Latest news with #IconOfTheSeas
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
First look: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas begins sea trials – here's everything we know so far
Royal Caribbean's latest Icon class cruise ship has begun sea trials as it prepares to launch this summer. The brand's newest vessel, Star of the Seas, is due to start hosting passengers from August 2025 on Caribbean sailings. The 5,610-capacity ship has touched water for the first time after it entered the sea trials phase of its construction in Turku, Finland. Over 11 days, more than 2,000 experts are testing everything from how the ship moves through the open water to engine performance and how it copes under pressure. The Royal Caribbean ship is being tested at speeds of up to 25 knots before entering the final phase of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku. Star of the Seas' maiden voyage is scheduled for 31 August around the western Caribbean for a week, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Cruise fares start at £1,289 per person. There are also shorter showcase sailings beforehand, including a three-night round-trip from Port Canaveral on 20 August that visits Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay, in the Bahamas, with fares starting from £796 per person. The vessel is the sister ship to Icon of the Seas, currently the world's largest cruise ship. With a gross tonnage of 248,633, Star of the Seas will be the same size as Icon. Passengers will find similar features to Icon of the Seas, such as an ice-rink, rock climbing wall, giant waterparks and slides on board, as well as 40 bars and restaurants to choose from. These include the Surfside neighbourhood, which features pools and arcades for the kids and bars for the adults. The ship is welcoming three new foodstands to its AquaDome Market, serving smoky pulled pork and beef brisket, Southeast Asian regional favourites such as pad thai and panang curry and South American staples including empanadas and arepas. There will also be a refreshed speciality Lincoln Park Supper Club on board, serving intimate meals with live entertainment on a 1930s Chicago-inspired theme. In the evening, passengers can enjoy the acrobatic Torque show in the AquaDome and watch the Back to the Future Musical in the Royal Theatre. You may even meet Star's on-board chief dog officer (CDO), Sailor, who lives on the ship.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Royal Caribbean To Launch Nostalgic Chicago Supper Club Concept This Summer
Cruising has seen a lot of elevation over the years, and that's especially since in their fine dining programs, as stereotypical midnight buffets of yesteryear have been replaced by celebrity chef restaurants and innovative fine dining concepts. The latest innovation will be debuting this summer on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas. Inspired by a classic Chicago supper club, Lincoln Park Supper Club promises to elevate what we expect from a cruise ship dining experience. Lincoln Park Supper Club will debut this summer. The debut of Lincoln Park Supper Club on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas has inspiration dating back nearly a century, and a lot of that will be seen in the finer details of the dining experience. "The vacation brand has spent months crafting this intimate and elevated dining experience. This will be one of many specialty dining options onboard and we're excited for it to come to life," said Linken D'Souza, SVP of Global Food & Beverage at Royal Caribbean International, in an email. According to D'Souza, the sophisticated supper club concept first debuted on Icon of the Seas in January 2024 with Empire Supper Club. This was a a premium New York City-inspired dining experience, in which musical performances were paired with cocktails and dinner. The latest supper club concept takes that to a new level. "With the success of Empire, we wanted to replicate the same ambiance for guests, on Star, with a similar but unique take— rooted in next-level dining and an intentionally curated atmosphere," said D'Souza, who said Lincoln Park Supper Club will be a nod to early 1900s Chicago luxury, style and cuisine. "The Lincoln Park Supper Club draws inspiration from acclaimed venues such as The Pump Room and Chez Paree club," said D'Souza. D'Souza says at Lincoln Park Supper Club, guests can expect an upscale experience with multiple courses and creative cocktails paired with live musical performances. While the cocktail menu is still in development, D'Souza says the dinner pairing will include appetizers like crab ravioli dressed in a champagne beurre blanc – "a celebration of Chez Paree, a 1930s Chicago supper club known for its glamorous atmosphere and mob connections," according to D'Souza, and a main choice of lamb served with morel and chanterelle mushrooms and mustard seed – this is "a salute to The Pump Room: an iconic Chicago establishment," according to D'Souza. Finally, the dessert will include a 1898 Palmer House Brownie – an interpretation of the classic treat honoring Chicago's Palmer House, the birthplace of the brownie. Lincoln Park Supper Club will debut on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas in August 2025.
