What will become the world’s largest cruise ship is scheduled to begin sailing from Port Canaveral in August, but the first Royal Caribbean sea star will need to complete a series of sea trials.
The sister ship of the current title holder icon, which debuted in Miami last year, has set out on the coast off the coast of Torque, Finland. There, 248,663 Groston ships have been under construction since February 2023.
Even 100 days ahead of its August 31 debut from Orlando Area Port, the ship will depart on Monday in a series of 11 days of testing to test the vessel’s voyage, naval architecture and engineering to ensure that more than 2,000 surveillance is on board.
The Open Ocean Trial covers hundreds of miles before returning to the shipyard for a final touch, followed by an official handover to the Royal Caribbean and a transatlantic sailing to Port Canaveral.
The ship is the second of the four icon class vessels announced, each gradually becoming larger than its sister ships. This class is approximately 15,000 more than the existing six Oasis class ships. Five of them previously held the titles of the world’s largest cruise ship.
Star of the Seas has a seating capacity of 5,610 people based on double occupancy, but is fully capable for 8,000 passengers and 2,350 crew.
Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas Cruise ship will depart from the Mayerturk shipyard in Turk, Finland on May 19, 2025, and will hold a maritime trial prior to its debut at Port Canaveral in August.
Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas Cruise ship will depart from the Mayerturk shipyard in Turk, Finland on May 19, 2025, and will hold a maritime trial prior to its debut at Port Canaveral in August.
The Royal Caribbean Sea Star was seen during construction in autumn 2024 at the Mayerturk Shipyard in Tak, Finland in Fall 2025 ahead of its 2025 debut. (Courtesy/Royal Caribbean)
The Royal Caribbean Sea Star is a glass and steel dome of the Aqua Dome district lifted into the bow of the ship at the Meyertark shipyard in Turk, Finland on July 17, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
The Royal Caribbean Sea Star is a glass and steel dome of the Aqua Dome district lifted into the bow of the ship at the Meyertark shipyard in Turk, Finland on July 17, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean Star of the Sea will remain on the dry dock in this shot ahead of his float out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turk, Finland on September 28, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean Star of the Sea floats up at the Mayerturk shipyard in Turk, Finland on September 28, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean Star of the Sea floats up at the Mayerturk shipyard in Turk, Finland on September 28, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
The Royal Caribbean Sea Star is a glass and steel dome of the Aqua Dome district lifted into the bow of the ship at the Meyertark shipyard in Turk, Finland on July 17, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean Star of the Sea floats up at the Mayerturk shipyard in Turk, Finland on September 28, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
The Royal Caribbean Sea Star is a glass and steel dome of the Aqua Dome district lifted into the bow of the ship at the Meyertark shipyard in Turk, Finland on July 17, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
The Royal Caribbean Sea Star is a glass and steel dome of the Aqua Dome district lifted into the bow of the ship at the Meyertark shipyard in Turk, Finland on July 17, 2024. The ship is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral next year. (Courtesy, Royal Caribbean)
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Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas Cruise ship will depart from the Mayerturk shipyard in Turk, Finland on May 19, 2025, and will hold a maritime trial prior to its debut at Port Canaveral in August.
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The distinctive architectural feature of the class is the 367 tonnes, 82 feet tall and 164 feet wide glass and metal aqua dome above the ship’s bow.
The signature space on the Icon Class houses Aquatheater, home to an original production that combines diving, area listing and dance. The ship will also feature an ice skating rink and a main stage theater, with the marquee show becoming a “Back to the Future” musical.
Star of the Seas mainly features 40 food and drink options, with the exception of the Icon’s Empire Supper Club, which was the theme of the Lincoln Park Dinner Club, which was the theme of the 1930s New York-themed Icon’s Empire Supper Club.
The ship will alternate itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, in collaboration with Royal Utopia of the Sea, which debuted in Port Canaveral in the summer of 2024. We will continue our 3 and 4 nights Bahamas itinerary.
