FIRST LOOK Star of the Seas: A New Era of Cruising from Royal Caribbean

Like the empress of galaxies unknown, she pulled in to Port Canaveral on Florida’s space coast, the world’s cruise-ship savvy media waiting to board. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the second Icon-class ship, sets sail with a fresh take on the cruise holiday, offering a blend of thrills, relaxation, and thoughtful Royal design across its 20 decks.

With space for 5,610 passengers, this vessel, powered by eco-friendly liquefied natural gas, promises a tailored experience for families, couples, and solo travellers. The water has been broken by her sister ship, icon of the Sesas, in January 2024, but Star of the Seas has brought a few magical additions of her own.

Michael Bayley CEO of Royal Caribbean and Eoghan Corry on board Star of the Seas

What Visitors Can Expect

Guests aboard Star of the Seas will find eight distinct neighbourhoods, each with unique offerings. Thrill-seekers can tackle six record-breaking waterslides at the Category 6 waterpark or test their courage on the Crown’s Edge skywalk, while those seeking calm can unwind in one of seven pools or ten whirlpools. Over 40 dining and drinking venues cater to every taste, from casual bites to gourmet meals. Entertainment spans Broadway-style shows, ice skating performances, and live music, ensuring lively evenings. The ship’s layout, with family-friendly zones like Surfside and adults-only retreats like Hideaway, offers something for all ages.

Guest Experience

The onboard experience is designed for ease and engagement. The ship’s layout, with well-placed elevator banks, ensures smooth navigation despite its size. A crew of 2,350 provides attentive service, maintaining a high staff-to-guest ratio. Guests can fill their days with activities like rock climbing, mini-golf, or relaxing at the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar. The Surfside neighbourhood, tailored for young families, includes splash zones, a carousel, and family-friendly dining. The Royal Promenade, a central hub, buzzes with shops, bars, and live performances, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Complimentary Wi-Fi, powered by Starlink, keeps guests connected.

Reception Features

The Royal Promenade serves as the ship’s main reception area, offering a lively welcome with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. The Pearl, a three-deck interactive glass art installation with over 3,000 panels, adds a dynamic touch. Guest services, shore excursion desks, and retail outlets are conveniently located here, making it easy to plan activities. The open design and natural light create an inviting first impression.

Dining

With over 40 dining options, Star of the Seas caters to all tastes. The Main Dining Room offers a refined setting for breakfast, brunch, and dinner, while Surfside Eatery provides a family-friendly buffet. El Loco Fresh serves made-to-order Mexican dishes, and Park Café in Central Park offers light salads and sandwiches. For upscale dining, Coastal Kitchen, exclusive to suite guests, blends Mediterranean and Californian flavours, while Lincoln Park Supper Club delivers a 1930s Chicago-inspired gourmet experience. Desserted’s milkshakes and Basecamp’s casual eats near Thrill Island add quick, flavourful options.

Entertainment

Entertainment is diverse and engaging, with four main stages: air, ice, water, and theatre. The AquaTheatre in the AquaDome features acrobatic shows with a 55-foot waterfall backdrop. Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, showcases Olympic-level skating with digital projections. The Royal Theater hosts, or will soon host, Broadway-style productions like Back to the Future, while live music at venues like English-themed Thorn & Thistle pub and The Overlook Lounge ranges from jazz to rock. Thrill-seekers can try the FlowRider surf simulator or the Crown’s Edge ropes course.

Premium cabin at $25,000 a night

Accommodation

The ship’s 2,805 cabins cater to a range of preferences, with 80% designed for three or more guests, ideal for families. The Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-story suite with an in-suite slide and private patio, sleeps eight. Surfside Family Suites offer a curtained alcove for kids, while Infinite Balcony rooms extend living space with a button. Panoramic Ocean View rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Royal Loft Suite, at 1,482 square feet, includes a grand piano and wraparound balcony. Standard interiors, starting at 156 square feet, offer budget-friendly comfort, though storage can be limited.

Eoghan Corry and Gerarld Nolan, Castleknock born VP of Royal Caribbean, on board Star fo the Seas — Eoghan Corry and Gerarld Nolan, Castleknock born VP of Royal Caribbean, on board Star of the Seas

Hospitality Features

Service is attentive and personalised, with crew members trained to anticipate guest needs. The Royal Suite Class offers three tiers—Star, Sky, and Sea—with perks like concierge service, priority boarding, and access to exclusive areas like the Suite Sun Deck and Coastal Kitchen. The Royal Genie service, available in Star Class suites, provides a VIP experience with tailored planning. Accessibility is well-considered, with 50 wheelchair-accessible cabins and support for embarkation and excursions. The ship’s eco-conscious design, including fuel cell technology, enhances the experience with sustainability in mind.

Star of the Seas combines scale, innovation, and thoughtful service, offering a holiday where every guest can find their ideal escape.

What’s included at no extra cost

Category 6 Waterpark The largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking waterslides
Splashaway Bay Kid-favorite aquapark filled with waterslides, water cannons and drench buckets
Baby Bay Baby splash zone
FlowRider Catch a wave on the surf simulator
Adrenaline Peak Rock climbing wall with racing lanes for family-friendly competition
Lost Dunes Next-level mini golf course
Laser Tag: Rise of Poseidon Battle for the underwater kingdom of Trilantia
Ice Skating Free skate on the largest ice rink at sea
Royal Bay Pool
Sports Court Basketball, volleyball, pickleball & more
Dining Room Eat around the world with a new menu every night
Carousel: Surfside family ride
Playscape: Climbable fun for kids
Social020: Ultimate teen hangout
Adventure Ocean: Award-winning youth program for ages 3-12
Fitness Centre: Machines, weights & more
Running Track: Run laps with ocean views

Shows:

Back to the Future: The Musical The cult classic featuring the largest orchestra at sea
Torque A rowed-up, high-octane Aqua Theater extravaganza
SOL: A red hot ice-skating revolution
Create: Nect KRE 8, the most curious robot around – Coming Fall 2025
Pirates & Mermaids: A swash buckfing AquaTheatre adventure
Ocean Odyssey: Help King Atlantis rediscover the lost royal scroll

Music

Boleros Latin themed club with a live band
Schooner Bar Piano performances at a nautical bar
Spotlight Karaoke: Sing on the main stage
Thorn & Thistle: Live music, craft beer and cocktails at an English pub
Music Hall: Turo-story Eve music venue featuring tribute rock band and Showband
The Overlook Two level hangout with harpist
Lou’s Live jazz band tributes & performances
Duelling Pianos A battle of the baby grands

Parties

Family Shush! Silent Dance Party Dance like nobody’s listening and groove the night away
Family Dance Hour: Show off your moves at this memory-maxing mover
Father Daughter Dance A heartwarming classic with a modern twist and open to all
Larger Than Life Family Festival: Supersized bowling ring toss. darts & more
ReZolution: Dance party with epic light projections
RED Nightclub: 18+ late-night dub with five DJ
Shush! Silent Party DJs battle it out at the fleet’s Silent disco for aduits
Silent Toga: Toga party with a silent twist
Royal Kappa Chi- Star Chapter: Throwback collegiate party
Plunge Daytime Pool Party: Vegas-inspired daytime party

Family activities

Steel Pan: Family Jam Drum up memories.
Once Upon a Bedtime Story: Kids story time featuring costumes and puppeteering with Admiral Awesome
Family Field Day: Compete together with fam-friendly games for all

Game Shows

Trivia
Scavenger Hunts
Name That Tune
Arts & Crafts.
Crazy Quest
Puzzle Challenges
Theme Nights

17 complimentary dining destinations

Dining Room: Eat around the world with a new menu every night
Sorrento’s: Pizza perfection
Park Café: Quick fresh and easy eats
Coastal Kitchen: Pacific Coast meets the Med
The Grove: Upscale Mediterranean
El Loco Fresh: Self serve Mexican faves with salsa bar
Sprinkles: Endless soft serve at two locations
Pearl Café: Paninis, salads & sweets
Surfside Eatery: Family-friendly buffet
Surfside Bites: Grab & go snacks, just steps away from the action
Basecamp: Smashburgers, hot dogs & more in the middle of Thrill Island
Aquadome Market: Food hall with 5 unique stands
Pig Out BBO BBQ sandwiches piled with your choice of toppings
Mai Thai: Thai faves like pad thai & beef panang
La Cocinita: Latin American arepas: empanadas & more
Crème De La Crepe: Sweet and savory
French delights: Feta Mediterranean Build-your-own pita and bow/s

Seven pools & 10 whirlpools

Royal Bay Pool: Largest pool at sea
The Hideaway Neighborhood & Pool Adults only suspended infinity pool with ocean views
Swim & Tonic: The largest swim-up bar at sea
The Grove Suite Sundeck & Pool: Endless views across two decks
Cloud 17 Pool: Elevated oasis on the top deck
The Cove Pool: Surfside infinity pool with breathtaking views
Water’s Edge Pool: Family friendly pool with inwater loungers

Neighbourhood: Surfside

Splashaway Bay: Kid’s splashpad featuring drench buckets, sprayers, and more
Water’s Edge: Soak up endless ocean views with aft views
Carousel: Pool floatie-themed carousel perfect for little thrill-seekers
Playscape: Climbable, slidable fun for kids
Arcade ($): Classic arcade featuring retro and modern games
Surfside Eatery: Expansive family-friendly buffet has whatever your little ones are into right now
Surfside Bites: Quick stop to refuel on the run. And home to the second Sprinkles location serving vanilla & chocolate soft-serve ice cream onboard
Pier 7 ($): Serving beachside bites and all-day brunch. Kids under 12 eat free
The Lemon Post ($): Hangout mixing up drinks from two menus. One for grownup drinks with a fun twist, and one for kid-approved sips.
Larger Than Life Family Festival: Super-sized games like colossal bowling pins, towering ring toss, and more
Steel Pan Family Jam: Learn how to play the steel pan with the band
Once Upon a Bedtime Story: Nighttime story time where parents and kids alike are chosen to act out the show in a performance of colorful costumes
Surfside Family Suites are smartly designed to dial up the convenience for everyone — with a spacious split bathroom plus a cozy kids’ room. And the Ultimate Family Townhouse maxes the memories with three levels of unbelievable amenities, like an in- suite slide, wrap-around terrace with hot tub, cinema room and direct access to all the splash of SurfsideSM right from your private patio.

Neighbourhood: Chill Island

There are 7 pools on Star of the Seas and 4 of them are in the Chill Island neighborhood – including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea with more than 40,000 gallons of water! Plus, the largest swim-up bar at sea, Swim & Tonic.
Royal Bay: The largest pool at sea with more than 40,000 gallons of water and 2 whirlpools.
The Cove Pool: Unwind at the disappearing edge of The Cove Pool.
Cloud 17: Family-friendly oasis with a dedicated The Lime & Coconut bar and a cantilevered whirlpool perched above Chill Island.
Swim & Tonic: Paddle up to the in-water bar and toast to tempting sips like the Limoncello & Tonic in the largest swim-up bar at sea.
Casitas ($): Book a personal poolside casita or daybed, where you’ll enjoy spectacular ocean views and personal attendant service to unwind.
Windjammer Marketplace: Windjammer is your go-to spot for tantalizing global flavors. Top chefs drive your taste buds wild, using high quality ingredients to whip up over a dozen international culinary cuisines every day.
EL Loco Fresh: Mexican faves like nachos, burritos, quesadillas and carnitas. Pile on your favorite toppings from cilantro and lime to tangy salsa verde and jalapeños from the salsa bar.
Cantina Fresca ($): Shake things up with can’t-miss libations inspired by the fresh flavors of Mexico.
The Lime and Coconut ($): Hit one of four bars — including a dedicated frozen drink bar.

Neighbourhood: Thrill Island

Category 6 Waterpark: The largest waterpark at sea with 6 record-breaking slides of all types:
Storm Surge – Suspended Family Raft Slide
Hurricane Hunter – Family Raft Slide
Pressure Drop – Open Freefall Slide
Storm Chasers – Duo mat-racing slide
Frightening Bolt – Drop Slide
Crown’s Edge ($): An aerial adventure challenge that’s part skywalk, part ropes course, and part thrill ride that leaves you dangling 154-feet above the ocean.
Adrenaline Peak: Rock-climbing experience with 5 climbing lanes.
Lost Dunes: Putt your way through a mysterious shipwreck in this 9-hole mini golf course.
FlowRider: Exhilarating surf simulator with ocean views.
Sports Court: Multi-purpose sports court for activities like basketball, volleyball, pickleball and more.
Basecamp: familiar favorites in the heart of Thrill Island including smash burgers, pretzel bites, and more.
Basecamp bar ($): Serves up tropical storm-themed drinks and beer.
Desserted ($): Over-the-top milkshake concoctions and adults-only options bringing boozy milkshakes to the mix.
Category 6 is the largest waterpark at sea featuring six record- breaking slides: Frightening Bolt – the tallest drop waterslide at sea, Pressure Drop – an open free-fall slide, Storm Chasers – a mat racing duo slide, and Hurricane Hunter and Storm Surge – raft slides for the whole family.

Neighbourhood: Aquadome

Torque: A revved-up and groundbreaking aqua show that redefines the limits of performance. Featuring mind-blowing athletic artists, synchronized swimmers, dancers, and slackliners.
Pirates & Mermaids (debuting Fall 2025): A swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Dancers and divers collide in an AquaTheater show for the whole fam.
AquaDome Market: Complimentary food hall with 5 stands and a bar.
Pig Out BBQ: Try smoky pulled pork and beef brisket. Exclusively on Star of the Seas.
Mai Thai: Serving up favorites like pad thai and beef panang. Exclusively on Star of the Seas.
La Cocinita: South American staples like empanadas, arepas and more. Exclusively on Star of the Seas.
Crème de la Crepe: Sweet crepes. Try the strawberry Nutella and salted caramel.
Feta Mediterranean: Build your own pita and bowls.
Hooked Seafood ($): The spot to snag a real taste of New England-style seafood.
Celebration Table ($): Exclusive dining experience for you and your closest crew. Choose from American, Italian, Asian or seafood prix fixe menus — all served family- style.
Rye & Bean: Bar serving classic cups of joe plus coffee-infused and tea-infused cocktails
The Overlook Lounge & The Overlook Pods: Two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows to take your night to new heights.
The AquaTheater on Star of the Seas features a 55-foot waterfall and two 60-foot-high diving platforms.

Neighbourhood: Hideaway

The Hideaway Pool: Suspended infinity pool floating 8-stories high with 180-degree ocean views plus two whirlpools.
The Hideaway Daybeds ($): Full-sized daybeds in the middle of the pool to reserve for the perfect pool day.
The Hideaway Bar: Wrap-around bar with lounge seating serving bubbly cocktails.
DJ sets: With its own resident DJ and seamless sunset views, it’s the ultimate spot for beach club vibes going all day long.
The Hideaway is an adults-only pool deck for guests age 18 and older. Take a dip in the suspended infinity pool floating 8-stories up or enjoy sparkling wine-based cocktails from the bar.

Neighbourhood: Royal Promenade

Dining Room: Each night onboard brings a delectably different three-course theme to taste your way around the world together
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar ($): Sunday supper is served every day with Italian favorites like lasagna, spaghetti and pizza plus a full wine bar.
Sorrento’s: Choose from signature pies piled high with toppings and oozing with melty goodness.
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade ($): Catch your home team live from dozens of screens and dig in to gameday favorites
Pearl Café: Stop by for a quick bite around the clock and settle into the scenery. You’ll find a selection of toasted sandwiches, ready-made salads, sweet treats and more to nosh on.
1400 Lobby Bar: Specialty cocktails inspired by over 50 years of Royal Caribbean® shipbuilding innovation.
Spotlight Karaoke: Fleet-favorite karaoke bar where you are the star.
The Attic: Modeled after Manhattan’s dark and intimate comedy cellars, this adults-only club features hilarious Royal Comedians each week.
Dueling Pianos: Two talented pianists take audience requests and go key-to-key, tickling the ivories — and your funny bone.
Thorn & Thistle: Pair pints of ale and gin-forward cocktails with guitar greatness at Thorn & Thistle, a traditional English pub.
Boleros: Have yourself a taste of Havana at Boleros and learn sizzling new steps with live Latin music.
Schooner Bar: Where perfectly mixed cocktails and live entertainment come together in a warm-lit nautical- themed lounge.
Escape Room ($): Grab your crew and race against the clock at one of two Royal Escape Rooms℠ — from 1950s old school-cool to 1980s glam rock.
Ocean Odyssey: t’s time to make waves with a brand-new parade — as Ocean Odyssey surges to life on the Royal Promenade with booming music, flashy dance moves, and decked-out floats from way under the ocean.
Sol: An exhilarating show that traces the sun’s path from coast to coast in a red-hot ice-skating revolution
Back to the Future: Blast to the past and introduce the entire family to Marty McFly’s high-flying adventure, as Back to the Future: The Musical travels straight from Broadway to Star of the Seas.
Create (Debuting autumn 2025): Follow along on the soul-searching journey of a lifetime — exploring the soul of song, dance, visual arts and all forms of expression.

Neighbourhood: Central Park

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi ($): Fresh sushi selections and tempting teppanyaki prepared tableside.
Izumi in the Park ($): An all-day window for snap-worthy Japanese street food from rolls to hot delicacies to daring desserts.
Lincoln Park Supper Club ($): An evening of glitz and glamour that pays tribute to the people and places that made Chicago’s golden age glisten. Here, cuisine is an occasion, cocktails are celebrations, and sultry live jazz is your host.
Chops Grille ($): Signature American steakhouse slices up sizzling ways to elevate your meal.
Park Café: When you’re in the mood for deli classics that knock it out of the park, head to Park Café — with quick eats to please every palate.
Trellis Bar: Enchanting bar offers a menu of elegant pre-dinner appetizers
Bubbles: Walk-up sparkling wine bar in the heart of Central Park.
Lou’s: Party it up New Orleans style at Lou’s — where the only thing bolder than the jazz is the cocktail selection.