Star of the Seas Cruise Ship Tour & Review: World's Largest Cruise Ship Experience
OVERVIEW
Ship: Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) Capacity: 10,000 people total
- 7,200 guests
- 2,600 crew members Cost: $2 billion ship Ship Class: Icon Class Cruise Number: 35th cruise for Travel Squad
PRE-CRUISE: GOPORT TRANSFER SERVICE
What GoPort Provided
- Fly, Snooze, Cruise Package - Seamless airport to hotel to port transfer
- Black car Escalade service with professional driver (Wayne)
- Hotel accommodation at Homewood Suites (closest hotel to cruise port)
- Morning shuttle to port
- Return transfer from port to airport after cruise
Hotel Accommodations - Homewood Suites
- King-sized bed
- Full kitchenette area
- Work desk
- Comfortable amenities
- Close proximity to port (2-minute drive)
Transfer Experience
- Met at airport rental car area
- Clean, comfortable vehicle
- Excellent conversation with driver
- Safe and smooth service
- Next morning luggage handling included
BOARDING EXPERIENCE
Check-In Process
- Time: 5 minutes maximum
- Nearly empty terminal (most guests already boarded)
- Welcome entertainment with steel drums
- Photo opportunities at entrance
- Gradient/iridescent room key cards
- Ocean view connecting cabin assigned
DINING & FOOD OPTIONS
Premium Bars
Ryan Bean Bar (Favorite)
- Signature Drink: Espresso Martini with cold foam
- Located near Aquadome
- Bartenders: Ferdy and Oliver
- Secret Menu Item: "Mini Beer Shot" (tastes like melted vanilla ice cream with butterscotch/caramel notes)
- Request by saying "secret shot" or "mini beer"
Swim & Tonic
- Only swim-up bar on ship
- Adults only
- Frozen and regular drink options
- Featured drinks: Lime and Coconut
- Shaded seating available
Trellis Bar
- Located in Central Park
- Waffle cones available
- Ice cream service
Restaurants & Cafés
Aquadome Market (Highly Recommended for Lunch)
- Better alternative to Windjammer buffet
- Multiple dining concepts:
- Feta (Favorite - complimentary)
- Pig Out
- Mai Tai
- Locasina (New)
- Fresh crepes made to order
Park Café
- Best breakfast spot (lesser-known)
- Signature Drink: Strawberry Kiwi (favorite on Royal Caribbean)
- Sushi pickup window available
Surfside Family Dining
- Kid-focused buffet at lower height
- Featured Item: Rocket Dogs (hot dogs)
- Ice cream machine
- Toppings bar
- Popcorn chicken, corn dogs, hamburgers
- All included in cruise fare
Pearl Café
- Late-night dining option
- Curry chicken sandwich
- Toffee apple cups
- Alternative to Sorrento's for late bites
Windjammer Buffet
- Free lobster on boarding day
- Not recommended as primary dining option
Pier 7
- Third main dining location in Surfside area
SHIP FEATURES & AMENITIES
Aquadome
- Ship's most impressive feature
- Massive glass-enclosed space
- Functions as large solarium
- Multiple seating areas:
- Lounge pods
- Individual seats
- Shaded areas
- Bar service available
- Aqua Show Venue - Performers practice visible from area
- Waterfall feature for shows
- Best sailaway viewing location (180-degree views, climate-controlled)
Central Park
- Thousands of real plants (tens of thousands total)
- Real trees and vegetation
- Ambient sounds: birds chirping, crickets
- Quiet, peaceful atmosphere
- Multiple benches and seating
- Trellis bar location
- Perfect for evening photos
- Temperature controlled
Pool Areas
Main Pool Deck
- Multiple pools throughout ship
- Exclusive Hot Tub - Only on Star (not on Icon) - added for balance
- Shaded and sun areas available
Thrill Island
- Originally called Category 6 (like Icon)
- Renamed Category 5 due to slide issues on Icon
- Water Slides:
- Mat slides (favorite - fastest experience)
- One slide currently closed (broke on Icon, safety precaution)
- Full basketball court overlooking area
- Miniature golf course
- FlowRider surf simulator
Surfside Aft Pool
- Family-focused area
- Water park features
- Less than 1-foot depth in areas
- Life jackets provided
- Lifeguards on station
Affinity Pool (Adult-Only)
- Located near Thrill Island
- Note: Water tends to be cloudy
FAMILY FEATURES - SURFSIDE AREA
Amenities
- Dedicated kids-only zone
- Flamingo-themed décor and artwork
- Full arcade with:
- Air hockey
- Claw machines
- Motorcycle games
- Various video games
- Kids' store
- Jungle gym area
- Multiple ice cream stations
Surfside Accommodations
- Surfside Family Suites - More spacious than standard cabins
- Surfside Family Balconies - Balcony options available
- Designed for families who prefer staying in one area
Base Camp
- Royal Caribbean's kids area
- Complimentary food included
- Bar for parents
- Snacks available while supervising
ACCOMMODATION TOUR
Ocean View Cabin Features
Storage & Organization:
- Traditional shelving plus extra shelves
- Mobile desk (can pull up to couch)
- Permanent desk with backed chair
- Multiple power outlets:
- USB-C ports
- USB-A ports
- Standard outlets throughout room
- Full-length mirror concealing safe
- Personal WiFi router in room
- Cooler for water/drinks
- Hanging closet space
- Storage baskets
- Multiple drawers
Furniture & Comfort:
- Couch seating
- Bed with additional USB ports
- TV with nearby outlets
- Window seat with view
- Vanity area with new hair dryer
Technology:
- Touch-screen lighting controls
- Lighting modes: Movie, Morning, Evening, Sleep
- Dimmable lights
Bathroom:
- Standard cruise ship bathroom
- New amenities
Connecting Rooms:
- Connecting doors to hallway (not between rooms)
- Creates connecting room access
DESIGN & ARTWORK
Celestial Theme
- Purple and blue color scheme throughout
- Planetary statues/mannequins:
- Neptune
- Mars (Marcia)
- Jupiter
- Other planets represented
Notable Art Pieces
- Bird of Paradise artwork with vibrant colors
- Hand-painted pieces (not prints)
- Mallard balloon fish
- Surfing figure over Central Park
- Birds leading into Central Park
- Kinetic tiles in main promenade (move with lights)
- Pearl Café features: turtles, fish (whale on Icon)
- Kids' themed artwork: flamingos throughout
- Skateboarding dog statue
- Kid emerging from ground grabbing police officer statue
ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
Shows & Performances
- Aqua Show in Aquadome - Performers dive from high platforms with waterfall
- Back to the Future - Onboard show (not seen on previous cruises)
- Theater productions
- Ice rink performances
Other Activities
- Casino
- FlowRider
- Basketball court
- Miniature golf
- Water park slides
- Arcade
Special Appearances
- Sailor the Dog - Royal Caribbean's celebrity dog mascot
MAIN PROMENADE & ROYAL PROMENADE
Features
- Wide walkways connecting ship areas
- Evening entertainment atmosphere
- Retail shops:
- Hermès
- Dior
- Chanel
- Louis Vuitton
- Other luxury brands
Design Elements
- Interactive kinetic tile displays
- Themed artwork
- Central gathering space
SHIP LAYOUT & NAVIGATION
Notable Characteristics
- Narrow hallways (surprising for world's largest ship)
- Easy navigation (similar to Icon)
- Never feels crowded despite 10,000 capacity
- Multiple deck levels
- Connects various themed areas seamlessly
Recommended Minimum Cruise Length
- 7+ days recommended - Even a week barely covers everything
- Avoid 3-4 day cruises if possible - Too short to experience ship fully
INCLUDED AMENITIES
- All Aquadome Market restaurants
- Base Camp food
- Surfside dining
- Park Café
- Main dining rooms
- Select beverages
- Water park access
- Shows and entertainment
- Fitness facilities
BEVERAGE PACKAGE BENEFITS
- Espresso martinis at Ryan Bean
- Unlimited drinks at swim-up bar
- Access to specialty bars
- Secret menu shots
- Premium coffee drinks
SAILAWAY EXPERIENCE
Best Viewing Locations
-
Aquadome (Recommended)
- Climate-controlled
- 180-degree front views
- Comfortable seating with shade
- Pods and chairs available
-
Traditional outdoor deck areas
Sailaway Party
- Music and entertainment
- Flags distributed
- Crowded outdoor areas
COMPARISON TO ICON OF THE SEAS
Similarities
- Same Icon Class design
- Nearly identical layout
- Central Park with real plants
- Aquadome concept
- Ryan Bean bar
- Similar dining options
Star of the Seas Unique Features
- Additional hot tub (balance adjustment)
- Category 5 water park (vs Category 6)
- One slide removed for safety
- Less crowded at boarding
- Newer ship smell and feel
TRAVEL SQUAD BOOKING INFORMATION
Services Offered by Laura (Travel Agent)
- Top 10 Agent in entire agency (thousands of agents)
- Achieved in first 3 weeks of booking
- Complimentary Services:
- No booking fees (F-R-E-E)
- Star of the Seas bookings
- Icon of the Seas bookings
- Carnival cruises
- All cruise lines worldwide
- Luxury ski trips
- International travel planning
- European destinations (Amsterdam, Italy)
- Custom vacation planning
How to Book
- Link in video description
- Fill out booking form
- Direct consultation available
TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Must-Do Experiences
- Ryan Bean espresso martinis with cold foam
- Lunch at Aquadome Market (especially Feta)
- Explore Central Park at night
- Watch Aqua Show in Aquadome
- Try the secret "Mini Beer" shot
- Sailaway from Aquadome
Best Times to Visit Areas
- Water Park: Boarding day (less crowded)
- Ryan Bean Bar: Anytime for espresso martinis
- Central Park: Evening for ambiance and photos
- Surfside: Families should plan dedicated time
Boarding Day Strategy
- Board in swimsuits to hit water park immediately
- Check in early to avoid crowds
- Complete muster drill first thing
- Skip Windjammer buffet for Aquadome Market
What to Skip
- Windjammer buffet for lunch
- Sorrento's (when other options available)
- Outdoor sailaway if you prefer comfort
- 3-4 day cruises (too short)
MERCHANDISE & MEMORABILIA
Onboard Items
- Star of the Seas hats (received in cabin)
- Potential t-shirts on other days
Travel Squad Shop
- Cruise magnets available
- "I'm ready for my first drink" magnets
- Custom designs
- Links provided in video description
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Capacity Management Success
- 10,000 people never feels overwhelming
- Strategic area distribution
- Multiple zones prevent crowding
- Something for everyone approach works
Why It Works
- Massive ship with distinct areas
- Multiple dining venues spread crowds
- Various entertainment zones
- Indoor and outdoor options
- Family and adult-only spaces separated
Ship Highlights
- Icon Class design excellence
- Never feels crowded
- Incredible free food options
- Beautiful artwork throughout
- Central Park atmosphere
- Aquadome uniqueness
- Variety of activities
Bottom Line: Star of the Seas successfully manages 10,000 passengers through intelligent design, multiple activity zones, diverse dining options, and strategic space allocation. The ship offers something for every type of cruiser while maintaining an uncrowded, comfortable atmosphere.