Star of the Seas | 4-day trip report on the world’s largest cruise ship
Star of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship; we sailed a four-day voyage on this new ship from Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean invited us to sail on the brand-new Star of the Seas, the sister ship to Icon of the Seas, during a media voyage. We had a great time and this ship is now one of our favorites. Here’s our day-by day report, along with some tips for this new world’s largest cruise ship.
Day 1: Embarkation and first impressions
The drive from Orlando to Port Canaveral took about an hour and was quite pleasant, especially since we timed it to avoid rush hour traffic. As we drove closer to the cruise terminal, we caught our first view of the ship. It’s a massive vessel, dwarfing the other ships around it.
Check-in was smooth, and we were soon boarding the Star of the Seas, where we received a wonderful welcome from the crew.
The ‘Infinite Balcony’ room
Our Infinite Balcony room on Deck 9 had a layout different from a traditional balcony room. It features a large window that converts into a balcony with the push of a button. A sitting area with a table and two swivel chairs can be closed off with a curtain. Another button operates an automatic blind for the large window, which completely darkens the room and helps reduce heat. The room can get warm with the window open and using it as a balcony, even with the curtains closed, so you may not want to leave it open for extended periods.
This configuration also allows for a large sofa. The closet has a unique setup and is located next to the bed, rather than in the hallway across from the bathroom. The bathroom shower seemed larger, featuring a seat and feeling more spacious than those in standard balcony rooms. I’m not sure which cabin type I prefer yet, but my husband Matt favors the Infinite Balcony room over a regular balcony. He says it’s the best of both — a larger room when not using the space as a balcony, but also a balcony that allows you to easily speak with anyone in the cabin — whereas regular balcony cabins have a soundproof door to the outside.
Exploring the ship
After unpacking, we checked in at our muster station. We walked around, grabbed a coffee from Starbucks on Deck 5, and then checked in at the media desk. We made a few necessary bookings, caught up with some friends, and made a few new ones.
I took a tour of the Vitality Spa on Deck 14 forward, which is massive. It offers a wide range of massage and facial treatments. The salon provides various hair and nail services, as well as teeth whitening. An acupuncturist and a med-spa are also available onboard. They also have freshly pressed juices and smoothies to purchase, which are a perfect post-treatment refreshment.
Evening activities
That late afternoon, we returned to our room to get ready for a media cocktail party hosted by our public relations representatives. It was great to connect with fellow media members.
For dinner, we went to AquaDome Market outside the AquaTheater. It’s a series of walk-up stations, like a food court. I particularly enjoy the feta Mediterranean station, which is always fresh and delicious. There are also curry, barbecue, and crêpe counters, offering plenty of choices. A drink station is available, and the nearby Rye and Bean bar is a personal favorite for its great mocktails and coffee drinks for Matt.
After dinner, we headed to the dueling pianos bar to listen to some fun and talented musicians, one of whom even beatboxed. The atmosphere is great, but it can get crowded, so arriving early is recommended if you want a seat.
We left a bit early to make it to the ice skating show, “Sol.” It was an amazing show, full of excitement. The music spans various genres, so there is something for everyone. We highly recommend booking it before your cruise to secure your preferred time. We also suggest bringing a light jacket or sweater, as the theater can be a bit cold. After the show, we called it a night.
Day 2: Perfect Day at CocoCay and a zero-gravity massage
We started our day with coffee and tea from Starbucks before heading to the Surfside Cafe on Deck 8 for breakfast. They offer items like eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns, along with an assortment of breads and pastries. It is known as a kid-friendly option, but adults will enjoy it too.
We spent some time walking around Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. It was fun, but as it was a hot August day, we decided to return to the ship for lunch in the air-conditioned Windjammer buffet. After lunch, we continued exploring the ship and taking pictures. It’s a fun, huge ship with so much to do and see.
We had some mocktails at the Rye and Bean bar and explored a bit more before my spa appointment. I checked in at the spa desk and was escorted to the relaxation room, where I filled out a questionnaire on an iPad. My massage therapist, Rachel, then came to get me. Before the treatment, she provided a consultation to discuss which areas to concentrate on.
The treatment itself was a unique zero-gravity massage. The massage is performed on a table that moves, which is beneficial for circulation and tension relief, as it allows the therapist to focus on certain areas from different angles. I enjoyed it and felt my muscles completely relax. Afterward, I got another juice from the juice bar. Meanwhile, Matt went with friends to experience one of two escape rooms. They loved it. (Read Matt’s review of the Star of the Seas escape rooms.)
After a fun-filled day, I returned to my room to get ready for dinner. We decided on a quick dinner at Feta Mediterranean in the AquaDome Market again. We love that area and its food.
Then it was time for one of the things we were most excited for, “Back to the Future The Musical.” We hadn’t yet seen it on land (the show on the ship is a counterpart to the Broadway musical), so we arrived early and grabbed front-row seats. It was amazing! From talking to friends who had seen it on land, not much was missing. Some of the lyrics to the songs were shorted, but all the props were there, and yes, there was a flying DeLorean on stage. Don’t miss this when you sail.
Day 3: Executive insights and evening entertainment
After a quick stop at Starbucks and breakfast at the Windjammer, we attended a meeting at the comedy club with Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley. During the meeting, he answered questions, and they also brought out the Chief Dog Officer, Sailor, who is a loving puppy and a favorite among the crew. Sailor stole the show! She has the perfect temperament for her job and is so much fun to meet.
Some highlights from the meeting include:
- A Royal Beach Club in Nassau and two others will open around the world.
- 90% of all Royal Caribbean sailings in the Caribbean will stop at either Perfect Day at Coco Cay or the Royal Beach Club.
- The demand for shorter cruises is on the rise.
- The differences between Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are in the details, improvements, décor, colors, entertainment, and some dining options.
- Royal Caribbean has started to refer to itself as an entertainment company, noting it has the tallest waterslide in North America and Broadway-style shows.
- They announced the new Godmother for the Star of the Seas: Kellie Gerardi, Commercial Astronaut and Bioastronautics Researcher.
We also attended a panel on the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the ship’s entertainment. A wide array of entertainment and activities are available, including:
Shows: “Back to the Future The Musical,” “Torque” at the AquaTheater, “Sol” (ice show), and the “Ocean Odyssey Parade.”
Live music: Dueling Pianos, a Stowaway Piano Player, the Schooner Bar, and the Lincoln Park Supper Club.
Performers: Headliner acts and a lineup of Royal Caribbean comedians.
Activities: Nightclubs, trivia, game shows (including “The Price is Right”), two different escape rooms, and various dance parties.
Kids’ activities: Family Field Day, “Away Time” puppet show, and a Father-Daughter Dance.
Sports deck: Rock walls, slides, the FlowRider surf simulator, mini-golf, pickleball, basketball, ice skating, and the Crown’s Edge.
After the presentation, we had lunch at The Pearl. We also sampled food from a few other specialty (extra-cost) restaurants that were offering tastings for this special sailing. It made us wish for a longer cruise to try more of the dining options.
Matt went to explore the ship and try some of the onboard experiences while I returned to the room to get some work done, take a nap, and do some packing.
After cleaning up, we had dinner in the Main Dining Room on Deck 4. The food was good; I had garlic buttered shrimp with rice and a vegetable medley. The wait staff was fun and engaging, dancing to Caribbean-themed music.
We caught up with friends at the Thorn and Thistle, an English-style pub on the Deck 5 Promenade, before leaving to get seats for “Torque.” This water show features high-diving, dancing, and stunts loosely inspired by car racing movies and music. I loved it, even though I had to cover my eyes during some of the daredevil acts. The acts are similar to the aqua show on the Icon of the Seas, but with different music and theming.
We then walked around the ship, taking photos of the lights and sights. The ship is just as beautiful at night as it is during the day. We ended the night with some chamomile tea and dessert at The Pearl before returning to our cabin.
Day 4: Disembarkation
We woke up and got ready early. A tip for disembarkation day: breakfast service ends early, so be sure to get there in time.
We disembarked the ship before 9 a.m. The process was very easy, with facial recognition technology speeding up our passage through customs.
Overall, the Star of the Seas is a great new addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet. Alongside its sister ship, the Icon of the Seas, it is the largest cruise ship in the world. With so much to offer, there truly is something for everyone on this massive city at sea.
For more coverage from onboard Star of the Seas, check out our video tours of the different areas of the ship and Matt’s review of the ship’s escape rooms.
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