When does Star of the Seas launch?

Star of the Seas debuts in August 2026 with her inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida. She'll sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries year-round.

Is Star of the Seas the same as Icon of the Seas?

Star is Icon's sister ship, second in the Icon class, with the same 8-neighborhood blueprint, the same Category 6 waterpark, and the same Hideaway adults-only pool. The differences are an expanded Surfside neighborhood with more family cabins, a brand new AquaDome show, and several layout refinements based on Icon's first 18 months of feedback.

Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: which is better?

If you live in or fly into the Southeast US, Star wins because she sails from Port Canaveral (easier than Miami and pairs perfectly with Disney World). If you specifically want the proven Icon experience or you're already flying to Miami, Icon is the safer first-year pick. Star will be priced 5 to 10 percent higher during her launch year.

Where does Star of the Seas sail from?

Port Canaveral, Florida, year-round. Port Canaveral is a 45-minute shuttle from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and an easy drive from anywhere in Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas.

Is Star of the Seas good for families?

Yes, arguably the best family ship at sea. The Surfside neighborhood is purpose-built for families with kids 6 and under (kid-sized waterpark, baby splash zone, family-only restaurant, Adventure Ocean nursery, family cabins with bunk beds, all within a 90-second walk). Star's Surfside is even larger than Icon's.

How early should I book Star of the Seas?

As early as possible. Star's first 12 months of sailings opened to bookings in summer 2024 and Surfside Family Cabins and any Ultimate Family Suite are already selling out. For school-holiday weeks (Spring Break, summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas), book 12 to 18 months ahead.

Does Star of the Seas visit CocoCay?

Yes, every 7-night sailing includes Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal's private island in the Bahamas. The beaches and Oasis Lagoon pool are included; the Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club, and overwater cabanas are extra.

What's new on Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas?

Expanded Surfside neighborhood with more family cabins and a larger baby splash zone, a redesigned AquaDome aerial show, the Lemon Post citrus and coffee bar (Star exclusive), at least one new specialty restaurant concept, and a tweaked Hideaway layout that addresses Icon's chairs-too-close feedback.

New for August 2026

Star of the Seas

by Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship, sister to Icon of the Seas, debuts August 2026 from Port Canaveral with 8 neighborhoods, the Category 6 waterpark, and refinements Icon couldn't add at launch.

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Quick Answer

Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest Icon-class ship, debuting August 2026 from Port Canaveral with the same 8 neighborhoods and Category 6 waterpark as Icon of the Seas, plus an expanded Surfside family zone and a redesigned Hideaway layout.

Launch Date

August 2026

Homeport

Port Canaveral, FL

Passengers

5,610

Tonnage

250,800 GT

Decks

Class

Icon Class (ship #2)

Ship Overview

Star of the Seas launches August 2026 as Icon of the Seas' sister ship, sharing the same 8 neighborhoods and Category 6 waterpark but sailing from Port Canaveral instead of Miami.

Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's brand new Icon-class ship, debuting from Port Canaveral in August 2026. She's the sister ship to Icon of the Seas, which means the same 8 neighborhoods, the same Category 6 waterpark (the largest at sea), the same Surfside family zone, and the same Hideaway adults-only suspended infinity pool, with several refinements Icon couldn't fit at launch.

The biggest reason to consider Star over Icon in 2026: she sails from Port Canaveral instead of Miami, which is a drive for most of the Southeast and a 45-minute shuttle from Orlando International Airport. If you've ever combined a cruise with a Disney World stay, Star makes that itinerary 10x easier.

What's new versus Icon: an expanded Surfside neighborhood with more family cabins, a redesigned AquaDome show, refreshed dining concepts in Central Park, and a tweaked Hideaway layout that fixes the chairs-too-close complaints from Icon's first year.

Key Features

The Category 6 waterpark's 6 record-breaking slides, including the tallest drop slide at sea, and an expanded Surfside neighborhood set Star apart even from Icon.

Category 6 Waterpark

The largest waterpark at sea returns with 6 record-breaking slides including the Frightening Bolt (tallest drop slide at sea) and the Storm Surge family raft slide.

8 Neighborhoods

Surfside (family), Thrill Island, Chill Island, The Hideaway (adults), Central Park, Royal Promenade, AquaDome, and Suite Neighborhood. Same blueprint as Icon, optimized flow.

Expanded Surfside

More Surfside Family Cabins and an enlarged baby splash zone after demand on Icon outstripped supply 18 months out.

The Hideaway

Adults-only suspended infinity pool, DJ deck, swim-up bar, and a redesigned chair layout that addresses Icon's overcrowding complaints.

AquaDome 2.0

Glass-domed venue with the tallest waterfall at sea and a brand new aerial show developed specifically for Star.

Absolute Zero Ice Rink

Largest ice arena at sea returns with a new headline ice spectacular. Open skating included; skates and helmets provided.

Empire Supper Club

The immersive dinner-and-show specialty venue that became Icon's hardest reservation to score. Book Day 1 of your cruise.

Dining Options

Star carries Icon's 40+ dining venues plus a refreshed Central Park lineup and the Star-exclusive Lemon Post coffee and citrus bar.

Star carries Icon's 40+ dining venues plus a refreshed Central Park lineup. Included dining covers the 3-story main dining room, Surfside Eatery (family buffet), AquaDome Market food hall, El Loco Fresh, Basecamp, and the Pearl Cafe.

Specialty restaurants (extra cost) include Chops Grille, Izumi, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Hooked Seafood, Empire Supper Club, and at least one brand-new concept exclusive to Star (Royal hasn't released the name as of mid-2026).

The Swim & Tonic swim-up bar returns and the Lemon Post all-day coffee and citrus bar is a Star exclusive worth seeking out for a mid-afternoon pickup.

Entertainment & Activities

A brand new AquaDome aerial show, a new Absolute Zero ice spectacular, and the returning Crown's Edge ropes course headline Star's entertainment.

Star's headline show is a brand new AquaDome production developed by the same creative team behind Icon's "Aqua Action". Expect aerial silks, synchronized swimming, and a high-dive finale.

Absolute Zero hosts the new Star ice spectacular plus open skating sessions throughout the week (free, skates and helmets provided). The Royal Theater runs a Broadway-caliber production, the Aurora Theater handles cabaret, and live music spans 10+ venues nightly.

The Crown's Edge ropes-course-meets-thrill-walk and the FlowRider surf simulator both return.

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Ideal For

First-time cruisers wanting the newest ship at sea
Families with kids under 6 (Surfside is unmatched)
Travelers driving from the Southeast or flying through MCO
Couples wanting the Hideaway adults-only zone
Multi-gen groups needing varied activities across 8 neighborhoods

Pros

✓ Brand new in August 2026, latest design refinements
✓ Sails from Port Canaveral, easier than Miami for most travelers
✓ Expanded Surfside fixes Icon's family-cabin supply problem
✓ Same Category 6 waterpark and Hideaway as Icon
✓ Easy to pair with a Disney World stay

Cons

✗ Premium pricing, runs above Wonder and Symphony
✗ Inaugural-season demand means cabins sell out fast
✗ Some venues will still be testing in first 3 months
✗ Only Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral in year one

Example Itineraries

Star sails 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, with every sailing stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

7-Night Eastern Caribbean: Port Canaveral, FL → Perfect Day at CocoCay → Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas → Philipsburg, St. Maarten → Port Canaveral

7-Night Western Caribbean: Port Canaveral, FL → Perfect Day at CocoCay → Cozumel, Mexico → Roatán, Honduras → Costa Maya, Mexico → Port Canaveral

Every sailing visits Royal's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, with the Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club, and Oasis Lagoon pool.

Pricing Expectations

Balcony cabins run $2,100 to $3,700 per person for 7 nights, about 5 to 10 percent above Icon during her 2026 launch year before pricing typically settles.

Star of the Seas commands inaugural-season premium pricing:

Interior: $1,300 to $2,100 per person (7 nights)
Ocean View: $1,600 to $2,700 per person
Balcony: $2,100 to $3,700 per person
Surfside Family Cabin: $3,200 to $5,500 per family of 4
Suite: $4,500 to $12,000+ per person

Pricing runs ~5 to 10 percent above Icon during launch, then typically settles after the first 6 months. Send me your dates and I'll pull exact pricing plus any current promotions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Considering Other Ships? Compare:

Icon of the Seas Guide

Best Royal Caribbean Ship for Families

Wonder of the Seas Guide

Royal Caribbean Travel Agent

Compare Star of the Seas Head-to-Head

Deciding between the two newest Icon-class ships? Read Icon vs Star: the newest Royal Caribbean ships compared for a full head-to-head on cabins, itineraries, and price.

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