In a dazzling and over-the-top maritime spectacle (as dazzling and over-the-top as the cruise industry itself), Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas, at 7,000 passengers and 2,500 crew, the world’s largest cruise ship, was officially named at Port Canaveral, Florida, with research astronaut Kellie Gerardi presiding as godmother.
The evening ceremony, held in the ship’s innovative AquaTheater beneath the iconic AquaDome, marked a significant milestone for the €1.8 billion Icon-class vessel, which arrived at its homeport earlier this month after completing sea trials from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
Gerardi, a 36-year-old Florida native and the 90th woman to travel to space, stepped into the ceremonial role following the unexpected withdrawal of Motown legend Diana Ross, who cited unforeseen circumstances.
Royal Caribbean’s president, Michael Bayley, praised Gerardi’s selection, noting her connection to Port Canaveral, near the Kennedy Space Centre, and her embodiment of adventure, aligning perfectly with the ship’s celestial theme.
The event, livestreamed to over 1,300 fans worldwide, featured a traditional godmother procession led by the City of Mt. Dora Pipe Band, with star-shaped confetti and a ceremonial champagne bottle shattered against the ship’s bow, symbolising good fortune. Gerardi, a payload specialist with Virgin Galactic, expressed her honour in blessing the €250 million vessel, highlighting its spirit of exploration and family-focused adventure.
The Star of the Seas, boasting a capacity for 5,610 passengers and 2,300 crew, had already embarked on its first revenue cruise on 16 August, a three-night voyage to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.
The ship’s maiden voyage, a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary visiting Cozumel, CostaMaya, and Roatán, is set for 31 August, with year-round sailings to follow, including Eastern Caribbean destinations like San Juan and St. Maarten.
The ceremony underscored Port Canaveral’s growing stature as the world’s second-busiest cruise port, with recent upgrades to Cruise Terminal 1 ensuring seamless operations for megaships like this 250,800-ton behemoth.
Despite a minor hiccup during a preview cruise, when a passenger fell from the pier at CocoCay prompting an “Oscar” alert, the ship’s launch has been met with enthusiasm, with Bayley lauding the crew as the true “stars” of the occasion.
Gerardi’s appointment has sparked intrigue, with her background in bioastronautics and STEM advocacy resonating with the ship’s forward-thinking design, featuring the largest swimming pool at sea and an open-air Central Park with over 30,500 plants.
