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Star of the Seas – Royal Caribbean’s Newest Cruise Ship Review

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Star of the Seas at Sea
Cruise Lines, Cruise News, Cruise Ships, Onboard Experience, Reviews
Thursday, August 21, 2025

Star of the Seas at a Glance

The essential specs for Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-Class ship. Star of the Seas launched in August 2025 and, alongside sister ship Icon of the Seas, currently holds the title of world’s largest cruise ship.

SpecValue
Cruise lineRoyal Caribbean International
ClassIcon Class
Sister shipsIcon of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Hero of the Seas
LaunchedAugust 2025
GodmotherKellie Gerardi (astronaut)
Length365 metres (1,196 feet)
Gross tonnage248,663 GT
Guest capacity5,610 (double occupancy) / 7,600 (max)
Crew2,350
Decks20
Neighbourhoods8
Restaurants & bars40+
Home portPort Canaveral, Florida

My Experience on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas

Last week I was lucky enough to join Royal Caribbean for the launch of their brand-new ship, Star of the Seas, the latest and largest addition to the cruise line’s fleet. This three-day inaugural sailing set off from Port Canaveral and included a stop at Royal Caribbean’s incredible private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. More than 5,000 travel professionals and guests came together to celebrate the arrival of what is officially the world’s largest cruise ship.

With so much to see and do onboard, three days was never going to be enough, but I made it my mission to experience as much as possible. Here are some of the highlights.

Entertainment on Star of the Seas

The entertainment blew me away. The Back to the Future musical was a real crowd-pleaser, bringing the iconic film to life with a brilliant cast and yes, even a DeLorean on stage. The Torque aqua show was another standout, combining high dives, synchronised swimming, dance, stunts, and even slacklining performed over the water. The scale and energy of these productions really set Royal Caribbean apart.

Guests enjoying entertainment on Star of the Seas
Guests at a show at the AquaDome
Back to the Future Muscial onboard Star of the Seas
Back to the Future the Musical onboard Star of the Seas
Guests enjoying entertainment on Star of the Seas
Guests enjoying entertainment onboard Star of the Seas

Dining Onboard

Food is always a huge part of any cruise holiday and with over 20 restaurants onboard Star of the Seas, there is something to suit every taste. My favourites included the lively Sports Bar, the fun and family-friendly Surfside Eatery, and Izumi Sushi, which was every bit as delicious as expected. Whether you want casual dining or a special occasion meal, the variety onboard is second to none.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

One of the highlights of the sailing was the stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. This private island offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Guests can spend the day unwinding on the beautiful beaches or dive straight into thrills at Thrill Waterpark, home to the tallest waterslide in North America. It is an experience that adds even more excitement to a Royal Caribbean holiday.

Food onboard Star of the Seas
Food onboard Star of the Seas
Aerial view of Perfect Day at CocoCay
Aerial view of Perfect Day at CocoCay
Celebration table on Star of the Seas
Family enjoying a meal onboard Star of the Seas

Fun Facts About Star of the Seas

  • The Central Park neighbourhood features more than 30,000 real plants, creating a floating garden at sea
  • A Broadway-style Back to the Future musical is performed onboard, complete with a DeLorean
  • Star of the Seas can carry 5,610 passengers at double occupancy and up to 7,600 guests at full capacity, supported by over 2,300 crew members
  • Thrill Island is the largest waterpark at sea and includes a drop slide taller than a 16-storey building
  • The adults-only Hideaway Pool is a suspended infinity pool offering some of the best views onboard
  • Families can use waterproof tracking bracelets so children never get lost on this floating city
  • Food waste is composted and turned into fuel that helps power the waterpark rides
  • The ship’s godmother is Kellie Gerardi, a real astronaut who has flown in space
  • When docked, the ship can plug into shore power, reducing emissions while in port
  • At 1,196 feet long, the ship is larger than three football pitches or four Space Shuttles stacked nose to tail

Final Thoughts

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is more than just the world’s largest cruise ship, it is a destination in itself. From incredible entertainment and diverse dining to innovative technology and sustainability initiatives, this ship sets a new standard for cruising.

If a Caribbean cruise is on your radar, Star of the Seas will be sailing a variety of Caribbean itineraries, from short escapes to longer island-hopping adventures. You can explore all Star of the Seas Caribbean sailings and choose the itinerary that best fits your travel plans.

If you are thinking about a Royal Caribbean holiday, Star of the Seas should be right at the top of your list. At Paramount Cruises, we can help you plan your perfect cruise, whether that includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay or one of the many exciting itineraries this remarkable ship will sail.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Star of the Seas launch?

Star of the Seas launched with her inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida in August 2025. She is the second Icon Class ship, following Icon of the Seas (January 2024), at 248,663 gross tonnes and 365 metres long.

What is the difference between Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas?

Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are sister ships in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, so their layout, size and neighbourhoods are essentially identical. The main differences are cabin availability, itineraries and small onboard updates Royal Caribbean introduced after Icon’s first year in service.

How many passengers does Star of the Seas hold?

Star of the Seas holds 5,610 guests at double occupancy and up to 7,600 guests at full capacity when all beds are used. She is supported by a crew of approximately 2,350.

What cabin types are available on Star of the Seas?

Star of the Seas offers Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Infinite Ocean View Balcony, Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, Royal Loft Suite, Solarium Suite and the seven-cabin Ultimate Family Townhouse. Cabins are spread across 20 decks.

How much does a Star of the Seas cruise cost from the UK?

UK fly-cruise packages on Star of the Seas typically start from around £1,500-£2,000 per guest for a 7-night Caribbean itinerary in an interior cabin, including flights from London. Suite categories and school-holiday sailings can exceed £5,000 per guest.

Where does Star of the Seas sail?

Star of the Seas sails Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida — including 7-night Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Bahamas routes. Almost every sailing includes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.

Is Star of the Seas suitable for families?

Yes — Star of the Seas is one of the most family-friendly ships at sea. Highlights include Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs, the Thrill Island waterpark, waterproof child-tracking bracelets, the Ultimate Family Townhouse, and dedicated family cabin categories.

Is there an adults-only area on Star of the Seas?

Yes. The Hideaway Pool is a suspended infinity pool reserved for adults, and the Solarium is an adults-only indoor pool space with speciality dining. Perfect Day at CocoCay also has the Hideaway Beach adults-only area.

What entertainment is included on Star of the Seas?

Star of the Seas hosts a Broadway-style production of Back to the Future, an aqua theatre show called Torque, ice-skating shows, comedy, live music venues and pool-deck parties. All are included in your cruise fare.

Is Star of the Seas eco-friendly?

Star of the Seas is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and can plug into shore power in port to reduce emissions. Onboard food waste is composted and converted into biogas that helps power the ship’s waterpark.

Tags: Cruise ReviewNew ShipRoyal Caribbean
Jess Hartley by Jess Hartley

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