share.
We ate in the main dining room that night, and our waiters happened to both be named John, so of course we started calling them John squared. They took great care of us all weekend. After dinner, we headed to the AquaTheater for Aqua 80 Too, a totally over the top, 80s themed show with high divers, synchronized flips, aerialists spinning on rings and wires above the pool, and a giant disco ball to top it all off. Watching it outdoors under the night sky made it even better.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Our last full day was at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island. Before we even got off the ship that morning, we ran into Mr. Washy Washy, the crew member who dances guests into washing their hands. The video I took of him went viral on my Instagram, so if you've seen it, you know exactly how much fun he was. Jewel of the Seas was docked right beside us again, and as we stepped off the ship, I couldn't resist stopping on the pier for a photo between the two. CocoCay turned out to be the perfect example of a day where everyone gets exactly what they want. My friend's husband took all the kids to Thrill Waterpark and grabbed a cabana as their home base, and they rode every single ride and came back tired and happy.
Meanwhile, my friend and I spent the day doing absolutely nothing on a beach bed at Breezy Bay, and even Bonnie joined us for our girls' day of relaxation. We read our books, took naps, sipped fruity drinks under the umbrella, and waded into the water whenever we got warm. Before heading back to the ship, we cooled off with one last dip in the Oasis Lagoon pool.
Advisor tip: The Breezy Bay beach bed was absolutely worth it, and I'd book it again in a heartbeat. It was comfortable, came with bottled water and two float mats, and was close enough to the bathrooms and food areas to be convenient without feeling crowded. If you're traveling with another family, consider splitting up for the day. One adult can take the kids to Thrill Waterpark while the others relax on the beach, so everyone gets the day they actually want.
That evening we were back in the main dining room with John squared, then laughed our way through a comedy show with Heath Harmison before ending the night at Crazy Quest, the adults only game show that has become one of my favorite things to do on any Royal Caribbean ship.
The next morning we said goodbye to Utopia, made the easy drive home, and were back in our own beds that night.
Why a Short Cruise Is Worth It
Four days went by in a blink, but we packed in a Wild West train heist, a morning with nurse sharks, and plenty of time just hanging out together. That's the magic of a short cruise done well. You don't need a week off or a long flight to make real memories with your family. You just need the right ship, the right experiences booked ahead of time, and a little room to slow down.
If a long weekend on Utopia of the Seas, or another cruise ship, sounds like your family's kind of getaway, I'd love to help you plan it, from the stateroom to the dining reservations to the excursion that will have everyone talking for years.