royal caribbean Officially received Star of the Seasthe latest ship in its groundbreaking Icon Class. The handover ceremony took place at Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, where the ship has been under construction for nearly two years. The ship is scheduled to debut this August from Port Canaveral, Florida.
The celebration at the shipyard brought together more than 1,250 crew members and partners, including Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm and Meyer Turku Chairman Jaakko Eskola. The ceremony was held inside Starof water theaterhighlighting the teamwork and innovation that brings new ships to life.
“deliver Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward for Royal Caribbean Group on its journey to reimagine the future of vacation. ” Liberty said in a statement. Press release. “Star Icon Class symbolizes what is possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless pursuit of delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers. “
Related: Royal Caribbean names Diana Ross godmother of Star of the Seas
The handover marks the official transfer of ownership from Meyer Turku to Royal Caribbean. The milestone also celebrates engineering achievements such as the installation of the ship's large water dome and built six record-breaking water slides.
The ship will sail from Turku to Cadiz, Spain in the near future, where it will undergo final preparations before embarking on a seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruise. Itinerary includes visits to Royal Caribbean’s private island destinations, Spend a perfect day in CocoCay In the Bahamas.
“We are very proud to welcome Star of the Seas As a tribute to the Royal Caribbean family, we continue to revolutionize the way families and adventurers vacation. “It's been a true team effort, with so many talented people coming together to make the new Icon Class holiday a reality,” said Bayley. “
The ship features eight themed neighborhoods, each offering a unique experience for families, couples and solo travelers:
- Thrilling Island Includes Category 6 Water Park, the largest water park at sea, featuring 6 water slides, the Crown's Edge skywalk thrill ride, the FlowRider surf simulator and a rock climbing wall.
- cold island A three-deck pool experience with four pools, including Royal Bay Pool, the largest at sea, and tropical bars including Swim & Tonic and The Lime & Coconut.
- Surfside Splashaway Bay for young families, Baby Bay, Water's Edge for adults, and family dining spots like Surfside Eatery and Pier 7.
- water dome Featuring panoramic views, high-tech shows by divers and trapeze artists in the AquaTheater, and dining options including Hooked Seafood and The Overlook Bar.
- paradise is an adults-only resort featuring a suspended infinity pool, whirlpool, bar and DJ, all located 135 feet above the ocean.
Other highlights include the Royal Promenade with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and Pearl Dynamic Sculpture, a plant-filled Central Park, a Lincoln Park Supper Club inspired by 1930s Chicago, and a grab-and-go window serving sushi, champagne and more. Star of the SeasThe suite neighborhood spans four decks and features a Grove Suite sun deck and a two-story coastal kitchen.
Star of the Seas It will be Royal Caribbean's third ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature sustainable technologies including waste heat recovery systems and shore power connections. These advancements support the company’s goal of launching net-zero cruises by 2035. The next Icon Class cruise ship, Legend of the Seasexpected to debut in 2026.
Going forward, Royal Caribbean will continue to expand its global services. this paradise island royal beach club The Royal Beach Club in the Bahamas will open in December 2025 and the Royal Beach Club in Cozumel in 2026. A perfect day in Mexico Due to be completed in the fall of 2027, the private beach destination of Lelepa in the South Pacific will also be completed in 2027.
Are you planning a cruise? Star of the Seas? I'll be on board in August, so leave all your questions in the comments below and I'll answer them on board!
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