Royal Caribbean has kicked off the countdown to a new era of family vacations, officially welcoming Star of the Seas into the family.
After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the keys to the next revolutionary Icon Class ship were officially handed over to Royal Caribbean just a few weeks ahead of its August debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
In a ceremony truly fit for a star, 1,250-plus crew members and partners gathered to mark the milestone in the ship’s next-level AquaTheater. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, along with Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm, hosted the event, recognizing the hard work and innovation that brought Star to life and celebrating the team of engineers, designers and architects who made it all possible. From the first steel cut to the final delivery, the highlights of how it all came together can be seen here.
“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations. Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We’re proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku.”
The delivery of the new ship marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku and celebrated the incredible feats of engineering accomplished during construction, like the installation of the glass-and-steel AquaDome, the development of six record-breaking waterslides and more. Soon, Star will make its way from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will put the finishing touches before Star sets sail on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures to top-rated destinations, including the vacation brand’s fan-favorite Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.