When Royal Caribbean launched Icon of the Seas last January, it introduced a new era of family cruise vacations.
The highly-anticipated megaship was a first-of-its-kind adventure that merged the best of beach getaways, resort stays and theme park thrills into one big cruise vacation. The world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas features eight distinct onboard neighborhoods offering a range of experiences to appeal to all types of passengers, especially multigenerational family travelers.
Related: Royal Caribbean makes huge move with its next megaship
Royal Caribbean recently celebrated one year of Icon of the Seas vacations, sharing that it welcomed 192,000 families on board in its first year sailing seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami. Demand remains high for Icon, and loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers are now eagerly awaiting the launch of the cruise line’s second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.
Debuting this summer, Star of the Seas will sail seven-night Caribbean getaways from Port Canaveral, offering a family vacation experience designed to rival Orlando’s theme parks.
Currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, Star of the Seas is floating closer to completion—at a faster rate than expected.
The ship’s speedy construction is now creating a new opportunity for Royal Caribbean passengers interested in a shorter sailing on the new Icon Class ship.
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Most of Icon’s new bars and eateries will be on Star of the Seas.
Image source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet
Royal Caribbean moves up Star of the Seas launch
Previously scheduled to depart on its first voyage from Port Canaveral on Aug. 31, Star of the Seas will now be ready to enter service sooner. Royal Caribbean is adding two additional “showcase sailings” ahead of the ship’s inaugural sailing, according to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.
“We have an updated timeline for the arrival of Star of the Seas at Port Canaveral!” the cruise line said in an email to passengers booked on the Aug. 31 sailing that was shared with Royal Caribbean Blog.
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“Constructing such a large and amazing ship is challenging, and while delivery can sometimes be delayed, there are other times where we get to sail our new ship earlier,” the email continued.
Passengers were notified that due to the ship’s earlier-than-expected delivery, the cruise line is expanding the ship’s inaugural season, adding two shorter sailings before the seven-night inaugural voyage. Two 4-Night Perfect Day Cruises departing on Aug. 23 and Aug. 27 will be available for booking beginning Jan. 30.
Star of the Seas Aug. 31 sailing will still be the first full inaugural cruise
In the email, Royal Caribbean assured passengers that the Aug. 31 sailing will still “take place as the first full sailing and inaugural with all of the events and goodies.”
The cruise line understands that some passengers may have booked this inaugural Star of the Seas sailing to be the first to sail on the new ship, and it offered them some options.
Related: Video: Why you should visit Royal Caribbean’s controversial port
Beginning Jan. 30, passengers booked on the Aug. 31 sailing have the opportunity to book one or both of the new showcase sailings or move their existing booking to one of the ship’s new “4-Night Perfect Day Cruises,” if desired.
The cruise line noted that Star of the Seas’ inaugural passengers sailing in a suite will have their same suite held for them until Feb. 6, as a courtesy. Passengers in other stateroom categories will be able to choose from “like-for-like” staterooms.
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Royal Caribbean’s 4-Night Perfect Day Cruises typically sail to The Bahamas, visiting Nassau and the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Star of the Seas’ Aug. 31 sailing is a 7-Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day Cruise that visits Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, Mexico, in addition to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas.
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