Florida Says Ahoy to the World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Ahead of Debut Voyage
Star of the Seas has officially landed in Florida, and it didn’t sneak in quietly. The massive new cruise ship made its grand entrance at Port Canaveral on August 9, 2025, after sailing across the Atlantic from Finland. Built by Meyer Turku, this floating giant is a spectacle.
Its first official sailing launched on August 16 with fireworks, water cannon salutes, and a full-on beach party at Jetty Park. Royal Caribbean went all out for the send-off, calling it the “Star-Studded Sailabration.” Local crowds showed up, music blasted, and the excitement was real.
Royal Caribbean / IG / Star of the Seas ties with its sister ship, Icon of the Seas, as the largest cruise ship in the world. It has 248,663 gross tons of non-stop fun stacked across 20 massive decks.
The ship can carry up to 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. That is more people than most small towns.
Right after this first voyage wraps, music legend Diana Ross will christen the ship in an official naming ceremony. Think old-school glam meets cutting-edge cruising. Royal Caribbean knows how to make an entrance and a headline.
All-exclusive Features
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is no ordinary vacation. It is basically a floating theme park. Thrill Island has the largest waterpark at sea, with 7 pools and 6 waterslides. Add in an ice rink, surf simulator, escape room, and aerial obstacle course called Crown’s Edge, and you have got enough action to wear out the most energetic travelers.
Families can hang out in Surfside, a kid-friendly neighborhood built for maximum fun. Adults can explore Central Park, where real plants, walking paths, and fancy restaurants create a totally different vibe. Plus, there are over 40 places to eat and drink, from street tacos to upscale steak.
Royal Caribbean / IG / The Star of the Seas is also more eco-conscious than you’d expect for a ship this size. It runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which cuts down on sulfur and particulate emissions.
Plus, it also has shore-power hookups and heat recovery systems to reduce its environmental footprint. Critics say LNG still has issues like methane leaks, but Royal Caribbean calls it a stepping stone toward cleaner cruising.
Why Port Canaveral?
Homeporting in Port Canaveral is a smart move. This terminal is already the second busiest in the world, and bringing in the Star of the Seas means even more traffic, more hotel stays, and more dollars for the local economy. Restaurants, shops, and theme parks all stand to benefit as cruise travelers tack on extra days in the area.
Star of the Seas will run regular 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean starting late August. Stops include Royal Caribbean’s exclusive island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is packed with water slides, beach clubs, and adventure zones.
Fares for the maiden voyage started at $1,731 per person, but prices vary depending on itinerary and cabin type. Shorter preview cruises ran as low as $1,069.
If you are wondering what is next, Royal Caribbean already has plans. The next Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, is expected to debut in 2026. The cruise line is clearly betting big on bigger ships, and so far, it is paying off.