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World's Largest Cruise Ship to Make Maiden Voyage From Florida
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The largest cruise ship in the world is set to make its maiden voyage in August.
Royal Caribbean welcomed its newest Icon-class vessel, the Star of the Seas, ahead of its inaugural journey from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31.
Newsweek reached out to Royal Caribbean via email for comment.
The Context
The Star of the Seas will become the sister ship to the Icon of the Seas, which launched in January last year. They are the same size, at 248,633 gross tonnage, and will share the mantle of the largest cruise ship in the world. Construction on the Star of the Seas began in 2023 and was finished on September 25, 2024.
A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year.
A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year.
Royal Caribbean
What To Know
The 5,610-passenger ship, constructed over nearly two years at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, completed sea trials involving more than 2,000 maritime experts.
The ship will commence weeklong eastern and western Caribbean sailings, including stops at Royal Caribbean's private Bahamas resort, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
For testing, the ship underwent rigorous 11-day sea trials in Finland, reaching speeds of up to 25 knots while engineers measured propulsion, pressure, and maneuverability.
A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year.
A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year.
Royal Caribbean
As part of its environmental strategy, Star of the Seas uses LNG fuel, widely regarded as a cleaner maritime alternative. It incorporates systems that recover waste heat and enable shore power connections, reducing emissions while docked.
The maiden voyage will depart from Port Canaveral on August 31, 2025, for a seven-night cruise around the western Caribbean. Fares for this sailing start at about $1,731 per person, according to The Independent. In advance, shorter showcase journeys include a three-night round-trip to Perfect Day at CocoCay, beginning August 20, with tickets from about $1,069 per person, the outlet reported.
What People Are Saying
Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said in a July 2025 statement: "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.
"We're proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku."
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said in July 2025: "We're incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionize how families and adventurers vacation.
"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."
What Happens Next
Following final preparations in Cadiz, Spain, Star of the Seas is scheduled to begin regular seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral in August 2025, with additional short showcase cruises planned. Royal Caribbean aims to debut its next Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, in 2026.
