Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of Star of the Seas, the latest ship in its Icon Class, following nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The vessel is scheduled to debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August.
The delivery ceremony, held at the shipyard, was attended by more than 1,250 crew members and partners. 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 marked the handover.
The ship will sail from Turku to Cádiz, Spain, where final preparations will be completed before beginning seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes. These include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Star of the Seas includes eight areas across the ship, each offering a mix of recreational, dining and entertainment options. Thrill Island houses a waterpark with six waterslides, a skywalk, and a surf simulator. Chill Island features four pools, live music and multiple bars. Surfside is designed for families with children, offering splash zones, informal dining, and seating areas. AquaDome provides ocean views, live shows, and several dining and bar options. The Hideaway, an adults-only space, includes a suspended infinity pool 41 metres above the ocean, a bar and a terrace with ocean views.
Additional spaces include the Royal Promenade with ocean views and the kinetic art sculpture Pearl. Central Park includes more than 30,500 plants. Other areas include the Lincoln Park Supper Club, pick-up counters for items such as sushi and sparkling wine, and the Suite Neighborhood, which spans four decks and includes the Grove Suite Sun Deck and two-level Coastal Kitchen.
The ship will be Royal Caribbean’s third powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and includes energy systems such as waste heat recovery and shore power connection. The company aims to launch a net-zero cruise ship by 2035. A fourth LNG-powered vessel, Legend of the Seas, is expected in 2026.
Royal Caribbean is also planning new destination developments. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas is due to open in December 2025. Royal Beach Club Cozumel will follow in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico in autumn 2027, and a beach site in Lelepa, South Pacific, also in 2027.
“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations. Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers,” said Liberty.
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionise how families and adventurers vacation,” shared Bayley. “It’s a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we’re excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.”
