Royal Caribbean’s Utopia Meets SS United States Off Florida – Cruise Industry News

Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas met the SS United States while cruising off the coast of Florida in late February.

Offering a short cruise to the Bahamas, the 2024-built ship sailed out of its planned route to pay tribute to the former ocean liner, the company said in a social media post.

After nearly 30 years docked in Philadelphia, the SS United States was towed to Mobile during a two-week journey that started in late February.

The 1952-built vessel is now set to undergo preparation work before being reefed off the coast of Florida’s Okaloosa County.

“These guests got a front-row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime historic moment,” Royal Caribbean said in its post.

“Shout out to the captain and crew of the Utopia of the Seas for the maneuver that allowed guests and crew to give a final salute to the SS United States on her way to rest on yet another world record,” the company continued.

Set to become the world’s largest artificial reef, the ship also holds the Blue Riband for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing between Southampton and New York City.

“Since her maiden voyage in the 1950s, she’s set still unbroken records for her speed and attracted decades of celebrities and travelers over the years,” Royal Caribbean added.

The port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale also marked the ship’s passage by Florida by sharing a picture in its social media profiles.

After being towed for over 1,800 nautical miles, the SS United States arrived in Mobile earlier this month.

The vessel is now scheduled to undergo preparation work to make it environmentally safe for its deployment as an artificial reef.

Expected to take up to 12 months, the project is being undertaken by Okaloosa County and Destin-Fort Walton Beach and also includes support for a land-based museum aimed at preserving the ship’s memory.