Icon of the Seas is getting a young brother very, very soon
Star of the Seas is here to delight fans of resorts and theme parks traveling across the ocean. This ship is essentially identical to Icon of the Seas, making it the second Icon Class vessel in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. You know what that means, right? Amazing entertainment options, lots of things to do for the entire family and dozens of restaurants for you to explore.
Being similar to Icon of the Seas is actually great news for two reasons. First, it gives guests more choices to travel on some of the biggest cruise ships in the world while potentially reducing the price of Icon of the Seas. Second, Star of the Seas will be based in Port Canaveral instead of Miami, providing guests who love Orlando and Disney World with a convenient opportunity to embark on a cruise vacation. Can you imagine a vacation that starts with Magic Kingdom, then Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe and ends with a cruise onboard Star of the Seas? Hm, maybe I should start planning for next year.
Another reason to embark on an Iconic cruise vacation
As is also the case with Icon of the Seas and the new 2025 juggernaut MSC World America, Star of the Seas will also be divided into different neighborhoods, which are essentially areas with distinct atmospheres. Some of these areas can also be found on board Icon of the Seas, such as Thrill Island, Chill Island, AquaDome, and Central Park.
What Star of the Seas promises to do differently is provide even more dining options than Icon of the Seas, and Royal Caribbean expects to make some small changes to build on the success of Icon of the Seas. For example, Royal plans to enhance the Surfside area, which on Icon caters to kids aged 0-6. Now they plan to expand the play areas to accommodate children up to 10 years old.
Even the Kids Club is getting an upgrade. Royal Caribbean has announced plans to enhance it by introducing more analog play options, rather than focusing heavily on video games and computer mini-games. I love this idea, especially if they incorporate more sessions centered around dancing, quizzes, or even some theater performances. This could be a fantastic opportunity to show our kids how to socialize and learn something new. I mean, I enjoy video games as well, but I can always play Mario Kart at home, right?
Smart upgrades all around
There are a few things that they will try for the first time as well. Royal Caribbean will test facial recognition stateroom doors in some areas and the Ultimate Family Townhouse is getting an upgrade. There will also be changes to the Empire Supper Club, which is one of the most expensive and awesome restaurants onboard Icon of the Seas. In Star, the restaurant will keep the same DNA, but instead of New York it will transport passengers to Chicago and be called Lincoln Park Supper Club.
The Aquadome Market is an area with several complimentary restaurants that will be featured on Star of the Seas. The number of pools will be similar to that of Icon of the Seas, and Royal Caribbean promises even more hot tubs on their brand new ship. While we are still waiting for details on the shows available onboard Star of the Seas, we can expect something huge and amazing, like The Wizard of Oz, which is featured on Icon of the Seas.
There’s a great chance that this ship will be another huge success for Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas has received widespread praise, so it’s smart that Royal isn’t trying to change too much with Star. Instead, they are making small, thoughtful improvements to enhance the experience. I like the idea of additional pool space, and I’m also excited to see what they are going to do with Pier 7 and the Kids Club.
So, are you a fan of large cruise ships like Icon of the Seas, Norwegian Viva, and the latest Carnival ships? If so, you might have a fantastic time aboard Star of the Seas. This ship is primarily focused on families, so it may not be the best choice for couples traveling alone who are seeking a romantic getaway. However, if you’re looking for a theme park on the high seas, you certainly can’t go wrong with this one.
Star of the Seas FAQ
When will Star of the Seas set sail?
Star of the Seas is expected to set sail on August 31, 2025.
What is the home port for Star of the Seas?
Star of the Seas will be based in Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida.
What will be Star of the Seas’ main itineraries?
Star of the Seas will primarily focus on 7-Night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
How much will Star of the Seas cost?
Star of the Seas will cost around $1700 per guest for a 7-Night Caribbean cruise.
