Royal Caribbean has unveiled some details of what guests can expect onboard Star of the Seas when she launches in August 2025.
The second Icon-class ship will sail from Port Canaveral, and is being aimed as a rival not just to other cruise ships, but also Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida, with the cruise line explaining that it wants to offer an experience at sea that draws people away from the theme parks.
As a result, there are some changes planned for Star of the Seas compared to her sister Icon, which Royal Caribbean has now started to reveal.
One of the biggest changes will be to the Surfside area, with several small adjustments made to alter the target age of this neighborhood on the ship. On Icon of the Seas, this area is very much aimed at 0-6 year olds (and parents), but that age group will increase up to 10-year-olds to challenge the theme park demographics.
This will include new features for Splashaway Bay and the Playscape, and embracing the fact that the Water’s Edge pool on Icon has become more of an extension to the kids’ pools rather than a separate area for parents, as was originally intended.
The kids’ clubs will see some changes too, with more of a focus on analog play for Adventure Ocean, instead of just video games (though those will remain), and better meet-up and independent spaces for teens.
Parts of the ship will get an updated look and feel, with new multi-colour lighting for The Pearl, and updates to the Ultimate Family Townhouse suite.
And in terms of dining, Pier 7 will be overhauled, there’ll be slight changes to the AquaDome Market, and Icon’s Empire Supper Club will become the Lincoln Park Supper Club with more of a Chicago theme.
One really cool feature to be added will be facial recognition for staterooms, although it will be a pilot programme only for a select few staterooms, with no specifics on which ones yet. But opening your door without needing your keycard – provided it’s reliable – will be great, especially if you’re carrying sleepy kids back to the room!
Expect more details on the ship to be revealed as we get closer to her arrival later in 2025.
Don’t worry though, dog fans – the ship will have a resident dog onboard just like Icon. Sailor is their name!
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