This article needs to be updated. (July 2022) |
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]
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Utopia |
| Owner | Utopia Residences |
| Operator | Utopia Residences |
| Port of registry |  Bahamas |
| Route | Circumnavigation of the world |
| Ordered | November 20, 2009 (amended in 2012) |
| Builder | Samsung Heavy Industries |
| Cost | US$1.1 billion |
| Notes | [1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Residential cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 108,000 GT |
| Length | 296 m (971 ft) |
| Beam | 36 m (118 ft) |
| Height | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Draught | 8.3 m (27 ft) |
| Decks | 16 |
| Installed power | 50,400KW 6 × Wärtsilä diesel engines |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 22 KN |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 600 |
| Notes | [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.
Amenities
editThe 296 m (971 ft), 108,000 GT, ship will have 190 residences ranging in size from 130 to 613 m2 (1,400 to 6,600 sq ft).[10] The ship will also have 175-room hotel, casino, 16,000 sq ft spa, night club, and many other amenities typical of large-scale commercial ocean-cruise liners. The company recently received regulatory approval for open floor plans and open-air kitchens (a first of its kind milestone for the passenger ship industry), which allows the kitchens to resemble the open-concept kitchens in modern North American land-based homes.[citation needed]
Financing
editThe ship will be largely financed by the Frontier Group, a private equity firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Frontier will put up most of the funds to cover the US$1.1 billion in construction costs.[11] In 2018, Frontier reported that the financing contingencies have been removed, clearing the path for the project to continue forward.[citation needed] In 2014, Utopia Residences shipbuilding contract was suspended due to insufficient funding. In 2017, a letter of intent was amended with Samsung Heavy Industries reflecting the vessel has been ordered with planned delivery and launch in 2022.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c Henrik Segercrantz (February 2010). "Utopia". Maritime Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
- ^ Business Insider: Permanent apartments on cruise ship
- ^ "Utopia Residential Ship Signs Contract with Shipyard". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
- ^ "Our Partners - Shipbuilder". Utopia. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "SHI Opens an Era of Cruise Shipbuilding in Korea". Samsung Heavy Industries. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ Business Insider: Permanent apartments on cruise ship
- ^ "Ocean Residences MY Njord Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".
- ^ "Clydebuilt MS Dark Island Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".
- ^ "Storylines MV Narrative Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".
- ^ "Elomatic and Utopia's historic conceptual design for residential ocean liner one step closer to becoming reality". Elomatic. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
- ^ Christopher Tritto (13 December 2009). "Frontier backs US$1 billion luxury ocean liner Utopia". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
- ^ "MS Utopia Residences Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review".
