If you’re looking for a little extra comfort and a semi-private spot to relax on Utopia of the Seas, renting a casita might sound like the perfect splurge. But is it really worth the price tag? We gave it a try on our recent cruise, and we’ve got all the details – what’s included, how to reserve one, and the best (and worst) casita locations on the ship. Here’s everything you need to know before booking one yourself!
What's in this Article? (Jump ahead here.)
What’s Included with a Casita Rental?
When you rent a casita on Utopia of the Seas, you’re paying for a semi-private spot to relax for the day – but what exactly do you get for your money? Here’s the rundown:
- All-Day Access – The casita is yours from 9am – 6pm, so you can come and go as you please without worrying about losing your spot. This is great for avoiding the towel wars over pool chairs.
- Comfortable Seating – Each casita comes with cushioned lounge chaise lounge that comfortably sits two adults, making it a cozy spot to hang out, read, or enjoy a drink.
- Access for Four People – You are able to have up to 4 guests at your casita. But realistically, the seating is only set up for two adults. It works well for a family with two adults and two kids though, especially if your kids will spend most of their time in the pools.
- Two Welcome Drinks – I think we got pina coladas.
- Cooler with Waters – You’ll get four bottles of water and a cooler filled with ice, which is handy.
- Dedicated Service – The casita attendant will come by to take your drink orders, so you don’t have to leave your comfy spot to grab a cocktail. There’s even a call button to get their attention if you need it.
- Shade and Privacy (sort of) – The canopy provides some shade. But since the sides are open and the sun is moving overhead, there were definitely parts of the day when we were in full sun. You can create some shade by hanging towels off the structure, but they really should have put curtains on these things. And while they are still in busy areas, the casita does offer a sense of semi-privacy compared to regular lounge chairs.
What’s not included? Food and drinks are not complimentary (aside from those two welcome drinks), so you’ll still be paying for anything you order. Also, the casitas don’t have any kind of locking storage, so keep that in mind if you’re bringing valuables. Overall, it’s a nice setup for anyone wanting a dedicated place to relax for the day, especially on busy sea days.
Reserving, Checking In & Selecting your Casita
If you plan to rent a casita, you can make your reservation on the Royal Caribbean website or app in advance of your cruise. We found that there were several unused casitas each day of our sailing, but I would expect the demand to be much higher on busier sailings and on sea days. So if it’s important to you – book in advance.
You can not select a specific casita when you make your reservation. Instead, you do that when you get onboard the ship. Officially, it is supposed to be first come, first serve on the morning of your rental. However, we found that the bartenders were taking requests upon boarding. So I recommend stopping by the Lime & Coconut (pool bar) when you get onboard, and asking the bartenders there if you can request a certain casita for your upcoming rental.
On the day of your casita rental, you should proceed to the Lime & Coconut to check in. (If you haven’t already requested a casita location by then, go early so you can make your choice from what’s left.) They will show you to your casita!
Best Casita Locations on Utopia
There are 12 casitas available, and their locations can make a big difference in your experience. First off, here’s a map of the pool deck showing the location of every single casita.
First, note that all of the casitas are located on the deck above the pools. They are not poolside. This is a good thing if you want a little bit more peace. But it’s not ideal if you like to be in the center of the action at the pools, or if you expect to be in the pool constantly (like if you have kids that can’t swim on their own yet).
If you’re okay with being above the pool deck, then you should think about location. One side of the pool deck is closer to the water slides and sprayground, which might be ideal if you’re traveling with kids. The other side is closer to the “party pools”.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons (with pictures) of every single casita location on the ship:
Casitas 1 & 2 – These are closest to the water slides entrance and sit above the kids’ sprayground. There are stairs nearby that give you quick access to the splash pad area. But there’s also a walkway right in front with some lounge chairs that could block your view or feel a bit crowded. In my opinion, this is the best spot if you will have kids on the sprayground and slides, because you can most easily access and supervise them.
Casitas 3 & 4 – This is where we set up for the day. They’re also above the sprayground but a bit further from the stairs. This is a perfect spot if you have kids that will be on the slides and splashground on their own. You can supervise easily, but the stairs are a little further away if you need to access them. There’s only a narrow walkway in front with no chairs to block your view, so they feel a little more private. There are a few chairs in between the casita there – uncomfortably close. If you need more space for additional guests, I’d suggest grabbing those chairs early to avoid strangers camping out too close.
Casitas 5 & 6 – These overlook one of the pools that technically allow families but definitely had more of an adult vibe (think twerking contests and a lively crowd). There’s a walkway in front but no chairs blocking the view. These are close to a hot tub and conveniently located near the stairs. This is a great pick for adults!
Casitas 7 & 8 – Perched above another pool that was a little more low-key on our sailing. But these casitas (and the rest from here on out) are on the smoking side of the ship. There’s a walkway in front but no chairs directly in front, and there are a bunch of lounge chairs nearby. This setup is great if you’re with a larger group and want to grab some extra chairs nearby. These are also close to a hot tub.
Casitas 9 & 10 – Overlooking a pool that seemed to attract more families, probably because it’s nearer to the sprayground and water slides. You get a good view of the slides but not so much of the sprayground itself. These are close to a bar, and there’s a narrow walkway in front with no chairs to block the view. But like 7 & 8, these are on the smoking side of the ship.
Casitas 11 & 12 – These are also above the same pool as 9 & 10 but closer to the water slides. There’s a walkway with chairs in front, which could be annoying if it gets crowded. These are on the smoking side, too.
Is the Casita Rental Worth It?
Honestly? It depends. If you’re looking for a private spot – especially if you have very young kids or older family members who need a guaranteed spot to sit and break from the sun – it could be worth the splurge. They’re especially great on sea days when lounge chairs can be hard to come by (hello, towel wars!). Knowing you’ve got a reserved spot all day is pretty convenient.
On a port day, though, I probably wouldn’t rent one again. The pools weren’t that crowded while we were in port, and we didn’t spend enough time lounging to justify the cost. So if you’re planning to explore the ship most of the day, you might want to save your money.
More Cruise Planning Resources
If you found this helpful, be sure to check out my full review of our cruise on Utopia of the Seas, and these other cruise planning articles: