By Amanda Mesa | Published on April 19, 2024
Delicious dining options play a big role in every Utopia of the Seas℠ sailing. The ship offers a mouthwatering selection of free restaurants onboard, serving up tantalizing cuisine from around the world. There are 21 total restaurants onboard, including both complimentary and specialty dining options. If you're looking to taste your way across both at a discount, consider purchasing a specialty dining package onboard or ahead of your sailing via the Cruise Planner app. These packages allow you to enjoy the ship's specialty restaurants at special prices. If you'd rather stick to free dining on Utopia of the Seas℠ for a more "all-inclusive" cruise experience, you'll still have all of these wonderful options.
In the main dining room onboard Utopia of the Seas℠, you can look forward to a different three-course menu every night of your sailing, spotlighting delicious flavors that will transport you from Jamaica to Jaipur, India and beyond. Picture dishes like buttery escargot, succulent Maine lobster tail, tender filet mignon and even classic spaghetti Bolognese. If you're traveling with little ones, don't worry — the main dining room also offers a menu curated especially for kids. The best part? Dining here is complimentary, with very few exceptions — such as an extra charge for lobster on non-formal nights.
Another complimentary returning favorite you'll find on Utopia of the Seas℠ is Boardwalk Dog House. Located on Deck 6 in the ship's alfresco Boardwalk® neighborhood, this fast-casual hot dog spot serves up a variety of artisanal brats inspired by foodie capitals. Whether you're craving a classic foot-long loaded with your favorite fixings, a Chicago-style dog that's been "dragged through the garden" (as they say in the Windy City), a spicy, smoky frank with some kick or a chicken sausage flavored with juicy apples, you're bound to find something that hits the spot here during every awesome pool day at sea.
Another Royal Caribbean classic, this guest-favorite free restaurant has spent years fine-tuning its recipes for crave-worthy pies. They range from classic offerings like spicy pepperoni and decadent cheese to creative specialty pizzas loaded with everything from smoky barbecue chicken, juicy pineapple and fresh garden veggies. Sorrento's is also one of the restaurants onboard that's open latest, making it a perfect pit stop to refuel after a wee-hours whirl on the dance floor. You'll find it on Deck 5 along the bustling Royal Promenade.
One of the most anticipated free restaurants onboard Utopia of the Seas℠ is The Spare Tire℠. This brand-new food truck is located on Deck 15 just steps away from the pool. The menu focuses on easy-to-eat snacks and handheld faves like hearty sandwiches and shareable flatbreads. The smoked pulled pork sandwich is at the top of my must-try list, followed by the cheeseburger flatbread drizzled with secret sauce. If you have a sweet tooth (like me), make sure you save room for The Spare Tire's daily rotating selection of desserts. Come back for seconds and thirds throughout your pool day — every bite is included in your cruise fare.
Need your caffeine fix? Drop by Café Promenade on Deck 5 in the morning, afternoon or at night for brewed coffee, lattes and cappuccinos paired with tasty pastries and other quick-and-easy bites. It's open 24 hours, so you can drop by anytime your cravings strike. For more of an old-school diner vibe, head to Park Café in the ship's Central Park®️ neighborhood on Deck 8, where you'll find a great breakfast spread; delicious soups, salads and sandwiches at lunch; and crave-worthy tapas served alfresco in the evenings. Both restaurants are complimentary.
Windjammer Marketplace is one of the best free restaurants on Utopia of the Seas℠ if you're looking to keep things casual. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, this buffet-style restaurant features plenty of seating at all hours of the day and stations that offer a jaw-dropping selection of rotating international culinary delights. You'll find some tried-and-true favorites that are available each day of your sailing, but you could also dine on something different during every visit. If you're traveling with kids, rest assured little ones will find plenty of yummy options to satisfy any palate, all included in your cruise fare. You don't need reservations to dine here — simply pop on by and enjoy the feast.
For me, nothing beats a delicious taco tray or cheesy burrito during a pool day — especially when it's complimentary. It's why I end up enjoying lunch at El Loco Fresh®, a fast-casual Tex-Mex eatery, during most of my sea days. You'll find all kinds of shareable options here, including a nacho tray that's perfect for enjoying with friends or family. The salsa and toppings bar is also wild.
Located steps from the adults-only Solarium (my go-to pool spot for relaxing and catching up on my reading), Solarium Bistro is a complimentary dining option that's truly tranquil. The menu here usually highlights fresh, healthy Mediterranean dishes, including Greek salads, pitas paired with refreshing tzatziki, tender lamb chops and decadent Greek donuts called loukoumades.
I have a major sweet tooth, especially when it comes to ice cream — so I'm absolutely psyched about Sprinkles. This favorite afternoon treat spot has its biggest footprint yet onboard Utopia of the Seas℠. Guests can indulge in any kind of ice cream creation loaded up with toppings — for free, of course.
Ultimate Abyss℠ first made waves for being the longest dry slide at sea. The one onboard Utopia of the Seas℠ takes things even further. It spans 10 stories and stretches 43 feet longer than any other before it. And that's not all — the ship's Ultimate Abyss℠ also has zoom booster rollers and see-through racing windows that make the ride even more thrilling than ever. Admission is free, so you can ride as many times as you like.
Everyone loves a good waterslide — and Utopia of the Seas℠ has three pulse-pounding waterslides to choose from. Together, they're known as The Perfect Storm℠, a notorious trio of slides with plenty of exhilarating twists, turns and drops. There's Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠, two racer slides that will have your heart pounding from the moment you start moving. And then there's Supercell℠, a massive champagne bowl that spins you around and around before funneling you into the pool down below. All three are free for cruise guests.
This one's a classic — and easily one of the best free things to do onboard Utopia of the Seas℠. This surf simulator funnels over 30,000 gallons of rushing water to create perfect swells all day, every day. You don't need to be a pro to carve the surf, though — try your best to keep from wiping out or do what I do and ride boogie-style on your belly.
Harnessing up and making the climb is personally my favorite way to get in a fun workout at the start of every sea day, and the views at the summit of Utopia of the Seas℠' twin rock-climbing walls are well worth the effort. Because this activity is free of charge, I like to come back throughout the day to stretch my arms and legs — especially around sunset, when the light is golden and the ocean water shimmers like gilded crystal.
I love a great karaoke spot, and Spotlight℠ Karaoke does not disappoint. With a massive selection of songs to choose from, you can belt it out like Beyoncé, croon like Taylor Swift or invite the audience to join you in a raucous rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." Signing up to sing on the main stage is free, and you can also reserve a private room for a fee.
For late-night dancing, it doesn't get better than Boleros. This Latin-themed club hosts a live band playing cumbia, merengue, samba and salsa — and the mojitos and caipirinhas are off the charts. Admission to the club is free, but drinks are a la carte. Here's a pro tip: purchase a specialty beverage package ahead of your sailing for unlimited drinks included in a flat rate.
You can jam out to spectacular cover bands that range from classic rock to reggae at Music Hall, a huge concert venue that packs plenty of energy every single night of your sailing. Hit the dance floor and bust a move or just vibe from one of the venue's comfy lounge tables. Like Boleros, admission is free but drinks are a la carte.
No cruise is complete without a night of belly laughs at the onboard comedy club. On Utopia of the Seas℠, that club is called The Attic, and admission is free. This adults-only hotspot can hold a candle to some of the best clubs in Manhattan and Chicago. It hosts a changing lineup of stand-up comedians specializing in everything from sketch comedy to slapstick.
Whatever kind of entertainment you seek, Utopia of the Seas℠ makes it easy to enjoy an all-inclusive getaway that goes long on adrenaline-pumping thrills, delicious flavors and opportunities to make memories.
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