Royal Caribbean's new 236,860-gross-ton Utopia of the Seas embarked on its maiden voyage on Friday, marking the launch of the world's second-largest cruise ship.

For some travelers, the mega-ship's arrival at its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida, has been a long time coming. In April, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said the company had seen "extraordinary" demand for the new floating hotel.

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