Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed Star of the Seas into the family. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the keys to the next Icon Class ship were officially handed over to Royal Caribbean just a few weeks ahead of its August debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
*All details correct at time of writing (11 July 2025)
In an official ceremony, 1,250-plus crew members and partners gathered to mark the milestone in the ship’s AquaTheatre.
Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, along with Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm, hosted the event, recognising the hard work and innovation that brought Star to life and celebrating the team of engineers, designers and architects who made it all possible.
Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said:
“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations.
“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 guests.
“We’re proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku.”
The delivery of the new ship marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku and celebrated the incredible feats of engineering accomplished during construction, like the installation of the glass-and-steel AquaDome, the development of six record-breaking waterslides and more.
Soon, Star will make its way from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will put the finishing touches before Star sets sail on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures to top-rated destinations, including the brand’s fan-favourite Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionise how families and adventurers vacation,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean.
“It’s a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we’re excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.”
Star will come with record-breaking thrills, unrivalled ways to chill, and more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained across eight neighbourhoods that are destinations in themselves, including:
- Thrill Island – Adrenaline lovers can find thrills of all kinds at Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking waterslides including family raft slides, a drop slide and dueling mat racers; Crown’s Edge, the part skywalk, part thrill ride 154 feet above the ocean; and fan favourites, such as the FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall.
- Chill Island – The three-deck slice of paradise is the ultimate spot for guests to kick back at four pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. They can enjoy live bands and DJs while partying poolside and sipping on tropical drinks from the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar or at The Lime & Coconut, just steps away.
- Surfside – Designed for young families, Surfside is the place to stay and play all day together. Kids and tots have more ways to splash at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while adults relax at the nearby Water’s Edge. When it’s time for a bite, Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 have menu options for all ages.
- AquaDome – With wraparound ocean views, the tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night features deck-defying shows at the marquee AquaTheatre with high divers, aerialists, robots and more. AquaDome is also home to a variety of food and drink spots, including the AquaDome Market food hall, the Rye & Bean bar, Hooked Seafood and The Overlook bar for unparalleled views.
- The Hideaway – Tucked away at 135 feet above the ocean, the adults-only spot features a suspended infinity pool – the only other pool of its kind, having been first introduced on Icon – a DJ, bar, a terrace with whirlpools and vast ocean views.
Fleet favourites reimagined for the Icon Class round out customers’ experience, including the Royal Promenade complete with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the Pearl, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture; the open-air Central Park with more than 30,500 real plants.
Guests can also look forward to the new 1930s Chicago-inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club; convenient pick-up windows for sushi, champagne, sparkling wine and more. Plus, customers have more ways to stay across four decks at the Suite Neighbourhood and amenities at the Grove Suite Sun Deck and two-level Coastal Kitchen.
Star will also be the company’s third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programmes. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connections, Star will advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
The brand is also set to deliver its fourth ship powered by LNG with Legend of the Seas, the third Icon Class ship set to debut in 2026.
In addition to Star, Royal Caribbean continues to expand upon its lineup of experiences across the ultimate destinations with the December 2025 debut of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, delivering the ultimate beach day.
The adventures continue with Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027 and an exclusive beach destination in Lelepa in the South Pacific in 2027.
Holidays on Star are available to book on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas: The Ultimate Family Getaway
Agents can go to Club Royal for more information and to book.
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