Global music icon Diana Ross has been named godmother of Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas, the second vessel in the cruise line’s ground-breaking Icon class.

The announcement was made on 5th June 2025, ahead of the ship’s official debut from Port Canaveral later this summer.
While the exact date of the naming ceremony has yet to be confirmed, Royal Caribbean stated that it will take place in August 2025 at the ship’s homeport.
Ross will preside over the traditional christening event, which is scheduled to be held in the AquaTheater – the central entertainment venue within the ship’s AquaDome neighbourhood.
“Having spent years creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas,”
Diana Ross
Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley called the partnership a natural fit:
“We are thrilled to have Diana Ross join us for the debut of Star of the Seas, the next bold vacation in our revolutionary Icon Class designed to encompass the best a vacation experience can offer.”
Michael Bayley
Ship Launch and Preview Sailings
Star of the Seas will begin sailing from Port Canaveral in August 2025, following the completion of four preview cruises: one 3-night and three 4-night sailings starting 16th August.
Her inaugural 7-night cruise departs 31st August, visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Roatan.
The new 5,600-guest ship (7,600 at max capacity) recently completed successful sea trials and is currently in the final stages of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
She follows the debut of Icon of the Seas in January 2024 and will continue the class’s focus on innovative vacation experiences at sea.
Like her sister ship, Star of the Seas will offer eight distinct “Neighborhoods”, each designed to cater to different guest experiences. Highlights include:
- Royal Promenade: Featuring dozens of bars and restaurants in a vibrant indoor boulevard.
- Central Park: An open-air retreat filled with over 33,000 real plants, offering quiet strolls and upscale dining.
- Category 6 Waterpark: The largest waterpark at sea, complete with six slides and family raft rides.
- Chill Island: A relaxing area with multiple pools and an adults-only retreat.
- Surfside: Designed for young families with splash areas, dining, and playful spaces.
- The Hideaway: A beach club-style venue with an infinity pool.
- Thrill Island: A shipwreck-themed zone filled with adrenaline-pumping attractions.
- AquaDome: A dramatic forward-facing entertainment venue housing the AquaTheater, where high-diving performances and the ship’s naming ceremony will take place.
Destinations
Star of the Seas will operate year-round Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, with every voyage including a stop at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
The ship is expected to remain homeported in Florida through spring 2027.
More details, including the christening date and entertainment line-up, are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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