Star of the Seas: Our Guide to Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship

All aboard the Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class ship! From adrenaline-pumping waterslides to family-friendly neighborhoods and luxurious suites, this floating city has something for everyone in the froggy fam. Whether you’re planning your first cruise or returning for another adventure, our guide will help you navigate everything from staterooms and neighborhoods to dining, entertainment and hidden gems, so your frogtastic vacation starts the moment you hop on board.

Hop To

• Overview
• Accommodations
• Neighborhoods
• Entertainment & Recreation
• Fun Facts

Star of the Seas Overview

Star of the Seas is the second Icon Class ship that will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, officially on Aug. 31, 2025. With a capacity of over 5,600 guests, Star of the Seas offers Caribbean itineraries that include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as the Bahamas and Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations.

The ship's layout includes eight different neighborhoods, seven pools, ten whirlpools and dining venues that range from quick bites to gourmet.

You can take on record-breaking waterslides, sit back for a Broadway-style show, lounge by the pool and enjoy extra perks if you’re staying in the suite neighborhood. Like its sister ship, Icon of the Seas, there’s something for everyone, whether that's adventure, entertainment or just a little R&R.

Hop over to our Royal Caribbean cruise deals to check out some amazing limited-time offers!

Star of the Seas Accommodations

There are over 28 stateroom types onboard. The Star of the Seas stateroom options are varied to match the needs of families, larger groups and solo travelers. Many staterooms can connect and have ocean views, balconies or elevated amenities such as in-room slides and private whirlpools.

Accessibility options are available throughout the ship and the family-friendly layouts keep parents and tadpoles comfortable.

Star of the Seas Staterooms:

• Ultimate Family Townhouse — The townhouse is three stories tall, with two separate bedrooms, an in-suite slide, a cinema and karaoke space and a private outdoor whirlpool. It also comes with a dedicated room attendant.
• Family Infinite Balcony — A push of a button transforms the balcony into an extra indoor living space. Includes bunk beds and TVs for the kids and a split bathroom design.

• Infinite Balcony Rooms — Choose from ocean or Central Park views. The balcony opens to become an extra room indoors.
• Surfside Family Interiors, Balconies and Suites — Located in the family-centric Surfside neighborhood, these rooms feature split bathrooms and a living space that transforms into a kids’ nook.
• Oceanview Rooms & Suites — Positioned near the AquaDome, with 220-degree ocean views and easy access to entertainment, nightlife and aerial shows.
• Sunset Suites — Perfectly located for evening views, with some featuring wraparound balconies.
• Interior Staterooms — Sleeps up to four, with standard amenities including private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, mini-safe and hairdryer.

Star of the Seas Neighborhoods

Star of the Seas is divided into eight themed neighborhoods, each with its own amenities, dining and entertainment.

Royal Promenade

The Royal Promenade is the ship's atrium, where you'll find dining, shopping and entertainment. With its central location, the Royal Promenade is an ideal starting point for exploring the rest of the ship and is convenient to Central Park, Chill Island and Surfside neighborhoods.

At the center is The Pearl, a multi-sensory kinetic sculpture made of over 3,600 shimmering tiles. Its constantly shifting patterns of light and motion make it the ultimate backdrop for a frogtastic family photo. Line up the crew and say “ribbit!"

The Royal Promenade delivers dining options around the clock. Sorrento’s is open 24/7, serving pizza by the slice, along with antipasto and other Italian goodies. Pearl Café is perfect for quick grab-and-go sandwiches, fresh pastries and snacks between adventures. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen serves up Italian favorites like Osso Buco, hand-tossed pizzas and Mamma’s Tiramisu. And for coffee lovers, there's also a Starbucks!

Entertainment here is nonstop. Kick off the evening with a cocktail and live salsa beats at Boleros, or join the sing-along fun at Schooner Bar during dueling piano nights. The Attic delivers stand-up comedy for big laughs, while Spotlight Karaoke gives guests a chance to take center stage. Sports fans can cheer for their team or challenge friends to a round of shuffleboard at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. For a quieter evening, enjoy a cocktail at 1400 Lobby Bar or a pint at Thorn & Thistle.

In the evening, the Royal Theater presents Broadway-style shows with the headliner, "Back to the Future: The Musical." Music Hall keeps the dance floor energized with high-octane cover bands and Absolute Zero, the largest ice rink at sea, showcases figure skating performances.

Central Park

A breath of fresh air in the middle of the ship, Central Park is an open-air neighborhood filled with more than 20,000 living plants and trees. Winding pathways lead to cozy seating areas, perfect for reading, people-watching or enjoying live music. Because it’s tucked between the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood, it’s also an easy place to wander through on your way to dinner or a show.

Central Park is also a foodie’s dream. This is where you'll find Chops Grille and Izumi Hibachi. Casual options include Park Café, famous for its kummelweck roast beef sandwiches and you can toast to the evening at Trellis Bar.

Surfside

If you’re cruising with tadpoles in tow, Surfside will be your home away from home. This neighborhood is designed for families. Many of the family-focused stateroom categories are just steps away, including the Surfside Family Interior, Surfside Family View Balcony, Surfside Family Suite and the show-stopping Ultimate Family Townhouse. On Star of the Seas, Surfside appeals to children up to the age of 10, versus age 6 on Icon of the Seas.

At the heart of Surfside are three splashtastic water zones. Splashaway Bay has fountains, water sprayers, small slides and tipping buckets. Baby Bay is a shaded, sit-and-splash area for the smallest sailors. Water’s Edge Pool is for the grown-up frogs and positioned so you can take a dip or lounge with an ocean view while still keeping an eye on the kiddos.

Beyond the water fun, you’ll find the Surfside Carousel with colorful sea creatures. The Wonder Playscape is an underwater-themed playground with climbing walls, slides, puzzles and games. Nearby is the arcade, which is indoors and has favorites such as Skee-Ball and air hockey, perfect for a break from the sun.

Surfside Eatery offers an all-day family buffet with kid-friendly favorites alongside adult-approved options — all included in your cruise fare. Surfside Bites serves grab-and-go snacks and finger foods. Brunch fans can head to Pier 7, a specialty restaurant serving tasty options from morning through early afternoon (kids eat free here, which makes it an easy splurge).

Sugar Beach is a candy-lover’s paradise, while The Lemon Post serves creative cocktails and matching “mini mocktails” for the tadpoles.

Thrill Island

Strap in for the heart-pounding thrills of Thrill Island, home to Category 6 — the largest water park at sea. Spanning the upper decks, this high-energy neighborhood is the go-to destination for adventure seekers of all ages.

Category 6 Waterpark has six record-breaking slides and activities:

• Frightening Bolt — the tallest drop slide at sea, launching riders through a trap-door plunge and a 360° loop under the roar of thunder.
• Pressure Drop — A free-fall slide, where you stare straight down before gravity takes over.
• Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter — family raft slides that twist, turn and soak your whole crew in a cascade of fun.
• Storm Chasers — dual mat-racing slides, complete with music and neon lights.
• FlowRider — Royal's surf simulator.

In addition, Crown’s Edge combines a skywalk with a ropes course for a true test of courage, while Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall challenges you to climb higher. The Sports Court has a basketball court and other games. Lost Dunes is a mini golf course for all ages.

Food and snacks are close by. Basecamp is a walk-up snack window that serves treats such as waffle chicken nuggets and cheese curds. Desserted Milkshake Bar has delicious shakes with fun names like the Chocolate Castaway, Minty Mariner and Strawberry Shipwreck.

Chill Island

Chill Island stretches across three decks and is home to four of the ship’s seven pools. Here you’ll find the Royal Bay Pool, the largest on board, the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar and Cloud 17, an adults-only sun deck.

Food and drinks are readily available in this neighborhood. El Loco Fresh serves tacos, nachos and other quick Mexican bites, while Cantina Fresca keeps the margaritas and agua frescas flowing. The Lime & Coconut sets the scene with colorful cocktails and music, and nearby is the Windjammer Marketplace buffet.

The Hideaway

The Hideaway sits high on the ship’s top decks and is for adults, 18+. Its focal point is the suspended infinity pool that looks out over the ocean, surrounded by a terrace with plenty of loungers and two whirlpools.

The Hideaway Bar is right there too, serving cocktails, beer and wine for guests 21 and older.

AquaDome

AquaDome is one of the most impressive spaces on Star of the Seas. By day, the huge glass dome fills with natural light and gives you sweeping ocean views. At night, the AquaTheater comes alive, where divers, aerialists and acrobats perform against a backdrop of a 55-foot waterfall and projections.

This neighborhood also has plenty of places to eat and drink. AquaDome Market is a food hall with food stands that serve everything from Mediterranean dishes and Asian-inspired bowls to crepes and mac and cheese. Star of the Seas has three new food stands, different from Icon of the Seas: Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai and La Cocinita.

Hooked Seafood is a table-service restaurant that serves fresh seafood. And for drinks, Rye & Bean doubles as a coffee bar by day and a bar at night. The Overlook Bar is also located here.

The AquaDome also has cozy pods with wraparound seating and direct views of the stage. For shopping, Royal Bling has cruise-themed jewelry and souvenirs.

Suite Neighborhood

The Suite Neighborhood on Star of the Seas is a private area just for Royal Suite guests, and it’s the largest suite-only space in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Spread across four decks, it gives guests an exclusive area while still being connected to the rest of the ship.

Staying in the neighborhood comes with perks such as more stateroom space, higher-end finishes and access to a private sundeck and restaurants.

The Grove is the private two-level sun deck with its own pool, whirlpool and bar. Guests also have access to Coastal Kitchen, a suite-exclusive Mediterranean restaurant. Its location also gives panoramic views of the AquaDome through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Star of the Seas Entertainment & Recreation

Star of the Seas keeps the fun flowing for guests of all ages, from high-octane thrills to relaxing indulgence, with experiences designed to create lasting memories.

Live Performances and Shows

Step into Broadway-style excitement with "Back to the Future: The Musical," a time-bending production with special effects and unforgettable songs. On ice, Absolute Zero combines stunt skating with theatrical storytelling, delivering jaw-dropping performances.

At the AquaDome, the elevated AquaTheater wows with cliff-diving, acrobatics, and kinetic shows synced to music and dramatic lighting. There are currently two shows: "Torque," a high-octane stunt show and "Pirates and Mermaids," where pirate-fueled escapades meet mermaids — made for the whole family.

Youth and Teen Zones

Young cruisers have plenty of space to play, learn and make friends at Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's kids clubs.

Babies and toddlers (6–36 months) can enjoy age-appropriate care and engagement at AO Babies. AO Juniors is for ages 3-5 years old. Teens ages 13-17 have their own space at Social020, with movies, gaming, board games, foosball and more.

Action Adventures

Thrill-seekers can challenge their courage and coordination across multiple neighborhoods. Test your balance on Crown’s Edge, the skywalk and ropes course where you'll swing out over the ocean. Race down slides at Category 6 Waterpark, aim for a hole-in-one at Lost Dunes mini golf or push your limits at Adrenaline Peak rock climbing wall. Additionally, there's the Royal Escape Rooms, laser tag and a jogging track onboard!

Family-friendly activities include ice skating, dance parties, Family Field Day, bedtime stories and Ocean Odyssey parade at Surfside.

Spa and Wellness

Relax, recharge and rejuvenate at the full-service Vitality Spa, which offers facials, massages, body treatments, salon services and a beauty bar. The adjoining Vitality Fitness Center features state-of-the-art equipment and wellness classes so you can stay ship-shape while out at sea.

Star of the Seas Fun Facts

Here are a few fun facts about Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas:

• Star of the Seas was built at Meyer Turku, Turku, Finland.
• This ship weighs in at 248,663 gross tons and has 2,805 staterooms.
• Every sailing on Star of the Seas includes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay!
• Since the ship sails from Port Canaveral, it’s easy to add a few days at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando before or after your cruise.
• Keep an eye out for Sailor, Royal Caribbean’s resident Chief Dog Officer.
• Star of the Seas is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a cleaner-burning fuel that helps reduce emissions at sea.
• Star of the Seas is the same size and footprint as its sister ship, Icon of the Seas, but with a few changes. Star debuts a brand-new "Back to the Future" stage show, while Icon has "The Wizard of Oz." The AquaDome Market has new food stands, Lincoln Park Supper Club replaces Empire Supper Club and Surfside now appeals to kids up to age 10.
• The ship's Godmother is Kellie Gerardi.

There's no doubt, this new Royal Caribbean ship is a star, indeed! Let us know when you'll be sailing on Star of the Seas in the comments below!

Related: Our Guide to Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships by Size and Class

Related: Cruising Royal Caribbean with Kids

Keep hopping!