Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed Star of the Seas, the second groundbreaking Icon Class ship, following its completion at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. With keys now in hand, the ship is set for its highly anticipated August debut from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, promising an elevated family vacation experience.
The official handover was celebrated in a ceremony on board the ship’s AquaTheater, bringing together over 1,250 crew members and partners, along with leadership from Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku. This event marked the culmination of immense hard work and innovation in engineering, design, and architecture.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group stated:
“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations,”
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean, added,
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionize how families and adventurers vacation.”
The Star of the Seas boasts record-breaking thrills and unparalleled ways to relax across eight distinct neighborhoods, each a destination in itself:
- Thrill Island: Home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking waterslides, plus Crown’s Edge, a unique skywalk and thrill ride 154 feet above the ocean.
- Chill Island: Features Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea, along with a swim-up bar and live entertainment.
- Surfside: Designed for young families with dedicated splash areas for kids and tots, and nearby dining options.
- AquaDome: A tranquil oasis by day, transforming into a vibrant night spot with deck-defying shows at the AquaTheater and a variety of food and drink venues.
- The Hideaway: An adults-only retreat offering a suspended infinity pool, DJ, bar, and panoramic ocean views.
Beyond these new features, returning favorites like the Royal Promenade with its stunning ocean views and the Pearl kinetic art sculpture, and the open-air Central Park with over 30,500 real plants, have been reimagined.
Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), featuring advanced environmental programs and contributing to the company’s goal of introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
Following its delivery, the ship will sail to Cadiz, Spain, for final preparations before embarking on its 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures, including calls at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. This new ship joins a growing lineup of vacation experiences, including upcoming Royal Beach Clubs in The Bahamas and Mexico, and a new beach destination in the South Pacific.
For more details on Star of the Seas, visit Royal Caribbean’s website.
Are you planning to cruise on Star of the Seas? Leave a comment below or join us on the Talking Cruise Community forums.