Exclusive First Look: Star of the Seas

The following is written by TravelPerks’ Marketing Manager, Becca Pirwitz, who attended a preview sailing of Star of the Seas on August 13-16, 2025.

I’ll be honest: while I was excited to experience Royal Caribbean’s new mega ship, Star of the Seas, I didn’t expect it to be my cup of tea. I assumed it would feel too big, too flashy, too crowded, too kid-focused, and not geared toward millennials like me.

Boy, was I wrong. Not only did I enjoy myself—I’m already ready to book another sailing. Here’s my full Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas review, with highlights from my 3-night cruise.

Public Spaces on Star of the Seas

One word: wow. Whoever designed the flow and interior of this ship deserves a standing ovation. For those unfamiliar, Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships feature distinct “neighborhoods” like Central Park, Surfside, and Thrill Island.

While I worried this setup might feel overwhelming, it actually made the ship feel more manageable, intimate, and intentional. In some ways, it felt like exploring several smaller ships in one.

Some standout spaces included:

• The Overlook: A serene, glass-wrapped lounge perfect for sipping a cocktail while gazing out at the ocean.
  
  

• Central Park: Home to more than 34,000 live plants and a collection of restaurants and bars, including a jazz club, champagne bar, and sushi spot.
  
  

• The Pearl: I usually find ship promenades too reminiscent of shopping malls, but The Pearl changed that. With its massive centerpiece installation, the space felt more like “art gallery meets luxury hotel.”
  
  

• The Hideaway: An adults-only retreat featuring a suspended infinity pool, hot tubs, a bar, a DJ, and the best ocean views onboard. This quickly became our favorite pool.
  

• Elevators: Not glamorous, but worth mentioning. Instead of pressing buttons inside, you select your destination on a touchscreen, and the system assigns you an elevator (A–L). The result? Faster, smoother rides with minimal stops.

Staterooms on Star of the Seas

We stayed in an Ocean View Infinite Veranda, and while I missed a traditional balcony, the room was chic, functional, and surprisingly spacious for two people. Since we spent so much time exploring, it was more than enough.

We also toured other categories during the preview cruise. Highlights included:

• Infinite Veranda Family: A brilliant layout for families, featuring a second bathroom (toilet only) and a small bunk room in addition to the main sleeping area.
  

• Suite Categories: From the Sunset Aft Suite (comparable to our Sky Suite on Celebrity Apex) to the jaw-dropping Royal Loft Suite, these staterooms offer varying levels of luxury and space for those who want to splurge.

Live Shows and Entertainment

I’m not always easy to impress when it comes to live entertainment, but Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas delivered.

• Back to the Future: The Musical (Royal Theater): This was the headliner—and my personal favorite. At nearly two hours long, the Broadway-level production was almost identical to the touring version, complete with the iconic DeLorean effects. Don’t miss it. (Disclaimer: Back to the Future is one of my all-time favorite films, so I may be biased.)

• Torque (Aquadome): My first aquatic show at sea, and it blew me away. High divers, acrobats, dramatic choreography, and mind-bending stage mechanics made for a one-of-a-kind performance.
  

• SOL (Absolute Zero): An unexpected favorite. We hadn’t planned on attending, but after several recommendations, we gave it a try. The ice skaters were phenomenal—especially the “extreme” skaters pulling off jumps and flips.

Music & Nightlife

One thing I love about Royal Caribbean is their commitment to live music. Almost every venue had a dedicated, top-tier performer, from Boleros Latin Night Club to The Music Hall, Thorn & Thistle Pub, and The Schooner Bar.

We spent most nights at The Schooner Bar, where pianist Yan Yarosh won us over by blending sing-along classics with unexpected surprises—like a classical piano rendition of Korn. We also found ourselves dancing at the themed promenade parties (“White Night” and “Y2K”), which isn’t usually our thing, but the atmosphere was irresistible.

What Could Be Better on Star of the Seas?

Honestly—not much. But a few personal observations:

• More Ocean-Facing Spaces: While Star has some great vantage points like The Hideaway and Overlook Pool, I missed a traditional aft-facing sunset bar.
  

• Centralized Pool: With seven pools onboard, there wasn’t a single “main” pool. That said, the distributed layout actually made the ship feel more relaxed and less crowded, so I didn’t really miss it.

Final Thoughts: Is Star of the Seas Worth It?

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is a masterclass in ship design, seamlessly blending innovation with entertainment for all ages. I boarded as a skeptic and left as a believer—already eager to sail again. 

If you’re considering a Royal Caribbean vacation, I hope this Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas review helps you decide. Whether you’re traveling as a family, couple, or group of friends, this ship offers something for everyone.