Star of the Seas will be the second of Royal Caribbean's Icon Class cruise ships when she launches.
Royal Caribbean has not announced many details about Star of the Seas, such as what will make this ship different than Icon of the Seas. This page will be updated periodically when Royal Caribbean reveals what the ship will offer to guests.
Being the second in the Icon Class, Royal Caribbean is expected to build upon the interest Icon of the Seas has generated.
Here is a look at the most important things we know about Star of the Seas.
Star of the Seas facts
Star of the Seas will be the second Icon Class cruise ship when she's built.
She will be based from Port Canaveral, Florida and her maiden voyage with paying passengers will take place August 17, 2025.
The ship is under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
Read more: Icon of the Seas sneak peek: Inside Royal Caribbean's next new ship
Star of the Seas should be right around the same size as Icon of the Seas, although Royal Caribbean is fond of making new ships just a little bit bigger than the previous vessel so they can market the new ship as the "biggest cruise ship in the world."
Icon of the Seas is 20 decks high and 1,198 feet long and measure 250,800 gross tons. It has more than 40 dining venues and bars, a waterpark, and seven pools, and can handle 9,950 people (2,350 crew and 7,600 guests).
Royal Caribbean International President & CEO, Michael Bayley, thinks Star will build on the impressive legacy Icon has already, "The idea of combining the best of every type of vacation into one ultimate adventure has created more excitement than ever anticipated, and Star of the Seas will be the next bold answer to the record-breaking consumer demand we’ve seen for nearly a year and counting with Icon of the Seas."
Royal Caribbean has not announced any onboard activities, entertainment or things to do yet.
Star of the Seas construction progress
In February 2023, a steel cutting ceremony was held for Star of the Seas, which when the first piece of steel is cut. This is an important milestone in the construction of any new cruise ship.
Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship
In December 2023, the keel was laid at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The hull assembly of Star of the Seas followed shortly thereafter in late December.
The laying of the keel means a crane lowered a massive steel block to the bottom of the construction pool on trestles to signal the start of assembling the ship's hull.
When will Star of the Seas be delivered?
Royal Caribbean announced Star of the Seas will begin sailing sometime in "summer of 2025."
According to filings Royal Caribbean Group made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, delivery of the ship from shipyard to cruise line should take place in the second quarter of 2025.
Delivery date represents when the ship would be handed over from the shipyard to the cruise line, but that is not when the ship is ready to enter service.
When a new cruise ship is delivered, formal construction is complete, but the ship still needs to be staffed, and amenities brought onboard as the ship prepares to enter service.
Incredible demand
Even though no Icon Class ship has sailed yet, the demand for this new ship class has been incredible, and Star of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's follow-up to Icon of the Seas.
Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes
Icon of the Seas is better booked than any other ship launch, and when Star of the Seas goes on sale, they'll expect similar results.
The company saw the largest booking day in its history when reservations for the Icon opened in October 2022. Royal Caribbean President & CEO Michael Bayley said Icon was "the best-selling product in the history of our business."
Next-gen power
Like Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas will take advantage of cleaner fuel options.
This will be Royal Caribbean's third cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well using some of the cleanest-burning marine fuel available to date with a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs on board.
With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Royal Caribbean’s most sustainable ship will advance parent company Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
When do bookings open for Star of the Seas?
Royal Caribbean opened bookings for Star of the Seas on December 5, 2023.
You can now book a cruise on Star of the Seas between August 2025 and April 2026. The new ship will offer seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
The inaugural sailing will visit three ports of call: Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts.
