By
Alice Chambers |
Royal Caribbean International hosted a keel-laying ceremony for its upcoming ship, Utopia of the Seas, at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, on 1 July 2022.
Utopia of the Seas will be the first LNG-powered ship to join the cruise line’s Oasis-class fleet and is due to debut in spring 2024.
The ceremony involved the construction team laying coins in the ship’s first 948-ton steel block to bring luck to the construction process and the ship while it is at sea.
“The keel laying for Utopia of the Seas represents the first milestone of an incredible ship and the next step toward a bolder, thrilling future for Royal Caribbean and vacations,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Utopia’s debut in 2024, on the heels of Icon of the Seas setting sail in autumn 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.”
The new vessel will use waste heat recovery systems, as well as LNG power, as part of the cruise line’s commitment towards a clean-energy future.
“Today, we are celebrating with Royal Caribbean International an important tradition and milestone for Utopia of the Seas,” said Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “The construction of Utopia is an exciting opportunity for the Chantiers de l’Atlantique teams that are aiming to make this cruise ship one of the most environmentally friendly ships in the world equipped with new generation dual-fuel engines.”