Friday, November 8, 2024 At the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, a colossal undertaking is in progress as the 250,800-ton Star of the Seas, the latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, nears completion. Built as a sister ship to the record-breaking Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas shares many of its predecessor’s awe-inspiring features, offering a unique glimpse into the scale, technical mastery, and challenges involved in constructing a modern megaship. One of the most anticipated moments in the ship’s construction came during the “float out,” a nine-hour process where more than 92 million gallons of water were pumped into the dock, pushing the ship toward the pier for the final stages.
Over a thousand workers gathered to witness this major milestone as the ship transitioned from the dry dock to the open water. At 1,196 feet long and 20 decks high, Star of the Seas can accommodate nearly 8,000 passengers, setting the stage for its official launch from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31, 2025. The debut of Icon of the Seas earlier in 2024 met with both excitement and scrutiny from cruise enthusiasts and environmentalists alike.
Despite concerns over the environmental impact of megaships, the ship has exceeded expectations in terms of bookings and customer satisfaction. As a result, Royal Caribbean has announced plans to build more Icon Class ships, with the third vessel set to be completed by 2026 and options for further additions into 2027. Jason Liberty, R.
