A Star Joins an Icon

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The last day of August saw the start of the inaugural voyage of an exciting new cruise ship: Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, sister ship to Icon of the Seas. These sisters share the title of “World’s Largest Cruise Ship” and have much in common, including the number of cabins, neighborhoods, and Chief Dog Officers on board (there’s one delightful Golden Retriever on each ship). Still, Star of the Seas isn’t a complete duplicate of her 18-month-old sister.

Both ships offer seven-night cruises of the Eastern or Western Caribbean. But while the Icon departs from Miami, the Star sails from Port Canaveral, less than an hour’s drive from Orlando. Also, the Icon’s seven-day cruises sail Saturday to Saturday, while the Star’s run Sunday to Sunday.

Both ships’ seven-day itineraries include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas. But the Star usually visits this idyllic spot early in the cruise, while the Icon tends to visit toward the end of each sailing.

The Star’s and Icon’s typical Western Caribbean itineraries are very similar, calling on Roatan in Honduras, as well as Mexico’s Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel. However, their Eastern Caribbean itineraries can have a big difference: both ships typically visit St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but the Star calls on St. Kitts & Nevis while the Icon goes to St. Maarten.

The Star continues the Icon Class commitment to Broadway-style entertainment: while the Icon stages “The Wizard of Oz,” the Star offers “Back to the Future: The Musical.” The ships’ specialty supper clubs also have their own identities. The Star’s Lincoln Park Supper Club reflects 1920s Chicago, while the Icon’s Empire Supper Club has a Jazz Age in New York vibe.

Subtle differences between the ships include some changes to the Surfside neighborhood on the Star that broaden its appeal to kids up to age 10 (the Icon’s Surfside neighborhood is designed for kids up to age six). There’s also an additional hot tub in the Star’s Chill Island Neighborhood, as well as more colorful lighting in the Pearl, the beautiful kinetic sculpture that is the centerpiece of each ship.

Overall, you’ll find amazing entertainment, thrilling water parks, lots of cabin choices, and creative dining options on both ships. To decide which is for you – or to make plans to sail on both of these ships – talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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