Vacationers looking to get in their daily step goal will have no problem achieving that while on board Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas.
The world’s largest cruise ship, which arrived at Port Canaveral earlier this month as the company’s second Icon-class ship, has plenty of spaces to relax, new technology and adventurous ways to spend time onboard. At 248,663 gross tons, the ship has 20 decks, seven pools, six waterslides and more than 40 venues for dining and drinking. It can accommodate 5,610 passengers at double occupancy and more than 7,000 passengers at full capacity, plus 2,350 crew.
The Star of the Seas feels like a floating city, complete with its own Central Park in the middle and eight neighborhoods, each designed for different activities and age groups. It’s bright, artsy, colorful and has scenes of idyllic vacations playing out around every corner.
Most passengers embark on Deck 5, where they are greeted by The Pearl, a three-deck art installation with 3,600 computer-driven kinetic tiles that move with music. The sphere sits in the middle of the Royal Promenade where guests can find shopping options, bars and eateries — including Spotlight Karaoke on Deck 5, right across from New York pizza restaurant Sorrento’s, and a dueling piano bar on Deck 6.
Deck 4 is home to Casino Royale and the Music Hall, while the main dining room is at the aft of the ship on decks 3-5. In addition to housing the Royal Promenade, Deck 5 is where guests can find the fitness center, outdoor jogging track, the Royal Theater, the location of the “Back to the Future” musical, and Absolute Zero, an ice arena for the “Sol” skating show that’s accessible from Deck 6.
Deck 7 has the Surfside neighborhood at the aft of the ship, which is geared toward families with a carousel, Surfside Eatery, ice cream and a water playground called Splashaway Bay. Dozens of staterooms overlook this neighborhood, some with their own balconies.
That is also the case with a selection of staterooms that overlook Central Park on Deck 8. The interior neighborhood features greenery, bars and dining venues such as Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and Park Cafe. Moving toward the fore of the ship, guests can see the exclusive Lincoln Park Supper Club, a formal upscale dining venue with limited space.
Decks 9-14 consist mostly of cabins, except for the Vitality Spa accessed on Deck 14.
On Deck 15, passengers can visit the Windjammer Marketplace, a buffet-style eatery, or head out to the Chill Island pool deck. Nearby the Royal Bay Pool sits The Lime & Coconut Bar as well as El Loco Fresh, which serves up Mexican food. At the aft of the ship, guests ages 18 and older can visit The Hideaway, which includes an infinity pool and a bar for adults only.
At the fore of Deck 15 sits the 82-foot-tall, 164-foot-wide, glass-and-metal AquaDome. The entertainment venue hosts the “Torque” show and sits adjacent to Hooked Seafood, Chef’s Table and Celebration Table. On the opposite side, the AquaDome Market has five stands serving different cuisines, including Thai food, barbecue, South American staples, Mediterranean bites and crepes.
Deck 16 has the continuation of Chill Island, which includes the Swim & Tonic, a pool with a swim-up bar, and a dry slide down to Deck 15. The chills quickly turn into thrills when heading to the aft of the ship.
Thrill Island is the access point for Crown’s Edge, a harnessed ropes course and skywalk that dangles guests out over the ocean. That area of Deck 16 is also where guests can find the Adrenaline Peak rock-climbing wall, the Lost Dunes mini golf course and the stairs to access the Category 6 Waterpark.
More high adventure can be found on Deck 17 during a visit to the sports court or the FlowRider surf simulator at the aft of the ship. The fore of the ship has access to the Suite Neighborhood on decks 16-18 with pools and eateries reserved for guests staying in suites.
Star of the Seas will sail seven-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, which also serves as homeport to Royal’s Utopia of the Seas. That ship debuted in summer 2024 at Port Canaveral and will continue three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries. Many sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.
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