Utopia of the Seas and Disney Wish are two cruise ships geared toward offering great family vacations. 

Utopia of the Seas, part of Royal Caribbean's massive Oasis Class, is a floating city for all ages, offering water slides, zip lines, immersive dining experiences, and more. On the other hand, Disney Wish offers a more magical experience, combining Disney’s iconic storytelling with the convenience and fun of a cruise.

Both ships promise an unforgettable family adventure to the Bahamas, but which one is the perfect fit for your next vacation?

As a frequent cruiser, each voyage is about finding the perfect balance between splurging and saving, and I did just that on a recent 7-night cruise aboard one of the world's largest cruise ships, Wonder of the Seas. 

In total, I spent around $4,200 for my weeklong cruise, including airfare and onboard expenses. As expected, the most expensive part of the voyage was the cruise fare itself, which came to $2,292.10 or $1,146.05 per person, including taxes, port fees, and prepaid gratuities. 

Royal Caribbean is known for having the largest cruise ships at sea, having held the title since Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006. Since then, their ships have only gotten larger. 

Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet of 29 ships with another expected to join the fleet in August. Though you can expect the same service on ships as old as Vision of the Seas, the amenities onboard vary greatly. The line's newest ships have more restaurants, activities, and innovative features compared to older vessels. 

Welcome guest writer Georgia Burgess! Georgia is an engineer in Dallas, Texas. While she does have a long-standing love of travel, she will be the first to tell you that her favorite place to go is home because that’s where her dog is. In her free time, she can typically be found knitting with her friends, on a walk with her dog, or watching Dallas Stars hockey.

If you’re preparing for an upcoming cruise, you might be looking to stock up on some essentials before setting sail. I am always searching for budget-friendly ways to fill up my suitcase.

One of my favorite pre-cruise tasks is heading to the store to look for items that I want to take on my cruise. Shopping is much more fun than packing clothes, in my opinion! After hitting up the dollar store this fall, I couldn’t believe how many must-have cruise items I found.

Cruise ships aren't built overnight. The average time to build a cruise ship is 12 to 18 months, from when the keel is laid to the maiden voyage welcoming paying guests. However, the entire process, from its conceptualization to its official launch, can take over 5 years. 

Last week, I set sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas. The massive cruise ship, which measures over 236,000 gross registered tons, is known as the “World’s Biggest Weekend” for the cruise line.

As a Florida resident, I was thrilled to learn the latest vessel from Royal Caribbean would be a few hours’ drive from home. Even better, I loved the opportunity to enjoy a quick escape aboard this brand-new vessel, which debuted in July 2024.

It's important to prioritize rest between exploring new ports of call and enjoying the ship. However, cruise ship beds aren't always the most comfortable. I find most beds on the firm side, and getting a good night's rest can be tough if you're used to a softer mattress. 

Many cruisers won't sail without a drink package. Rather than paying for each drink individually, drink packages let you pay a daily price for an unlimited or a set number of beverages. They're great for convenience and to help establish a budget before embarkation.