The cruise firm famous for its mammoth ships is launching yet another mega vessel. Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas is the latest Icon Class ship to be confirmed by the company. Setting sail in August 2025, it will be a sister of the current world's biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.
It will offer week-long holidays from Florida to the Caribbean, holding a maximum 5,610 passengers. Here's what it will be like. The ship will have eight neighbourhoods.
They include Thrill Island, with Category 6, the first waterpark at sea when introduced on Icon, and its six record-breaking waterslides – from family raft slides to a drop slide and mat-racing duos. Crown's Edge is the part skywalk and thrill ride 47m above the ocean. It'll also have the FlowRider surf simulator and mini golf plus spots to grab a bite and drinks like Basecamp and Desserted.
You will also be able to hang out at Chill Island, home to four of seven pools on board, each with different vibes and prime ocean views. They include swim-up bar Swim & Tonic and Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. There will also be live bands and DJs, and places for drinks and quick, casual food like The Lime & Coconut.
Meanwhile the AquaDome, described as a "tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night" is back with wraparound ocean views, shows with high divers, aerialists, robots, dancers and more at the AquaTheater; and food and drinks at the AquaDome Market food hall, the Rye & Bean bar, Hooked and The Overlook bar and Overlook Pod. There are also more than 15 bars and lounges on board. Like Icon, Star will have the open-air Central Park lined with more than 30500 real plants plus the ultra-luxe and exclusive Suite Neighbourhood for those staying in the best cabins.
The Surfside neighbourhood designed for young families will return on Star of the Seas. Tucked away 40m above the ocean The Hideaway is an adults-only area which the company combines "uninterrupted ocean views with beach club vibes". It has the only suspended infinity pool at sea, a bar, a DJ and a terrace with whirlpools and loungers.
A third ship, which hasn't been named yet, will join Star and Icon in 2026. Royal Caribbean ships you can sail on in Australia are Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas. " Star of the Seas is the second bold act of this exciting, new era of vacations first introduced with Icon of the Seas, and it's putting the world's best vacation on the map at yet another top travel destination," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
"Between Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando), more adventurers than ever can set their sights on the only vacation that combines the best of all vacations – from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure – with experiences that have and will continue to make headlines and memories for years to come.".
