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This new vessel will share the title of 'world's largest cruise ship'

Oct. 05, 2023
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3 min read
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This new vessel will share the title of 'world's largest cruise ship'
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And then there were two. Royal Caribbean announced Thursday the name and launch date for the next largest cruise ship in the world — a sister ship to 2024’s Icon of the Seas.

The next Icon Class ship will be called Star of the Seas. It will debut in the summer of 2025.

Star of the Seas will be the cruise line’s third ship powered by liquefied natural gas. It will be built around the same design as Icon of the Seas, so it will be approximately 250,800 gross tons and carry roughly 5,610 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin) or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy. With crew, the ship could sail with nearly 10,000 people on board.

The cruise line will reveal additional details about the ship and its itineraries at a later date.

Like Icon, Star of the Seas’ goal will be to offer multiple vacation experiences all within one vessel, from a family fun trip and luxury resort stay to a thrilling theme park and water park adventure.

“The idea of combining the best of every type of vacation into one ultimate adventure has created more excitement than ever anticipated, and Star of the Seas will be the next bold answer to the record-breaking consumer demand we’ve seen for nearly a year and counting with Icon of the Seas,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in a press release.

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Icon of the Seas, which will offer its first official sailing in January 2024, will set records for Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry beyond just its size.

The ship will feature a first-of-its-kind indoor AquaTheater under a giant glass dome, a section of the ship dedicated to young families, a larger number and variety of family-focused accommodations (including a three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse), a cantilevered infinity pool and six-slide onboard water park.

Other notable attractions include a swim-up bar, an expanded suite enclave and a new supper club.

Star of the Seas will likely have many of the same attractions as Icon of the Seas, though Royal Caribbean might change up the theming or bring in a new restaurant to give travelers a reason to try both ships.

Stay tuned for more details as Royal Caribbean announces where Star of the Seas will home port and cruise (and when you can book those itineraries) and reveals the new and returning attractions you will find on its second vessel with the title of largest cruise ship in the world.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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