Star Of The Seas

The 2025-built Star of the Seas cruise ship is RCI-Royal Caribbean's second ICON-class vessel, inaugurated in August 2025. Her sisterships are Icon of the Seas (2024), Legend of the Seas (2026), and Hero of the Seas (2027).

These liners are currently the world's largest (~6% bigger than Wonder OTS/OASIS Plus-class). "Project Icon" is the name for a cruise ship class ordered by RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (shipowner), and all units of the series are being built by Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku Finland.

The vessel (IMO number 9829942) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001551) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a USA-based company, a trademarked brand, and a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently holds over one-fifth of the global cruise market. RCI also operates RCG's largest fleet by both vessel count and GT tonnage (ship size and capacity).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

Each vessel in the ICON series has a passenger capacity of 5610 (lower berths) and GT tonnage of 250800 tons, making the design Royal Caribbean's and the world's largest.

On May 5, 2022, an RCI spokesperson announced that the ICON class would be larger (in both passenger capacity and volume) than the OASIS class, making ICON ships the world's largest ever built. On October 20, RCI revealed additional details, including the vessel's exact volume (250800 GT) and maximum capacity (9950/7600 passengers plus 2350 crew). For comparison, the previously largest passenger ships (OASIS PLUS class) have ~227000 GT and a maximum capacity of 8800 (6410 passengers plus 2390 crew).

Initially, the ICON ship design was announced with a passenger capacity of ~5200 and GT tonnage of ~200K.

Decks and Cabins

Of all Star of the Seas staterooms (2805 total across 28 grades), ~70% are balcony cabins and over 80% accommodate three or more guests. The ship has 179 suites, 1815 balcony cabins, 276 oceanview cabins (including 12 Panoramic), and 744 inside cabins (534 Standard plus 214 Interior-Facing/Promenade View Balcony). Infinite Balconies total 693 (615 Standard plus 78 Family). There are 50 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

Star OTS features 14 new cabin categories for RCI, including Inside Plus, Panoramic Ocean View (redesigned for both cabins and suites), Infinite Balcony, Family Infinite Balcony, Surfside Family Suite, Sky Junior Suite, Sunset Suite, Sunset Corner Suite, Icon Loft Suite, and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

"Panoramic Ocean View" cabins and suites are located in the AquaDome Neighborhood and feature floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows.

"Infinite Balcony" cabins are "French Balcony" accommodations with drop-down panoramic windows that enclose the terrace space. These cabins are designed as convertible spaces, transforming the veranda into an indoor area (within the cabin and separated by accordion doors) at the push of a button. This concept (Edge Veranda Infinity) debuted on Celebrity Cruises' EDGE-class ships.

"Family Infinite Balcony" cabins accommodate up to six guests and include split bathrooms, a separate kids' bedroom (with bunk beds), and an infinite balcony.

"Surfside Family Suite," located in the Surfside Neighborhood, accommodates four guests, includes a separate kids' bedroom (convertible into a lounge), and provides Royal Suite Class perks.

"Sunset Corner Suite" (a fleet-first) consists of aft-facing staterooms (located at the stern) featuring large wraparound terraces.

The "Ultimate Family Townhouse" is a three-level suite designed for families, with private access to the Surfside Neighborhood and featuring an indoor dry slide, media room/cinema, karaoke room, and a large terrace.

The three-deck Suite Neighborhood houses all top-tier staterooms. It features an exclusive two-level sundeck and an expanded Coastal Kitchen (a suite-only restaurant on two levels overlooking the AquaTheater). There is also a larger exclusive sundeck (accessible only to Star Class and Sky Class suites) with its own swimming pool and outdoor Jacuzzi, plus a new suite-only casual dining venue (The Grove) offering Mediterranean cuisine.

The suites are categorized (from highest to lowest grade) as Family Townhouse, Royal Loft, Icon Loft, Owner's, Infinite Grand, Grand, Sunset Corner, Surfside Family, Sunset, Junior, and Panoramic (windowed).

ICON ships also introduce a new (patented) crew cabin design with an L-shaped bed layout.

The ship has 19 decks, 18 of which are passenger-accessible, and 12 include cabins.

RCI's ICON-class vessels feature 40+ F&B concepts (including 23 fleet-firsts) and 26 additional fleet-first features, amenities, and technologies, including 15 water attractions.

For detailed information on RCI's ICON ships and their technologies, see the ship's Wiki page.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

RCI's ICON class features the OASIS class's Central Park Neighborhood—an open-air, multi-deck space inside the ship, landscaped with live vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers). The design also includes the forward-located Solarium—a two-deck, adults-only relaxation complex (covered by a glass roof) with its own cafe/bistro, bar, thalassotherapy pool, large Jacuzzies, indoor sunbathing area (deckchairs, loungers, daybeds), and an outdoor sundeck.

The Sun Deck (midship) spans two levels and features a large swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area. A series of columns (midship-aft) support the waterslides and ropes course.

The stern (as on OASIS-class ships) is open-deck, with cascading suite terraces.

Like all RCI ships, Star OTS features a FlowRider (surfing simulator positioned aft-starboard on the top deck), an island-themed Mini-Golf Course (Lost Dunes), Rock-Climbing Walls (at Adrenaline Peak), and the fleet's largest ice-skating venue (Absolute Zero).

Star OTS features 10 new dining concepts for RCI, out of a total of 20 venues, including 11 complimentary and 9 specialty (fee-based) options.

The onboard retail complex spans four decks (5, 6, 8, and 15) and includes 14 shops offering duty- and tax-free goods such as perfumes, cosmetics, clothing, accessories, watches, jewelry, liquor, tobacco, confectionery, games, and toys. A dedicated Tech Shop sells electronics and gadgets, while the Splash Store offers sunscreen and swim accessories, and the Health Essentials Store provides toiletries and basic medicines.

Neighborhoods

Star OTS has 7 swimming pools (across 5 decks), 9 outdoor whirlpools, and the fleet's largest waterpark with 6 waterslides (including the largest at sea).

The following are the pools' operating hours:

• (Chill Island Neighborhood/Deck 15) Royal Bay Pool (starboard, with 2 Jacuzzies), Cove Pool (portside infinity pool/adults-only), and Hideaway Pool (aft, beach club-themed) are open from 9 am to 10 pm.
• (Chill Island Neighborhood/Deck 17) Cloud 17 Pool (adults-only sundeck, max capacity 250 guests, starboard, with a whirlpool) is open from 8 am to 7 pm.

Like OASIS and OASIS PLUS ships, ICON-class vessels feature 8 themed neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Thrill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Surfside, and Suite Neighborhood.

(Deck 5 and Deck 6) Royal Promenade spans two levels and includes staterooms and 15 F&B venues, such as Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Pearl Cafe (24-hour grab-and-go venue), Campfire Cookie (patisserie), Sorrento's Pizzeria, Point & Feather (English pub), Boleros (Latin-themed bar lounge), 1401 Bar, Spotlight Karaoke, The Attic (comedy club), Starbucks, Crown Lounge, Dueling Pianos, and Music Hall (two levels). The area also features The Pearl (a four-deck-high kinetic sculpture) and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

The Pearl is a unique kinetic art installation offering multi-sensory experiences and hosting "sound and sight" events. It stands 14 m (45 ft) high, with a diameter of 16 m (52 ft), and is constructed from ~3000 computer-controlled kinetic tiles. It can simulate natural phenomena such as waves, breezes, and ocean motion. The tile arrangement follows a Fibonacci sequence, inspired by marine life patterns, and responds to real-time environmental data (tides and wind).

Star OTS's Royal Promenade measures 110 m (362 ft) in length and features floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed ocean views. On Deck 5 (starboard, Embarkation Area) is the "1401 Lobby Bar," offering indoor and outdoor seating and serving juice-based beverages and cocktails.

(Deck 8) Central Park is 1/5 larger than on OASIS-class ships and features thousands of live plants and live music performances, along with venues such as Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Chops Grille, Park Cafe, Lincoln Supper Club, Trellis Bar, Schooner Bar, Desserted, Lou's Jazz 'n Blues, and Bubbles Champagne Bar.

Central Park features over 30500 live plants, green walls, pathways, and ambient nature sounds. Informational signage provides details on the plant species throughout the area.

Lincoln Supper Club is a 1930s Chicago-themed restaurant offering two evening seatings (6 pm and 8:30 pm) with an 8-course menu paired with beverages. The venue has 38 seats and costs approximately US$200 per person.

Also introduced is "Izumi in the Park," a takeaway sushi bar open from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm.

Suite Neighborhood spans decks 16-18 (forward) and includes a two-level exclusive sundeck and two suite-only restaurants—The Grove and Coastal Kitchen.

(Deck 15/aft) The Hideaway is a beach club-style pool deck featuring a suspended infinity pool, tiered terraces, Jacuzzies, and the Hideaway Bar. It also includes Windjammer Marketplace. Daybeds are available for rent, with prices varying by season and day type.

(Deck 15/forward) AquaDome is covered by a glass dome offering 220-degree ocean views. It features a transforming waterfall/AquaTheater, daytime relaxation spaces, and nighttime entertainment. Venues include Rye & Bean, AquaDome Market, Hooked Seafood, Celebration Table, and Overlook Lounge.

AquaDome Market is a complimentary food hall with five stands offering Mediterranean, Asian, and French cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

(aft on Deck 7) Surfside is a family-focused neighborhood with pools, a carousel, Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, Adventure Ocean, Social020, Challenger's Arcade, and multiple dining venues.

(aft on Deck 16) Thrill Island is dedicated to adventure activities, including Category 6 Waterpark and Crown's Edge, featuring slides, skywalks, and thrill rides.

The midship Chill Island spans decks 15-17 and includes multiple pools, bars, and relaxation areas, including Royal Bay Pool and Swim & Tonic (RCI's first swim-up bar).

The ship features 22 destination elevators and an escalator connecting decks 2-4-5. Destination elevators improve passenger flow by assigning specific lifts for selected decks.

The Main Dining Room spans decks 3-5 (aft) and serves a rotating 3-course menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Royal Theater (decks 3-5 forward) hosts Broadway-style productions and nightly shows.

Absolute Zero (decks 4-5) is the fleet's largest ice arena, offering skating sessions and performances.

The Royal Escape Room provides interactive puzzle-solving experiences.

The wellness complex (decks 12-14) includes Vitality Spa, salon services, and treatment rooms.

The Fitness Center (decks 5-6) includes a gym, aerobics studio, and training rooms.

Music Hall (decks 3-4) offers live music and nightlife.

Signature restaurants include Wonderland, Celebration Table, and Johnny Rockets.

Star OTS's main entertainment venues are Royal Theater, AquaDome, and Absolute Zero.

AquaDome shows include "Aqua Nation!" and "Pirates vs Mermaids."

Absolute Zero features ice shows such as "Starburst," "Once Upon a Time," and "SOL."

Royal Theater productions include "Create" and "Back to the Future: The Musical."

On ICON-class ships, RCI introduced 60 new cocktails.

Family-themed activities

Star OTS is Royal Caribbean's second vessel (after Icon OTS) with a dedicated "family ambassador."

Known as "Admiral Awesome," this crew member hosts various family-oriented events, including festivals, music sessions, and themed activities.

The Surfside Neighborhood features dining venues such as Surfside Bites and Surfside Eatery, while Pier 7 offers specialty dining where kids eat free.

Additional attractions include Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, Adventure Ocean, Social020, and Challenger's Arcade.

ICON-class ships also feature a resident dog. Icon OTS introduced Rover (Chief Dog Officer), while Star OTS hosts Sailor.

Crew Neighborhood (staff and crew cabins and facilities)

ICON-class ships include a four-deck Crew Neighborhood accommodating 2350 crew members, with redesigned cabins featuring L-shaped beds.

Crew facilities include The Clubhouse lounge, Beauty Salon, Store, Game Room, Gym, and Crew Buffet Restaurant with live cooking stations.

A Messhall serves as a multipurpose venue for training and events.

Each ship has 23 galleys serving 27 dining venues and employs 425 chefs. Supplies are stored for up to three voyages (21 days).

Itineraries

Star Of The Seas' itinerary program (initial Maiden Voyage date) was announced on December 6, 2023, when bookings opened.

The program is based on homeporting in Port Canaveral/Orlando Florida.

The Caribbean schedule features 7-day roundtrips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The inaugural cruise was initially scheduled for August 17, 2025, then rescheduled for August 31, and finally for August 16. Maiden Voyage fares started from US$2400 per person.

Due to construction delays, the August 17 sailing was canceled and officially announced on February 27, 2024.

On January 28, 2025, RCI opened bookings for two 4-day "showcase sailings" (August 23 and 27).

Star OTS's first revenue cruise departed Port Canaveral on August 16, featuring a 4-day "Star Showcase Cruise to Perfect Day." Additional showcase sailings departed on August 20 (3-day) and August 23 (4-day), all visiting CocoCay.