New world's biggest cruise ship makes Florida debut as it sets sail. Take a look
Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas, all 20 decks of it, was scheduled to leave Port Canaveral near Orlando on Saturday, its first trip. The new ship will head to the Caribbean.
At 1,196 feet long and 219 feet wide, the vessel is the same size as the Icon of the Seas, which started sailing in January 2024 from PortMiami and continues to make its home port there. Miami-based Royal Caribbean now has the world's two largest cruise ships.
The Star of the Seas, which will make Port Canaveral home port at least through April 2027, can accommodate up to 5,610 guests at double occupancy rooms. That's the same as Icon of the Seas.
The initial trip on Saturday goes to CocoCay, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas. Star of the Seas is scheduled to return Aug. 20 to Port Canaveral.
After this initial 'showcase cruise,' the ship will regularly embark on seven-day trips to the eastern and western Caribbean.
What cruise passengers will find on board Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is dubbing Star of the Seas 'the ultimate family vacation,' knowing it's going head to head with the big theme parks in the Orlando area. The company is looking to cut into some of that business, and whether it does could be a barometer for the tourism industry.
The ship has 17 dining venues on board that don't cost extra, including the popular pizza joint Sorrento's. That'll give you the energy you'll need to enjoy the six water slides, an ice rink and a surfing simulator.
Star of the Seas also has 7 pools and 10 hot tubs, including what Royal Caribbean is calling the largest swim-up bar at sea and the largest pool at sea.
Then there are the more than a dozen food and beverage establishments that do charge, including Starbucks.
MORE: Inside look at Icon of the Seas in Miami
Challenges as Star of the Seas sets sail
The Star of the Seas debut comes as the cruise industry continues to grow. It experienced a massive boost as the COVID-19 pandemic faded and millions decided to jump into their bucket lists.
In 2024, a record 35 million people took an ocean cruise worldwide, up 9% from 2023, according to a report from the trade group Cruise Lines International Association. That's nearly twice the NFL's total attendance for the 2024 regular season.
But between now and 2028, the growth rate is slowing.
And the new vessel also comes as Royal Caribbean has experienced recent mishaps.
On Aug. 7 while at sea, a water slide on the Icon of the Seas malfunctioned. As a cruise-goer rode through it, acrylic glass broke off. The guest made it to the end of the slide, not falling through, but still suffered injuries. In July, a 35-year-old South African crew member aboard the Icon of the Seas fatally stabbed a 28-year-old female colleague before jumping overboard near the Bahamas, where he was later found dead. The cruise company described it as a personal dispute.
So, Royal Caribbean could use something new to talk about.
Star of the Seas which has 2,805 staterooms and 2,350 crew, was built by the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland, which also made Icon of the Seas. Europe continues to dominate ship-building even if Florida provides many cruisers.
On July 11, Royal Caribbean took ownership there, and the ship sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. It arrived at Port Canaveral on Aug. 9.
Star of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas
Are there differences between the new ship and the Icon of the Seas?
The structure and layout are the same, according to Matt Hochberg, founder of the blog titled Royal Caribbean who went on board. His blog is unrelated to the company.
But he noted there are more dining and entertainment options on Star of the Seas, including the headliner show 'Back to the Future: the Musical.'
He found some other differences that he detailed, including:
Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai and La Cocina are new options in the food court
Non-alcoholic frozen drink machines
Water's Edge pool is more kid-friendly
An additional hot tub
Telescopes hidden throughout
Hochberg wrote that 80% of guest cabins can accommodate three or more people, part of the appeal to families.
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