Royal Caribbean Worldwide has introduced that Star of the Seas will enter service sooner than anticipated, including two new “showcase sailings” earlier than its beforehand scheduled inaugural voyage.
The second ship within the cruise line’s Icon Class will now start welcoming visitors on August 23, 2025—eight days sooner than initially deliberate.
Earlier Debut for Star of the Seas
The unique plan was for Star of the Seas to debut with a seven-night Jap Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral on August 31, 2025.
Nonetheless, in an e-mail to booked visitors, Royal Caribbean confirmed that development is forward of schedule, permitting the ship to start crusing sooner.
“We’ve an up to date timeline for the arrival of Star of the Seas at Port Canaveral!” the e-mail acknowledged. “Developing such a big and superb ship is difficult, and whereas supply can generally be delayed, there are different instances the place we get to sail our new ship earlier.”
Learn extra: Icon of the Seas Joins Royal Caribbean Fleet
To accommodate this earlier completion date, Royal Caribbean has added two four-night cruises, each crusing roundtrip from Port Canaveral with a cease at Good Day at CocoCay. These newly added voyages will depart on August 23 and August 27, 2025.
Regardless of the addition of those sailings, the cruise line has clarified that the August 31, 2025, departure will stay the ship’s official inaugural voyage, that includes all the customary occasions and celebrations.
Choices for Booked Visitors
Visitors who have been booked on the August 31 crusing now have a couple of decisions. They will:
- Preserve their present reserving on the August 31 cruise.
- Transfer their reservation to one of many new four-night sailings.
- Guide one (or each) of the showcase cruises along with their present crusing.
These booked in suites on the August 31 crusing could have their suite held for them on the brand new voyages till February 6, 2025, to provide them time to resolve. Passengers booked in inside, oceanview, or balcony staterooms could have a comparable cabin accessible to select from.
Visitors who change to one of many shorter cruises in the identical stateroom class pays a prorated fare reflecting the decreased variety of nights. Those that have already paid in full will obtain a refund for the distinction.
One other Schedule Change for Star of the Seas
That is the second time Royal Caribbean has adjusted the inaugural schedule for Star of the Seas. The ship was initially set to debut on August 17, 2025, however that crusing was later canceled, pushing the primary voyage to August 31.
With development working forward of schedule, Royal Caribbean is bringing the timeline ahead once more, giving visitors two extra alternatives to sail earlier than the official launch.
Including pre-inaugural sailings isn’t new for Royal Caribbean or its sister model, Superstar Cruises. Superstar Ascent additionally launched early sailings earlier than its official maiden voyage in 2023.
When Star of the Seas debuts, it would take the title of the world’s largest cruise ship, surpassing sister ship Icon of the Seas.
The 250,800-gross-ton vessel will proceed Royal Caribbean’s deal with family-friendly cruising, that includes a mixture of onboard thrills, leisure, and signature experiences, together with an expanded model of the favored “Class 6” waterpark first launched on Icon.
Visitors within the new showcase sailings can start rebooking as of January 30, 2025.
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean Racks Up $3.7 million in earnings for This fall 2024
