Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are the biggest ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but which one should you choose?
If you’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s hard to go wrong with an Icon Class ship. These megaships are the largest in the world and offer unbeatable amenities and attractions. Whether it's the Category 6 Waterpark or the indoor ice-skating rink, there are endless ways to have fun onboard.
Currently, there are two ships in the Icon Class: Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. For the most part, the two vessels are identical. You’ll find many of the same restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and cabins onboard.
Even still, there are a few differences between the two ships that may make you choose one over the other.
Here’s everything you should consider when choosing between Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
First, where do you want to embark on your cruise?
Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas depart from different cruise ports in Florida, so it’s important to consider where you’d like to sail from before you book.
Icon of the Seas calls Miami home, whereas Star of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral.
As far as transportation logistics, both ports offer pros and cons.
Port Canaveral is located somewhat far from Orlando International Airport. Driving from the airport to the port takes just under an hour, and rideshare prices can be as high as $80 each way. Shuttles are available, too, which start around $25 per person.
The Port of Miami, on the other hand, is closer to Miami International Airport. You can expect to spend around $30 for the 20-minute ride. You also have the option of flying into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is a 40-minute drive from the Port of Miami.
It’s always recommended to arrive in your embarkation city the day before your cruise departs. Both Orlando and Miami offer plenty to do before you embark.
If you’re cruising on Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral, you might consider spending a few days at Universal Studios or Disney World before your cruise. This can be a great way to extend your trip and experience Orlando’s top attractions.
Those cruising from Miami on Icon of the Seas can enjoy the city’s highlights before embarking. You might choose to spend the night in South Beach, explore nightlife in Brickell, or take a street food tour in Little Havana.
Either embarkation port is an excellent choice. Ultimately, I recommend searching flight options from your home airport to Orlando and Miami. If flight itineraries and prices are significantly better at one airport, you might want to consider cruising from that port instead of the other.
Is one ship less expensive than the other?
Icon Class cruise ships may offer an unbelievable number of things to do onboard, but they aren’t cheap. For most 7-night itineraries, you can expect to pay between $1,300 and $2,000 per person for an interior cabin.
Star of the Seas launched a year after Icon of the Seas, but prices are similar between the two vessels. You’ll find little difference in cruise fare, and prices may vary drastically depending on the month you sail, as well as how far in advance you book the cruise.
Related: The best time to book a cruise by day, month, and last-minute
Sometimes Icon of the Seas might be priced higher than Star of the Seas, and vice versa.
Let’s take a look at a few itineraries to gauge how prices might vary:
7-night Western Caribbean itinerary during hurricane season
Interior cabin, taxes and fees included:
- Icon of the Seas: $1,205 per person
- Star of the Seas: $1,483 per person
7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary in November
Interior cabin, taxes and fees included:
- Icon of the Seas: $1,628 per person
- Star of the Seas: $1,607 per person
7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary in June
Interior cabin, taxes and fees included:
- Icon of the Seas: $2,048 per person
- Star of the Seas: $2,096 per person
For the most part, price differences between the two ships are negligible. As always, you’ll want to book your cruise further in advance to snag the lowest deal. Plus, you can always reprice the sailing up until the final payment date to save money if the price drops.
Entertainment is similar, but Broadway shows differ
Like all of Royal Caribbean’s new ships, both Icon and Star of the Seas offer stellar entertainment options.
Even an entire week isn’t long enough to experience the vast array of entertainment choices. Whether live jazz music in Central Park or a high-energy piano performance at Dueling Pianos, every evening offers a wide selection of things to experience.
When it comes to live music and activities, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are on an even playing field. You’ll find the same bars and lounges on both ships, including fan favorites like the Schooner Bar and English-style pub.
The signature shows, however, differ between the two vessels. There are three main entertainment venues: the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater, and the Absolute Zero ice rink.
Related: Royal Caribbean shows by ship
Shows in the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero are similar on both ships. Despite having different themes and soundtracks, you’ll see many of the same stunts, dives, and jumps during any show.
The main difference in entertainment is in the Broadway shows in the Royal Theater.
On Icon of the Seas, the Broadway show is Wizard of Oz, whereas Star of the Seas showcases Back to the Future: The Musical.
Both shows are equally entertaining, but some guests may prefer seeing one show over the other. If Broadway shows are an important part of the cruising experience for you, you may want to take the two shows into consideration before picking a ship.
Dining options are almost the same, but come with two major differences
Food is an important aspect of any cruise vacation, and there’s no shortage of places to eat on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
Most dining venues are exactly the same between the two vessels. You’ll find classic restaurants like the Windjammer buffet and Main Dining Room, but also Icon Class-specific eateries like Pearl Café and Surfside Bites.
Still, there are two differences in dining to note between Icon and Star of the Seas.
First are the food stalls in the AquaDome market. The AquaDome market is a staple of the Icon Class ships, and it offers quick-service bites from a variety of cuisines around the world.
There are five food stalls on each ship. Two—Crème de la Crêpe and Feta Mediterranean—are offered on both vessels. The other three differ from ship to ship.
On Icon, you can enjoy mac n’ cheese at Mac’s, sandwiches at Toast & Garden, and Chinese classics at GNGR. Star of the Seas, however, features BBQ favorites at Pig Out BBQ, spicy Thai food at Mai Thai, and Latin American street food at La Cocinita.
Related: Royal Caribbean updated its food hall, and it's even better than the original
Likewise, the supper club varies from ship to ship, too. This elegant, fine dining restaurant combines curated cocktails with a regionally-inspired menu.
The concept is similar between the two ships, but they differ in their theming.
On Icon of the Seas, the Empire Supper Club features a 1920s New York theme, whereas Star of the Seas’ Lincoln Park Supper Club transports guests to 1930s Chicago.
Related: Lincoln Park Supper Club review on Star of the Seas
For the most part, though, subtle variations between the AquaDome market food stalls and the supper club make little difference in the overall experience onboard Icon or Star of the Seas.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend picking one ship over the other just because of these minor differences. Rather, if you’ve already sailed on Icon of the Seas, consider sailing on Star to try out the new dining options.
Overall, the ships are nearly identical, and either option is a fantastic choice
Both Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas offer, for the most part, the exact same experience.
There are small differences between the ships, but they’re much more alike than they are different. They have the same layout, neighborhoods, pools, activities, and onboard thrills.
Differences in artwork, dining venues, and entertainment productions are minor in the big picture of your vacation.
In addition, despite having different homeports, the two ships offer the same itineraries. Both sail 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, which include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
When choosing between the two ships, I’d argue there are only two things to really consider:
- Where you’d prefer to embark on your cruise
- The price difference between the ships for a particular week
If you’re hoping to sail in mid-March and Star of the Seas is $500 more expensive than Icon, you’re better off choosing the latter. Likewise, if cruise fares are similar but a flight to Orlando is $300 cheaper than to Miami, Star of the Seas would be a better choice.
Regardless of which ship you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind cruise experience on an Icon Class ship.
