Royal Caribbean Celebrates the Arrival of the New Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean heralds a new era of family holidays as it officially welcomes the Star of the Seas into its fleet. After nearly two years of meticulous construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the keys to this pioneering Icon Class vessel were handed over just weeks before its inaugural voyage in August from Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida.

The celebration took centre stage at the Meyer Turku shipyard, where over 1,250 crew members and partners gathered for a star-studded event at the ship’s AquaTheater. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, Jason Liberty, alongside President and CEO, Michael Bayley, Meyer Turku's CEO, Casimir Lindholm, and Chairman Jaakko Eskola, marked a significant milestone in the vessel’s journey. The hands-on ceremony recognised the ingenuity and dedication of engineers, designers, and architects who brought the vessel to life, from the initial steel cut to the final delivery.

"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 vacationers," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We're proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku."

The handover also celebrated significant engineering feats, such as the installation of the glass-and-steel AquaDome, the development of six record-breaking waterslides, and more. The ship will soon depart Turku for Cadiz, Spain, where final touches will be added before her maiden voyages, seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises to popular destinations including the favourite Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

"We're incredibly proud to welcomeStar of the Seasto the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionise how families and adventurers vacation," saidMichael 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 of the Seas will offer more than 40 ways to dine, drink, and be entertained across eight vibrant neighbourhoods, each a destination in itself, including:

• Thrill Island:Home to Category 6, the largest waterslides at sea, with six record-breaking slides, plus the sky-high Crown’s Edge, the FlowRider surf simulator, and a rock-climbing wall.
• Chill Island:A tranquil retreat with four pools, including Royal Bay, the largest at sea, complete with live bands, DJs, and tropical drinks at the Swim & Tonic bar and The Lime & Coconut.
• Surfside:Designed for families, with splash zones such as Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, alongside relaxed dining options like Surfside Eatery and Pier 7.
• AquaDome:Offering panoramic ocean views with spectacular shows, including high divers, aerialists, and robots; complemented by diverse dining venues.
• The Hideaway:An exclusive, adults-only retreat perched 135 feet above the ocean, featuring a suspended infinity pool, bar, terrace with whirlpools, and ocean vistas.

The vessel will also feature reimagined favourites like the Royal Promenade with breathtaking ocean views, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture, Central Park, and the Lincoln Park Supper Club inspired by 1930s Chicago. Additional amenities include private suites, the Grove Suite Sun Deck, and the Coastal Kitchen. 

Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Star of the Seas will be among the most environmentally friendly ships in the fleet, featuring pioneering sustainability technologies. It will support Royal Caribbean’s ambition of operating a truly net-zero cruise ship by 2035. The company’s third LNG-powered vessel from the Icon Class, Legend of the Seas, is set to debut in 2026.

In addition to Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has a busy schedule of new destinations, including the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas in December 2025, Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico in 2027, and an exclusive beach retreat in Lelepa, South Pacific, also planned for 2027.