Sarah Bretz, ContributorRoyal Caribbean International has announced that its upcoming mega ship Star of the Seas is now slated to begin sailing with guests earlier than previously planned.
Usually when there are schedule changes for an upcoming cruise ship, it’s bad news: the canceling of its first cruises due to construction delays. But this time, it’s a happy update. Construction on the second Icon-class ship is going so well that the debut date has been moved up.
An Email to Booked Guests
In an email to guests who are booked on the previous inaugural voyage, the cruise line said “Constructing such a large and amazing ship is challenging, and while delivery can sometimes be delayed, there are other times where we get to sail our new ship earlier. The August 31, 2025 sailing that you booked will still take place as the first full sailing and inaugural with all of the events and goodies.”
Royal Caribbean went on to say that ahead of the first “official” inaugural voyage, it is adding two more of what it is calling “showcase sailings.” They will be short four-night cruises departing on August 23rd and August 27th, stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The email continued, “we wanted to give you an exclusive opportunity to join us for these new sailings. As you may have booked your Star of the Seas sailing to be the first onboard, you’ll have the opportunity to book either (or BOTH) of the new showcase sailings OR to move your existing booking to one of the new inaugural 4-night Perfect Day Cruises as of January 30, 2025!”
What does this mean?
What this means is that those who have booked onto the original sailing have first dibs on booking either — or both — of the new showcase sailings. They can also choose to move their existing booking to one of the new inaugural four-day sailings starting this Thursday, January 30th. The last option is to do nothing and stay on their originally-booked cruise on August 31st.
Guests who were booked in a suite on the original inaugural cruise will have their same suites held as a courtesy until February 6, 2025. Those who are booked in interior, oceanview, and balcony staterooms will have like-for-like cabins available to choose from.
Those who transfer their booking to one of the new sail dates in the same stateroom as they currently have will pay a prorated cruise fare for the change in sailing nights. This means that Royal Caribbean will adjust the cruise fare to reflect four nights instead of seven. Guests who already prepaid for their cruise will get a refund for three nights’ worth of the cruise fare. This complimentary transfer covers the cruise fare for the new sale dates only.
Change requests must be made by February 6, 2025. Those who don’t make a change will remain booked on the August 31st sailing, but can still choose to add the new showcase cruises based on availability.
Star of the Seas is the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class following Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024. When Star debuts this summer, she will be the largest cruise ship in the world at 250,800 gross tons.
Comments
What are your thoughts on Royal Caribbean adding two “showcase” cruises before the official inaugural sailing? Are you planning to sail Icon or Star of the Seas this year? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
