So you want to go on a cruise? An all-inclusive, planned-out, stress-free vacation where everything you need is just a short walk or elevator ride away — all as you sail the open seas?

Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, there are plenty of free restaurants, activities, entertainment, and more to enjoy for every member of the family. But what’s included in the cost of your cruise? We set out to learn for ourselves on our first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise.

Free Restaurants

Several dining locations are included, or complimentary, with your cruise. With 21 restaurants in total on the ship, you have select options that are walk-up, sit-down, and grab-and-go — and they’re free.

Main Dining Room

The main dining room on Utopia of the Seas is perfect for those looking for a complete, at-your-table experience each day of your cruise. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a different three-course menu each night. Dining here is complimentary and included in the cost of your cruise, with only a few exceptions — for example, ordering lobster on non-formal nights will cost you extra.

Since we had booked several nights of specialty dining, we were only able to eat here once during our cruise. Our dinner theme was “A Taste of France,” and it was spectacular from start to finish! It was also our cruise’s Formal Night, which was especially nice.

It’s also worth noting that if you prefer a quieter atmosphere for your meals, this might be the place for you. During our meal, it was much quieter than the other dining venues we enjoyed during our cruise. Guests all spoke at normal or hushed levels, and tables were spaced out enough that you didn’t get stuck overhearing neighboring conversations.

Windjammer Marketplace

Windjammer Marketplace is a great option if you’re a fan of casual cruise buffets. Stop here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, and you’ll find a multitude of menu options, plenty of seating, and several widely-spaced sinks for “washy washy” ahead of your meal.

If you have kids or picky eaters in your party, this will be the place to go. There are options to suit every appetite at all meal times. There are even some stations with made-to-order items, like omelettes at breakfast and brunch, which you can order to your preference.

The best part? No reservations needed! Just drop by during its open hours and get as much or as little as you like!

Solarium Bistro

For the adults-only parties, Solarium Bistro will have Windjammer beat by a mile. This dining venue by the Solarium is peaceful, quiet, and offers fresh and healthy options to enjoy in a bright and airy dining space. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with Mediterranean-inspired fare on the menu.

Tracker Tip: If you want a decent seat inside the Bistro itself, get to your desired meal time as soon as you can. The interior fills up fast, and waiting diners on our cruise were relegated to sitting at the outdoor tables in the Solarium.

Sorrento’s Pizza

A Royal Caribbean staple, Sorrento’s Pizza is not to be missed if you want something quick and easy (and also want pizza). Located on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade, you can stop by here for different pizza pies throughout the day and night.

Whether you’re a plain cheese or pepperoni person, or you like pizzas loaded with toppings, you’re sure to find something here. We greatly appreciated how easy it was to get in line, ask for however many slices we wanted, and make our way to the nearest table.

Tracker Tip: Check the Royal Caribbean app during your sailing if you find yourself out late and in need of a bite — Sorrento’s might be the stop to make!

Cafe Promenade

We visited Cafe Promenade A LOT during our cruise. Located on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade (across from Sorrento’s), this cafe is a great spot for grab-and-go items, brewed coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos. Starbucks Coffee is also sold here for an extra cost.

Tracker Tip: Cafe Promenade is open 24 hours a day, so no matter the time, you can always pop over to get a snack or a drink at no cost, or get items to stash for later.

Park Cafe

Park Cafe is located in the ship’s Central Park area on Deck 8. It offers many of the same grab-and-go items as Cafe Promenade, as well as breakfast (if you want to avoid Windjammer); made-to-order salads, soups, and sandwiches during lunch; tapas for dinner; and, of course, dessert.

Boardwalk Dog House

Take me out to the… Dog House? Boardwalk Dog House, that is! This spot on Deck 6 in the Boardwalk is heaven for hot dog aficionados. Just walk up to the counter to choose your dog (regular, spicy, chicken sausage, and more), choose your toppings (plain, mustard/ketchup, Chicago-style), and enjoy!

The Spare Tire

New for Utopia of the Seas, The Spare Tire is a food truck (yes, on a cruise ship!) located on Deck 15 near the pool. Here, you’ll find grab-and-go sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers, a rotating selection of desserts, and more.

Sprinkles

It’s not a cruise without free soft-serve, and you’ll find just that at Sprinkles on Deck 15. This outdoor stop by the pools includes soft-serve machines offering vanilla, chocolate, and swirl, complete with complimentary sprinkles. We made many a stop here during our cruise, and definitely loaded up on plenty of sprinkles!

El Loco Fresh

On Deck 16, near the mini golf course, zip line, and basketball court, is El Loco Fresh. This fast-casual restaurant offers Tex-Mex fare, including taco trays, a shareable nacho tray, burritos, and a salsa and toppings bar.

One location that isn’t fully on our list is Johnny Rockets. While it is a specialty (paid) restaurant, you can get complimentary breakfast any day of your cruise outside of embarkation and disembarkation. We did this on our last sea day and it was great!

Free Activities and More Onboard

Enough about the food; there’s more to enjoy on a Utopia of the Seas cruise than just eating! There are also plenty of activities to enjoy that keep boredom at bay.

Ultimate Abyss

The Ultimate Abyss is your go-to for big thrills on a unique and vibrant dry slide. The one aboard Utopia of the Seas is 10 stories tall and stretches 43 feet longer than the versions that are on previous ships. The entire experience is just 13 seconds — but it’s 13 seconds of bright lights, pumping music, and an exciting plunge to the bottom.

Tracker Tip: The minimum height for this slide is 44 inches. There is a height measuring stick at the entrance, so you can double-check if your smaller passengers can take the plunge!

Rock-Climbing Walls

If you’re into more “active” activities, check out the pair of rock-climbing walls on Deck 7. Offered free of charge, you can get some good exercise and stretching in as you make your way up to the top, and take in excellent views of the sea and ship from this unique vantage point.

The Perfect Storm

Over at the pool are three thrilling water slides to enjoy, all together known as The Perfect Storm. Typhoon and Cyclone are two racer slides, while Supercell is a giant champagne bowl that you swirl around before being funneled into the pool below.

Flowrider Surf Simulator

If you long to hang 10, you can do just that (or try) on the Flowrider Surf Simulator! This surf simulator is free to use and utilizes over 30,000 gallons of rushing water to create the perfect waves. You don’t have to be a pro surfer to do it, and you can always ride on your stomach via boogie board if you’re afraid of wiping out.

Zip Line

If you’re feeling brave, you can fly over nine decks above the Boardwalk area on the Utopia of the Seas zip line. Staff are on hand to get you strapped in, and you have the option to purchase your ride video afterward.

Tracker Tip: Keep an eye on the weather during your cruise. If it’s too windy or you’re caught in inclement weather, the zip line may not be operational or close early.

Laser Tag

For an extra bit of adventure, check out Laser Tag in Studio B on your sailing. This location is also used for Youtopia, the ice skating show onboard. All you need to wear are closed-toed shoes. Check the Royal Caribbean app once you board the ship to see if it’s open during your sailing, and make your free reservation as soon as you can to secure your spot.

Spotlight Karaoke

If you’re a karaoke star or just love being the center of attention, Spotlight Karaoke is the place for you. You can sing on the main stage for free, or book a private room for an extra cost. During our cruise, there were themed evenings where it was not free choice, so check out the Royal Caribbean app or stop by in the Royal Promenade when you’re interested in going.

Music Hall

For live music, head to the Music Hall on Deck 8. This concert venue offers a variety of performances, and also offers a dance floor, lounge tables, and no cover charge! Drinks here are a la carte, though.

Boleros

Boleros is home to late-night dancing with a live band playing Latin tunes sure to get you busting a move. Admission to the club is free, but like the Music Hall, drinks are extra. 

Royal Theater

The Royal Theater is home to several entertainment offerings on the ship, including All In!, the signature show aboard the ship, or Royal Comedians. Keep an eye on the electronic posters outside the venue to see what’s coming up on your cruise, or check out the Royal Caribbean app.

Tracker Tip: Like with any show, it’s best to get there early to secure a good seat!

Movies

At select times during your cruise, both the Royal Theater and the Aqua Theater will show movies that are open for anyone to watch. For example, Jurassic World Rebirth was shown at the Aqua Theater during our cruise! All you have to do is check out the Royal Caribbean app to see what’s playing and where, and roll up ready to watch!

There’s so much more to discover on this ship; we truly believe you’d need more than one cruise aboard Utopia of the Seas to experience everything.

What has been your favorite complimentary experience aboard a Royal Caribbean ship? Let us know on social media, and watch our vlogs from the cruise above!