Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed its newest giant, Star of the Seas, to U.S. waters. Weighing in at 248,663 gross tons and carrying up to 5,610 guests with 2,350 crew, she ranks among the largest cruise ships ever built. The ship is the second in the line’s groundbreaking Icon Class and is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) part of Royal Caribbean’s push toward cleaner and more efficient cruising.
A Grand Entrance to Port Canaveral
The ship made her first arrival at Port Canaveral this week, greeted with water cannon salutes and cheers from onlookers. Festivities will include a christening ceremony headlined by music icon Diana Ross, followed by several preview voyages before the official maiden sailing on August 31, 2025.
A Floating Theme Park at Sea
Star of the Seas takes onboard entertainment to a whole new level, boasting eight themed neighborhoods packed with attractions:
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Category 6 Waterpark – The largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides
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AquaDome – An indoor performance venue featuring acrobatics under a massive waterfall
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Absolute Zero – The biggest ice-skating arena in the fleet
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Crown’s Edge – A thrilling skywalk and ropes course suspended over the ocean
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The Hideaway – An adults-only suspended infinity pool with sweeping sea views
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Plus: laser tag, escape rooms, Broadway-style shows, more than 40 dining and bar venues, and over 2,800 staterooms — including two-story suites with private slides and hot tubs.
Constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, Star of the Seas is nearly identical to her sister ship, Icon of the Seas. Her LNG propulsion, energy-efficient systems, and waste management technology are designed to reduce her environmental footprint.
Sailing the Caribbean
From Port Canaveral, the ship will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, including visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas — along with popular ports like Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Roatán.
With her arrival, Star of the Seas isn’t just another cruise ship she’s a destination in her own right, blending record-breaking thrills, luxury accommodations, and next-generation sustainability.
