Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas Begins Sea Trials
Royal Caribbean’s next mega ship has officially hit the water for testing.
Star of the Seas, the second vessel in the cruise line’s new Icon Class, began sea trials this week after departing the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on May 19, 2025.
The trials mark one of the final milestones before the ship’s debut later this summer and was shared by the shipyard on its social media.
“Star of the Seas departed our shipyard early Monday morning to begin her sea trials,” Meyer Turku posted. “We wish her and her crew sunny skies and smooth sailing!”
The trails will last several days and are designed to evaluate key ship systems, including navigation, propulsion, and onboard safety under real-life sea conditions.
At the start of May, Royal Caribbean’s Senior Director of Product Development Jennifer Goswami had reported the ship was 96 percent complete.
Royal Caribbean engineers and crew members began arriving at the shipyard on May 13 and are now onboard to test the vessel’s performance.
After successful competition of the sea trials, Star of the Seas is expected to return to port later this week for final outfitting.
Construction of the new vessel began with a steel cutting ceremony at the shipyard on February 15, 2023, followed by the keel-laying 10 months later. At that time, coins were placed under the keel to bring the ship good luck and protection at sea.
The ship was successfully floated out in October 2024.
Once back at the shipyard, crew members will begin a deep clean and stock supplies as final touches are added to décor, interior furnishings, dining venues, and entertainment systems.
A formal delivery ceremony in which Meyer Turku hands over the ship to Royal Caribbean will be the final phase in Star of the Seas construction.
Preparing for August Debut
The 250,800-gross-ton Star of the Seas, which can accommodate 5,610 passengers at double capacity and 2,350 crew members, is the second Icon Class ship after Icon of the Seas.
Icon of the Seas debuted in January 2024 to provide Caribbean cruises from PortMiami.
Upon delivery, Star of the Seas will sail to Port Canaveral, Florida, where it’s 7-night inaugural voyage is scheduled for August 31, 2025.
While that journey will take guests to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras, Meyer Turku’s speedy construction means an earlier delivery than expected.
As a result, Royal Caribbean is hosting three preview sailings on August 20, 23, and 27 to introduce industry insiders to the vessel before her maiden adventure.
Star of the Seas will provide Eastern and Western Caribbean options from Port Canaveral with each sailing calling in Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian destination, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
A second location, Perfect Day Mexico, is also under construction but when it opens in the fall of 2027, passengers sailing to Mexico on Star of the Seas can expect a call.
It is very likely the ship will also spend time at Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-come Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, after it opens in December 2025, along with the Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico in 2026.