Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is the world’s biggest cruise ship alongside sister ship Icon of the Seas and we got a first look onboard
The world’s biggest and newest cruise ship set sail on her maiden passenger voyage – and I was lucky enough to be on board. Star of the Seas is a giant floating city with 20 decks crammed with top-notch attractions for the whole family, including a water park, swimming pools, crazy golf, theatres, an ice skating rink, 14 shops and 40 bars and restaurants.
It is so big, it feels quite odd as it will take you a few days to find your way around this monster which set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday night. But after dashing around the decks, here’s a few highlights of the Royal Caribbean ship that you won’t want to miss. Thrill Island is the largest waterpark at sea with SIX record-breaking water slides.
The biggest is not for the faint-hearted but a must for the adventurous. One of its most daring features is Crown’s Edge, part skywalk and part ride 154ft above the ocean. Adrenaline-seekers navigate a suspended walkway and experience a controlled freefall before gliding down a zipline to the deck below. It is meant to test the bravery of the thrill-seeker – and it certainly does that. After all, it’s the sister ship to Icon of the Seas which is also a hit with adventurous holidaymakers.
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There’s no need to leave the ship if you fancy a bit of surfing, either. The Flow-rider is a wave machine which allows you to go “boogie boarding” and simulate real Surfing USA. Incredibly, 30,000 gallons of water a minute rush under the rider at 30mph creating a five-foot wave. Watch out for the height restrictions of 4ft 10in for stand-up surfing or 4ft 4in for boogie boarding.
If you’d rather chill than thrill head to the adults-only area at the rear of the ship – or the aft as we rookie seafarers call it. There you can relax in the suspended infinity pool and enjoy vast ocean views with a cocktail in hand while grooving to the beat of an Ibiza-style DJ. There’s also a shady bar nearby and a terrace with whirlpools.
Don’t worry about dashing to the bar for a refill. The efficient waiters will attend to your needs and keep your glasses well topped up. Chill Island is a three-deck area for holidaymakers to kick back at four pools, including the Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. Guests can enjoy live bands while they sip on tropical cocktails from the swim-up bar called The Swim and Tonic.
The bags of entertainment for the kids and sporty types, including a spectacular mini golf course and a sports court offering five-a-side football and basketball on the top deck. Don’t worry about the ball going overboard, either, as it’s entirely covered by netting.
If you’re travelling with a young family, head for Surfside. It’s THE place to stay and play all day, however old the children are. Younger kids and toddlers will have great fun at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, while parents can relax nearby. There are plenty of lifeguards, constantly on full alert, so no reason to worry about their safety.
There’s a multi-level playground called Playscape, which includes a rock climbing wall, with safety harnesses provided. Just like Star of the Seas they can take cruising to another level.
You can find out more about Star on the Seas including rates and itineraries on royalcaribbean.com.