Star of the Seas Guide 2025 — Features, Comparison with Icon, Port Canaveral Webcam

If you’ve been watching cruise news or refreshing the port cams at Port Canaveral, you’ve probably noticed one name popping up everywhere: Star of the Seas. In this deep guide, I’ll walk you through what makes Star of the Seas special, how it compares to its sister Icon of the Seas, where you can watch it arrive live via a Port Canaveral webcam, and practical tips for travelers who want an unforgettable yet affordable cruise vacation.

Star of the Seas appears across headlines as one of the world’s largest cruise ships and a floating city of experiences, and in this post, you’ll learn what that means and whether it’s the right ship for your next trip. The phrase’ star of the seas’ appears throughout this guide, so search engines and readers both know exactly what this post covers.

What is Star of the Seas? An overview

Star of the Seas is the second Icon-class ship built for Royal Caribbean and joins its nearly identical sister, Icon of the Seas, as one of the largest cruise ships ever constructed. The ship was built at Meyer Turku in Finland and entered service in 2025. It offers multiple neighborhoods, a huge waterpark complex, family-friendly attractions, and specialized entertainment spaces designed to cater to every kind of traveler.

Star of the Seas by the numbers (short facts)

• Gross tonnage: about 250,800 GT. (CruiseMapper, Cruise Critic)
• Length: roughly 365 meters (about 1,196–1,198 feet).
• Passenger capacity: around 5,610 guests at double occupancy and up to 7,600 at maximum.
• Decks and highlights: 20 decks with multiple pools, the AquaDome, a major waterpark, and Broadway-style shows.

These headline specs explain why Star of the Seas frequently appears in “world’s largest cruise ship” stories. Several reputable cruise outlets note that Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas share the same class and nearly identical dimensions, making them joint claimants to the title of the world’s largest cruise ship.

What to expect on board Star of the Seas

Star of the Seas was designed as a vacation playground for families and thrill seekers while still offering quieter spaces for adults who want relaxation. Expect neighborhoods such as Central Park, the Royal Promenade, family areas with kids’ clubs, and the AeroDome-style AquaDome performance venue. Dining ranges from casual eateries to specialty restaurants and supper clubs.

One of the signature draws is the ship’s large waterpark complex—often described as the largest waterpark at sea—featuring multiple slides and attractions. If you’re comparing rides, you’ll also find similar headline-making slides on Icon of the Seas.

Is Star of the Seas bigger than Icon? — Short answer and details

Short answer: No, Star of the Seas is not meaningfully bigger than Icon of the Seas. They are sister ships of the Icon class and share virtually identical dimensions and gross tonnage, which has led many outlets to call them jointly the world’s largest cruise ships. Measurements reported by multiple sources list both ships at around 250,800 gross tons and nearly the same length and capacity, so deciding which is “bigger” comes down to tiny variations in reported numbers or which metric you choose to emphasize.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is that the onboard experience, attractions like the Icon of the Seas slide or the Icon of the Seas water slide equivalents on Star of the Seas, and itineraries will be very similar between the two vessels.

Icon of the Seas slide and Icon of the Seas water slide — what are they?

Icon of the Seas captured attention with headline-grabbing attractions, including a category-defining waterpark and high-thrill slides. Phrases like icon of the seas slide and icon of the seas water slide are shorthand travelers use when researching the ship’s ride options. Expect multi-slide complexes with bowls, enclosed tunnel slides, and longer-magnitude thrill rides. Star of the Seas carries similar attractions designed to match or mirror Icon-class highlights. For families and adrenaline seekers, these water playgrounds are core reasons to book.

Note: Like any major water attraction, slides occasionally have incidents; following safety notices and crew instructions while onboard ensures a safe experience. Recent news stories about a waterslide incident on Icon of the Seas underscore the importance of safety and prompt operator response.

Watching arrivals live — the Port Canaveral webcam and how to use it

If you want to see Star of the Seas approaching Port Canaveral or watch sail-aways in real time, several webcams stream live views. Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States and has public webcams such as PortCanaveralWebcam and other regional streaming services where you can check the docks and watch ships come and go. These cameras are great if your travel plans hinge on ship arrival times or if you want a real-time preview of the ship at the pier.

Practical tip: Webcam streams can be embedded in travel blogs and used to time airport transfers or capture photos of arrivals. If you’re following a specific sailing, check the ship’s itinerary and cross-reference with live port cams on embarkation day.

Why do people call these the world’s largest cruise ships

The term world’s largest cruise ship typically refers to gross tonnage, which is a measure of the ship’s internal volume. Icon-class ships like Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas measure roughly 250,800 GT and carry over 5,600 passengers at double occupancy, which places them at the top of the size charts when compared with other cruise classes. Because both ships are nearly identical by design, they often share the “largest” label.

Why it matters for travelers: larger ships mean more facilities, more dining options, and greater entertainment capacity. But they also mean more people on board at peak times and potentially longer lines for signature attractions. If you prefer a quieter, boutique cruise experience, a mega-ship may not be ideal, but if you value variety and attractions, these vessels deliver.

Choosing between Star of the Seas and other mega-ships

If your priorities are family activities, headline attractions, and a broad restaurant lineup, Star of the Seas is an excellent match. Compare itineraries, pricing, and port rotations before booking. For readers who want tips on getting better deals:

• Book early for the best selection of cabins.
• Watch for repositioning sailings and shoulder-season departures to find lower fares.
• Use price-drop protection or third-party alerts if you’ve already booked to re-price when fares drop.

For more practical advice on cheap cruise booking strategies and money-saving tips, see our post about the best cruise deals and how to get upgrades.

If your trip starts or ends in Florida, check our Port Canaveral travel guide for parking, hotel options, and webcam links.

Best itineraries and practical tips for Star of the Seas passengers

Popular departures for Icon-class ships include eastern and western Caribbean routes, with stops at destinations like Royal Caribbean’s private island and classic Caribbean ports. If you’re sailing from Port Canaveral, aim to arrive the night before embarkation to avoid same-day flight stress.

Packing tips: bring reef-safe sunscreen for shore excursions, comfortable shoes for exploring large ship decks, and a daypack for waterpark essentials. For families, pre-book waterpark time or use early-access programs where available to beat crowds.

Affordability — how to experience Star of the Seas without breaking the bank

Large ships often come with perceived high price tags, but you can enjoy them affordably with a few strategies:

• Travel in off-peak months.
• Book guarantee cabins to get lower fares in a cabin category while allowing the cruise line to assign the exact stateroom later.
• Take advantage of onboard packages (dining, drink, and Wi-Fi bundles) during promotions rather than a la carte pricing.
• Compare fares across travel agents and Royal Caribbean’s own site for bundled extras.

These tactics help make a high-value, attraction-rich cruise accessible to more travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Star of the Seas

Q: Is Star of the Seas bigger than Icon of the Seas?

A: No. Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are sister ships in the Icon class and share nearly identical dimensions and gross tonnage, which places them jointly among the world’s largest cruise ships.

Q: Where can I watch Star of the Seas arrive at Port Canaveral?

A: Use live streams such as PortCanaveralWebcam and other regional webcam services to watch arrivals and sail-aways at Port Canaveral. These streams often run 24/7.

Q: Does Star of the Seas have the same water slides as Icon of the Seas?

A: Star of the Seas mirrors many of Icon-class attractions, including large waterpark areas and thrill slides. Specific slide names and layouts may vary slightly in promotional materials, but the guest experience is designed to be comparable.

Q: Is Star of the Seas the world’s largest cruise ship?

A: Yes, by gross tonnage metrics, Star of the Seas is among the ships claiming the top slot alongside Icon of the Seas due to shared class measurements and near-identical specifications.

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