I just returned from one of the most exciting experiences – the preview sailing and naming ceremony for Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Star of the Seas! As someone who specializes in cruise vacations, I knew this sailing would be special, but Star of the Seas exceeded even my highest expectations.
Meet the Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas has a capacity for 7,000 passengers, making it Royal Caribbean’s second ICON-Class ship. As the sister ship to the groundbreaking Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas shares many of the same revolutionary features that made Icon so popular, while adding its own unique touches that truly make it shine.
What sets Star of the Seas apart are the thoughtful enhancements and new experiences that build upon the Icon-class foundation.
Your Home Port: Port Canaveral
Star of the Seas sails from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida on 7-night adventures, making it incredibly convenient for guests flying into Orlando. The ship offers multiple itinerary options:
Eastern Caribbean Itineraries:
- 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day featuring Perfect Day at CocoCay
- 7 Night Eastern Caribbean visiting Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Labadee, Haiti
Western Caribbean Options:
- 7 Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas; Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico
Exploring Every Layer for My Clients
As your travel advisor, I made it my mission to explore every inch of this magnificent ship during our preview sailing. From the top decks to the lower promenades, I experienced firsthand what you and your family can expect when you cruise on Star of the Seas. This hands-on exploration allows me to provide you with insider knowledge and help enhance your vacation experience from the moment you step aboard.
We had the perfect mix for exploration – one full day at sea and one day docked at CocoCay, giving me ample time to discover all the ship’s offerings, test the amenities, and experience the dining venues that I’ll be recommending to you.
Dining Excellence in the Main Dining Room
One of the highlights of any Royal Caribbean cruise is the dining experience, and Star of the Seas absolutely delivers! The main dining room impressed me with what I believe is some of the best main dining room food Royal Caribbean has offered yet.
Our first evening featured a special Naming Ceremony menu that celebrated the ship’s inaugural moments – truly a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. For the remaining nights, I made sure to order my personal favorites: the rich and savory French onion soup paired with a crisp Caesar salad to start each meal. For my main courses, I enjoyed the seasoned Jerk Seasoned Pork Chop one evening, followed by the Roast Beef Tenderloin the next night.
Complimentary Dining Options Galore
Star of the Seas offers over 40 ways to dine and drink, including 17 complimentary restaurants that ensure you’ll never go hungry and always have variety. Here are all the free dining venues you can enjoy:
Main Dining Venues:
- Main Dining Room (3 levels)
- Windjammer Marketplace (buffet)
Specialty Free Options:
- AquaDome Market
- Creme De La Crepe
- Feta Mediterranean
- ALL NEW at the AquaDome Market
- Pig Out BBQ
- Mai Thai
- La Cocinita
- ALL NEW at the AquaDome Market
- Park Café
- Pearl Cafe
- Café Promenade
- Surfside Bites
- El Loco Fresh (Mexican)
- Sorrento’s- Royal Caribbean’s signature pizza
- Ice cream and frozen yogurt stations
- 24-hour room service (delivery fee applies)
This incredible variety means even the pickiest eaters or insatiable teens are covered from breakfast to late-night snacks.
Perfect Day at CocoCay – Choosing Relaxation
During our stop at CocoCay, I made the decision to stay aboard and enjoy the ship’s adult sanctuary, The Hideaway. This exclusive area provided the perfect escape to soak up the sun and truly appreciate the ship’s design without the crowds. Sometimes as a travel advisor, it’s important to experience both the active excursion side and the relaxation side of a port day, and The Hideaway delivered exactly the peaceful retreat I was seeking.
Entertainment That Steals the Show
If there’s one area where Royal Caribbean consistently exceeds expectations, it’s entertainment – and Star of the Seas raises the bar even higher!
Torque – The new AquaTheater show was absolutely spectacular! This fresh take on Royal Caribbean’s signature aqua shows features incredible music and performances that showcase exactly why Royal Caribbean is known for pushing creative boundaries. The energy, music, and production value left us completely mesmerized.
Back to the Future: The Musical – This was hands-down the highlight of our entertainment experiences! The theater production was simply incredible, and we were completely blown away by every aspect of the show. I cannot wait to see it again, and I know my clients are going to absolutely love this musical adaptation. The costumes, special effects, music, and performances were all top-tier.
Royal Caribbean truly has some of the best entertainment at sea, and Star of the Seas proves they’re continuing to innovate and wow their guests night after night.
Accommodations: Ocean View Balcony Perfection
We stayed in an Ocean View Balcony stateroom – my personal favorite way to cruise and what I often recommend to clients who want that perfect balance of comfort, space, and value. The room design was very similar to Icon of the Seas, featuring the same openness and modern color palette that I absolutely love.
The staterooms on Icon-class ships are among my favorites across all cruise lines. The layout maximizes space, the contemporary design feels fresh and inviting, and the balcony provides that essential outdoor retreat where you can enjoy your morning coffee or evening cocktail while taking in ocean views.
Why Star of the Seas Should Be Your Next Vacation
As your cruise specialist, I can confidently say that Star of the Seas delivers everything you want in a family vacation: incredible dining variety, world-class entertainment, amenities, and the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation. Whether you’re traveling with multi-generational family, teens who need constant entertainment, or you’re simply looking for the ultimate cruise experience, this ship has something special for everyone.
The combination of Royal Caribbean’s proven Icon-class innovation with Star of the Seas’ unique enhancements creates a vacation experience that truly lives up to their promise of “The World’s Best Family Vacation.”
Ready to Sail?
Having experienced Star of the Seas firsthand, I’m excited to help you plan your own unforgettable cruise aboard this magnificent ship. From selecting the perfect stateroom category to choosing your dining experiences and planning your CocoCay day, I’ll use my insider knowledge from this preview sailing to ensure your vacation exceeds your expectations.
Contact me today to start planning your Star of the Seas adventure – I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Ready to book your Star of the Seas cruise? As a Royal Caribbean specialist, I’m here to help you navigate all the options and create the perfect vacation for your family. Get in touch today!
Wonderland and Beyond Travel® is a concierge-style travel agency, booking vacations worldwide. Our team of seasoned travel planners meticulously craft seamless journeys with unforgettable experiences and moments to cherish.
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