Royal Caribbean selects new local artists to appear on Star of the Seas

Celebrating the culture and people that define the Caribbean destinations the vacation brand visits, Royal Caribbean has selected its newest group of emerging artists for its Artist Discovery Program. As part of the program, the selected artists will showcase their work for families and vacationers embarking on the ultimate family vacation, Star of the Seas .

Artists from the Dominican Republic , Jamaica , Trinidad and Tobago , and Haiti , representing countries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, were selected during the second round of the program. Each artist will receive a grant of between $20,000 and $100,000 to conceptualize and create a large-scale, custom mural that represents the culture, experience, and spirit of their home country. The works will be displayed in four prominent Icon Class vacation locations: the Royal Promenade neighborhood, the Star Boarding Area, the lobby, and the Suite Sun Deck.

“We are thrilled with the positive response we have received to the upcoming Artist Discovery Program,” said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s director of product innovation. “Collaborating with the places we visit is fundamental to our work and who we are at Royal Caribbean. Whether it’s hosting panel discussions with guests or hiring residents of our destinations around the world, it’s essential for us to collaborate and connect with the communities in which we operate. This year’s selection is special, and we are thrilled with the vibrant, beautiful, and cultural murals that will be featured on Star of the Seas for years to come.”

Over several months, the vacation brand evaluated nearly 180 applications from 28 Caribbean countries. Candidates were required to submit unpublished conceptual works, a professional resume, and a personal statement expressing how their artistic passions, life experiences, cultures, and future aspirations inspired their work.

The Artist Discovery Program seeks to highlight emerging local Caribbean artists, providing them with a platform to showcase their work and increase their visibility, while celebrating the places and people that make a Royal Caribbean vacation the vacation of a lifetime. The program was first introduced on Icon of the Seas and has since been a highly anticipated and well-received initiative both onboard and at the brand's signature destinations, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, slated to debut in December 2025 in the Bahamas.

About the artists

Néstor Omar García "Angurría" from the Dominican Republic: From the moment tourists board the Star, García's mural lights up the boarding area, leaving guests with an unforgettable first impression. García's art fuses his Dominican roots, vibrant colors, and anecdotes from his region to create vibrant and moving pieces.

Anthony Smith of Taoszen, Jamaica: Smith's mural will be the lifeblood of Star of the Seas' upcoming debut in the Royal Promenade neighborhood. Through his art, Smith seeks to connect communities, promote understanding, and promote positive change. His past works combine striking imagery, nature, and vibrant colors to showcase the world's complex issues with nuance.

Saegel Bascombe of Trinidad and Tobago: Located in the luxurious Sun Deck Suite lobby retreat, Bascombe’s art will further brighten the atmosphere of this private oasis. Inspired by a beautiful fusion of eclectic colors and patterns, Bascombe’s art celebrates themes from her homeland while embodying the colors of the pieces.

Returning to showcase his unique work in the groundbreaking Icon Class, Haitian artist Philippe Dodard will create a mosaic piece evoking the rich history of his home island in the Star's Sun Deck Suite.

Star, debuting in August in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, will offer the best of every Icon voyage, with new additions and signature dishes. Across eight unique destination zones, families and travelers of all ages will find ways to create unforgettable memories with a selection of thrills, unparalleled relaxation, and more than 40 dining, drinking, and entertainment options. Adventurers continue their island-hopping journeys on 7-night vacations to destinations in the Eastern or Western Caribbean, including the brand's signature destination,  Perfect Day at CocoCay,  in the Bahamas. Learn more about Star on  the Royal Caribbean website .

Fuente: Royal Caribbean.