The wait is over, the latest ship in Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Icon Class lineup has arrived at its home in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Passengers are set to experience 20 total decks of vacation bliss across eight distinct onboard neighbourhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Thrill Island, Surfside, The Hideaway, Suite Neighbourhood, and the Royal Promenade.
The entertainment lineup includes five signature shows—across stage, air, water and ice—including the cult-classic movie turned instant-hit musical Back to the Future: The Musical. Foodies will be able to satisfy their taste buds with next-level dining experiences at more than 40 spots to dine and drink including an elevated, multi-course journey at the Chicago-inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club.
Our own Teena Dowd was onboard for the preview sailing and shares some of her favourite things from the new ship. Here are Teena’s top picks from her first look at Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas.
“I absolutely loved my sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas! The ship feels incredibly spacious—nothing ever felt crowded, and there were always plenty of spots to grab a drink, find entertainment, or just relax,” Teena says.
“There are 17 pools and hot tubs, plus 6 waterslides, so there’s never a dull moment,” Teena says. “My personal highlight was The Hideaway, the adults-only infinity pool with stunning sunset views.”
Choose a spot that suits your mood—from a relaxing dip with epic views to an adults only beach club-style hangout. Chill Island is a three-deck slice of paradise with four pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. Enjoy live bands and DJs and sip on tropical drinks from the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar or at The Lime & Coconut, just steps away. The Hideaway is tucked away at 135 feet above the ocean, an adults-only spot that features a suspended infinity pool with a DJ, bar, a terrace with whirlpools and vast ocean views.
Surfside is designed with young families in mind, and is the place to stay and play all day together. Kids will love Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while adults can relax at the nearby Water’s Edge. When it’s time for a bite, Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 have menu options for all ages.
“I really appreciated the ship’s design: so many open spaces, endless ocean views, and impressive neighbourhoods that made it easy to navigate, Teena says. “I also loved how well the ship balances experiences—families and kids had their areas, while adults had quiet zones to escape.”
One of the biggest thrills on Star of the Seas is the more than 17,000 square foot Category 6 Waterpark featuring six record-breaking waterslides. Pressure Drop is the only open free-fall slide at sea, Hurricane Hunter has families on an epic raft slide, and Storm Chasers is the only duo mat racing ride at sea.
The most anticipated show has to be the debut-at-sea of Back to the Future: the Musical. The iconic movie is brought to life onboard in a full-scale Broadway production that boasts what Royal Caribbean says is the largest orchestra at sea.
“The entertainment was top-notch—I saw all three productions: Torque, Sol, and Back to the Future,” says Teena. “They were all amazing, but Back to the Future was definitely my favourite.”
AquaDome, is a great spot to take in the wraparound ocean views by day, but at night it transforms into a vibrant hot spot with deck-defying shows at the marquee AquaTheater with high divers, aerialists, robots and more.
Head over to Absolute Zero to check out amazing iceskating by skilled “extreme skaters.” There is also a variety of live performances each night from comedians to magicians, including duelling pianos and live bands at the Music Hall.
Outside of the main dining room, that sprawls across three decks, there are loads of choices for all types of diners. Be sure to try Royal Caribbean’s new specialty dining venue Lincoln Park Supper Club. It’s a glamourous, multi-course dining experience in an atmosphere inspired by the style of 1930s Chicago, accompanied by live jazz.
AquaDome is home to a variety of food and drink spots including the AquaDome Market food hall, the Rye & Bean bar, Hooked Seafood and The Overlook bar for unparalleled views
“I can’t wait to sail again—next time I’m making sure to experience the Lincoln Park Supper Club!”
Are you ready to plan a visit to the newest vacation destination at sea?
