MS Utopia Residences

Design and planning for the residential cruise ship Utopia commenced in January 2010. The shipowner, Utopia Residences, placed the vessel on order on November 20, 2009, and amended the order (with several concept changes) in 2012. The contract was signed with the South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (Geoje Shipyard).

The vessel (IMO number TBA) will be Bahamas-flagged (MMSI TBA) and registered in Nassau.

Similar “residential cruise ship” concepts include The World (managed by ResidenSea), Narrative (Storylines Residences), Njord (Ocean Residences), and Dark Island (Clydebuilt).

Initially planned for inauguration in 2017, the ocean liner Utopia was envisioned as one of the world’s most luxurious residential ships. However, the project was suspended in 2014 due to financial difficulties (insufficient funding). The original letter of intent with Samsung Heavy Industries was amended in 2017.

The vessel is currently on order, with launch and completion/inauguration planned for Q2 2025.

Staterooms (cruise condos and hotel rooms)

Utopia has a maximum capacity of 900 passengers plus 600 crew/staff. The 199 suites (cruise condos/apartments) are privately owned residences ranging from 130 to 613 m2 (1400–6600 ft2). The ship also features a separate section over two lower decks designed as a 218-room hotel (owned by Utopia Residences), offering accommodations that can be rented like hotel rooms for limited stays.

The 199 private apartments are sold as permanent residences. Owners cannot claim any ownership stake in the vessel itself. Standard suite amenities include en-suite bathrooms (with WC, bathtub, glass shower, single- or double-sink marble vanity, premium bath products), half bathrooms/powder rooms, walk-in closets, lifejackets and electronic safes (in the wardrobes), decorative fireplaces, hardwood flooring, recessed LED lighting, wet bars, and separate dining areas and kitchens (with marble countertops).

The smallest “cruise ship apartment” (130 m2, with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) costs ~USD 4 million (initially advertised at USD 3.7 million). The largest units (613 m2, 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms) range between USD 30–36 million depending on deck location. In 2013, a Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive sales office (in Los Angeles, California) opened to promote the project and take deposits. The annual maintenance fee for residents is ~4.5% of the property’s listed price.

The 199 private residences span all seven cabin decks (8 through 15) out of the ship’s total 16 decks. These decks were designed to provide the best sea views, comfort, and convenience for resident owners. The vessel has six private elevators serving only the residential decks, while lower decks (with hotel rooms, dining and entertainment venues, leisure facilities, and staff/crew areas) are served by 12 additional lifts. The ship also has 16 smaller cabins for tutors and nannies.

Utopia’s deck plans were developed by leading interior designers alongside marine architects and engineers. Floor plans vary to suit the personal requirements of owners. All residential suites feature private step-out balconies furnished with a low table and deckchairs.

• Utopian Estates Suites (forward on decks 14–15): 530–614 m2 (5700–6600 ft2), with 3–4 bedrooms and 3 full baths plus 1 half bath.
• Royal Cup Estates Suites (midship-forward on decks 10–12): 394 m2 (4240 ft2), with 3–4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
• Regatta Estates Suites (aft on decks 8–12): 3–4 bedrooms, 2.5 or 3.5 bathrooms, and a large wraparound stern balcony.
• Symphony Estates Suites (forward on decks 9–11): 2–3 bedrooms and 2.5 or 3 bathrooms.
• Carnevale Estates Suites (midship on decks 8–12): 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
• Olympian Estates Suites (forward and aft on decks 8–12): 1–2 bedrooms and 1.5–2.5 bathrooms.

Shipboard facilities

All public venues on MS Utopia’s upper/residential decks feature floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows, allowing VIP guests to enjoy panoramic sea and coastline views.

The Club (on decks 15 and 16) is an exclusive two-deck complex for residents only, designed as a social hub for suite owners. It is staffed by a dedicated professional team providing personalized service.

The Club includes a Bar Lounge, Dining Room Restaurant, and sports facilities (a premium indoor gym and a separate studio for classes). The Restaurant is complimentary and serves gourmet dishes and beverages, including premium liquors and wines by the glass. The Lounge is furnished with comfortable leather seating and window-side areas. The Gym features the latest Technogym equipment and offers personal trainers and group classes (aerobics, yoga, pilates, spinning, indoor cycling, zumba, dance, and general fitness).

MS Utopia offers two MDRs (main dining rooms), two specialty restaurants, a theater/show lounge, a casino (with gaming tables and slot machines), a large spa and fitness center (1486 m2 / 16000 ft2), a disco nightclub, multiple lounges and bars (indoor and poolside), and a Sun Deck with two swimming pools and two cantilevered jacuzzis/large whirlpools with glass walls overlooking the sea. The bow houses a Helideck used for emergencies. The ship carries 8 tender boats/lifeboats and 2 rescue boats. Residents may bring personal belongings on board and are allowed to reconfigure or redesign their cruise apartments.

Itinerary

Like other residential ships, Utopia’s itinerary program is based on global circumnavigation (around-the-world cruises) visiting major port cities and the world’s most famous festivals and annual events, including the America’s Cup (yacht racing), Wimbledon Championships (tennis), Rio Carnival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Cannes Film Festival (Cannes, France), Tour de France (cycling), Monaco Grand Prix (Formula 1), Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Hong Kong, China), Dubai World Cup (horse racing in Dubai UAE), Ozumo Nagoya Basho (sumo tournament in Nagoya, Japan), and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve (Sydney NSW Australia).

As with all privately owned residential liners, Utopia’s itinerary can be altered by vote of its VIP residents to include destinations not originally scheduled.