Utopia (cruise ship)

History
NameUtopia
OwnerUtopia Residences
OperatorUtopia Residences
Port of registry Bahamas
RouteCircumnavigation of the world
OrderedNovember 20, 2009 (amended in 2012)
BuilderSamsung Heavy Industries
CostUS$1.1 billion
Notes[1]
General characteristics
TypeResidential cruise ship
Tonnage108,000 GT
Length296 m (971 ft)
Beam36 m (118 ft)
Height50 m (160 ft)
Draught8.3 m (27 ft)
Decks16
Installed power50,400KW 6 × Wärtsilä diesel engines
Propulsion
Speed22 KN
Capacity
  • 199 luxury residences
  • 218-room hotel
Crew600
Notes[1]

Utopia is a planned luxury residential ocean liner project. A formal marketing launch of the ship, reportedly costing US$1.1 billion, was expected in 2021.[2] The ship was originally planned to launch in 2017 but lack of funding got in the way and the binding letter of intent to build Utopia was amended in 2017.[3] The ship was to be built by Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the largest shipbuilders in the world.[4][5] The Finnish engineering company Elomatic Marine is credited for the design concept of the vessel, with architectural design by Tillberg Design U.S.[1]

The original business plan called for residences with prices from US$3.9 million to US$30 million, but as of 2018 Utopia increased its prices to $36 million.[6]

It is one of several residence cruise ships that are under construction or planned, including Njord,[7] Dark Island [8] and MV Narrative.[9] MS The World and Villa Vie Odyssey are the only resident-owned cruise vessels currently in service as of 2024.

  1. ^ a b c Henrik Segercrantz (February 2010). "Utopia". Maritime Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  2. ^ Business Insider: Permanent apartments on cruise ship
  3. ^ "Utopia Residential Ship Signs Contract with Shipyard". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  4. ^ "Our Partners - Shipbuilder". Utopia. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  5. ^ "SHI Opens an Era of Cruise Shipbuilding in Korea". Samsung Heavy Industries. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  6. ^ Business Insider: Permanent apartments on cruise ship
  7. ^ "Ocean Residences MY Njord Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".
  8. ^ "Clydebuilt MS Dark Island Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".
  9. ^ "Storylines MV Narrative Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".