Imagine my surprise when Bob Gale, co-creator, co-writer and co-producer of the “Back to the Future” film franchise, walked onto the stage onboard Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas.
"If the me of today traveled back in time to August/September of 1980, when [filmmaker Robert] Zemeckis and I were struggling to write this script, and asked, ‘Do you guys know where this story is going to go?’ [I’d say,] ‘You’re going to be on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean Sea!’”
Indeed, Gale was on Star of the Seas to celebrate just that: “Back to the Future: The Musical” is playing onboard the ship. And that offering is just one of myriad entertainment options and amenities on the vessel, which officially launches Aug. 16.
I have not yet experienced Star of the Seas’ predecessor, Icon of the Seas, so Star is my first taste of the Icon Class. It is the biggest ship series in the world — Star measures in at a whopping 248,663 gross tons — and it astounded me in every way.
What to Expect Onboard Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas, and the Icon Class overall, might best be described as a maturation of the preceding Oasis Class, though a sense of playfulness is present in both classes.
The last Oasis-series ship was Utopia of the Seas; Star is a bit larger, with slightly added length (eight feet, to be exact) and width (eight feet more), but the ship carries fewer passengers (58 less). That means the extra space and growing list of attractions go further per guest.
Most shows on Star of the Seas were still in final rehearsals when I — one of only hundreds of initial guests — embarked on a “first look” shakedown cruise on the 5,610-guest ship from Ponce, Puerto Rico, to Port Canaveral, Florida (the ship’s designated homeport). However, I did get a glimpse of the special effects-rendered DeLorean time machine in “Back to the Future: The Musical,” which is something special, thanks to a heartening cast of characters familiar to many of us, including Marty McFly and Emmett ”Doc” Brown.
In addition to “Back to the Future” — which is brought to life by a 16-piece live orchestra to play Alan Silvestri’s timeless score (a goosebumps-inducing moment I heard from the front row) — we were treated to another two shows. “Torque,” which takes place in the AquaTheater, is a thrilling, high-octane show augmented by vibrant robotic lighting and performed by high-divers and synchronized swimmers. The double-decker Coastal Kitchen dining venue overlooks the aquatic performances below, too. Ice-skating show “Sol,” which is performed in Absolute Zero, includes ramp-jumping skaters; the venue has been enhanced and is now in-the-round, so skaters can achieve greater speeds as they fly around the venue’s circumference.
As a replacement to the Oasis-class Solarium, the larger AquaDome neighborhood onboard Star of the Seas houses the newly positioned (and aforementioned) AquaTheater in its all-weather center, surrounded by what amounts to the biggest and best observation lounge I’ve even seen. There are also multiple bars, the repeated Hooked Seafood specialty restaurant and the new AquaDome Market. The latter’s food court-style takeaways include delicious Mediterranean and Thai eats, as well as French crepes and more (all are complimentary).
Also of note is The Pearl, a structural focal point and art installation in the Royal Promenade. The three-story, experiential structure allows for more light and water views; its placement finally pushes the adjacent Pearl Cafe aside to take advantage of outward-facing panoramic views — a common complaint about what was missing on the Oasis-class ships.
Where to Eat and Drink
Other loyalist favorites such as Schooner Bar and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen dot the way along the interior multi-level boulevard, now uninterrupted by any pedestrian blockades found on preceding ships.
Similarly repeated, but refreshed, is Star’s Central Park, though the neat Rising Tide Bar once set between the park and the Royal Promenade has been omitted. I am happy to report, however, that Chops Grille and Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (consistently great culinary options) have been reprised here. And, the newly introduced Lou’s Jazz ’N Blues club offers musical sets that spill into the naturally landscaped courtyard.
Other excellent live music extends to the Dueling Pianos haunt, as well as the dual-level Music Hall, which towers off of the Royal Casino. The Attic, where stand-up comedy is performed, has been displaced to the aforementioned promenade.
Also missing on the Icon-class ships is the once-mainstay Johnny Rockets; the extra-cost diner is gone now that the Boardwalk has been transformed into the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood. Clients will find Splashaway Bay kiddie water park and pool at the stern, where the AquaTheater once was. A mix of free and paid eateries further support the space.
The Lime and Coconut bars are again on-hand across Chill Island and Cloud 17 pool decks. The alfresco and complimentary El Loco Fresh cantina is nearby, although I found the Mexican food here, as well as the free pizza from Sorrento’s downstairs, to be mediocre.
Further servicing the Thrill Island neighborhood is the extra Basecamp; this is yet another free (and quite tasty) poolside-style grill. And it’s worth mentioning that the Windjammer Marketplace buffet has been reprised onboard Star. There are also plenty more complimentary and specialty restaurants to go around.
Where to Play
Thrill Island continues to garner lots of attention, with its half-dozen Category 6 waterslides colorfully punctuating the uppermost decks. Having personally descended all six slides, I can attest to their varied intensities, from moderate rafts to extreme body free-falls. All result in sense-stimulating fun. The Crown’s Edge ropes course is yet another activity option, with a zipline element that suspends over the side of the ship; the Adrenaline Peak rock-climbing wall; a FlowRider surf simulator; The Hideaway adult-only infinity pool deck; an escape room; a sports court; a fitness center; a Vitality Spa; and more.
Onboard Accommodations
After a long day full of shipboard engagement, I headed to my spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony stateroom, which happens to be a design carryover from corporate cousin Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class. Star still offers plenty of traditional veranda accommodations, but my suite type allows the balcony space to be “brought inside” for even greater interior volume. I opened my balcony with the push of a button; a glass panel lowered to become a railing to the outside. It’s a welcome change of pace, and an offering to highlight for clients.
Whether in a stateroom or a suite, cruise travelers considering Star of the Seas have much to look forward to. And then there’s the third-in-series Legend of the Seas (the historic name is back) to wait for. It is scheduled to set sail in July 2026.
