Heidi BucoloWe just returned from an exclusive media sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class vessel, Star of the Seas. Having sailed on her groundbreaking sister ship, Icon of the Seas, we couldn’t wait to see how Star of the Seas compared. While these two largest cruise ships in the world are alike in many ways, Star debuts some enhancements and unique features that set her apart. Whether you’re deciding which ship to book or just curious about how they differ, we’re breaking down all the similarities and key differences for you in this comprehensive Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas comparison.
Key Takeaways: Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
- Same Amazing Foundation: Both are the world’s largest cruise ships at 248,663 GT with 8 neighborhoods, 7 pools, Category 6 waterpark, and over 40 dining venues
- Different Homeports: Icon sails from Miami while Star departs from Port Canaveral (Orlando) – perfect for combining with theme park visits
- Unique Entertainment: Icon features “The Wizard of Oz” while Star debuts “Back to the Future: The Musical” plus all-new AquaDome and Absolute Zero ice shows
- Enhanced Dining: Star upgrades the AquaDome Market with new food stalls including Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai, and La Cocinita, plus Lincoln Park Supper Club replaces Empire Supper Club
- Appeals to More Families: Star expands Surfside’s appeal to ages 0-10 (vs Icon’s 0-6) and adds more analog play options to kids’ clubs
- More Relaxation: Star features 10 hot tubs compared to Icon’s 9, giving guests more spaces to unwind
- Meet the Crew: Both ships have Chief Dog Officers – Rover on Icon and Sailor on Star
- Celebrity Godparents: Soccer legend Lionel Messi christened Icon while music icon Diana Ross will christen Star
- Tech Upgrades: Star features enhanced Pearl technology with improved LED displays
- The Bottom Line: Both are extraordinary ships, but Star perfects Icon’s design based on guest feedback
What Makes Both Ships Extraordinary
Before diving into the differences, we should say that both ships are extraoridnary. At 248,663 GT, Star of the Seas shares the title of the largest cruise ship in the world with Icon of the Seas. Both Star and Icon are part of the same revolutionary Icon class. This means they’re virtually identical with 8 neighborhoods, 20 total decks, over 40 food & drink options, and 2,805 staterooms. Both ships carry 5,610 guests at double occupancy and deliver endless thrills and ways to chill.
The eight innovative neighborhoods include the AquaDome with its transformative day-to-night functionality, the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood, the adults-only Hideaway with its stunning infinity pool, and Central Park with thousands of living plants. Part of Thrill Island, Category 6 waterpark on both vessels holds the record as the largest waterpark at sea with six waterslides. Not to mention, Chill Island features 7 pools including the largest pool at sea AND the largest swim-up bar at sea.
The dining is equally impressive on both ships, with several familiar favorites and other eateries that are unique to the Icon class such as the supper club, AquaDome Market, and Pier 7. Basecamp, which is new to the Icon class as well, also debuts an updated menu. This menu now features all complimentary items like chicken tenders, pretzel bites, and a smash burger. The up-charge menu items have been removed on both ships.
Both ships also feature the Pearl, a kinetic art installation that serves as a stunning centerpiece in the spacious Royal Promenade. Though, it’s received a technological upgrade on Star of the Seas.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about Royal Caribbean’s world-class productions. With the same great entertainment spaces, both ships also feature some of the best entertainment at sea across the Royal Theater, AquaDome, and Absolute Zero ice rink.
Along with a variety of bars & lounges (some new on the Icon class like the Lemon Post, Dueling Pianos, 1400 Lobby Bar, and Rye & Bean), family activities, and signature parties, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas both offer the ultimate vacation for all types of travelers.
But now, let’s talk about how these two ships differ.
8 Differences Between Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas
A Strategic New Homeport in Port Canaveral
The most immediately apparent difference between these ships is their homeports. Icon of the Seas sails from PortMiami’s Terminal A. The ship’s 7-day round-trip sailings visit Eastern and Western Caribbean ports and include a stop at the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, while Star of the Seas is based in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. After a few short cruises, this ship will sail a regular rotation of 7-day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with visits to the cruise line’s private island as well.
With this strategic deployment in Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean bring one of the biggest family vacation options to one of the biggest family markets, positioning Star of the Seas as direct competition to Orlando’s theme parks.
Tasty New AquaDome Market Food Stalls
Now, perhaps one of our favorite enhancements has to do with the AquaDome Market. While both ships feature this caual dining spot, Star of the Seas introduces some new food stalls and menu items.
The food stalls on Icon of the Seas include:
- Feta Mediterranean- featuring pitas and bowls
- Mac’s- a mac n cheese bar with toppings like pulled pork
- Toast and Garden- serving up sandwiches and salads
- GNGR- serving up Asian favorites
- Creme de la Crepe- featuring sweet and savory crepes
Star’s selections include:
- Pig Out BBQ- featuring barbecue sandwiches along with mac & cheese
- Mai Thai- serving Thai favorites
- La Cocinita- featuring Latin American tapas like empanadas
- Feta Mediterranean- featuring similar options to Icon like gyros
- Creme de la Crepe- serving up delicious crepes
While the AquaDome Market was our favorite addition to the dining lineup on Icon of the Seas, we think the new food stalls and menu selections are even better on Star of the Seas. We particularly enjoyed the pad thai, brisket with mac & cheese, and the chicken empanadas. Of course, you can still grab some tasty gyros and crepes as well.
The AquaDome Market gets two thumbs up from us. But we also enjoy all the other casual offerings on the Icon class. From the upgraded selections at the Pearl Cafe (replacing the Cafe Promenade on other ships in the fleet), to the now fully complimentary Basecamp in the Thrill Waterpark neighborhood, and Surfside Bites in the Surfside neighbhorhood, guests never have far to go for a snack. There’s also familar favorites like El Loco Fresh on the pool deck (Chill Island), Park Cafe in Central Park, Sorrento’s pizzeria in the Royal Promenade, and the Windjammer buffet.
Brand-New Entertainment Wows
Let’s be honest: Royal Caribbean has the best entertainment at sea! And Icon delivered some incredible wows when she debuted in 2024. The signature production in the Royal Theater is The Wizard of Oz. From a tornado whipping through the theater to flying monkeys and strolls down the yellow brick road, this is one of the best full-scale productions at sea. How can you top that? Well, for Don, tapping into some 80’s nostalgia.
“Back to the Future: The Musical”, which has been a smash hit on Broadway, has been adapted for Star of the Seas. Fans of the beloved 1985 film will be thrilled to know that Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and even the notorious Biff are brought to life in this brand-new Royal Caribbean production with the largest orchestra at sea. While the full production wasn’t ready during our first look, we got to see a few select scenes. From what we saw, the adaptation seemed to capture the original movie magic, complete with a DeLorean.
Star of the Seas also features a brand-new show in the AquaDome and in Absolute Zero. Switching it up, Torque replaces Aqua Action from Icon of the Seas in the AquaDome and Sol replaces Starburst: Elemental Beauty in Absolute Zero. While Sol starts off a bit slow, you need to stick around until the end. The ice skating trick performers are next-level.
Torque on Star of the Seas delivers an incredible combination of high-divers, synchronized swimmers, dancers, and aerial artists. However, similar to Back to the Future, the full production of Torque wasn’t ready during our sailing. While we always enjoy the aqua shows, the verdict is still out on this one. From what we saw, we may prefer Aqua Action on Icon of the Seas.
More Relaxation Options
If you’ve never sailed on the Icon class of ships, you’ll notice some differences when it comes to the pool deck. Both Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas feature 7 total pools — one for every day of the week! Deck 15 is the main pool deck where you’ll find the Royal Bay and Cove pools. Deck 16 features the Swim & Tonic pool bar, which is currently open to all ages despite trialling adults-only on Icon. And Deck 17 features the Cloud 17 pool. Additionally, the adults-only Hideway is home to an infinity pool with wake views; the family-centric Surfide has the Water’s Edge pool; and The Grove (exclusive to suite guests) rounds out the pool count.
One practical but significant enhancement differentiating Star of the Seas from Icon of the Seas is the addition of another hot tub. Star has 10 hot tubs compared to Icon’s 9.
On Icon of the Seas, the hot tub on Deck 15 starboard between the Lime & Coconut bar and the AquaDome Market was removed during construction due to water weight concerns. Realizing it wasn’t an issue after all, Star of the Seas features this additional hot tub. And on the world’s largest cruise ship, an extra hot tub is always a good idea. This gives guests another relaxation option and a bit more space to spread out.
The strategic placement of this additional hot tub also helps distribute guest traffic more effectively across the ship’s outdoor decks. On Star of the Seas, guests can now find five hot tubs on the main pool deck (Deck 15), in addition to two in the adults-only Hideaway, one on Deck 16 near the Swim & Tonic, one in Cloud 17 (Deck 17), and one in the Grove Suite Sun Deck.
Wider Family Appeal in the Surfside Neighborhood
Royal Caribbean completely reimagined The Boardwalk on Oasis class ships for the Icon class. The new Surfside neighorhood was specificially designed for young families. Icon’s Surfside was meant for ages 0-6, but Star brings the age up to 10 years old. To help draw families with slightly older kids too, Splashaway Bay and the Playscape have some new features to keep kids of all ages happy.
The Water’s Edge pool has been reconceptualized as well based on actual guest usage patterns. What was designed as an adult pool for parents really just became an extension of the family area so Royal Caribbean leaned into that making the water-play spaces more cohesive.
The Surfside Neighborhood also features family-friendly dining and activities so families can stay and play all day long. Guests can enjoy a carousel, an arcade, snacks at Surfside Bites like popcorn chicken and pizza toasties, and a family buffet (Surfside Eatery). There’s even the family-friendly Pier 7 specialty restaurant where kids 12 and under eat for free.
Yes, we don’t have kids, but this neighborhood is still fun to visit for the seaside vibes, snacks, and drinks at the Lemon Post.
Chicago Glamour Replaces New York Sophistication
One of the most elevated dining experiences at sea is the signature supper club on both Icon and Star of the Seas. On Icon of the Seas, guests are transported to the glitz of 1920s New York at the Empire Supper Club. Star of the Seas, however, offers a different flavor of vintage glamour with the Chicago-inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club.
On Star of the Seas, Lincoln Park Supper Club offers a similar vibe, but instead of New York the focus is on Chicago’s golden age. Located off Central Park, the elegant evening combines cuisine, cocktails, and live music in an intimate space. The multi-course journey includes upscale selections like crab ravioli and lamb with morel and chanterelle mushrooms, alongside live jazz music.
This venue is a completely unique culinary and entertainment experience giving repeat Icon class cruisers a reason to return.
Sailor: Star’s Four-Legged Ambassador
Following the overwhelming success of Rover on Icon of the Seas, Star introduces her own Chief Dog Officer. Star of the Seas also has a resident dog named Sailor.
Sailor is the second Chief Dog Officer in the fleet. Like Rover, Sailor is a golden retriever whose job is to bring fun to guests and crew aboard Star of the Seas. You can find Sailor roaming around the ship with her handler, or you can even follow her on social media.
Forget the Captain or Michael Bayley, made it your mission to get a picture with Sailor on your Star of the Seas cruise!
Diana Ross: A Star Fit for Star of the Seas
In keeping with tradition, a final area where Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas differ is the godparent. While Icon of the Seas was christened by soccer legend Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean has chosen musical icon Diana Ross as the official godmother of Star of the Seas.
Fun fact: Diana Ross actually served as the godmother of a Norwegian Cruise Line ship back in the 1990’s.
As godmother, Ms. Ross will partake in the maritime tradition of bestowing safekeeping onto the ship, its crew, and the millions of passengers who will sail on her. This christening event will take place in the AquaDome on August 20th.
Quick Comparison: Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
| Feature | Icon of the Seas | Star of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Homeport | Miami, Florida | Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL |
| Debut Date | January 2024 | August 2025 |
| Size | 248,663 GT | 248,663 GT |
| Capacity | 5,610 guests (double occupancy) | 5,610 guests (double occupancy) |
| Hot Tubs | 9 hot tubs | 10 hot tubs |
| Main Theater Show | The Wizard of Oz | Back to the Future: The Musical |
| AquaDome Show | Aqua Action | Torque |
| Ice Show | Starburst: Elemental Beauty | Sol |
| Supper Club | Empire Supper Club (1920s NYC) | Lincoln Park Supper Club (1930s Chicago) |
| AquaDome Market | Feta Mediterranean, Mac’s, Toast and Garden, GNGR, Creme de la Crepe | Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai, La Cocinita, Feta Mediterranean, Creme de la Crepe |
| Surfside Target Age | Ages 0-6 | Ages 0-10 |
| Chief Dog Officer | Rover | Sailor |
| Godparent | Lionel Messi | Diana Ross |
| Kids Programming | Standard Adventure Ocean | Enhanced with more analog play, ping pong, foosball, etc. |
| Pearl Technology | Standard LED displays | Enhanced LED with improved interactivity |
Bottom Line:
- Choose Icon of the Seas if: You prefer a Miami departure, want to see The Wizard of Oz, or like the Empire Supper Club’s NYC theme
- Choose Star of the Seas if: You want Orlando proximity for theme parks, prefer Back to the Future, have kids ages 7-10, or want the latest enhancements
The Verdict
Both Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas rival any cruise ship or land-based vacation for the ultimate family getaway. The layout, design, and finishes are all next level. From the dining and entertainment to the pool deck and sports deck amenities, both ships deliver a distinctly Royal Caribbean experience. Yet, they are not simply super-sized Oasis class ships. Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have more upscale décor, as well as more open space and new neighborhoods, making them feel familiar but different.
For guests choosing between these magnificent vessels, you can’t go wrong with either. When it comes to Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas, the decision may come down to your preferred homeport, specific entertainment interests, or the itinerary and pricing.
Icon of the Seas remains a groundbreaking achievement in cruise ship design, while Star of the Seas represents that design perfected. We wouldn’t hesistate to sail on either of them again. In fact, stay tuned as we will be re-boarding Star of the Seas in just a few days for another full week onboard the newest cruise ship in Port Canaveral. We’ll be sharing everything you need to know about Star of the Seas, so be sure to follow along on social media and let us know if you have any questions.
Comments
When comparing Star of the Seas to Icon of the Seas, which do you prefer? Have you had a chance to sail on Royal Caribbean’s Icon class yet? Drop us an anchor below to share your Royal Caribbean cruise reviews.
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