Royal Caribbean is now putting the finishing touches on its new gargantuan ship, and the company has just released new details on what awaits guests on its maiden voyage later this year.

With a gross tonnage of 250,800 and capacity for around 6,000 passengers, the 1,197-foot Star of the Seas is poised to follow-up Royal Caribbean's hit Icon of the Seas.
The launch of Icon was so successful given all the positive reviews and innovations it introduced. The result is a very high bar for Star.
Star of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, and offer 7-night cruises around the Caribbean. It's going to add a one-two punch with arguably the best ships in the world sailing from the two most popular cruise ports.
So what can guests expect to do with a week onboard?
The ship is filled with just about everything to create memories for families while on vacation.
There are eight distinct areas of the ship (called neighborhoods) that include The Hideaway, Chill Island, Thrill Island, Central Park, Aquadome, Royal Promenade, Suite Neighborhood, and Surfside.

There's a giant waterpark that has six slides, alongside various pools. Each pool has its own theme, including an adults-only pool, swim-up bar pool, and a really deep pool.
Meanwhile, families with young children will find Surfside an entire area dedicated just for them. There's an enormous aquapark, pool, and different restaurants that cater to kid-friendly tastes.
The idea behind Surfside is to make it as easy as possible for families with young ones to have everything they need without venturing too far. The kids club is just steps away from the carousel, which is next to Splashaway Bay and the kids buffet restaurant.

My favorite area on Star of the Seas is Central Park, which a sprawling green space in the middle of the ship. All of the plants, trees, and shrubs are real, and it's a beautiful space to enjoy. Plus, there are bars, restaurants, and shopping here too.
When you board Star of the Seas, you'll walk right onto the Royal Promenade.
One of the smart changes Royal Caribbean made with the Icon Class was opening up the Promenade to be wider, fully circular, and many more windows to provide views of the ocean.

Plus, it's where you'll find an improved version of The Pearl.
Royal Caribbean will make the the Pearl more spectacular visually. Instead of a single color light ring in the back of each of those 3500 plus tiles, this version will have full multicolor rings.
By far the biggest get on Star of the Seas is the addition of Back to the Future: The Musical.

Based on the '80s film, it's the kind of musical that even the least interested theater going fan can truly enjoy. A well-known plot along with great choreography and catchy songs.
It's a multi-generational show with wide appeal, and it's still being performed in the UK and around the U.S. on tour.
The fact Royal Caribbean includes admission to this musical in your cruise fare is incredible because of how much it costs to see this show in a theater on land.

Up in the Aquadome, there's a new show and a refresh to another hit Icon Class innovation.
Pirates & Mermaids is the new show that will be featured in the indoor Aquatheater.
It's a family-friendly show that features high dives, acrobatics, and incredible choreography.

Another change is the menu to the Aquadome Marketplace, the ship's food hall included with your cruise fare.
Three of the stalls are being changed on Star:
- Pig Out BBQ – A casual barbecue joint serving up smoky pulled pork, tender brisket, and other comfort food classics.
- Mai Thai – A Southeast Asian-inspired stall with dishes like pad thai and beef panang.
- La Cocinita – A Latin American offering focused on handheld favorites like hot empanadas and griddled arepas.
Aquadome Market was the surprise hit on Icon, and the new choices sound like an even better upgrade.
Speaking of dining, Star of the Seas will have more than 40 venues to dine and drink onboard.

Now nearly complete, Star of the Seas will set sail on a series of preview cruises before it's official maiden voyage on August 31, 2025.
The preview cruises were added after the inaugural was announced, and are shorter sailings that only visit The Bahamas. The cruise line says these are more of a lead-up to the official first sailing.
Bookings are now available to be made on Star of the Seas through April 2027.

Royal Caribbean's decision to place Star of the Seas in the Orlando/Central Florida vacation market is designed to grab a bigger slice of the family vacation market.
Executives have talked about how they see a ship like Star as being the perfect alternative to pricier land vacations, such as the ones at the Orlando theme parks.
If two Icon ships aren't enough, a third and fourth ship are due to join the fleet in the next few years. And, the company has options in place to order even more.