World’s Largest Cruise Ship Set to Dock in Florida After Successful Sea Trials

What is set to become the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, is gearing up for its anticipated debut at Port Canaveral in August. However, first, the ship must complete a series of crucial sea trials.

Currently, the Star of the Seas, which is the sister vessel to the record-holding Icon of the Seas that launched from Miami last year, is undergoing testing off the coast of Turku, Finland. The ship has been in construction since February 2023 and began its 11-day trial journey on May 19, 2025, with a focus on assessing its navigation and engineering capabilities. A team of over 2,000 onboard professionals is ensuring that the vessel is seaworthy throughout these tests.

During the sea trials, the ship will chart hundreds of miles before returning to its shipyard for final enhancements. Following this, it will officially be handed over to Royal Caribbean, which will facilitate its transatlantic journey to Florida.

The Star of the Seas is one of four Icon-class ships, each designed to surpass the capacity of their predecessors. With a gross tonnage of 248,663, it can accommodate 5,610 passengers at double occupancy and nearly 8,000 at full capacity, along with 2,350 crew members. A standout feature of this class of ships is the impressive AquaDome — a 367-ton, 82-foot tall structure spanning 164 feet wide that adorns the ship’s bow. This space includes the AquaTheater, where unique shows that combine diving, acrobatics, and musical performances unfold against a backdrop of water features and light displays.

Onboard, guests can choose from 40 food and beverage venues, many paralleling those found on the Icon of the Seas. However, one notable difference is the reimagined supper club concept, transitioning from the 1920s-themed Empire Supper Club to the 1930s-inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club.

The ship will offer a series of seven-night itineraries alternating between the Eastern and Western Caribbean, complementing Royal’s Utopia of the Seas, which is set to launch in the summer of 2024. Shorter three- and four-night trips to the Bahamas will also be part of its service offerings.

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