Star of the Seas Assessment: Royal Caribbean’s Grandest Spectacle But – NerdWallet

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the latest within the fleet, formally debuted in August 2025. However even with capability for greater than 7,500 company (plus 2,300 crew members), the very first thing you discover about this large ship shouldn’t be its measurement, it’s the vibrancy.

Each flip reveals one other splash of colour — a larger-than-life mural, a glittering sculpture, or a playful piece of hallway artwork — making the ship really feel like a floating pageant of design throughout its 20 decks and greater than 40 eating places, bars and lounges.

I used to be aboard the inaugural crusing out of Port Canaveral, Florida, which lasted three nights. That was undoubtedly not sufficient time to see or do all of it. That claims loads, coming from somebody who tends to maneuver by means of my travels at lightning pace and usually hates enjoyable.

When it comes to what to see, there’s something vying on your consideration in each nook. You would possibly encounter a whimsical ice cream cone statue standing proudly in a nook or wander down a hallway lined with cheeky, sudden wall artwork and staircases splashed in daring paint as a substitute of the standard beige. It’s a visible sugar rush that hits tougher than the dessert counter on the Windjammer buffet onboard.

I left this ship wanting to come back again to do (and see) much more.

As a result of this was a particular preview voyage, Royal Caribbean coated the prices related to my keep, however that didn’t affect my ideas on this ship.

At 1,196 ft in size (which is sort of the identical size because the Empire State Constructing if it have been turned on its aspect), the Star of the Seas is large. The ship is primarily grouped into one in all eight neighborhoods, a few of that are extra clearly devoted to totally different ages or pursuits than others. They’re:

Although this information received’t cowl every little thing on the ship, right here have been the highlights.

Embarkation and first impressions

Boarding was surprisingly fast — about quarter-hour from curb to ship, because of Royal Caribbean’s app-based pre-check-in. That effectivity issues on a vessel with the inhabitants of a small city.

The primary main area you’ll hit is the Royal Promenade, a futuristic, whimsical “city sq.” type space. It’s dwelling to the crown jewel of the ship’s artwork items: a monumental 45-foot-tall sculpture referred to as The Pearl. This kinetic paintings shimmers like an outsized golf ball sprinkled with glitter.

Then, I headed exterior to the Central Park space, which is an out of doors buying promenade lined with crops — sure, 30,500 actual crops. It is easy to overlook you are at sea while you’re in Central Park.

I stayed in what’s referred to as an Infinite Balcony Cabin, which isn’t an precise exterior balcony. As a substitute, it’s obtained a floor-to-ceiling window that converts right into a “balcony” by opening midway to let in that cool ocean breeze — all on the contact of a button. I really favor it to a standard balcony stateroom as a result of the inside felt extra spacious.

Different intelligent use of area included built-in storage in just about each nook and cranny, fashionable touches like USB-C charging, upgraded lighting and good TVs. Plus, colourful pillows and fabric (like a palm tree print pillow) assist the room look brighter.

Households in search of extra space can go for bigger rooms. The standout of the most important rooms is the Final Household Townhouse — a three-story suite with a slide, cinema room and yard that sleeps eight. It could price $75,000 per week. Price it for ultra-luxury households? Possibly.

For many, inside cabins sometimes begin at lower than half the value of a balcony (or infinite balcony). One of these room is the very best worth in the event you’ll spend most of your time exterior the room anyway.

There are greater than 40 locations to eat or drink onboard, with a mixture of eateries which might be included in your cruise fare, plus some specialty eating (which incur a further price).

Not like smaller ships that may solely have one or two included eating places, this one has about 10 included along with your fare. You could possibly simply do a three-night (or longer) cruise with out feeling such as you missed out by skipping the paid eating places. You’d doubtless solely get uninterested in the free stuff for sailings longer than 5 nights.

I’m a sucker for a meals corridor, and I’m more and more seeing these at sea. (I first fell in love with the cruise meals corridor idea once I sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua ship.)

Royal Caribbean has constructed meals halls earlier than, however Star of the Seas provides in three new stalls which all occurred to be my favorites within the AquaDome Market. Menu gadgets embrace:

Then there’s the Windjammer essential buffet — the most important within the Royal Caribbean fleet.

It’s additionally essentially the most aesthetically pleasing of any Windjammer. Whereas variations of Windjammer on different ships provide weak theming, this one is gorgeous to chill out in. Even the handwashing stations are cute.

It’s a very good eating choice to get just about any sort of meals you need, whether or not that’s a contemporary salad with uncooked veggies and grilled rooster or a virtually limitless array of pastries.

For a sit-down meal, the principle eating room is exceptionally swanky. It’s three tales, which makes for an ethereal really feel.

If you happen to’re interested by a number of the ship’s specialty eating places (which normally incur an additional price), right here have been the standouts from my crusing that felt memorable and definitely worth the value.

This restaurant serves California coast-style meals, together with Baja fish tacos and crunchy mango lime shrimp tostadas. The vibes have been shiny and ethereal, and the fish was higher-quality than what you’ll discover in the principle eating corridor.

It is a reservation-only advantageous eating expertise with a multi-course tasting menu and dwell jazz. I’d undoubtedly ebook this for an adults-only date evening on an extended cruise.

That is dinner and a present rolled into one. My chef was half magician, half stand-up comedian — flipping knives, tossing eggs for individuals to catch of their mouths and maintaining the entire desk laughing.

As with most ships, drinks come at an additional price. On Royal Caribbean, the drinks really feel distinctive and cleverly curated.

As a sucker for an espresso martini, my favorites have been the coffee-infused cocktails at a bar referred to as Rye & Bean. Different highlights included bubbly something at a bar appropriately referred to as Bubbles.

And for bars that mix leisure, Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues and the dueling piano bar (that are discovered on many Royal Caribbean ships within the fleet) additionally have been highlights.

Lots of the ship’s neighborhoods are kid-friendly, they usually’re all ultra-colorful. It virtually looks like the identical individuals who designed Mickey’s Toontown at Disney theme parks moonlit on this ship.

The Surfside neighborhood is a kid-focused space with a small splash space, slides, a carousel (with enjoyable animals to experience together with…a pineapple?).

It’s the spot the place youthful youngsters would hang around — or youngsters of all ages in search of Instagram content material. This space has the largest, boldest visuals, with shiny colours like pinks and purples.

There’s additionally an arcade right here, although video games price additional.

Thrill Island is healthier for older youngsters and thrill-seeking adults. Highlights embrace a ropes course referred to as Crown’s Edge. It’s a white-knuckle, don’t-look-down form of expertise because it actually swings you over the ocean.

Class 6 is the most important water park at sea, with a number of slides together with a raft experience and a mat racing experience.

It additionally contains the return of a favourite attraction on many different Royal Caribbean ships, the FlowRider surf simulator.

The world additionally has just a few different exercise areas like a multi-purpose sports activities courtroom, rock wall and mini golf.

The youngsters’ membership, referred to as Journey Ocean, is large, made up of a number of rooms principally divided by age group.

Its theater was essentially the most lovely cruise ship theater I’ve seen, resembling a forest hideaway full with twinkling lights constructed into the ceiling.

I attempted one of many workshops on the youngsters membership and obtained a kick out of it. The workshop had STEM-focused actions, like constructing blocks of all types for various age teams. There have been loads of video games, together with foosball and an interactive, digital recreation desk. I didn’t stick round as I’m 33 occurring 13, however I can simply see youngsters not wanting to go away.

There are pockets of calm all through the ship, however true tranquility seekers will nonetheless discover the ship’s power relentless.

The Hideaway is an adults-only infinity pool with DJ beats and Ibiza vibes. On the opposite aspect of the ship, there’s one other pool space for ages 16+ referred to as Cloud 17.

Within the Aquadome, there are “Overlook Pods,” particular lounge chairs. It’s my favourite spot on the ship to take a seat, sip a espresso cocktail from Rye & Bean and watch the waves.

The Vitality Spa & Health Heart is 2 tales with Peloton bikes, a bunch health studio and a jogging observe. The cardio machines had portholes as a substitute of sweeping ocean views, which was a slight letdown.

Fares for Star of the Seas fluctuate wildly relying on itinerary and stateroom sort.

At time of writing, a 7-night crusing in a regular balcony cabin begins round $2,400 per individual (assuming two adults per cabin), whereas suites can command $10,000 or extra and that is not together with add-ons like drinks packages, Wi-Fi or specialty eating. Funds vacationers may go for an Inside room for about $1,200 per individual.

That’s about the identical because the Icon of the Seas, its sister ship that debuted in 2024. Although, it may possibly simply price greater than double the value of one in all Royal Caribbean’s older ships, just like the Ovation of the Seas.

However none of that could be a dangerous deal. $1,200 throughout seven nights is lower than $200 per day, and that features your lodging, meals and actions.

Positive, there are specific actions and meals for an upcharge, nevertheless it’s simple to skip them. And every little thing from the meals to design to leisure is top quality on this ship. What’s extra, this ship has way more to do than any of Royal Caribbean’s different ships.

Typically the very best offers are posted straight on Royal Caribbean’s web site, although generally licensed third-party journey companies like Undercover Vacationer provide deeper reductions. It’s additionally obtainable to ebook on factors with sure bank card journey portals.

Star of the Seas: Is it price it?

Star of the Seas is colourful, maximalist and unapologetically showy. If you happen to love the immersive really feel and scale of a theme park, you’ll really feel proper at dwelling right here. It’s a spot the place grandparents can chill out in Central Park whereas the children hit the splash zones and the adults rally for dueling pianos at evening.

Convey your urge for food, your digital camera roll and perhaps a second pair of footwear, since you’re going to need to see all of it.

(High picture by Sally French)