21 adventure and more ways to make unforgettable memories together,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “We’ve created the world’s best vacation for all ages yet again, and it’s truly a magical moment to celebrate that with our Royal Caribbean family who made it all possible.” Star of the Seas’ inaugural season began on 31 August. It will sail sevennight Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries to destinations including the cruise line’s exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Like the first Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024, Star of the Seas features eight different ‘neighbourhoods’, including five that are unique to the Icon-class ships. Thrill Island is home to the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking waterslides while Chill Island spans three decks and offers guests four pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. The familyfriendly Surfside features Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while the AquaDome provides wraparound ocean views, and the AquaTheater boasts high divers, aerialists, robots and more. Finally, the adults-only Hideaway includes an infinity pool suspended 135 feet above the ocean. A few Icon-class features have been reimagined onboard Star of the Seas, including the Royal Promenade, which now offers floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the Pearl, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture. The ship also has a new 1930s Chicago-inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club restaurant and the openair Central Park with more than 30,500 real plants. “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,” said Bayley. “It’s a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon-class vacation a reality.” The third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, is expected to be floated out from dry dock to an outfitting pier at the Meyer Turku shipyard in autumn 2025. It is scheduled to join the fleet in July 2026 and will spend its inaugural season sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Spain. The Finnish shipbuilder is also constructing a fourth, as-yet-unnamed Icon-class ship for Royal Caribbean International, due for delivery in 2027. Star of the Seas departed Finland in July 2025, bound for its US homeport, Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku has spent the last two years building the second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas
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