On 1 July 2022 construction of Royal Caribbean International’s upcoming ship, Utopia of the Seas, reached a first major milestone.
The keel-laying ceremony for the first LNG-powered ship of the Oasis class took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The event marked the official start of Utopia’s physical construction ahead of the ship’s bold introduction in spring 2024.
“The keel laying for Utopia of the Seas represents the first milestone of an incredible ship and the next step toward a bolder future for Royal Caribbean and vacations,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
“Utopia’s debut in 2024, on the heels of Icon of the Seas setting sail in fall 2023, will build on a new, exciting chapter that is set to redefine family vacations and getaways for all ages in ways we’ll soon reveal.”
At the ceremony, the working teams constructing Utopia watched as newly minted coins were placed in the ship’s first 948-ton (860 metric tons) steel block.
The longstanding maritime tradition calls for coins, representing Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, to bring luck during the construction process and while the ship is at sea.
As the second Royal Caribbean ship that will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Utopia will also advance Royal Caribbean’s decades-long commitment to the environment.
The ship’s LNG technology will join a lineup of the cruise line’s already-established environmentally friendly initiatives on its ships.
From shore power connection to waste heat recovery systems, the applications have been developed and continually enhanced as part of Royal Caribbean’s dedication to innovation and making strides toward a clean-energy future.
