Royal Caribbean International has announced that the construction of its newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, has reached its first milestone. A keel-laying ceremony for the Oasis-class ship was held at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship is expected to debut in spring 2024.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said: “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, newly minted coins were placed on the ship’s first 948-ton 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 to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Utopia of the Seas will also advance Royal Caribbean’s commitment to the environment. The ship’s LNG technology will join an existing lineup of the cruise line’s environmentally friendly initiatives such as shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems. The applications have been developed and are continually enhanced to steer the line towards a clean-energy future.
For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.
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