Royal Caribbean has officially taken delivery of its newest megaship, Star of the Seas, completing construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and moving one step closer to its maiden voyage in August 2025.
The 250,800-gross-tonne ship joins the cruise line’s Icon Class and will homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida.
Once in service, Star will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Royal welcome
To mark the occasion, more than 1,200 crew and shipyard partners gathered for a handover ceremony in the ship’s AquaTheater, including Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.
“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said.
“Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers.”
What to expect
With eight distinct neighbourhoods, Star has been designed with every kind of traveller in mind, according to the cruise line.
Families can explore Surfside, packed with water play areas and family dining. Thrill-seekers can test their nerve on a “record-breaking” six slides at Thrill Island, while adults can unwind at The Hideaway, featuring a suspended infinity pool 135 feet above sea level.
At the centre of the ship is AquaDome, a wraparound oceanview zone by day and entertainment hub by night. It houses the upgraded AquaTheater, featuring divers, robots and aerialists, alongside a food hall and bars.
Fleet favourites like Central Park, the Royal Promenade, and the Suite Neighborhood also return with reimagined twists, including the Pearl, a kinetic art sculpture, and Lincoln Park Supper Club, inspired by 1930s Chicago.
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionise how families and adventurers vacation,” Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley remarked.
“It’s a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we’re excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.”
Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third liquefied natural gas-powered ship and part of the group’s environmental commitment, which includes plans to debut a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
The next Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, is scheduled to launch in 2026.
For more info on Star, click here.
All images sbw-photo.
