Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon Class vessel and now one of the largest cruise ships in the world, is more than a headline-grabbing mega‑ship.
It is a dense, carefully choreographed floating resort that combines record-setting thrills, resort-style relaxation and an almost overwhelming variety of food and entertainment.
With the ship now sailing regular Caribbean itineraries from Florida, potential guests are rightly asking what the onboard experience is really like, beyond the marketing slogans.
This in-depth review looks at the atmosphere, accommodations, dining, entertainment, outdoor spaces and practical details so you know what to expect when you step aboard Star of the Seas.
First Impressions & Overall Atmosphere
Walking onto Star of the Seas for the first time feels less like boarding a traditional cruise ship and more like entering a compact, vertical city.
The Icon Class design centers on distinct “neighborhoods,” each with a different mood, from adrenaline zones and family hubs to serene adults-only retreats.
That structure means that even though the ship is enormous, the experience is broken up into manageable zones, helping it feel navigable after the first day or two.
Guests typically embark into the Royal Promenade, anchored by the striking multi-deck “Pearl” art and engineering feature and flanked by bars, cafes and retail. Overhead lighting and kinetic design elements give this central artery a contemporary city-at-night feel.
The sound level can be high here, particularly during sailaway and evening events, but quieter corners exist just steps away in adjacent venues.
The passenger mix on early sailings has skewed heavily toward families and multigenerational groups, with a noticeable presence of repeat Royal Caribbean loyalists eager to try the newest hardware. School holiday periods are very busy, while shoulder-season sailings draw more couples and friend groups.
Despite the size of the ship, crew-to-guest interaction remains strong, and early feedback from passengers has highlighted friendly service in dining rooms and bars and responsive housekeeping.
The overall vibe is casual and upbeat rather than formal. Dress codes are relaxed: most evenings are “resort casual,” with perhaps one suggested “dress your best” night in the main dining room on a seven-night itinerary.
Traditionalists looking for ocean-liner elegance may find the constant buzz a bit much, but travelers who enjoy high-energy resorts with lots of activity will feel immediately at home.
Staterooms & Suites: Where You Sleep and Recharge
Given the ship’s ambitious public spaces, cabins on Star of the Seas serve as calm retreats more than destinations in themselves.
The accommodations range from efficient interior staterooms to sprawling multi-level suites, with a new emphasis on family-friendly layouts and balconies that connect you visually to the outdoor neighborhoods and the sea.
Standard Cabins: Interiors, Oceanviews and Balconies
Standard cabins on Star of the Seas are in line with recent Royal Caribbean designs: compact but cleverly arranged, with an emphasis on storage, neutral palettes and indirect lighting.
Interior rooms are the most affordable option and work well for guests who expect to spend most of their waking hours in public areas.
Beds can be configured as twins or converted into a Royal King, with a sofa or Pullman berths in many rooms for additional guests.
Oceanview cabins add a picture window, useful for travelers who want natural light without paying balcony premiums. Balconies continue to be the sweet spot for many passengers.
On Star of the Seas, you will find both traditional ocean-facing balconies and “neighborhood” balconies that look inward over Surfside or other public zones.
These inside-facing balconies provide constant people-watching and atmosphere but can be noisier during peak hours, so light sleepers should keep this in mind when choosing a cabin.
Family-Focused Staterooms
One of the defining features of Icon Class is its emphasis on family accommodations, and Star of the Seas follows suit with multiple room types specifically tailored to parents traveling with children.
Family Infinite Balcony rooms and Surfside Family Suites are designed to keep everyone close while carving out a modest amount of personal space.
Infinite Balcony cabins use a floor-to-ceiling window that can fully or partially open, converting the sitting area into a quasi-balcony without the traditional exterior door. Families appreciate the additional square footage and flexible seating area.
However, these cabins tend to command higher prices than standard balconies, and early booking data suggests that demand remains strong even at elevated rates.
Surfside Family Suites are positioned near the Surfside neighborhood, so families can move easily between splash zones, casual eateries and their rooms. These suites typically include bunk or alcove sleeping arrangements for kids, a split bathroom concept, and child-friendly design touches.
The convenience is real: if your main goal is to minimize transit time between your room and family activities, this is one of the best-located options on the ship.
Suite Neighborhood & High-End Options
At the top end, Star of the Seas features a dedicated suite neighborhood with its own lounge, restaurant and pool area.
Suite accommodations, from Junior Suites up to the showpiece multi-story family suites, are significantly more spacious and come with elevated amenities such as concierge service, priority embarkation and tendering, and better access to specialty dining reservations.
Early reviewers have praised the overall suite experience, particularly for guests who value a quieter pool area and reduced friction when dining or attending shows.
Upgrading to Sky or Star Class is not inexpensive, but for travelers celebrating major milestones or those who put a premium on privacy and service, the difference in feel between the suite enclave and the rest of the vessel is noticeable.
Dining & Drinks: Forty Ways to Eat and Sip
Star of the Seas has leaned heavily into the concept of culinary variety. The ship features more than 40 venues to eat and drink, including 17 included restaurants and over 20 bars and lounges.
For many guests, dining is where the ship most clearly lives up to its promise of being a “world’s best family vacation,” offering everything from fast-casual tacos and pizza to white-tablecloth suppers and late-night dessert bars.
Main Dining Room & Complimentary Options
The ship’s multi-level main dining room remains the centerpiece for traditional cruise dinners. Guests can choose between set-time seatings and more flexible “My Time” style arrangements, subject to availability.
Menus rotate nightly, offering international staples alongside vegetarian and lighter options. Feedback from early sailings has generally noted hot, timely service and a quality level similar to or slightly above other recent Royal Caribbean flagships.
Complimentary alternatives are plentiful. The Windjammer Marketplace buffet presents extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner spreads, often themed by cuisine and featuring live stations.
Crowds can spike at peak times, especially on sea days, so off-peak dining or seeking out smaller satellite buffets can reduce lines.
Newer complimentary venues that debuted on the first Icon Class ship reappear here: Surfside Eatery caters to families with kid-pleasing options and healthier fare, while the AquaDome Market functions as a food hall concept with several small stalls offering varied specialties.
These additional included venues significantly reduce the sense that you must pay extra to eat well.
Specialty Restaurants for Foodies
For travelers who see a cruise as a chance to indulge, Star of the Seas layers on a considerable roster of specialty dining at additional cost.
Chops Grille, a Royal Caribbean steakhouse staple, returns with premium cuts and a clubby atmosphere. Coastal Kitchen, reserved for suite guests and some loyalty tiers, serves Mediterranean-inspired menus in a more intimate setting.
Other venues, which can vary slightly by sailing, include high-end tasting-menu concepts, family-friendly themed restaurants and chef-driven experiences built around particular cuisines.
Early reviews indicate that these restaurants deliver a step up in both presentation and ingredient quality over complimentary options, as expected, though reservations can be difficult to secure if you wait until boarding to book.
Whether specialty dining is “worth it” depends largely on expectations and budget. With 17 included restaurants already in the fare, you are not compelled to pay extra for meals, but food-focused travelers will likely want to sample at least one or two specialty dinners for variety and a more leisurely experience.
Bars, Cafes and Late-Night Bites
Beverage venues on Star of the Seas are designed to be experiences in themselves. Rye & Bean is a hybrid coffee shop and cocktail bar, serving upscale espresso drinks by day and coffee-inflected cocktails by night.
The AquaDome and Royal Promenade house multiple lounges with live music, from jazz and piano bars to more contemporary club-style spaces.
The ship introduces lobby-focused bars that encourage lingering in the central areas with well-crafted drinks rather than simple throughput service. Guests on early voyages have highlighted the quality of classic cocktails and the range of nonalcoholic options.
Beverage packages remain popular, especially on itineraries heavy on sea days where guests expect to spend more time at the pool bars and lounges.
Late-night food, crucial on a ship where entertainment frequently runs into the small hours, is handled by a mix of pizza, grab-and-go bites and snack counters.
Expect to find something edible without a long search until well past midnight, though offerings are more limited than at prime mealtimes.
Thrills, Pools & Relaxation Zones
Star of the Seas is built around the idea that every member of a traveling party should be able to find their preferred way to spend a day at sea.
That philosophy plays out in its outdoor decks and activity spaces, where record-breaking water slides, surf simulators, kid zones and adults-only pools coexist in distinct neighborhoods.
Category 6 Waterpark & High-Octane Attractions
One of the headline amenities on Star of the Seas is Category 6, billed as the largest waterpark at sea. The complex brings together six major slides, including family raft rides, side-by-side racing slides and extreme drop and free-fall experiences that tower nearly 50 feet above the deck.
Designed originally for Icon of the Seas, the concept has been replicated here, with tweaks informed by guest flow and safety observations.
The atmosphere at Category 6 is decidedly energetic. Lines build quickly on sea days and warm port afternoons, so hitting the park early in the morning or later in the day can significantly cut wait times.
Many guests report that even non-thrill-seekers enjoy watching the spectacle from nearby decks, thanks to colored slide tubes that wind dramatically over the side of the ship.
Complementing Category 6 are other free activities that have become Royal Caribbean hallmarks: the FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing walls, mini-golf and sports courts.
Some more technical attractions and specialty experiences, such as the over-water Crown’s Edge ropes course or escape room games, carry additional fees but add another layer of choice for adventure-oriented travelers.
Pools for Every Mood
Icon Class ships are built around the idea of “pools for every mood,” and Star of the Seas delivers with multiple freshwater pools and numerous whirlpools scattered across several decks.
Royal Bay, one of the largest pools at sea, anchors the main pool deck with ample in-water lounging, surrounding daybeds and adjacent bars.
Nearby, Swim & Tonic functions as a lively swim-up bar pool, often with upbeat music and a social atmosphere. Cloud 17 offers a more serene, adults-only terrace, elevated from the main deck activity and featuring its own bar.
The Cove Pool, with its infinity edge and sea views, caters to guests who want to feel more connected to the ocean without being in the middle of the action.
Finding loungers can be a challenge during prime midday hours, particularly on sea days. The ship’s design includes multiple tiered decks and secondary pool areas to spread crowds, but chair saving appears to remain a reality at busy times.
Early-rising guests and those willing to sit one or two rows back from the waterline generally fare better.
Surfside: All-Day Family Hangout
For families with younger children, Surfside is arguably the most important neighborhood onboard. This open-air, multideck area clusters together a kids’ splash zone, baby splash pad, a family pool, casual dining venues and quick-service snack spots.
The concept is “stay all day”: parents can rotate between pool time, playgrounds, nap breaks in nearby cabins and easy-access meals without traversing the length of the ship.
A kid-friendly carousel, family amusements and character appearances round out the offerings. Parents on early sailings have appreciated the ability to keep children entertained in a single, well-contained area with relatively straightforward sightlines, reducing the stress of managing kids in crowded main-pool environments.
Noise levels in Surfside can be high, and the energy level remains elevated from late morning through early evening. Guests seeking tranquility are better served in the Hideaway or adults-only zones, while families will likely find this area a primary base of operations.
The Hideaway & Adults-Only Escapes
The Hideaway is the ship’s beach-club-inspired retreat suspended high above the wake. Its centerpiece is a suspended infinity pool, surrounded by tiered sun decks, whirlpools and a dedicated bar.
Music, cocktails and panoramic ocean views combine to create a day-party atmosphere that appeals particularly to adults and older teens.
Elsewhere, adults-only sections, including the elevated Cloud 17 area, provide spaces where families are less central and the tone is more relaxed. These zones are not fully secluded, but they offer welcome respite from the busiest family hubs and waterpark activities.
Guests looking for spa-level serenity, however, will want to head indoors to the Vitality Spa and thermal suites.
Entertainment, Nightlife & Onboard Programming
Even by big-ship standards, Star of the Seas boasts an ambitious entertainment slate.
Royal Caribbean has long invested heavily in large-scale production shows, and this ship is no exception, blending aquatic, ice and theater performances with smaller live music venues and interactive events across the vessel.
AquaDome Shows & Spectaculars
High on the ship, the AquaDome serves as both a daytime lounge space with a dramatic waterfall feature and a nighttime venue for some of the most technically complex shows at sea.
The dedicated aqua theater inside features a transformable pool, robotic arms and advanced projection systems that allow for acrobatic water shows, synchronized diving and multimedia storytelling.
Evening aquashows quickly become hot tickets, and guests are strongly advised to reserve performance times via the cruise line’s app or pre-cruise planning tools.
The visual spectacle is substantial enough that even travelers who rarely attend onboard shows often make an exception here, describing the experience as closer to a Las Vegas or theme-park production than a typical cruise revue.
Main Theater & Headline Musicals
The main theater hosts a mix of resident production shows and licensed Broadway or West End style musicals. On Star of the Seas, this includes a marquee musical built around nostalgic pop-culture themes, complete with elaborate set pieces and special effects. There are also shorter variety shows featuring guest vocalists, comedians and specialty acts.
Production values are high, with sophisticated lighting, sound and staging that benefit from lessons learned on earlier mega-ships.
Evening showtimes are usually scheduled to accommodate both early and late diners, though on full sailings, some performances do reach capacity, making reservations or early arrival a smart strategy.
Ice Shows, Live Music & Smaller Venues
Royal Caribbean’s signature ice rink returns here under a new name, Absolute Zero, hosting both open-skate sessions and choreographed ice shows that blend athletic skating with theatrical storytelling.
Seats at these events are in demand, and many guests list them among the most memorable parts of the cruise.
Beyond the big-ticket productions, Star of the Seas pulses with live music in smaller venues: a dueling pianos bar, jazz lounge, pop cover bands in the promenade and acoustic sets in more intimate corners.
Trivia, game shows, karaoke and interactive events round out the programming. Guests inclined to stay out late will find no shortage of activity, though families with early bedtimes can easily focus on earlier performances and still feel they have experienced the entertainment core.
Wellness, Kids’ Clubs & Practical Tips
With so much focus on headline attractions, it is easy to overlook the quieter infrastructure that supports a smooth cruise: children’s programs, fitness facilities, spa services and crowd management.
On a ship of this scale, those elements can make the difference between a thrilling vacation and a stressful one.
Adventure Ocean & Teen Spaces
Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary kids’ club program, occupies purpose-built spaces tailored to different age groups.
Children are divided into cohorts with age-appropriate activities, crafts and supervised play, allowing parents some adults-only time while kids make new friends. Counselors are typically praised for their energy and professionalism, and spaces are modern and well equipped.
For teenagers, Social020 and other teen-designed hangouts offer a mix of video games, music, events and loosely structured programming. Teens can choose between organized activities and just spending time with peers in a supervised but low-pressure environment.
The combination of dedicated teen venues and high-profile attractions like the waterpark and surf simulator makes Star of the Seas particularly appealing for families with older kids.
Fitness, Spa & Wellness
The Vitality at Sea fitness center is a sizable, glass-fronted gym stocked with modern cardio and strength equipment, offering sea views to go with your workout.
Group fitness classes such as cycling, yoga and boot camps are available, some complimentary and some for a fee.
The adjacent spa provides a full menu of treatments, from massages and facials to salon services. Thermal suite passes grant access to heated loungers, saunas, steam rooms and other relaxation facilities, which can be a welcome escape from the lively public decks.
As with many large ships, spa pricing is on the higher side, but port-day specials and package deals can improve value.
Crowds, Navigation & Planning Ahead
On a ship that can carry several thousand guests, crowd management is inherently challenging. Star of the Seas uses neighborhood zoning, multiple dining venues and show reservations to disperse passengers, but you will still encounter pinch points, particularly around embarkation, disembarkation, elevators at peak times, and popular buffet and pool areas on sea days.
The cruise line’s mobile app is an essential tool onboard, allowing you to make show and dining reservations, check daily schedules and often manage your account without visiting guest services in person.
Guests who plan their days around less-busy time slots tend to report smoother experiences. For example, attending a late-seating AquaDome show, eating lunch slightly before or after noon, or visiting Category 6 early in the morning can noticeably reduce waiting.
For budget-conscious travelers, it is worth noting that pricing for Star of the Seas, particularly in its early seasons, has trended higher than older ships on similar routes.
Casino offers, last-minute deals and shoulder-season sailings can mitigate this, but travelers primarily seeking the lowest fare per night may find better value on smaller or older vessels.
The Takeaway
Star of the Seas is, in almost every respect, the embodiment of Royal Caribbean’s strategy for the next decade: larger, more neighborhood-focused ships that treat the vessel as the main attraction.
For families and groups who love choice, activity and spectacle, this ship offers an extraordinary amount to see and do, often surpassing even high expectations set by its sister vessels.
It is not, however, a one-size-fits-all proposition. Travelers who prize quiet contemplation, intimate dining and a close, traditional connection to the sea may feel that the scale and constant motion come at the expense of intimacy and simplicity.
Those who thrive in high-energy resort environments, enjoy planning and do not mind using technology to book shows and dining will likely find Star of the Seas to be among the most impressive vacations at sea currently available.
Ultimately, what the experience is like onboard comes down to how well your expectations match the ship’s design. If you arrive ready to embrace its neighborhoods, lean into its busy programming and selectively carve out your own quiet moments, Star of the Seas can live up to its bold billing as a new benchmark in big-ship cruising.
FAQ
Q1. Is Star of the Seas really the largest cruise ship in the world?
Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships currently sailing, part of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, which holds records for size and passenger capacity. Exact rankings can shift as new ships debut, but it sits firmly among the top tier of mega-ships worldwide.
Q2. What kind of traveler is Star of the Seas best suited for?
The ship best suits families, multigenerational groups and couples who enjoy large, activity-rich resorts with lots of entertainment, dining variety and high-energy public spaces. Travelers seeking quiet, small-ship intimacy may find it overwhelming.
Q3. Do I have to pay extra to enjoy the main attractions?
Many headline activities, including Category 6 water slides, main pools, the FlowRider surf simulator, mini-golf and most shows, are included in the fare. Some experiences, such as certain thrill attractions, escape rooms and specialty dining venues, carry additional charges.
Q4. How far in advance should I book shows and dining?
For peak-season sailings, it is wise to reserve major shows and specialty restaurants as soon as they open in the cruise line’s planning system or app. Onboard, you should secure remaining times within the first day or two, especially for AquaDome shows and popular restaurants.
Q5. Is Star of the Seas a good choice for young children?
Yes. The Surfside neighborhood, Adventure Ocean kids’ club, splash zones and family-friendly dining options make the ship particularly attractive for families with young kids. Parents should, however, be prepared for high energy levels and busy public spaces.
Q6. How does Star of the Seas handle crowds?
The ship uses neighborhood zoning, multiple dining venues and a reservations system for shows to spread guests around. While bottlenecks still occur at peak times, especially around pools and buffets on sea days, planning your schedule around less-busy windows can greatly improve the experience.
Q7. Are there quiet places to relax away from the action?
Yes. Adults-only areas such as Cloud 17, the Hideaway, certain lounges during daytime hours and the spa’s thermal suite offer calmer environments. Early mornings and later evenings on outer decks can also be surprisingly peaceful, even on busy sailings.
Q8. What is the dress code like onboard?
The overall dress code is relaxed resort casual. Daytime attire is typical pool and resort wear, while evenings usually call for smart-casual outfits. There may be one or two “dress your best” nights, but formal wear is optional rather than required.
Q9. Is a balcony cabin worth the extra cost on Star of the Seas?
For many guests, having a private outdoor space to retreat to after busy days on deck is a major benefit, especially on such a large and active ship. Those who plan to spend most of their time in public areas or are on a strict budget may be comfortable with interior or oceanview cabins instead.
Q10. How can I keep costs under control on such a feature-packed ship?
Booking outside peak holidays, watching for promotions, limiting specialty dining and drink package purchases, and focusing on the ship’s many included attractions can keep overall vacation costs in check while still allowing you to enjoy much of what Star of the Seas offers.