With just days before her scheduled appearance, Diana Ross announced she will cancel her appearance on Star of the Seas as its godmother.

According People, the legendary singer and movie star said she has changed her plans.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear," a representative for the singer said in a statement.

Royal Caribbean had previously announced Ms. Ross as Godmother to Star of the Seas in June. This is an honorary position meant to bestow good fortune on the ship.

A cruise line representative confirmed the change, "We are disappointed that Diana Ross is unable to join us to be godmother of Star of the Seas.

"We look forward to announcing our new godmother soon." 

Ms. Ross was scheduled to appear on August 20 to perform her duties in the ceremonial role for Star of the Seas.

At the time, she shared her adulation for being picked, "I am truly honored to join the Royal Caribbean family."

"Having spent years of creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas."

Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons. 

Star comes in at 1,196 feet long and 219 feet wide and can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy across 2,805 staterooms. At maximum capacity, she can carry over 7,000 passengers. She also has 2,350 crew members onboard.

Star's maiden voyage is scheduled for August 31, 2025, but construction moved quicker than expected. As such, Star will embark on a series of short preview cruises ahead of the official maiden voyage. The first of these will take place from August 16-20, 2025. 

Why did she cancel

The question of why the Diana Ross is pulling out of the deal is a mystery.

She had just completed a U.K. arena tour in July, and is set to start her Beautiful Love tour in the U.S. on August 16 in California.

People quoted Ms. Ross talking about taking care of herself as a top priority, "Health and well-being. And my family is everything to me. I like staying busy. Because I love what I do, it keeps me grounded. I’m swimming a lot lately to stay flexible. I must get my sleep which is important to me. I do my best to eat well, but I do like Häagen-Dazs ice cream."

No further information from the cruise line or Diana Ross has been shared as to why the change is occurring.

A new tropical disturbance is brewing, and Royal Caribbean is already moving one of its cruise ships away.

Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center are monitoring the track of Tropical Storm Erin as it continues to track westward through the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

While the storm is still quite distant from land, it's expected track has caused Royal Caribbean to re-route one of its ships to avoid being anywhere near it.

Guests booked on the August 14 sailing of Vision of the Seas were originally scheduled to visit Bermuda, but the ship will now head south instead.

An email sent to passengers informed them that a change was made because of Erin's expected path, "Before we set sail, we have an important itinerary update to share with you. Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, our Captain has been monitoring Tropical Storm Erin and its expected track that will take it near Bermuda during our sailing."

"In the interest of safety, we have decided to avoid the storm and head south."

The forecast models aren't certain where Erin will go, but a more northerly track is expected to occur as steering currents may lift Erin closer to the U.S. coast or there could be a direct impact to Bermuda.

Vision of the Seas will instead visit Port Canaveral, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas.

"While we will miss our overnight visit to Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, we will now enjoy a full day in Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, on Sunday, August 17, instead. "

"Additionally, our new itinerary allows us to update our arrival in Nassau, Bahamas, to 7:00 AM instead of 1:00 PM, giving you even more time to enjoy everything this beautiful destination has to offer!"

Royal Caribbean apologized for the change in plans due to the weather, "We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority."

Any pre-paid shore excursions booked in Royal Naval Dockyard through Royal Caribbean will automatically be refunded to the original payment on file within 14 business days. 

A possible category 3 hurricane

If all goes as expected, Tropical Storm Erin will become the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Erin's growth is being limited currently by a combination of dry air and dust from the seasonal Saharan dust plume. However, that won't last for long.

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding what, if any, impacts Erin will have to land.

Most of the models are consistent with a westerly track that may bring Erin just north of the Caribbean Islands. The storm may intensify over warmer Atlantic water as it moves west and north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.

A quicker intensification would make it more likely to curve north sooner, while a slower strengthening could allow it to push farther west before turning.

Guest reactions

Whenever a tropical storm impacts cruise ship plans, there's quick reaction on social media.

Marjil Gosnell posted, "I'd be mad. I’d be mad in general if I paid for Bermuda and docking at Cape Canaveral instead. Big difference.

Diane Rivera posted, "Every time a cruise line reroutes or cancels ports for whatever reason, some people get so upset at them. A lot of us understand why and go with the flow. This is a safety issue, not to mention, ports will close because of storms and they couldn't go in anyway."

Gwendolyn Salzman added, "They change to keep the ship and passengers safe."

When Royal Caribbean upgrades Ovation of the Seas, it's going to have a few big changes to it.

Earlier this year, the cruise line announced plans to upgrade three of its cruise ships with new updates as part of its next phase of ship updates.

Ovation of the Seas is getting a Royal Amplification, and we have a look at what those changes entail, thanks to the updated deck plans.

Here's what you can expect to be different on Ovation of the Seas when the work is complete.

Deck-by-deck changes coming to Ovation of the Seas

The Royal Amplification will take place in April 2026.

Starting on deck 3, the casino will be significantly expanded.

The updated deck plans reveal Casino Royale will take over Music Hall entirely and replace the venue.

Royal Caribbean has been expanding its casino footprint on a few of its ships. Freedom of the Seas had its wine bar replaced with a casino, and both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas expanded the casino to include more non-smoking areas.

More casino space means more revenue, and it's the most likely reason for Music Hall being eliminated on Ovation.

Moving up to deck 4, the upper level of Music Hall will become "Sound Cellar". 

Here's the description of Sound Cellar from Royal Caribbean's website:

Turn up the volume on late night music in the all-new, first-of-its-kind Sound Cellar. This is a venue tuned for all kinds of shows — a Hollywood-style scene bringing nonstop whoas. Like electric sessions with the house band, covering your favorite jams. And DJ fueled beats that will keep you on your feet all night long. Rev up any adventure — or wind down with an epic nightcap — in this groovy wonderland, only on the newly Amplified Ovation of the Seas®.

Starbucks will replace La Patisserie.

La Patisserie was the de facto Starbucks location on Ovation, but will now be transformed into a full Starbucks standalone kiosk.

New cabins are being added to deck 5, replacing the photo gallery.

Ten new cabins are being added to this space, which is near the Schooner Bar.

Pesky Parrot will replace the Bionic Bar.

Pesky Parrot first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, and it's a tiki bar concept that will replace the aging robot bartenders.

Royal Caribbean will replace Wonderland specialty restaurant with Izumi Teppanyaki.

Arguably one of the most popular restaurants on Royal Caribbean, the hibachi tables will offer guests a cooking style not previously available onboard.

If you prefer sushi, Izumi sushi is still located just around the corner on deck 5.

Another change on deck 5 is the shore excursion desk is being replaced with "Royal HQ."

There are no details what that will be, exactly.

We can also expect to find Giovanni's Italian Kitchen replacing Jamie's Italian towards the aft of deck 5.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is the cruise line's home grown Italian specialty restaurant concept.

The Concierge Club (otherwise known as the Suite Lounge) has been replaced by a number of new suites.

Likewise, the Conference Center on deck 13 has also been replaced with new suites.

I believe this is where you'll find the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-story space with a slide and other family-focused amenities.

Up on deck 14, we see a number of changes to the pool deck.

Splashaway Bay remains, but the footprint will be reworked a bit.  It appears it might be slightly expanded.

Splashaway Bay is the kids aquapark that has splash areas, geysers, and more.

The Living Room (teen club) is being replaced by a Suite Lounge, since the old one is being removed on deck 12.

More cabins are being added to deck 16, in front of the fitness center.

A total of 7 cabins are being added, and they appear as though they could be panoramic view rooms, similar to the ones that were added on the Freedom Class ships.

Changes coming to two other ships

Ovation of the Seas is one of three ships getting major upgrades as part of Royal Caribbean's renewed Royal Amplification process.

Harmony of the Seas will also get an overhaul in April 2026.

Updates include a new Caribbean-style pool area with The Lime & Coconut, a redesigned Solarium, the addition of Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, and the largest Casino Royale in the fleet.

They will also add the Ultimate Family Suite onboard.

Liberty of the Seas is also due for changes in 2026.

We can expect a reimagined pool deck, a new Royal Escape Room concept, and additional food and beverage options including El Loco Fresh, Izumi Teppanyaki, and Starbucks. 

Royal Caribbean is undertaking these updates as a means of keeping its aging vessels relevant and compelling to book.

While new ships introduce new concepts, existing ships need to keep up with amenities.  By adding back new amenities, it increases interest in trying these ships for passengers.

I found a way to combine two of the included restaurants on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas to create my new favorite cruise snack.

While aboard the newest Royal Caribbean ship, I was given an idea by one of our writers to try a food hack out to see if it was as good as it sounded.

There are two restaurants on the pool deck of an Icon Class cruise ship within steps of each other: Basecamp and El Loco Fresh.

On their own, there is tasty food at each, but what if we took something from both to create a super snack?

In the name of research, I decided to give it a try.

Mexican loaded tater tots

The idea was simple: grab a basket full of freshly made tater tots at Basecamp, and then top them off.

I went to Basecamp, which is located in the Thrill Island area of the ship. 

This restaurant has grab-and-go quick service food for anyone that's busy enjoying all the fun of the Category 6 waterpark, mini golf, sports court, or Flowrider.

Originally some of the menu items here cost money, but Royal Caribbean changed it to be completely included later.

I ordered tater tots, and asked for enough to essentially create a base at the bottom of the basket.

I then took a short walk out of Basecamp, past the rock climbing wall, and down the stairs to El Loco Fresh.

El Loco Fresh is another included restaurant that has Mexican food for a quick meal.

I bypassed all the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas on the buffet and instead went to the toppings bar.

The genius of this hack is I topped the tater tots off with anything from here that I liked.

I went with salsa, hot sauce, guacamole, and jalapenos.  As you can tell, I like a kick to my food.

I was a bit concerned about making the tots too soggy, but eating them quickly, it was amazing how much better the tots tasted.

No matter which toppings you choose, it really takes the monotony of plain fried potatoes to offer a terrific flavor combination.

I probably could have just added hot sauce and been good, but I really liked how the the taco toppings elevated it all together.

Without a doubt, you want to grab the tater tots down as soon as you can.  The warmer they are, the better it all tastes.

My dessert hack

I felt so good about my food hack experimented, I had to go and try my other favorite cruise pool deck food hack.

This idea is simple, but it's so much better!

Grab a plastic water cup at El Loco Fresh, and then walk across Chill Island to Sprinkles.

At Sprinkles, you can enjoy soft serve ice cream.  Usually, it's served in a small sugar cone.

The problem with the cone is it's a small serving, and it all melts so quickly.

Hand them the cup and you get a less messy, yet significantly bigger ice cream serving.

If you really want something fun, take your cup of ice cream back to El Loco Fresh and get a shot of rum to pour into the cup at the Cantina!

Either way, dessert is better when it's not messy and there's plenty of it!

Parents will have an easier way to keep tabs on their kids' location while on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean is offering parents a tracking feature within its app on its new ship.

The "Find My Kid" feature is an optional add-on for parents to use, and it's exclusively available on Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean previously tested it on Icon of the Seas last summer. According to the cruise line website, it's only available on Star.

How it works

After registering a child at the kids club onboard, parents can purchase a special Adventure Ocean WOW Band.

The device is a waterproof bracelet that allows parents to track the bracelet's location via the Royal Caribbean app.

The band costs $14.99.

After that, parents just need to activate the Find My Kid feature in the app.

Parents can tap the Find My Kid icon in the app menu.

Royal Caribbean says it's for kids between 3 and 12 years old, and allows you to see the location of your kids onboard in some areas of the ship, like certain public areas and staterooms, through the app’s deck maps. 

Parents can choose which other passengers can track the kids, such as parents, older siblings, or friends and family can opt into it as well.

Better tracking

Tracking within a cruise ship is a helpful idea.

Unlike Apple Airtags, Find My Kid seems to have the ability to better geolocate itself across decks of the ship and within certain venues. 

Moreover, Find My Kid integrates into the Royal Caribbean app.

The device isn't a replacement for parenting. Rather, it's peace of mind for parents to have another way to keep tabs on where their children are onboard.

Not only does it make it easier to know where kids are, but it potentially could reduce the chances of a lost child situation later.

Available only on Star of the Seas

As of now, it's only available on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Star of the Seas.

While the feature was originally tested on Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean website only mentions Star as the ship offering it.

Star of the Seas is days away from welcoming passengers onboard.

The new ship will be one of the biggest ships in the world when it launches, capable of carrying 7,600 guests at maximum capacity.

Royal Caribbean designed Star to be the follow-up to the very successful Icon of the Seas, and both ships offer the ultimate family cruising experience.

The ship has an entire waterpark, a park, a neighborhood dedicated to families, and much more.

The official first sailing begins August 31, although there are four showcase sailings that precede it.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Star of the Seas is ready and we have a first look around this new Royal Caribbean ship!

In a first look event, Matt went onboard Star to see the ship before anyone else.

This is your first opportunity to see the finished ship and what to expect onboard.

Royal Caribbean News

• Best family-friendly cruise ship cabins: What to book & why
• 5 things you can do right now to probably save money on your cruise
• Grand Suite on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas: What to expect
• Officials warn of glacier flood in Alaska, but expert says don’t worry
• A week in Europe proved things are better on a cruise
• Story behind Back to the Future, as told onboard a ship

New RCB Video: I cruised on Royal Caribbean's BILLION Dollar cruise ship BEFORE anyone else!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — I cruised on Royal Caribbean's BILLION Dollar cruise ship BEFORE anyone else! — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Video captures scary moment Royal Caribbean water slide breaks, injuring guest

A passenger was injured on a water slide aboard one Icon of the Seas when it broke.

The scary moment was captured on video, with the acrylic panel breaking open. Luckily, the person did not go through it.

Other passengers reported seeing "skin laceration injuries from his legs to his hands." 

What's new and different on Star of the Seas

Curious to know all the changes Royal Caribbean made to Star of the Seas compared to Icon?

The two ships are quite close in design.  In fact, the deck plans are nearly identical to each other.

Matt walked through the entire ship to get an idea of what's been added, replaced, or changed out on Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean updated its fleetwide drink menu

After almost five years, Royal Caribbean has updated its drink menu.

The new menu was spotted on Star of the Seas, and is likely to make its way to other ships soon.

A few new cocktails have been added alongside cruise favorites. Plus, there's a much greater emphasis on non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails.

I tried the new food hall updates on Star of the Seas

One of the big changes to Star of the Seas are a trio of food hall restaurant options.

The cruise line replaced three of its halls in Aquadome Market with a Thai, Latin American, and American BBQ option.

Matt tried out the new foods to see how they stack up.

Royal Caribbean added its first food hall on Icon of the Seas, but it's gone one step further with it on Star of the Seas.

The second Icon Class cruise ship is very similar to the original, but one of the notable changes are the updates to the Aquadome Market.

This is one of the restaurants included in the cruise fare, and there are five stands that offer a completely different cuisine.

I instantly loved this restaurant on Icon of the Seas, so I was eager to see the changes on Star.

Royal Caribbean invited me to sail as their guest on a special pre-inaugural cruise before any paying passengers arrive, and I made a point to review the changes to Aquadome Market.

Three new options

From the original five food halls, Royal Caribbean swapped out three of them.

Luckily they kept my two favorites: Feta (Mediterranean) and Creme de la Crepe (crepes). 

However, three others were replaced with new concepts. I tried the food at each to see how they compare.

First up is Mai Thai, and Royal Caribbean offers pad thai or rice, along with two protein choices.

Beef Panang Curry or Grilled Lemongrass Chicken are the options, and I was really torn which one to try. I asked the crew member for her recommendation, and she said to try the chicken.

It's served in a bowl with the pad thai on the bottom, chicken on top, and optional spring roll to top it off.

In trying it, I was pleasantly surprised how much flavor this food had. 

I liked it a lot, and was also happy it was unexpectedly spicy.  As someone that prefers spice in their food, especially Asian food, this was a welcome twist.

The only reason I didn't finish it was because I wanted to leave room for the other food to try. Otherwise, I would have happily devoured it all.

The next food stall over is Pig Out BBQ, an American BBQ spot.

I'm not sure how close the menu is to Portside BBQ on Oasis of the Seas, but I was eager to try it. I think Portside BBQ is vastly underrated as a great place, so I had high hopes for Pig Out.

The choice here is to go with a sandwich or Mac & Cheese bowl. I picked the sandwich option.

The two protein choices are BBQ Brisket or pulled pork, and I'm a sucker for brisket so I went with that.

I got really excited about trying this when we got to the toppings. I love to top almost any food I eat with all sorts of veggies, sauces, or whatever.

I added pickles, onions, and topped it off with some sauce.

As I tried the sandwich, I found the BBQ sauce to be very sweet.  No hint of hotness here.  

I think this is the perfect size for a snack.  Most importantly, the brisket was very soft. That's impressive considering Royal Caribbean can't use a traditional smoker and has to rely on an electric cooking option.

Finally, I got to La Cocinita, which has South American staples like hot empanadas and arepas. There are also Cuban sandwiches available.

I wasn't sure which option to get here, so I did the responsible thing: I ordered both.

I've had plenty of empanadas over the years, and always lamented when they were more pastry than protein.  That wasn't the case here.  

The empanada was "meaty", and not very spicy.  Probably too big for a single bite, but satisfying.

Similar to the BBQ sandwich, I liked there were lots of topping choices for the arepas.

Pickled beets, salsa verde, and pretty much whatever they had, I threw on there. 

To be honest, I don't know if I'm supposed to eat an arepa with my hands or a fork, so I kind of did both.  

A new must-try

I thought Royal Caribbean set a high standard with Aquadome Market on Icon, but the choices on Star are so much better.

I'd rank the food I tried in this order of personal preference:

1. Pad thai
2. BBQ brisket sandwich
3. Empanada
4. Arepa

The real conundrum for me is when I return to eat here without the purposes of a review, what would I order. The falafel and gyro at Feta were always one of my must-eats onboard Icon, so now I have to balance that with these new choices.

Not only is Aquadome Market my favorite included restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship, I think it's a must-try spot.

Because everything is freshly prepared, it's one step ahead of the buffets or other quick service options.

Moreover, the additions are much stronger choices than the original lineup. Having a greater variety of food that goes beyond traditional cruise food and leans into regional options is such a welcome choice.

Star of the Seas is here and you're probably wondering what's different about this ship compared to Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's second Icon Class ship is days away from welcoming aboard its first paying passengers, and the ship has lofty expectations from both them and the cruise line itself.

I'm lucky enough to be invited by Royal Caribbean to come get a first look at Star of the Seas before she begins sailing, and I've kept a careful eye out for what's new or different.

Here's a list of the changes you'll find on Star of the Seas that I've found so far.

All new shows

You can always count on Royal Caribbean to never be content with its entertainment lineup.

Star of the Seas has new shows in each of its three theaters.

By far the headliner show is Back to the Future: The Musical, which is the full Broadway production and included on this ship.

There's also a new high-diving spectacle in the Aquatheater, as well as a new show in Absolute Zero.

I always recommend everyone check out the new shows when they go on a ship, because each show is impressive in its own right.

Kaleidoscopes

Hidden around the ship are what look like whimsical telescopes.

The idea is similar to the Small Wonders on Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas.

So far I've found two, one on the Royal Promenade and the other in Surfside, and each has a different design when you peer through them.

Robot vacuums

A really neat idea is there are a few robot vacuum cleaners on Star of the Seas.

There are two types, with Bob responsible for hard surfaces and Betsy taking up carpets.

I'm used to seeing robots in supermarkets and BJ's stores, but it's fun that Royal Caribbean is getting in on the trend.

I suspect these robots can help augment the hard work crew members do in cleaning up, especially after hours.

New hot tub

Royal Caribbean was able to add a new hot tub on Star of the Seas, near the entrance to Aquadome Market.

The hot tub was originally intended to be on Icon, but the company was concerned about water weight. As it turned out, it wasn't a problem, so they added it to Star of the Seas.

Another pool deck change you'll notice are the bungee chairs on Deck 15 across from Royal Bay pool have been removed.

Instead, there are regular loungers on there.  Some crew members told me those bungee chairs on Icon had too many kids climbing and jumping on them, which likely lead to this change.

Lincoln Park Supper Club

The only new dining spot on Star of the Seas is the Lincoln Park Supper Club.

The supper club on Icon of the Seas was New York based, but this one is going to be Chicago based.

Royal Caribbean found inspiration from Chicago hot spots, from the Chez Paree club to the famed dining spot, The Pump Room.

Dining here will cost you $200 per person, and you'll get a pairing of live jazz music with the food. Each course has a paired cocktail and dish that matches up perfectly with the music.

Meet Sailor

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention there's a new Chief Dog Officer on Star of the Seas.

Sailor is the Golden Retriever that lives on the ship as the family dog.

You can meet Sailor if you're lucky enough to be in the right spot when she walks by for a belly rub.  Usually I've seen her near the Overlook, in Surfside, or even on the Royal Promenade.

Royal Caribbean got a lot of attention when it put a dog on Icon of the Seas, and it's such a lovely idea.

A more colorful Pearl

The Pearl has been upgraded visually.

Instead of a single color light ring in the back of each of those 3500 plus tiles, this version has full multicolor rings.

This allows arguably the top photo spot on the ship to have a much richer color palate.

New bar menus

I've noticed a few menus have gotten updates to at the least the look of them, and a few new cocktails too.

The fleetwide menu has been updated with new drinks and a new look.

Every few years the bar menu changes, and this is the bar menu you'll find in places like Casino Bar, The Overlook, and other bars without a specialized menu.

In the Pub, there's a new menu and each table as a ring toss game to help you pass the time.

I believe the Yuzu the One and Love Story are two new drinks on this menu.

Over at the Lime and Coconut, there's been a change to the lineup to offer more non-alcoholic drinks too.

There are are series of frozen drink machines, and two of them are now non-alcoholic.

In addition, a dedicated painkiller frozen drink dispenser has been added.

The tequila lineup as been improved at El Loco Fresh's Cantina.

You'll find a new Teqkil-ya Zombie drink, as well as higher quality tequilas to choose from.

Upgraded water fun in Surfside

Royal Caribbean said they wanted the kids only neighborhood on Star of the Seas to lean a bit more mature to appeal to slightly older kids.

The changes are subtle, but I think the 7-10 year olds may find more to enjoy in Surfside compared to Icon of the Seas.

Specifically, Splashaway Bay and Playscape received new features and more play activations to appeal to older kids.

In addition, the Water's Edge pool is dropping the idea it could be a haven for parents too, and instead is enhanced to be more kid-friendly. 

This change was done because in reality, kids took this pool over on Icon.

New art

You can also count on any new cruise ship for there to be new art all over the ship.

Royal Caribbean is proud of its artwork, and you'll find lots of it to catch your eye in every hallway, public venue, and bar.

I think the art in the elevator lobbies and on the Royal Promenade might be among the most noticeable, because they're so large.

Changes that I can't tell if they really did change

There are some changes that at one point were supposed to change, but perhaps it's being held back for a future ship.

Pier 7 remains in place. Right after Icon's launch, executives talked about it would be something else on Star.

Personally, I always liked eating at Pier 7 because it offers food you don't usually find elsewhere on the ship.  

There is much more outdoor seating too.

Something else that doesn't appear to have made it to Star are the first facial recognition cabins.

It's my understanding there aren't any cabins yet with that feature.  

Royal Caribbean is ready to double the fun with Star of the Seas.

The brand new ship is Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship, bringing the total number of operational vessels in Royal Caribbean's fleet to 29.

It's the hotly anticipated follow-up to Icon of the Seas, which launched last year and instantly became a mega hit for the cruise line. Icon wasn't just exciting, it set a new standard for every other cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean invited me to come on a short 3-night sailing to see the new ship and what it's all about.  They flew me to Puerto Rico to meet the ship, and be among the first to get onboard.

In just a couple of hours on Star, I wanted to share a glimpse of what this new ship is like and why you'd want to try it too.

Doubling what Icon did best

It's clear Royal Caribbean didn't want to mess too much with the winning formula that made Icon of the Seas such a success.

Star of the Seas began construction right around the same time as Icon, so their layout and look are very similar.

The difference is in the details, and I quickly picked up on the fact that Star is everything I loved about Icon.

Overall, Star is similar to Icon of the Seas in terms of onboard amenities and size. As such, guests can expect the same record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark, indoor AquaTheater, Crown's Edge ropes course/over-the-water zip line, massive Absolute Zero ice skating rink, and adults-only Hideaway.

It's a bright and colorful ship that is meant to evoke a party atmosphere.  You won't find the words "subdued" or "subtle" on this cruise ship.

Star of the Seas relies on the formula of open spaces, a connection to the water, and great things to do that are certain to make memories.

I loved how beautiful the pool deck is, and how the layout provides so much space for chairs, shade, pools, and bars.

Having an entire waterpark onboard means the ship has more thrills than any other, and that's in addition to the surf simulator, Crown's Edge, or sports area.

My favorite area of the ship remains Central Park because of how beautiful this space is, with so much packed in.

In walking around Central Park, I noticed a lot of new artwork and beautiful designs.  Plus, the Trellis Bar, Izumi sushi window, Bubbles, and Lou's are the perfect nighttime spot for a snack, drink, or both.

Over in Surfside, there's an entire area for kids.

Royal Caribbean says this version should skew to appeal to slightly older kids, but I'll need to wait for more kids to be onboard to truly see how it works.

You'll find tweaks, replacements and a few surprises on Star of the Seas

There are subtle differences that give Star of the Seas a defining personality of her own. 

For example, the Broadway-style show on Icon is the Wizard of Oz, whereas on Star of the Seas, it's Back to the Future: the Musical. 

Moreover, Royal Caribbean made changes to the AquaDome Marketplace food stalls. Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai, and La Cocinita will effectively replace GNGR, Mac's, and Toast & Garden. 

The supper club also received a refresh. Instead of honoring New York City, the new Lincoln Park Supper Club reflects the spirit of Chicago.

I was surprised when I turned a corner and ran into a group of housekeeping robots, which are a first for the cruise line.

The two types of robots can clean the floors and carpets constantly.  Bob is for the hard surfaces, while Betsy takes care of carpeting.

I found them in the Overlook, but unsure yet how wide spread they will be.

I also noticed what looks like telescopes around the ship in various public areas.

Similar to the Small Wonders feature on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, each one has a different kaleidoscope design to it.

It's a fun sea day activity to try to find them all.

Also noteworthy to cruise fans are the new name tags.

Crew members have a different name tag design compared to any other ship.  I'm not sure if the new design will go fleetwide, or remain an Icon Class look.

The first Star of the Seas cruises begin in August

Measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons, Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, tied only with Icon of the Seas. Star comes in at 1,196 feet long and 219 feet wide. At double occupancy, Star of the Seas can accommodate 5,610 guests in 2,805 staterooms. However, at maximum capacity, she can carry over 7,000 passengers. She also has 2,350 crew onboard from countries all over the world. 

Star's maiden voyage is scheduled for August 31, 2025, but construction moved quicker than expected. As such, Star will embark on a series of short preview cruises ahead of the official maiden voyage. The first of these will take place from August 16-20, 2025. It is ironic because when Star of the Seas' bookings were initially released, the maiden voyage was scheduled for August 17. It was later pushed back due to shipyard delays.

Star of the Seas' 7-night maiden voyage on August 31 will cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas' homeport is Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Orlando is one of the top vacation markets in the world, so Royal Caribbean's decision to homeport Star at Port Canaveral makes sense. The location offers travelers easy access to the area's famous theme parks and attractions. Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's first-ever purpose-built ship for the short cruise market, also calls Port Canaveral home.

Cruises on Star of the Seas are available to book through April 2027. There are even a few last-minute cabins on the special showcase cruises. At the time of publication, an interior stateroom on the 4-night Aug. 16 sailing starts at $1,029 per person. The cheapest cruise on Star of the Seas is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2025. The 7-night cruise starts at $1,153 per person in an inside cabin.

All but one sailing is scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island in The Bahamas. The itinerary for the May 3, 2026, cruise is Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Labadee, Haiti. 

Royal Caribbean is known for being a family cruise line, but which cabin would be the best choice to book?

I've been cruising with my family ever since my first kid was old enough to sail, but there are different needs once you introduce kids into the mix.

Families are often looking for space, privacy, and convenience with their room choice, and if they can not spend a lot for it, then it's a bonus.

Royal Caribbean has a fairly wide range of cruise ship cabins to choose from, even if you're trying to stick to a budget.

Those willing to spend more will find sprawling suites with crazy amenities, but there are also very nice options that will work well in the lower category cabins too.

Here are my top picks for finding the the perfect family-friendly cruise cabin on Royal Caribbean.

1. Budget-friendly cabins

Interior and Ocean View Rooms: These are slightly larger cabins that can sleep up to four people in the cabin.

In addition to the bed that can be combined to form a king or split apart, there are going to be either pullman beds that descend from the ceiling or sofa beds that open up for the extra passenger.

Putting four people in one room will likely be the cheapest option, but it's also going to feel the most cramped. Living space will be at a premium, and all of you will share one bedroom.

Connecting cabins: My favorite configuration for families is to book two connecting staterooms that have a common door between them.

The advantage of connecting cabins is you get twice the space, an extra bathroom, an extra TV, and full separation between each room.  This is a great choice if you're cruising with teens.

Moreover, you can find connecting cabins in a variety of cabin categories, from inside to balcony. 

2. Best mid-range family-friendly cabins

Spacious Ocean View and Balcony Rooms: The advantage of booking a higher category cabin if you're putting all four of you in one room is you get more living space.

Royal Caribbean labels staterooms with the word "spacious" as an indicator it has more square footage, and that means you four people sharing the room comfortably.

Like the inside rooms, it's likely a better price, but a better compromise on the balance of space and value.

Family Ocean View Cabins: Some of the largest cabins you'll find outside of suites are the Family Ocean View Cabins.

Usually located at the very front of the ship, these are massive rooms that often have a separate sleeping room, bunk beds, and more than one bathroom.

The downside to these rooms is they are usually located in the forward area of the ship, which means a longer walk and possibly more motion.

Ultra Spacious Ocean View / Balcony Cabins: Even larger than the family cabins, Ultra Spacious rooms are enormous.

There aren't many of them, but they're designed to accommodate up to 6 passengers. You'll find ultra spacious ocean view rooms on Freedom and Oasis Class ships.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies: Royal Caribbean came up with a few new kinds of family staterooms for its Icon Class ships, and each relies on clever layouts.

The Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies has an infinite balcony instead of a standard balcony. This means you can convert the balcony space into an indoor living instead, which is great for young children who want to crawl and walk and have play room.

They can sleep up to six guests too.

Surfside Family View Cabins: These staterooms are located near the Surfside neighborhood, which is an area of the ship designed for young families.

There are Surfside Family View Interior or Balcony rooms, and they can handle three or four people in the room.

The rooms are convenient, as well as being in a family-focused location.

Surfside Family Suite: Royal Caribbean introduced affordable suites that are great for young kids, but also include many more perks.

The idea is having a room where kids and parents share the cabin, without feeling like everyone is on top of each other. Thanks to nooks and clever ideas, it feels like there's more separation than you might expect.

You'll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. 

3. Best family-friendly suites

Ultimate Family Suite: If money is no object, go big and try the suite that was made to be second-to-none for families.

This incredible suite has an in-room slide, Lego wall, movie and game room, hot tub, spread across two levels, and has more games and play spaces than I ever thought possible.

Plus, it comes with Star Class perks, including the services of the Royal Genie.  It's an incredible way to vacation as a family.

It's only available on a handful of ships, such as Star of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and a few others.

Royal Family Suite: Another massive room for families to consider has about 560 square feet of space with two bedrooms.

It can sleep up to 8 people, making it the perfect suite to share with grandparents for multigenerational travel.

Tips for booking a family cruise on Royal Caribbean

No matter which suite you book, there are a few good tricks for ensuring you can get on and maybe save some money too.

First, I'd recommend using a travel agent familiar with Royal Caribbean’s family options.  

Royal Caribbean's website sometimes won't show staterooms that can sleep more than 4 people, and you wouldn't want to miss out because of that.  Travel agents are able to easily book them for you.

I recommend MEI Travel for making it as easy as possible to book a family room.

You should also book your family cruise sooner than later, especially for suites.

Royal Caribbean cruises are in high demand, and the first type of cabins to book up are usually suites and some of the unique cabins that don't have much inventory.

I'd also recommend you look at what's nearby your room before selecting a specific cabin.

Having a room near Adventure Ocean kids club, the pools, Surfside, or an area of the ship you think you'll spend a lot of time in would be smart.

Speaking of room location, always consider its location on the ship and how that may factor into motion sickness.

Certain cruise cabin locations are definitely more prone to motion, and that could be an issue for you.

Lastly, don't overlook simply booking two connecting rooms instead of a bigger, more expensive single room.

I love connecting rooms because they're often some of the best values and it gives everyone the living space they need. You might be surprised how much more economical it is to book two rooms instead of one bigger cabin.