Star of the Seas: Size, Features, Cost & Family Tips (2025)

A second Icon-class ship is finally here, and for families planning a 2025–2026 vacation, the choice between Star of the Seas and its older sibling is more about homeport than hardware. With a gross tonnage of 250,800 and capacity for 5,610 passengers, Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel from Port Canaveral mirrors Icon of the Seas in nearly every measurable spec — yet it arrives with a few surprises of its own.

Ship Class: Icon-class ·
First Sailing: 2025 ·
Homeport: Port Canaveral, Florida ·
Passenger Capacity: 5,610 (double occupancy) ·
Gross Tonnage: 250,800 GT ·
Operator: Royal Caribbean International

Nine key specs at a glance — the numbers that define this new Icon-class vessel.

The pattern: these specs confirm Star of the Seas is a near-twin to Icon of the Seas, with the homeport as the primary differentiator.

Is Star of the Seas the largest cruise ship in the world?

No — that title still belongs to Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024. Star of the Seas is the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, and despite sharing the same 248,663 gross tons (Eat Sleep Cruise (cruise planning site)), it trails its older sibling by a few months and a few thousand passengers. The implication: size alone does not define this ship’s value proposition.

How does Star of the Seas compare to Icon of the Seas in size?

The two ships are nearly identical in every major dimension: both carry 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, feature 20 decks, 8 neighborhoods, and 7 pools (Eat Sleep Cruise (cruise planning site)). The biggest difference? Homeport. Star of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral, about 60 miles from Walt Disney World, while Icon of the Seas operates from Port Miami (Cruise Critic (industry review authority)).

• Both ships: 248,663 GT, 5,610 passengers, 20 decks, 8 neighborhoods.
• Icon of the Seas: 9 hot tubs; Star of the Seas: 10 hot tubs.
• Both have over 40 dining venues and a Category 6 waterpark (Eat Sleep Cruise (cruise planning site)).

One small divergence, one pattern: the extra hot tub is a minor detail, but for families that prioritize the “world’s largest” bragging right, Icon of the Seas keeps the crown — at least until a third Icon-class ship arrives. What this means: homeport logistics, not size, should drive your decision between these twins.

What is the tonnage and capacity of Star of the Seas?

Gross tonnage stands at 250,800 GT (the commonly reported number from Royal Caribbean’s fleet material; Wikipedia lists 248,663 GT for the class). Maximum double occupancy is 5,610 passengers, with a total certified capacity including crew of roughly 7,600 (Cruise Critic (industry review authority)).

Eight hotels’ worth of passengers on one hull — that’s roughly the population of a small town. The catch: more capacity means more queues at peak dining hours, but Royal Caribbean has invested in multiple main dining rooms and specialty venues to spread the load.

What makes Star of the Seas a special family cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean markets the Icon class as “the world’s best family vacation,” and Star of the Seas delivers on that promise with a lineup of activities designed to keep every age group entertained for a week. From the Category 6 waterpark with six slides to a dedicated kids’ club, the ship is built around multi-generational travel (Eat Sleep Cruise (cruise planning site)). The pattern: this ship aims to eliminate the “what do we do now” question entirely.

What onboard activities and entertainment does Star of the Seas offer?

Highlights include the FlowRider surf simulator, an ice-skating rink, a full-size sports court, and live theater productions. The ship has 20 decks, with the top deck dominated by pools and the waterpark. Evening entertainment ranges from a two-story nightclub to a comedy club (Eat Sleep Cruise (cruise planning site)).

• Seven pools, including a cantilevered infinity pool.
• Category 6 waterpark with six water slides.
• FlowRider surf simulator.
• Ice-skating rink and laser tag.
• Adventure Ocean kids’ program for ages 3–12.

The implication: even the most active family will struggle to exhaust the options in a single week.

What family-friendly amenities does it include?

Beyond the splash zones, the ship offers a nursery for infants (6–36 months), a teen lounge, and family cabins that connect. The new “Surfside” neighborhood is designed for young families, with a carousel, a kids’ buffet, and splash pad (Eat Sleep Cruise (cruise planning site)). What this means: a three-generation group can split up during the day and reunite at dinner — a setup that few other cruise lines match at this scale.

Which foods should you avoid on a cruise, according to cruise experts?

No food on a cruise ship is technically “bad,” but seasoned cruisers and food safety experts point to five items that are worth skipping — not because they taste bad, but because of preparation methods or hygiene risks. The pattern: foods that sit out for long periods or involve raw ingredients present the highest gamble on a buffet line.

Why should you avoid scrambled eggs at a cruise buffet?

Buffet scrambled eggs are often made from powdered egg mix or held on a steam table for extended periods. The texture can be rubbery, and the risk of bacterial growth increases if the holding temperature drops below 140°F. Many cruisers also avoid them because they tend to be bland compared to eggs cooked fresh at the omelet station.

What five items do experienced cruisers skip?

• Buffet scrambled eggs — often powdered or dried out.
• Raw shellfish — if not chilled properly, can cause food poisoning.
• Soft-serve ice cream — machines can be breeding grounds for bacteria if not cleaned daily.
• Salad bar items — pre-cut greens and dressings can sit at unsafe temperatures.
• Pre-cut fruit — similar exposure risk; choose whole fruit instead.

These suggestions come from veteran cruisers and are echoed by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which inspects cruise ship food handling. The implication: stick to cooked-to-order options and whole fruits for safer dining.

Can a person live full-time on a cruise ship for $30,000 per year?

The idea of ditching rent and moving onto a cruise ship sounds romantic, but $30,000 per year works out to about $82 per day — which may barely cover an inside cabin on an older, less popular ship, excluding port fees, gratuities, and alcohol. For a ship like Star of the Seas, the math is steeper. The catch: a modern megaship is not designed for permanent residency on that budget.

What is the actual cost of living on a cruise ship?

• Industry estimates for monthly cruise living range from $2,000 to $3,000+ per person for a basic inside cabin on a mainstream line (Cruise Critic (industry review authority)).
• Star of the Seas inside cabins start at roughly $200/night — that’s $6,000/month.
• Add gratuities (currently $16–$18 per person per night), drinks packages, and shore excursions, and a monthly total easily exceeds $7,000.

Are there budget-friendly long-term cruise options?

Some smaller lines, like Peace Boat or certain repositioning cruises, offer lower daily rates. But a modern megaship like Star of the Seas is not designed for permanent residency — the cost is simply too high for a $30,000 annual budget. What this means: if you truly want to live at sea, look at world cruises on older ships or cargo ship travel, where daily rates can fall to $80–$120.

What does the phrase “washy washy” mean on a cruise ship?

“Washy washy” is the cheerful call crew members use at buffet entrances to remind guests to sanitize their hands. It’s not medical jargon — it’s a friendly, sing-song way to enforce hygiene without lecturing. The phrase is common across many cruise lines, not exclusive to Royal Caribbean (Cruise Critic (industry review authority)). The pattern: this quirk is one of those charming details that first-time cruisers either love or find annoying.

Why do crew members use this term?

The repetition of “washy” makes it memorable, especially for children, and the playful tone reduces resistance. It’s a lighthearted nudge that helps maintain norovirus prevention standards. For first-time cruisers, it’s one of those charming quirks that people either love or find annoying — but it works.

What are the published itineraries for Star of the Seas in 2026?

Star of the Seas sails year-round from Port Canaveral on 7-night cruises. The 2026 schedule includes Eastern and Western Caribbean routes (Vincent Cruises (travel booking resource)). The implication: Royal Caribbean is betting on Central Florida’s drive-in market for sustained demand.

Where does Star of the Seas sail from?

Exclusively Port Canaveral, Florida — a deliberate choice to capture the Central Florida tourism market.

What destinations does it visit?

• Eastern Caribbean: stops in the Bahamas (including Perfect Day at CocoCay), St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee (Vincent Cruises (travel booking resource)).
• Western Caribbean: visits Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatán (Cruise Critic (industry review authority)).

For the most current schedule and pricing, visit Royal Caribbean’s official booking site.

Quotes from the source plan

Star of the Seas is the world’s best family vacation.

— Royal Caribbean press release

Verified class, tonnage, and capacity data for the second Icon-class ship.

— Wikipedia article on Star of the Seas

For families weighing a 2025–2026 Caribbean cruise, the decision is not about which ship is bigger — it’s about which homeport saves you a flight. Star of the Seas delivers nearly everything Icon of the Seas does, with the added bonus of an Orlando drive-in departure. The cost of living on board full-time remains prohibitive for most budgets, but for a one-week vacation, the value per dollar is high. The implication: for families in the U.S. Southeast and Gulf states, the choice is clear — book Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral, or fly to Miami for Icon of the Seas. The experience will be nearly identical, but one saves you airfare and a rental car.

For those wanting more technical details, the ship’s detailed Icon-Class specifications offer a deeper understanding of how this vessel compares to its predecessor.

Frequently asked questions