Star of the Seas left the Meyer Turku slipway in July after nearly two years of engineering wizardry. At the delivery ceremony in Finland, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty accepted the “keys” to the 250,800-gross-ton ship and praised the 1,250-strong workforce that cut, welded and outfitted 40,000 tonnes of steel into what is now the fleet’s second Star of the Seas-class marvel.
The final milestone completed the class’s most complex build yet: a glass-and-steel AquaDome lifted into place by high-capacity cranes; six record-setting waterslides hoisted 15 decks sky-high; and an LNG propulsion plant that positions the brand one step closer to net-zero operations by 2035.
First Steel to Sea Trials
Royal Caribbean’s build philosophy stacks construction phases like LEGO: block assembly in drydock, a precise float-out, and power-plant testing at sea. All major hotel systems—HVAC, water treatment, kitchens—ran non-stop during March trials where Finnish Coast Guard pilots pushed the hull to 24 knots through Baltic chop. Engineers analysed vibration data in real time, tweaking fin stabilisers and dynamic positioning software to ensure balcony staterooms stay whisper-quiet even when the ship edges into windy Caribbean piers.
A Star-Studded Naming Team
With ownership transferred, finishing crews now sail Star to Cádiz, Spain, for the final decor sprint. They will install the lime-green bar swing seats in The Lime & Coconut and bolt down plush loungers beneath Chill Island’s retractable sunshades. When she reaches Port Canaveral this August, Grammy legend Diana Ross will christen her as Godmother—continuing a company tradition that weds maritime superstition with pop-culture sparkle.
LNG: Under the Bonnet
Star is Royal Caribbean’s third vessel to run primarily on liquefied natural gas. Four 16-cylinder Wärtsilä engines feed dual-fuel burners and deliver 67 MW of power—enough to juice 40 water-slides and 7,500 Bluetooth cabin locks at once. Waste-heat recovery captures exhaust energy to warm freshwater tanks, trimming fuel burn by roughly 15 percent compared with older Oasis-class sisters. Shore-power connectivity allows Star to “plug in” at Port Canaveral and cut engines completely when alongside.
The Eight Neighbourhoods: From Thrill Island to Hideaway Haven
Small-ship intimacy isn’t the aim here; deliberate scale is. Instead of one pool deck and a theatre, guests roam eight discrete “neighbourhoods” designed so crowds disperse and kids (or grandparents) can always find their vibe.
Thrill Island
Category 6 Waterpark crushes cruise-line records with six rides, including Frightening Bolt—a 46-metre drop slide—and family raft bruiser Storm Surge. Crown’s Edge ropes course lures daredevils out 154 feet above the wake before surprising them with a trap-door zip back to the platform.
Chill Island
Three decks, four pools and the Caribbean’s largest swim-up bar keep sea days blissful. Private casitas include a “pool valet” delivering chilled towels, sunscreen and playing cards—so you never lose your sun-lounger.
Surfside
A first for the brand, this zone caters exclusively to families with under-six-year-olds. Splashaway Bay’s mini tipping buckets and Baby Bay’s shaded wading pool sit steps from casual diner Surfside Eatery, where smaller trays and lower buffets empower independence.
AquaDome
By day: a peaceful, glass-domed oasis with panoramic views and artisan cafés. By night: a cutting-edge AquaTheater where Olympic-level divers and robotic arms create gravity-defying performances punctuated by 15-metre cascades.
The Hideaway
Royal Caribbean’s first suspended infinity pool, perched 135 feet above the waterline, headlines this adults-only retreat. DJ sets at sunset segue into moonlit whirlpool sessions, with the bar team shaking clarified piña coladas long after the kids crash.
Dining & Nightlife: 40 Ways to Eat, Drink and Shine
Star’s culinary line-up spans 20 complimentary and 20 speciality venues—more than most home ports.
Global Flavours on Tap
Newcomer Lincoln Park Supper Club channels 1930s Chicago supper-club glamour with five-course tasting menus, live sax and swing dancers. Meanwhile, AquaDome Market introduces the fleet’s first food hall: Mediterranean pitas, Asian stir-fries, mac-and-cheese skillets and crêpes flambéed to-order.
Grab-and-Go Windows
Quick-service concepts now pepper the Royal Promenade. Passengers can collect sushi cones, champagne splits or bubble-tea to keep excursion mornings moving. The Pearl kinetic sculpture here isn’t just art; it hides a staircase shortcut to Deck 8’s Central Park where 30,500 live plants oxygenate the air.
Night-Long Entertainment
From surf-rock trios on the Boardwalk to Broadway-scale productions in the Royal Theatre, evening programming mushrooms across five stages. The new “Shine the Night” pool party drops 400 LED wristbands into the crowd and syncs them with DJ beats for an immersive light show.
Itineraries & Booking Intel
Inaugural Caribbean Season
Beginning 24 August 2025, Star sails 7-night loops to Cozumel, Roatán or St Thomas plus a Perfect Day at CocoCay call guaranteed. Port Canaveral’s fast road links keep transfers under an hour from Orlando International and theme-park hotels.
Suite Neighbourhood Perks
Top-tier guests occupy four private decks with Coastal Kitchen’s new elevated raw bar and The Grove’s spray-misted sun loungers. The three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse (99 sqm) now includes a karaoke lounge and balcony ping-pong table.
Sustainability Credit
Royal Caribbean offers a “Green Future” shore-excursion donation where A$30 (US$20) per stateroom funds mangrove re-planting in The Bahamas—offsetting roughly two days of a typical family’s vacation footprint.
Star’s debut season will sell quickly, but comparing sailing dates, cabin types and bundle promotions can be dizzying. That’s why our team built Cruise Finder, an interactive tool that aggregates live Royal Caribbean pricing, early-booking extras and flight-inclusive packages in one scroll-friendly dashboard. Toggle filters like “family of four balcony” or “suite with concierge” and watch incompatible options disappear.
Better yet, Cruise Finder’s side-by-side compare mode highlights what really matters: square metre differences between Central Park view and Ocean View Balcony cabins, dining-package value vs. à-la-carte spend, even loyalty-point earnings by fare code. Try it before you ring us and arrive at the conversation knowing exactly which sailing fits your calendar and budget.
Secure Your Spot on the World’s Newest Iconic Ship
There’s no denying the hype: Star of the Seas is purpose-built to make multigenerational travel effortless—thrills for teens, nap-time nooks for toddlers, cocktail terraces for grown-ups and sustainability tech that lightens every traveller’s footprint. Our consultants are already fielding calls for 2025-26 Christmas breaks and school-holiday sailings, so lock in your preferred cabin tier while choice remains wide.
Ready to trade planning stress for countdown excitement? Chat with our cruise specialists and we’ll secure your booking, flights and pre-cruise Orlando stays before early-bird savings expire.
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