RCI-Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the largest cruise ship presently in service, made her inaugural call at Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida) Saturday morning. The 248,663-ton vessel of the Icon Class entered the harbor under escort from a tug deploying water cannon, passing Jetty Park before berthing at the recently modernized Cruise Terminal 1.
The ship is scheduled to undertake a series of preview voyages before commencing regular 7-day rotations to the eastern and western Caribbean at the end of the month. The naming ceremony, to be conducted by entertainer Diana Ross, will precede the start of scheduled service. On board, facilities include forty bars, restaurants, and lounges, together with family-oriented amenities such as the largest water park currently afloat, an ice rink, laser tag, an escape room, and extensive play areas for children. Accommodation is provided in more than 2,800 staterooms, including suites capable of housing up to nine persons.
The port authority has announced a public event, styled the “Star”-Studded Sailabration, to coincide with the vessel’s afternoon departure on Saturday, August 16. Beginning at 03:30 p.m. at Jetty Park, the gathering will feature food concessions, music, and themed distribution items. Attendance will be open to the public without charge, though parking passes for the venue must be obtained in advance.