Royal Caribbean is eager to get its newest cruise ship sailing with passengers, as it's added another early sailing to the schedule.
The cruise line announced it will once again add a new "showcase sailing" is ahead of the previous sailing that we thought would be first.
Plans are for Star of the Seas to offer a 4-night Star Showcase Cruise to Perfect Day, setting sail on August 16, 2025. Star of the Seas will be based from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
Prior to this change, the earliest sailing guests could have booked was a 3-night on August 20, 2025.
Why the change? Progress is moving swiftly, according to an email.
"Our teams have been working diligently to deliver The Next Icon of Vacations, and the ship’s finishing touches are progressing ahead of schedule. As a result of this early completion," is what guests already booked on the August 20th sailing received in their inbox Wednesday morning.
Technically, the official maiden 7-night cruise will be held on August 31, 2025. However, there are a series of showcase sailings that lead up to that.
- NEW: August 16, 2025 (4-nights)
- August 20, 2025 (3-nights)
- August 23, 2025 (4-nights)
- August 27, 2025 (4-nights)
There's a certain irony with all these showcase sailings, because originally Royal Caribbean had Star of the Seas debuting August 17, 2025 with a 7-night cruise, but that was pushed back to August 31 because of delays.
As it turns out, Star will debut a day earlier than originally planned.
Those that were originally booked on these early sailings received an email to inform them of the addition, and to get first dibs on booking rooms on the new cruises.
Choices for the new sailing
Guests booked on the August 20th sailing received an email offering them the first chance at the earlier cruise.
Understanding that some guests value being the first onboard, and others look forward to celebrating the inaugural voyage – we want to give you the first choice and the flexibility to switch sailings, add an additional sailing, or stay on your currently booked sailing, since you committed to us first.
Those opting to move to the August 16 sailing can do so and remain in a like-for-like stateroom currently booked, based on availability.
Suite guests have one week to take advantage of price protection, after that, your transfer will be based on the current prevailing rate.
Guests in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms will have the opportunity to transfer at the prevailing rate.
Or, you could do nothing and remain on the current sailing you have booked.
Don't worry, there will still be inaugural cruise swag waiting for you on the new sailing too.
"Make sure to look for some sweet commemorative items to celebrate our newest ship in your stateroom during any of these sailings, regardless of which one you end up choosing."
You have until next week to decide
If you want to move reservations, you need to act quickly.
Royal Caribbean is giving everyone about a week to contact the line to make the change. Change requests must be made no later than June 5, 2025.
If you do not make a change by June 5, 2025, anyone booked on the showcase sailings will remain booked on that sailing, and you can still choose to add the new 4-night Star of Seas showcase sailings based on availability.
Finished sea trials
Perhaps Royal Caribbean has added this new sailing because of how well the sea trials went for the new ship.
According to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland where Star is being built, the sea trials finished in "record time".
"Star of the Seas completed her sea trials in record time and returned to the shipyard on the morning of Tuesday, May 27th," is what was posted to social media.
Star of the Seas spent 8 days during her sea trials testing out all of its systems thoroughly, "All tests were completed successfully."
"These were the best sea trials I have ever participated in. There was a strong sense of team spirit throughout. Now it’s time to focus on completing the remaining work on the ship," says Project Manager Jaakko Leinonen.
Chief Dog Officer has reported for duty
Equally important news is Star of the Seas' Chief Dog Officer is ready to start sailing.
Sailor is the name of the dog that will live on Star of the Seas, and she just boarded Icon of the Seas to begin training.
Royal Caribbean added a dog to Icon of the Seas as an idea to add more memories for families sailing, and that will continue with Star of the Seas.
