Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery Of One Of The World’s Largest Cruise Ships

Royal Caribbean has officially received Star of the Seas, its second cruise ship in the Icon Class series, from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The ship was handed over during a ceremony attended by top Royal Caribbean executives, including CEO Jason Liberty and President Michael Bayley.

Star of the Seas will leave the Turku shipyard in mid-July and sail to its new homeport, Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship is scheduled to begin sailing with paying guests from August 16, 2025, and will start regular Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from August 31.

With a length of 365 meters (1,196 feet) and a gross tonnage of 248,663, the Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. It has a hull width of 48.5 meters, a deckhouse width of 57.8 meters, and a bridge width of 65.8 meters.

The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members, and features 2,806 staterooms. It sails under the flag of the Bahamas, and its godmother is Diana Ross, one of the most successful singers, also known as the “Queen of Motown Records.”

This ship follows the debut of Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024 with many groundbreaking features like a large onboard waterpark, an enclosed AquaTheater, an over-water zipline, and new dining options. While Star of the Seas shares many of the same elements, it also includes several new additions and upgrades.

One of the standout attractions on Star of the Seas is Back to the Future: The Musical, set to feature the largest orchestra ever at sea. New shows are also planned for the ice skating rink and AquaTheater, offering a fresh entertainment experience.

The AquaDome Marketplace has been redesigned with new eateries. Instead of GNGR, Mac’s, and Toast & Garden, the new lineup includes Pig Out BBQ serving fresh barbecue, Mai Thai offering Southeast Asian dishes, and La Cocinita with Latin American street food.

Another upgrade is the Lincoln Park Supper Club, which takes the place of the former Empire Supper Club. This premium, $200-per-person restaurant has a Chicago theme, with food, drinks, and music inspired by the city’s culture.

A new tech feature on the ship is facial recognition cabins, part of a pilot program. These rooms allow guests to unlock their stateroom doors using facial recognition, without needing a SeaPass card or WOW Band. However, these cabins are available only in limited areas of the ship for now.

Meanwhile, Meyer Turku is continuing work on the third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas. The vessel is expected to be floated out from the dry dock to the outfitting pier later this summer. It will officially join Royal Caribbean’s fleet in 2026.

References: Meyer Turku, royalcaribbeanblog

Source: Maritime Shipping News