Royal Caribbean takes delivery of Star of the Seas ahead of August debut

Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of Star of the Seas, the second vessel in its Icon Class, during a handover ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

The delivery of the new Icon class ship comes following nearly two years of construction, with the ship now of track to enter service in August from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The delivery ceremony, marking the formal transfer of ownership from shipbuilder Meyer Turku to Royal Caribbean, took place in the ship’s AquaTheater and was attended by more than 1,250 crew and shipyard partners.

Marking the handover of the vessel, Royal Caribbean released a construction highlights video, which included the installation of the glass-and-steel AquaDome structure and the completion of six waterslides, which are the largest on any cruise ship.

“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers.”

Star of the Seas will next travel from Turku to Cádiz, Spain, for final preparations before crossing the Atlantic for Port Canaveral, Florida. She’ll sail week-long cruises to destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas during her inaugural season.

Star of the Seas features eight neighbourhoods onboard, including areas designed for families, adults-only spaces, and new entertainment venues.

Notable features include:

Thrill Island, a waterpark that includes raft rides, a drop slide, and a surf simulator.

Chill Island, home to four pools across three decks, including what the company says is the largest pool at sea.

Surfside, a family-oriented zone with water play areas for children and casual dining venues.

AquaDome, offering panoramic ocean views and night-time theatre performances.

The Hideaway, an adults-only space with a suspended infinity pool.

Additional features aboard Star of the Seas include the open-air Central Park with more than 30,000 live plants, a redesigned Royal Promenade with sea views, and a multi-deck suite neighbourhood.

Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and includes environmental technologies such as shore power connectivity and waste heat recovery systems. Her systems inform Royal Caribbean’s efforts to launch a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

A third ship in the Icon Class, Legend of the Seas, is scheduled for delivery in 2026. Royal Caribbean is also continuing to expand its network of private destinations, with new beach clubs in The Bahamas, Mexico, and the South Pacific planned between 2025 and 2027.