Star of the Seas officially joins Royal Caribbean as the next Iconic Cruise Ship

Royal Caribbean has kicked off the countdown to a new era of family vacations by officially welcoming Star of the Seas* into the family. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the keys to the next revolutionary Icon-Class ship were officially handed over to Royal Caribbean just weeks before her August debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.

In a ceremony worthy of a Star, more than 1,250 crew members and partners gathered to celebrate the milestone at the ship’s state-of-the-art AquaTheater. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, along with Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm, hosted the event, recognizing the hard work and innovation that brought Star to life and celebrating the team of engineers, designers, and architects who made it possible. From the first steel cut to final delivery, highlights from the entire process can be seen here.

“The arrival of Star of the Seas marks another major step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reinvent the future of vacations. Star and Icon Class are a symbol of what can be achieved when innovation, imagination, and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “We are proud to bring this cutting-edge vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku.”

The delivery of the new ship marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku and celebrated the incredible engineering feats achieved during construction, such as the installation of the glass and steel AquaDome, the development of six record-breaking waterslides, and more. Soon, Star will depart Turku for Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will add the finishing touches before setting sail on 7-night adventures through the Eastern and Western Caribbean to world-class destinations, including the vacation brand’s fan-favorite, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionize the way families and adventurers enjoy their vacations,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “It’s a true team effort with so many talented people coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we’re excited to mark this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.”

Star will double the world's best vacation experience with record-breaking thrills, unparalleled ways to relax, and more than 40 ways to eat, drink, and be entertained across eight destination neighborhoods, including:

Thrill Island – Adrenaline seekers can find thrills of all kinds at Category 6, the largest water park at sea with six record-breaking waterslides, including family-friendly raft slides, a free-fall slide, and dueling mat racers; Crown’s Edge, the half-walkway, half-thrill ride 154 feet above the ocean; and fan favorites like the FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall.

Chill Island: This three-deck paradise is the ideal place to relax by its four pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. Enjoy live music and DJs while you enjoy a poolside party and tropical drinks at the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar or The Lime & Coconut, just steps away.

Surfside – Designed for young families: This is the ideal place to spend the day together and play. Kids and toddlers have more options to splash around in Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while adults can relax at nearby Water's Edge. For snacks, Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 offer options for all ages.

AquaDome: With panoramic ocean views, this tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hotspot by night offers deck-defying shows in the towering AquaTheater, featuring divers, acrobats, robots, and more. AquaDome is also home to a variety of dining options, including the AquaDome Market, Rye & Bean Bar, Hooked Seafood, and The Overlook Bar, which offers unparalleled views.

The Hideaway – Tucked away 135 feet above the ocean, this adults-only spot features a suspended infinity pool (the only other pool of its kind, first introduced at Icon), a DJ, a bar, a deck with hot tubs, and sweeping ocean views.

Fleet favorites, redesigned for Icon Class, round out the traveler experience, including the Royal Promenade with panoramic ocean views and the Pearl, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture; the open-air Central Park with more than 30,500 live plants; the new Lincoln Park Supper Club, inspired by 1930s Chicago; and convenient pick-up windows for sushi, champagne, sparkling wine and more. Additionally, travelers have expanded accommodation options across four decks of the Suite Neighborhood and the amenities of the Grove Suite Sun Deck and two-level Coastal Kitchen.

Star will also be the vacation brand’s third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will feature a proven suite of industry-leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to grid-connected electricity, Star will further Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing net-zero cruising by 2035. The vacation brand is also poised to deliver its fourth LNG-powered ship, Legend of the Seas, the third Icon-Class cruise ship, which will debut in 2026.

In addition to Star , Royal Caribbean continues to expand its offering of vacation experiences in the most exclusive destinations with the opening in December 2025 of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas, offering the ultimate beach day . The adventures continue with Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026 , Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027 and an exclusive beach destination in Lelepa, in the South Pacific, in 2027 .

Fuente: Royal Caribbean.