The first milestone in the construction of the vessel that could vie for the world’s biggest cruise ship crown has been reached.
Launching in early 2024, Utopia of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis class vessel, a class that comprises five of the world’s biggest cruise ships – Wonder, Symphony, Harmony, Oasis and Allure of the Seas.
A video released by Royal Caribbean shows the keel-laying ceremony for the ship – a longstanding maritime tradition that marks the official start of construction – at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
In the clip, newly minted coins are placed on to a 948-ton steel block on the ship. The coins, which represent Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, are said to bring luck during construction and to the captain and crew when Utopia sets sail.
A construction worker can be seen welding a coin to the keel to secure …