Royal Caribbean’s Icon class is the ultimate family cruise

We began with a few days in Orlando before our cruise. One of the biggest practical advantages of Star of the Seas is that she sails from Port Canaveral, just an easy one hour transfer from the Orlando area. Our journey from hotel to port was simple and stress free, but nothing prepared us for the moment we first saw the ship. As we approached the cruise terminal, the sheer size of Star of the Seas drew a “wow” from all of the children and also the adults.

Star of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and has been designed to feel like a destination in her own right. At full capacity she carries thousands of guests, across multiple decks filled with attractions, swimming pools, restaurants, dedicated family spaces and entertainment venues.

Who I would recommend this ship to: 

Cruising is a fantastic family and multi-generational holiday option. The key is choice, convenience and accessibility. Even though Icon class ships are the largest in the world, you can easily get from one part to another very quickly. 

For families, there are pools, water slides, a climbing wall, sports courts, mini golf, an ice rink and high‑adrenaline experiences like the Flowrider surf simulator and Crown’s Edge, an open air high walk way with rollglider. There are also brilliant kids clubs and teens spaces. It never felt like we were looking for something to do: the bigger challenge was fitting everything in. After our week onboard, we all commented that we would have loved another few days.!

Each morning our children loved hunting for hidden toy ducks around the ship and were absolutely delighted to meet the resident dog 'Sailor'. They rode the carousel again and again, splashed in the various pools, tried ice skating at sea and cheered each other on at the climbing wall. Evenings often ended with a show, bringing all three families together.

For couples looking an adults-only holiday or honeymoon, I would recommend Royal Caribbean if you are looking for a fun, busy ship with a huge selection of high-quality dining, entertainment and nightlife. There are dedicated adults-only spaces onboard as well as a fabulous spa and gym. 

For grand parents, there are also a wide variety of quieter areas, plus relaxed entertainment and day time activities suited to a slower pace. 

Dining: from casual bites to special nights

Food is a huge part of the Star of the Seas experience, and there is an excellent mix of complimentary venues plus additional speciality restaurants that carry an extra charge.

Complimentary options include the main dining room, where you are served a beautiful a la carte meal with a great choice from a daily menu, Windjammer buffet, AquaDome Market, casual family spots in the Surfside neighbourhood, plus grab‑and‑go options for a quick bite if you're feeling a little peckish. You can grab a quick slice of pizza from Sorrento’s Pizzeria, which is open from 11:30 am until 3am.

We also chose to try a couple of speciality restaurants. At Chops Grille, the classic Royal Caribbean steakhouse, both the service and the food were exceptional: beautifully cooked steaks or fish, generous sides and a real “date night” atmosphere, even though we were cruising as a large group. For us, it was absolutely worth the extra cost. 

We also dined at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, another speciality venue. While the meal was enjoyable, my honest view is that it did not feel as special as Chops Grille and, given the quality of the included dining around the ship, I personally would not rush to pay extra to eat there again. I would however love to try Hooked Seafood and Izumi Hibachi next time. 

With so much that is already included, everyone can easily enjoy a great choice of excellent food options without constantly adding to their bill, but choose one or two speciality experiences as a treat if you want to try something different.

Central Park:

One of the areas that really stole my heart was Central Park, a unique open‑air neighbourhood set into the middle of the ship. Here, real trees, plants and flowers line peaceful pathways, creating the feeling of an intimate city park rather than a cruise ship.

Several restaurants are located in this area including the Park Cafe, Chops Grille, Izumi hibachi and sushi plus Lincoln park supper club.

I loved wandering through this space, especially during the quieter times of day. It became my go‑to place for an iced coffee and a moment of calm away from the more energetic decks. The greenery and gentle sounds make it surprisingly easy to forget you are actually at sea. A particular highlight at Central Park is Bubbles, a walk‑up window serving mimosas, bellinis, prosecco and champagne. 

In the evenings, live music fills Central Park, with soft lighting and a relaxed, romantic atmosphere. It is perfect for a pre‑ or post‑dinner drink and an excellent reassurance for anyone who is unsure about big ships: there are genuinely tranquil, grown‑up spaces as well as the headline attractions.

The Hideaway: beach club vibes above the wake

For adults, a standout space is The Hideaway, an adults‑only pool area set at the back of the ship. This vibrant, beach‑club‑style deck features an infinity pool, sun loungers, a bar and a live DJ, all overlooking the ship’s wake. I got to experience a couple of hours here and made the most of it. 

It feels like floating above the ocean at your own stylish rooftop party. The combination of music, sea views and the feeling of being slightly removed from the buzz of the main pools makes it a brilliant spot to relax while the children are happily occupied elsewhere on board.

Looking back...

Star of the Seas worked incredibly well for our group of three families. Some of the reasons I recommend this ship so highly are:

• Easy Orlando twin‑centre: With Port Canaveral just an hour from Orlando, it is simple to combine the excitement of the theme parks with a more relaxed week at sea.
• So much included: From multiple pools and activities to a wide choice of complimentary dining, there is a huge amount built into the cruise fare, which makes budgeting far more straightforward than many land‑based resorts. Just to note that drinks are not included. You can charge your drinks to your cabin during your holiday or you can choose to purchase a drinks package on the Royal Caribbean app before your trip. 
• Something for every age: Little ones, teens, parents and grandparents all found spaces and activities they loved, from carousels and duck hunts to Crown’s Edge, live shows and peaceful corners like Central Park and The Hideaway.
• Space to be together and apart: The ship is large enough that everyone can follow their own interests during the day, yet it is always easy to come back together for meals, shows and evening strolls.

Tip: The Pearl Cafe is open 24 hours. It is located on Deck 6, right by the Royal Promenade and accessed by walking through the kinetic Pearl. It serves grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, pastries, snacks, and desserts plus coffee, juice and water (all included in your cruise fare). This is a lovely area with great sea views. It is a handy location to grab something quick before or after an excursion. 

Tip: The AquaDome is another beautiful area onboard with panoramic ocean views. By day it feels calm and airy, with the cosy Overlook area tucked behind the main space, where you can curl up on loungers or in the glass pods. In the evening, you can see the aqua show with acrobatic divers and fountains. The AquaDome Market (serving quick bites from Crème de la Crepe, Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai, La Cocinita and Feta Mediterranean), Hooked Seafood (speciality dining restaurant) and Rye and Bean (serving tea and coffee including coffee infused cocktails, espresso Martini and Chai Old Fashioned) are also located in this area. 

Tip: Optional extras like beverage packages, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, excursions and specialty dining can be prebooked on the Royal Caribbean app or website. Prices are significantly lower before the cruise than they are once you step onboard. Royal Caribbean regularly offer discounts (like Black Friday or Memorial Day sales) with up to 20% - 40% off. If you see a better offer later you can always cancel without charge and rebook at the lower rate.

If you are considering a fun adults, family or group holiday and like the idea of combining Orlando with a Caribbean cruise, Star of the Seas is a fantastic option, sailing round‑trip from Port Canaveral. If you prefer to start your adventure further south in Miami, her sister ship Icon of the Seas offers another incredible way to experience Royal Caribbean’s newest class.

Whatever your style, there is definitely a ship and sailing that is exactly right for you. Get in touch so I can help match you with your perfect cruise experience and itinerary.