The largest cruise ship in the world is soon to welcome a sister ship.

On Tuesday, Royal Caribbean International announced exciting new information about its upcoming second Icon Class ship, named Star of the Seas, which will launch from Port Canaveral, Florida, in August 2025.

According to Jay Schneider, the chief product innovation officer and senior vice president of Royal Caribbean Group, it was a natural fit to bring the best family vacations to one of the top family vacation spots.

The features on the new ship will expand on the successful elements introduced with the Icon of the Seas, which made its debut in January, with additional enhancements.

“This class is progressing quickly, leaving us little time to make adjustments,” Schneider remarked. “We aimed to gather insights on what worked well on Icon as we plan for Star.”

Which destinations will Star of the Seas visit?

This 5,610-passenger ship will offer week-long Caribbean voyages to locations including Basseterre in St. Kitts and Nevis, Cozumel in Mexico, and San Juan in Puerto Rico. Every journey will also feature a stop at Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

What experiences will passengers enjoy?

Like its sister ship, Star will feature many of the same amenities, such as the thrilling Category 6 water park, the stunning AquaDome, which is crafted from glass and steel, and an adults-only lounge and pool area called the Hideaway. In addition, guests can choose from more than 40 dining and drinking establishments.

Both Star and Icon will boast 20 decks and stretch 1,196 feet long, surpassing Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, which has 18 decks and measures 1,188 feet.

However, Star will showcase fresh interpretations of features introduced with Icon, like the Empire Supper Club, which will now be a 1930s Chicago-themed venue known as the Lincoln Park Supper Club. Schneider noted that this “eatertainment” concept was always meant to evolve.

“So, while Icon is themed around New York, Star will take inspiration from Chicago, and we plan to create a Hollywood-themed experience for the yet-to-be-named third ship in this class,” he added. “We’re following the sun as we develop this class of ships.”

The cruise line will also tweak certain family-oriented programs, including its Adventure Ocean kids club. While they continue to provide advanced gaming options, kids have expressed interest in classic games like foosball and ping pong. The Surfside area, initially designed for younger children, has proven popular with guests up to 10 years old and will serve a broader age group on Star.

Royal Caribbean is also testing out new cuisines for AquaDome Market, which is the line’s dining venue offering Mediterranean cuisine, crepes, and other dishes on Icon.

Schneider noted that similar to Icon’s furry mascot, Rover the golden retriever, Star will have its own furry friend named Sailor (presumably a golden retriever as well). “Rover will be thrilled to have a sibling, who we hope guests will meet at Perfect Day at CocoCay,” he mentioned.

The cruise line is also introducing new technology onboard. A waterproof bracelet for parents will be available for tracking their kids via the cruise line’s app, following a successful pilot on Icon this summer. Schneider also indicated that facial-recognition stateroom doors are in development and are expected to be trialed on Star.

What Are the Prices for Star of the Seas?

The cost of cruises can fluctuate depending on the sailing date, type of cabin, and various other factors. For 2025, the starting prices for cruises are currently between $1,654 and $1,705 per person, assuming double occupancy. These prices often cover a number of onboard meals, drinks such as standard coffee and lemonade, and additional offerings.