Star of the Seas – the next-generation cruise ship set to debut in 2025
Royal Caribbean International has revealed the latest in its best-selling Icon Class, Star of the Seas, and the vacations in store for every type of family and adventurer. Starting August 2025, vacationers can get away in a new way from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, with 7-night vacations to the Caribbean and the cruise line’s top-rated private island – Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. Star’s debut lineup is now open on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Adventurers can island hop in style on the next iconic vacation while in the eastern or western Caribbean destinations and The Bahamas. The newly opened vacations feature idyllic locales like Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Plus, on every getaway, vacationers can look forward to kicking back or going all out at Perfect Day at CocoCay. The cruise line’s one-of-a-kind private island destination features everything from 13 waterslides to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, and the island’s first adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach (opening January 2024), with a private beach, pools and spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more.
On the heels of welcoming Icon of the Seas to the family two months before its January 2024 debut, Royal Caribbean is following up the historic response to the first in the Icon Class lineup by introducing the revolutionary combination of experiences to Port Canaveral (Orlando) for the first time. Star will feature the best of every vacation, from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, including Thrill Island, Chill Island, AquaDome, the tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night; and the open-air Central Park. Between more than 40 ways to dine and drink, cutting-edge entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages – air, ice, water and theater – and a lineup of activities for adults, kids, teens and the whole family, everyone can make memories their way every day without compromise.
The Icon Class highlights coming to Star include the adrenaline-pumping thrills like Category 6 waterpark’s six record-breaking waterslides and Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride – as well as the unrivaled ways to chill across seven pools for every vibe and mood, including swim-up bar Swim & Tonic; Cloud 17, the adults-only retreat; and The Hideaway’s one-of-a-kind infinity pool suspended 135 feet above the ocean. And while families can spend time together and on their own adventures throughout Star, they can stay and play all day at Surfside. The neighborhood designed for young families features ways to splash for all ages, dedicated restaurants and even a bar – The Lemon Post – with a menu for the grownups and one for the kids. New experiences will also make their way to the latest in the world’s best family vacation lineup, which will be revealed at a later date.
With Star making its debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Royal Caribbean is doubling down on the revolutionary combination of every vacation that was first introduced on Icon and which continues to create unprecedented consumer demand. The two world’s best vacations in two of the world’s top travel destinations, Icon in Miami and Star in the greater Orlando area, will introduce an unparalleled lineup that mark the next bold moment in the new era of vacations and for Royal Caribbean.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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These cruise ships go from strength to strength. I haven’t done a cruise for around a dozen years, when I do I expect I’ll notice a huge number of improvements.
With their own private island and all those ships Royal Caribbean must be worth more than some nations.
A 7 night cruise is just about the right length for us, even in the Caribbean we’re ready for something else after a week. We usually tack on a few extra nights in the port before or afterwards.
Interesting picture. There are so many colours that it took me some moments to work out that it is a ship, so very different from the Cunard cruises that we’ve sailed on.