Star of the Seas

Why Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is a Whole New Vibe

Sailing the Icon Class: Why Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is a Whole New Vibe

If you had told me a few years ago that a cruise ship could completely redefine how I vacation, I might have raised an eyebrow. But after experiencing Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas twice—first on a 3-day early pre-inaugural sailing and again for a 7-day cruise in March 2025—I am completely hooked. In fact, my next cruise on her is coming up on November 1st, 2026, and I simply cannot wait!

The best way I can explain the Icon Class is that it’s something you truly have to experience to understand. It doesn’t feel like a traditional cruise ship; instead, it’s broken out into distinct, immersive neighborhoods that completely change the flow of your vacation.

Finding My Peace in The Hideaway

Traveling with large groups of friends both times meant we experienced a wonderful mix of high energy and relaxation. One of my absolute favorite spots on the ship is The Hideaway (located on Deck 15 aft).

If you’re a Gen Xer like me, you’ll appreciate this adults-only escape as a fantastic place to get away from the little kids. It features stunning wake views from the pool, a dedicated bar, and a serene beach club vibe that is hard to beat.

Dining Highlights: From Specialty Deals to Casual Favorites

During our 3-day inaugural sailing, our main goal was getting to know the ship layout. We capitalized on an incredible specialty dining deal, hitting up:

Chops Grille
Izumi
Pier 7

When it comes to the non-specialty food options on the ship, the choices shine just as brightly. Our absolute favorites include:

AquaDome Market: Specifically the Feta Mediterranean section, which is a total standout.
Basecamp: Serving up some of the most delicious burgers on the ship.

Solarium, Pools and Flow Rider Mishaps

The onboard entertainment and recreation spaces on the Icon Class are a massive step up from older ship designs:

The Solarium: Unlike the Oasis-class ships, there’s no restaurant in this space, but it features amazing multi-level pods where you can soak in incredible views, paired with a lovely bar.
Pools: There are seven onboard pools. Besides the hideaway mentioned abouve our favorite was the Cloud 17 (deck 17) which is a quiet retreat and did not seem to be used by many!
The FlowRider: We spent a lot of time here because one of our friends is a bit of an addict! We all gathered for a personal group lesson, which ended memorably when our friend got a concussion—a great, if slightly dramatic, reminder of why having travel insurance is always a smart move (even though thankfully we didn’t need to execute it at that time).

Final Verdict & Looking Ahead

I’ll be doing a much deeper dive review after my upcoming November 1st trip this year, but all in all, if you ever get a chance to experience the Icon Class, I highly recommend booking it!

Bonus: Logistics

I love cruise ship logistics! Here are some basic facts about Star of the Seas from my best friend Gemini!

Ship Class: Icon-class Gross Tonnage: Approx. 250,800
GT Passenger Capacity: 5,610 double occupancy) up to 7,600 guests
Staterooms: 2,805 total cabins
Crew Members: Approx. 2,350
Length: Approx. 365 meters (approx. 1,196 feet)
Width (Beam): Approx. 65 meters (approx. 213 feet)
Decks: 20 decks total
Cruising Speed: Approx. 22 knots