Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas launches Greener Cruising

Port Canaveral has marked a milestone in sustainable cruising with the successful LNG bunkering of Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, the Star of the Seas. On 14 August 2025, the Icon-class vessel was fuelled with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by JAX LNG and Polaris New Energy, using the Clean Everglades bunker ship. The seven-hour operation was overseen by safety teams including the U.S. Coast Guard and Canaveral Fire Rescue.

LNG is widely regarded as a cleaner marine fuel, cutting carbon emissions and almost eliminating sulphur oxides. It also reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85 per cent and particulate matter by 95 per cent, helping ports and coastal communities enjoy better air quality.

The Star of the Seas, delivered by Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, weighs in at 250,800 tons and is Royal Caribbean’s largest ship to date. Fully powered by LNG, it incorporates advanced technologies such as waste management and air purification systems, part of the cruise line’s “Destination Net Zero” goals.

Following the refuelling, the ship embarked on a preview sailing from Port Canaveral on 16 August. It will now offer year-round seven-night itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, bringing guests a mix of luxury, entertainment and sustainability at sea.

Port Canaveral has invested heavily in LNG infrastructure, cementing its role as a hub for cleaner maritime operations in the U.S. As more ships adopt LNG, the port’s forward-looking approach positions it at the heart of sustainable cruising’s future.