As a yachting journalist, I was hesitant when Royal Caribbean invited me to experience a three-night inaugural Bahamian cruise aboard Star of the Seas, its newest flagship that sleeps 8,000 guests. My aim was to find a quiet corner and a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc before a dip in the sea – but would that be possible on the world’s (joint) largest cruise ship?
Star of the Seas is the length of three football pitches and is the second vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class. According to senior vice-president Jay Schneider, neither ship was designed to be the world’s biggest, but “the best family vacation.” With two more ships in build, each costing around £1.5bn, and 7.5 million people choosing to sail with the brand in 2025, it must be doing something right.
Water access comes from seven swimming pools, including the largest ever built on a cruise ship. My husband mandated that we first sample the top deck Category 6 waterpark with the world’s tallest at-sea water slide. As I screamed down the gaudy pink and green tubes, I began to fully live in the moment. I then rewarded myself with a visit to the adults-only Hideaway, featuring the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Star of the Seas has hundreds of minor improvements over its sister ship, including electric cabin windows and a design overhaul of the kids club, Adventure Ocean. It caters for babies and upwards, with a main programme for 5- to 12-year-olds featuring games tables, arts and crafts, and a puppet show. The club is directly connected to Surfside, a family neighbourhood with a new toddler splashzone.
Games are scattered across all decks, from pool in the Playmakers sports bar to life-sized inflatable table football on Deck 16. There are two onboard escape rooms and the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a two-storey suite costing around £29k per person per week, complete with a tube slide connecting bedrooms to the living room and a musical piano staircase.
For us, the live jazz bars and five world-class stage shows were the real highlights, along with a large proportion of the 40 food and drink offerings (The Windjammer buffet provided the best value), all included in the cruise fare. We eagerly planned our next activities, balancing family fun with moments of adult relaxation.
