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.
Just 100 days before its August 31 debut from Orlando Area Port, the ship departs on May 19th in its May 19th exam, testing the ship’s navigation, naval architecture and engineering, with over 2,000 careful eyes guaranteeing the sea stars.
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.
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.
