A Festive Weekend Escape: Our 3-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise on Utopia of the Seas

Looking for the perfect pre-holiday getaway? Our Royal Caribbean cruise on Utopia of the Seas was the ultimate short escape, combining festive décor, ocean views, and world-class dining. Sailing out of Port Canaveral, this 3-night cruise offered the best of mega ship cruising—including a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a full day at sea, and specialty dining experiences that made the trip unforgettable.

While mega ships come with larger crowds, Royal Caribbean has done a fantastic job designing Utopia of the Seasto move large volumes of people efficiently, preventing long, immovable lines and bottlenecks. To our pleasant surprise, embarkation on Day 1 was just as low-stress as on the smaller Royal Caribbean ships we’ve sailed, which set a positive tone for the entire cruise.

Our Balcony Stateroom on Deck 8: Prime Location for Coffee and Sunrise

We stayed in a balcony room on Deck 8, between mid-ship and aft—a perfect location for both convenience and comfort.

Highlights of the location:

• Sunrise coffee moments: As a morning person, stepping out onto the balcony and walking a few steps to a Central Park café was magical. Watching the sunrise over the ocean with a hot coffee in hand set the tone for each day.

• Close to the Lido Deck: Decks 7 and 8 are ideal on Royal Caribbean ships to be near the Lido Deck, and this location made grabbing breakfast or lunch quick and easy.

• Quick elevator access: Being near the mid-ship elevators meant minimal wait times, giving fast access to Deck 15 and the Windjammer Marketplace.

The combination of convenience, a private balcony, and prime location for sunrise coffee made this cabin feel like a little home at sea. If you’re booking a Royal Caribbean balcony stateroom, we highly recommend mid-ship on Deck 8 for both sunrise views and proximity to the ship’s amenities.

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Holiday Decor on Utopia of the Seas

Sailing the weekend before Christmas means Royal Caribbean decks are fully decked out for the holidays. The Royal Promenade sparkled with garlands, oversized ornaments, Christmas trees, and festive music, creating a tropical holiday vibe. Walking through the ship felt like wandering through a floating Christmas village—sunshine included.

Specialty Dining on Utopia of the Seas

Hooked Seafood: Exceptional Dining at Sea

Hooked Seafood was our absolute favorite specialty restaurant on board. This New England-inspired eatery delivered a refined, relaxed atmosphere, incredible service, and some of the best seafood at sea.

What made Hooked special:

• Fresh lobster, crab cakes, and perfectly seasoned fish

• Decadent appetizers and desserts

• Unlimited entrée option—just ask for a second plate, and the staff happily obliged

If you’re a seafood lover planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, Hooked is a must-do. Reserve early, as mega ships like Utopia of the Seas get busy quickly.

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Chops Grille: Central Park Views with a Busy Atmosphere

Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse, offered a beautiful view of Central Park, the ship’s lush open-air garden.

• Steaks and sides were excellent, and service was attentive.

• However, the restaurant felt tight and crowded, unlike the Chops restaurants on smaller ships with ocean-view tables and sunset ambiance.

On smaller ships, enjoying a sunset dinner at Chops is one of our favorite specialty dining experiences. On Utopia, while the food was amazing, the Central Park view didn’t replace that peaceful ocean-view charm.

Main Dining Room: Relaxed Final Night

We only visited the Main Dining Room on the last night of the cruise. It was warm, relaxed, and familiar—offering a perfect contrast to the specialty dining experiences.

Tip: On mega ships, the Main Dining Room can be just as enjoyable, especially if you want a quieter, less crowded meal.

A Day at Sea & Aquatic Shows That Dazzle

Sea days on mega ships are like exploring a floating city. With so many lounges, decks, and activities, there’s always something new to see.

Aquatic Shows

The aquatic performances were breathtaking—daring dives, synchronized choreography, and dramatic staging. Truly world-class entertainment and the highlight of our sea day.

Check out one of our clips on Instagram: 📸 @venturetosee

Mega Ship Tips: Reservations Are Key

Unlike smaller Royal Caribbean ships, mega ships require reservations for:

• Theater shows

• Specialty dining

• Evening entertainment

We missed most of the theater shows because we didn’t book in advance. Lesson learned: on mega ships, plan ahead or miss out.

CocoCay: Revisiting Our First Cruise

We visited Perfect Day at CocoCay, which was nostalgic because the first time we’d been there was back in 2009, on our first-ever cruise.

• 2009: Untouched, quiet, magical Caribbean paradise

• 2024: Fully developed with waterparks, restaurants, and crowds of 10,000+ passengers

Even with the crowds, walking the island and soaking in the scenery was worth it—just different from our first experience.

A Special CocoCay Moment: Stingray Sighting

While exploring CocoCay, my wife and I swam out to a floating cabana on the back side of the island. With fruity Caribbean beverages in hand, we lounged above the turquoise water, taking in the sun and scenery.

As we relaxed, we noticed the outline of a stingray perfectly camouflaged in the sand below us. The water was about 10–13 feet deep, so there was no danger of stepping on it—but it was incredible to see marine life up close, even in a highly developed area. Moments like this reminded us that the Caribbean still holds little pockets of natural wonder.

Affordability Tips for Royal Caribbean Mega Ships

Sailing on a large, newer Royal Caribbean ship comes with incredible experiences—but also a higher price tag.

If you’re not planning to take full advantage of high-energy activities—like the zip line, The Abyss, or FlowRider—a smaller ship might be more budget-friendly.

However, if you love a bustling atmosphere, abundant dining, and shopping, here’s how to maximize value:

1. Book Early: Secure your cabin as soon as possible for the dates you want.

2. Consider Longer Itineraries: 4+ day sailings allow you to experience more of the ship’s offerings.

3. Watch for Pre-Payment Sales: Look for deals on specialty dining, shore excursions, and drink packagesbefore final payment.

With planning, you can enjoy the mega ship experience without overspending.

What We’d Do Differently Next Time on Utopia of the Seas

1. Skip Chops, revisit Hooked, and enjoy the Main Dining Room more

Hooked was our favorite specialty restaurant, and we’d pair it with more evenings in the Main Dining Roomfor relaxed meals and less crowded dinners.

1. Choose a longer itinerary

At the time of this blog, Utopia of the Seas only offered 3- and 4-day cruises. For a fuller experience of dining, shows, and activities, we’d consider a 4-day or longer sailing, rather than a quick 3-day escape.

1. Plan ahead for shows

On mega ships, reservations for theater performances fill fast. Next time, we’d research shows in advance and book seats early, ensuring we don’t miss any entertainment.

Things to Buy to Enhance Your Cruise Experience

To make the most of your Royal Caribbean mega ship cruise, consider bringing or buying:

• Reef-approved sunscreen – Protect your skin while being environmentally conscious. Purchase here: https://amzn.to/48lqZOT

• Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated on the ship and during port days. Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3XkCMrE

• Snorkel gear – Ideal for exploring CocoCay or other beaches. Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3MnnvDU ; https://amzn.to/43RhN3c

• Magnetic hooks – Perfect for organizing your stateroom and hanging towels/swimsuits. Purchase here: https://amzn.to/489Q1jC

• Waterproof phone pouch – Keep your phone safe while enjoying water activities. Purchase here: https://amzn.to/48Hr0Nl

• Compact day bag – Carry essentials for excursions or onboard exploring. Purchase here: https://amzn.to/48BHiIv 

These items enhance convenience, safety, and enjoyment throughout your cruise.

Final Thoughts

Our 3-night Royal Caribbean cruise on Utopia of the Seas was festive, memorable, and full of lessons. Mega ships offer incredible entertainment, dining, and stateroom conveniences, but they require planning and awareness of crowds.

From balcony sunrise coffee on Deck 8 to specialty dining at Hooked Seafood and Chops Grille, a stingray sighting at CocoCay, and the high-energy fun onboard, this cruise reminded us why we love Royal Caribbean—and why thoughtful planning makes all the difference.

Follow along for more travel adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube @venturetosee. www.venturetoseellc.com

Porto, Portugal — A Sip (and a Rush!) on Our Carnival Legend Adventure

Our family’s Carnival Legend cruise to Spain, Portugal, and France in the summer of 2024 was one for the memory books. Nine days of sunshine, great food, and waking up in a new destination each morning. One of those ports — Porto, Portugal — ended up being both memorable and educational. Not everything went as we expected, but that’s what makes travel interesting!

We docked at Porto Leixões Cruise Port, roughly 3 km (2 miles) from downtown Porto. The setting was beautiful, the skies were blue, and the city’s terracotta rooftops glowed in the morning sun.

Statue of Vimara Peres

Weather in Porto in Mid-June

If you’re cruising to northern Portugal in mid-June, be prepared for some truly perfect travel weather. Expect daytime highs between 23–26°C (73–79°F), cooler evenings around 16°C (60°F), and plenty of sunshine. The breeze rolling in from the Atlantic keeps the heat comfortable, especially along the riverfront.

Our June day in Porto was gorgeous — bright blue skies, warm sunshine, and ideal conditions for exploring.

Arriving in Porto Leixões

The Carnival Legend cleared passengers around 9:00 a.m., and by 9:30 our family of four (including two teenagers) was stepping onto our tour bus for the City Tour and Port Tasting excursion. The bus was parked right next to the ship — easy and organized.Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Stop #1: Douro River Lookout & Calém Port Tasting

Our first stop was a quick photo moment overlooking the Douro River and Porto’s famous bridges. The view was stunning — colorful hillside buildings, boats drifting along the river, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia.

Dom Luis I Bridge

Then we headed to Calém, one of Porto’s well-known Port wine cellars. The tasting tables were set with two Port samples per adult, a ruby and a tawny. Since our teens were underage, the Calém attendant thoughtfully changed their glasses to orange juice. Click here for an alternative experience.

Entrance to Calém Port Cellar

Calém port Cellar

The tasting itself was delicious… but rushed. We had maybe 10 minutes before being ushered through the gift shop and back onto the bus. A few guests managed to make purchases — my wife included, grabbing a special Port for us to open on our 25th wedding anniversary — but overall, the experience felt too quick to enjoy.

For more information on a tour of Calém click here.

Stop #2: Clérigos Church & Tower

Next, we headed into the city center to visit the famous Clérigos Church and Tower. The baroque design is stunning, and the skip-the-line access included in our excursion saved us from waiting in an incredibly long queue.

Clérigos Tower

The interior was gorgeous, but again, time was limited. We had roughly 20–25 minutes to explore — just enough to look around but not enough to fully take in the details or climb the tower.

Inside the Clérigos Church

For more information on a tour of the Clérigos Church and Tower click here.

Stop #3: Palácio da Bolsa (Exchange Building)

Our third and final major stop was the Palácio da Bolsa, one of Porto’s most beautiful and historic buildings. The guided portion here was excellent — we spent nearly one full hour learning about the palace’s architecture, ornate rooms, and Portugal’s trading history.

The grand entrance to Palácio da Bolsa

The Arab Room, in particular, was jaw-dropping.

One of the court rooms of Palácio da Bolsa

Once the visit ended, we expected a bit of free time to explore Porto, but instead we returned directly to the ship — a full 2–2.5 hours before all-aboard.

For more information on a tour of Palácio da Bolsa click here.

The Early Return — and Some Frustrations

Arriving back at the ship so early left us feeling like we’d missed out on experiencing Porto properly. Several guests asked to leave the group and explore independently — and looking back, we wish we’d done the same.

Between the rushing, the early morning Port tasting, and our teens being charged full adult fares despite not being able to participate, the excursion simply didn’t deliver what we had hoped for.

Still, every travel hiccup teaches you something, and Porto has absolutely earned a return trip from us — on our own schedule next time.

What We’d Do Differently Next Time

If we visit Porto again by cruise ship, here’s how we’d make the most of our day:

1. Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

This is the option we wish we had taken. Multiple companies operate Hop-On Hop-Off buses from Porto’s city center, and they’re perfect for cruise visitors. You can see major highlights at your own pace — Ribeira, Clérigos, Foz beach area, Vila Nova de Gaia, Port houses, and more — without feeling rushed or tied to a strict schedule.

For more information on Hop-On Hop-Off buses click here.

2. Explore Porto Independently

A taxi or Uber from the cruise port to downtown costs very little and takes only about 10 minutes. From there, everything is walkable or easily reachable on transit.

3. Enjoy a Relaxed Lunch Along the Ribeira

The Ribeira riverfront is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. We’d grab a table overlooking the Douro, enjoy fresh seafood or a Francesinha sandwich, and simply take in the scenery.

4. Visit Port Houses on Our Own Schedule

Instead of a rushed group tasting, we would personally visit one or two Port cellars — Calém, Taylor’s, Sandeman, or Graham’s. Going independently gives you time to enjoy the tour, ask questions, and savor the tasting properly.

5. Skip Clérigos Unless It’s on Your Must-See List

It’s beautiful, but also crowded, and similar to many other cathedrals in Spain and Portugal. If time is limited, there are better ways to enjoy the city.

Top 3 Additional Things to Do in Porto for Cruise Visitors

If you’re planning your own adventure from the cruise terminal, here are three fantastic options:

1. Walk Across the Dom Luís I Bridge

The views from this double-level bridge are spectacular. Walk from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia and straight into the Port wine district.

2. Visit Livraria Lello

Often ranked as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, Livraria Lello is a must for book lovers and architecture fans. Buy tickets online to skip the line.

For more information on Livraria Lello click here.

3. Visit the FC Port Museum

For all of those Futbol Hooligans out there, a fun expense bringing you closer to the pitch.

For more information on FC Port Museum click here.

Final Thoughts

Our Carnival Legend Porto excursion may have been rushed, but the city itself? Porto is the kind of place best explored slowly — on foot, with a glass of Port in hand, and without watching the clock.

And when we finally open that bottle of Calém Port on our 25th wedding anniversary, I know we’ll smile remembering this perfectly imperfect day in Portugal — the good, the chaotic, and everything in between.