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

Erica Silverstein
Erica Silverstein
Managing editor
Erica Silverstein is the managing editor for TPG's cruise team. She’s covered the cruise industry for nearly 20 years and has sailed on more than 60 ships. Her work has appeared on Cruise Critic and in The Washington Post, Fodor’s and Let’s Go travel guides.
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.

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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.