Royal Caribbean welcomed Star of the Seas to the family with a star-worthy celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Joining more than 1,250 crew members and partners were Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty; Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Michael Bayley; and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm. 
After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the keys to the next revolutionary Icon Class ship have been officially handed over to Royal Caribbean, just weeks before its August debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations. Star and Icon Class are a symbol of what is possible when innovation, imagination, and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “We are proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku.”.
The delivery of the new ship marked the transfer between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku and celebrated the incredible engineering feats accomplished during construction, such as the installation of the glass and steel AquaDome, the development of the six record-breaking waterslides, and more. Soon, Star will head from Turku to Cádiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will complete the final touches before setting sail on seven-night adventures in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
“We are proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionize the way families and adventurers vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “It’s a true team effort with many talented people coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we are excited to unveil this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.”.
Star offers more than 40 dining, drinking, and entertainment options in eight neighborhoods, including:
- Thrill Island – Adrenaline junkies can find all kinds of thrills at Category 6, the largest water park at sea with six record-breaking water slides, including slides for families to raft together, the free-fall slide or mats for duo racing; Crown's Edge, part aerial walkway, part thrill ride 47 meters above the ocean; alongside favorites such as the FlowRider surf simulator and the rock climbing wall.
- Chill Island – Three decks high with four pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. With live music and DJs, travelers can enjoy the poolside party and tropical drinks at the Swim & Tonic bar or The Lime & Coconut, just steps away.
- Surfside – Designed for young families, where children and toddlers have plenty of ways to splash around in Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while adults relax nearby in the Water's Edge pool. When it's time for a bite to eat, Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 have menu options for all ages.
- AquaDome – With panoramic ocean views, this oasis of tranquility by day and vibrant party spot by night features a sensory-defying show in the AquaTheater tent with divers, trapeze artists, robots, and more. AquaDome also houses a variety of dining and drinking venues, including the AquaDome Market, the Rye & Bean bar, Hooked Seafood, and The Overlook bar with breathtaking views.
- The Hideaway – Hidden more than 40 meters above the ocean, this adults-only space features an infinity pool suspended offshore, a DJ, a bar, a terrace with hot tubs and uninterrupted ocean views.
Brand favorites complete the vacationer experience, including the floor-to-ceiling Royal Promenade with ocean views and The Pearl, the world's largest kinetic art sculpture; the open-air Central Park with more than 30,500 real plants; the new Lincoln Park Supper Club inspired by 1930s Chicago; convenient pickup windows for sushi, champagne, sparkling wine, and more; accommodations across four decks in the Suite Neighborhood; and amenities in the Grove Suite Sun Deck and the two-level Coastal Kitchen.
Star will also be the company's third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power provision (OPS), Star will further Royal Caribbean Group's journey toward introducing a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035. The vacation brand is also set to deliver its fourth LNG-powered ship with Legend of the Seas, the third Icon Class vacation, which will debut in 2026.
In addition to Star, Royal Caribbean continues to expand its top destinations with the December 2025 debut of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas. The adventures continue with Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027, and an exclusive beach destination in Lelepa in the South Pacific in 2027.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
