The maritime world is abuzz with anticipation as Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas, the second vessel in its groundbreaking Icon Class, nears its much-awaited debut. Star of the Seas is currently located in the Caribbean Sea, heading towards Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is expected to arrive in Ponce on August 4th at 10am local time.
The colossal cruise ship, constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, is in the final stages of preparation for its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida. Delivered to Royal Caribbean on 10 July 2025, the 248,663-gross-tonne vessel, capable of accommodating 5,610 passengers, has completed its transatlantic crossing, arriving in Puerto Rico for additional outfitting.
The ship, which shares the title of the world’s largest cruise ship with its sister, Icon of the Seas, underwent successful sea trials in June 2025, testing its state-of-the-art systems, including LNG-powered engines and innovative waste-to-energy technology aimed at minimising environmental impact.
Following a technical stop in Cádiz, Spain, where over 10,000 plants were added to its Central Park neighbourhood, the vessel is now being fine-tuned for an exclusive preview cruise scheduled for 7-10 August 2025, tailored for travel trade professionals and media. This four-night showcase sailing to Royal Caribbean’s private island,
Perfect Day at CocoCay, will offer a glimpse of the ship’s eight distinct neighbourhoods, featuring six waterslides, seven pools, and over 40 dining and entertainment options, including the record-setting Category 6 family raft slide and the deck-spanning AquaDome.
Additional preview cruises on 16, 20, 23, and 27 August will precede the official inaugural voyage on 31 August, a seven-night Caribbean itinerary visiting destinations like San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Port Canaveral is gearing up for the ship’s arrival, with infrastructure upgrades to handle the expected influx of thousands of passengers, boosting local businesses from hotels to tour operators.
Royal Caribbean’s CEO, Jason Liberty, has hailed the ship as a “new type of vacation experience,” with bookings reflecting unprecedented demand following the success of Icon of the Seas. Despite minor scheduling adjustments, including the addition of showcase sailings to meet eager anticipation, the Star of the Seas is poised to redefine luxury cruising with its blend of thrills, sustainability, and family-friendly innovation.
