On board RCCL’s Utopia of the Seas, the Royal Railway: Utopia Station is one of the most unique experiences you can have. It’s a themed dinner show that you need to book ahead of time. Simulating a train ride in the Wild West, the food is unique, but the show is the best part. My friend, Sybil Bradley, and I had a great time.
We received hand-delivered tickets at our stateroom. At the specified time, we entered the train station and were offered iced tea in a bottle with or without alcohol. When it was time to board, we entered our train car, which was one of two cars. Ours had a row of four tables seating two guests on one side, and four tables seating four guests on the other side.
The lady conductor introduced herself and acted as our guide throughout. She said we had to watch out for bandits and hid a locked treasure box, which was meant for our destination at Grand Junction. Shades covered the windows as we settled in. When the conductor gave the all clear, the shades rolled up, exposing a view of cactus and desert, and a rumbling vibration with clacking sounds indicated we were on our way. We had lovely views of the passing landscape as we sped onward.
Our handsome waiter delivered a complimentary “amuse bouche” of some appetizer that tasted good, although I can’t recall what it was. We could choose an appetizer, entrée and dessert from the menu, which I kept along with a map of our route.
My dinner choices were a delicious corn chowder, tender braised short ribs that fell off the bone and came with potatoes and vegetables, and a Denver gold bar with rhubarb sorbet for dessert. Sybil had the Royal Railway chocolate cigar.
Before we got too far into our meal, masked bandits burst inside our train car at different times demanding the locked treasure box. The conductor fought them off, even as a sandstorm overtook us outside. Then we got blocked by rocks on the train tracks and had to use explosives to get free. This was all accompanied by visual and sound effects that made it seem real.
The show started at 6:00 pm and lasted an hour and a half. Definitely, book this experience if you have the means and the time. It was a highlight of our trip.
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What fun! I would love that! And the food sounds fabulous too.
Thank you, I loved it!
Looks like a great adventure!!!
It was great. And Legend of the Seas has another one, only that train trip goes to Asia. How cool.