NEXT year, one of the world’s largest cruise ships is taking to the seas for the first time and more information has been released about what people can expect on board.
Star of the Seas is due to launch in summer 2025 and has been described as a “theme park at sea” due to the sheer number of features guests can look forward to using.
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It will have six record-breaking waterslides as part of its huge on-board waterpark, along with seven pools and various other attractions.
It will be able to host 8,000 passengers, with Royal Caribbean, who are operating the cruise ship, providing something for everyone on board to enjoy.
Thrill-seekers will be able to go on the Crown’s Edge, an aerial adventure course that “puts you right above the sea”.
It’s described on the cruise’s website as “part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride and an all-out test of your courage” with visitors suspended high above the water beneath.
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Meanwhile, younger, or less daring, passengers can enjoy the family raft slides, mat-racing duos and the FlowRider surf simulator.
For those less interested in slides and rides, there’s Swim & Tonic, which is set to be the largest swim-up bar at sea.
There’s also the Grove Suite Sun Deck, an upgraded pool deck exclusively for VIP guests, which offers endless ocean views across two decks, along with Mediterranean mezes and elevated dining.
When the sun goes down, there are a number of dining options, including family friendly establishments like the Surfside Eatery and the Aquadome Market, the first-ever food hall in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
It’s home to five unique food stands, serving dishes from macaroni cheese, Mediterranean cuisine, sandwiches, salads, Asian snacks and sweet crepes, as well as a beer serving wine and beer.
There are also more elegant dining spots like the Lincoln Park Supper Club and Chops Grille that are more suitable to adults looking for an intimate meal.
After dinner, visitors can take in shows in the Aquadome theatre, including broadway performances and ice skating displays as well as acrobats and high divers.
Live music can also be enjoyed at Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues bar.
A variety of accommodation options offer different levels of luxury for passengers.
At the highest end, there are the staterooms, which span four decks, have a multi-level sundeck, private pools and a two-level Coastal Kitchen restaurant, overlooking the all-glass Aquadome.
The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship
The Star of the Seas’ sister vessel Icon of the Seas was launched by Royal Caribbean earlier this year.
It weighs 250,800 tonnes and is longer than The Shard is tall at 1,198ft in length.
It has seven swimming pools and 22 restaurants among the on board offerings for its 7,600 guests.
One of those pools is the largest ever built for a cruise ship. There’s also a swim-up bar, and not one but two infinity pools, both engineering firsts.
Kids’ clubs will keep little ones happy while parents enjoy the sun.
However, families will also have plenty of chances to have a ball together with arcades, laser tag, mini golf and the largest ice rink at sea all among its attractions.
At the front of the ship is the multi-deck glass AquaDome.
It provides floor-to-ceiling ocean views, as well as a 55ft waterfall tumbling into a pool that by night promises thrilling aerial acrobatics and daring dives.
Meanwhile, the ship’s Royal Theatre features a West End-style production of the Wizard of Oz, and there are endless live music and theatrical performances, day and night.
There are 28 different types of room for guests to stay in. Some have an ocean-view balconies, while others overlook the ship’s Central Park, which has 30,500 plants, trees and flowers between shops and restaurants.
Families can also stay in a three-storey-high townhouse, which sleeps eight and comes has its own garden, as well as slides from the bedroom to the living area.
However, a week’s stay there will cost families as much as £60,000.
More affordable rooms include the infinite balcony rooms, which feature a retractable window, which turns the floor-to-ceiling glass window pane into a balcony.
There will also be sunset corner suites, which will have access to vast terraces overlooking the rear of the ship.
In a previous press release Royal Caribbean promised “the combination of every kind of vacation” on board their new ship when it sets sail.
They added: “The lineup of new experiences and favourites on Star will set the stage for even more ways for every type of family and adventurer to make memories without compromise. “
The ship is set to make its debut from Port Canaveral in Florida next summer.
Seven-night stays on board can be booked via the Royal Caribbean website.
Meanwhile, this couple live on a cruise ship and claim it’s cheaper than living in a house.
And this cruise worker revealed what it’s like to live on board a ship.
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