Royal Caribbean has officially taken delivery of Star of the Seas, the second ship in the cruise line’s Icon Class, ahead of its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida this August.
The handover ceremony took place at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where more than 1,250 crew members and partners gathered for the milestone event. Present were Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku leadership.
"The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group's journey to reimagine the future of vacations," said Liberty. "Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what's possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together."
Following the ceremony, Star will head to Cadiz, Spain for final preparations before launching 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Itineraries include visits to destinations such as Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
The ship features eight neighbourhoods, including Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside and AquaDome. Highlights include the largest waterpark at sea, a suspended infinity pool, 40-plus dining and entertainment venues, and family-friendly zones.
Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and incorporates sustainable technologies such as shore power connectivity and waste heat recovery systems.