Star of the Seas Full Tour: 7 Days on Royal Caribbean’s Largest Cruise Ship
Imagine walking into a place that has the energy of a theme park, the vibe of a resort, and the scale of a small city, only it’s floating across the Caribbean. That’s where we are right now, Star of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. There are already a ton of videos about this ship, but our goal is simple, to show you what it’s actually like to spend 7 full days sailing the Western Caribbean and to share how we enjoy every part of it. The Star of the Seas isn’t just a ship, it’s part adventure playground, part floating city. And over this week we tested all, the shows, the food, the excursions, and the late night snacks. We give you the real story, what’s worth it, what’s skippable, and the moments that stick with you long after you’re home. We sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida. It’s about an hour from Orlando Airport. We fly in the day before, crash at a hotel, and the next morning we grab a lift straight to the port. It’s a clear Florida day, blue skies all around, and the ride feels easy. No stress, no problems at all. As we get closer, we cross over the Banana River, and that’s when it really hits us. The ship towers over the port, and you can’t help but stare. Photos don’t prepare you for the size of the Star of the Seas when you first see it from the bridge. By 11am Sunday, our driver drops us off at the port, and our vacation officially starts. Our week takes us to perfect day at Coco Cay, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel, plus two sea days. And we bring you with us, from the restaurants, to the shows, to the shore excursions, making sure you see the moments we don’t want you to miss. Okay, here’s the nerdy stuff. Star of the Seas comes in at around 250,800 gross tons, stretches 20 decks, and has 2,805 staterooms. That means, at double occupancy, she carries about 5,610 guests, plus around 2,350 crew. At full tilt, over 7,600 passengers, nearly 10,000 people on board, including crew. This brand new ship was built in Finland, runs on liquefied natural gas, and splits into 8 neighborhoods. Central Park, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, Aquadome, Royal Promenade, Hideaway, and the Sweet Neighborhood. Each has a totally different vibe. Some standout features we get excited about. The Aquadome, with its transforming stage, water features and diving platforms, Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena at sea, Category 6 water park with 6 record breaking slides, and Swim in Tonic, Royal Caribbean’s largest swim-up bar at sea. There are 7 pools and 9 hot tubs scattered around, so it’s always easy to find somewhere to swim. We drop our bags and board directly into the Royal Promenade, a full indoor boulevard of bars, restaurants, and shops. Our tour begins through the Pearl and up into Central Park. It’s open air, lined with trees, and the whole space is filled with sounds of birds chirping. It’s shockingly peaceful for a ship this size. Central Park isn’t just for show. There are over 33,000 real plants living on board, and it changes the experience of being on a ship. Our first chance for lunch is at Park Cafe. We wander through the ship’s neighborhoods, getting our bearings. Chill Island pools feel mellow, and Thrill Island towers above everything with those bright slides. The Surfside neighborhood is now dedicated to families and has lots of places for kids to find the free, all-you-can-eat ice cream and snacks they crave. By early afternoon, we head to our stateroom to film a quick room tour. It’s always fun to document the cabin on day one before it gets lived in. The fresh bedding, the clever storage spots, and the balcony view that’s ours for the week. It’s not the biggest space in the world, but it’s efficient and surprisingly comfortable. The bathroom is worth calling out too. The new shower design is the largest we’ve had on any of our cruises, and the way they’ve reconfigured the layout makes the entire bathroom feel bigger and less cramped. It’s one of those small details that makes a big difference over a week at sea. Late afternoon, we scout pre-dinner snacks at Pearl Cafe, then head to actual dinner at the back of the ship. On this cruise, we decided to do all of our meals at the complimentary restaurants included in the cruise fare. Dinner each night will be in the main dining room. The food on Royal Caribbean is solid, and we don’t feel the need for specialty dining. We really lucked out with our amazing waiter and assistant waiters this trip. We keep an eye on the time and head quickly to the Aquadome to get good seats for the new show called Torque. The domed theater is a show of its own. Engineered curves, massive rigging, a stage that looks like it’s waiting to transform, and four massive robot arms. The transformation is instant. The floor sinks, water appears, and suddenly performers are everywhere. Divers flip into the pool, slackliners balance above, and swimmers trace designs that sink with the massive projections all around us. Dancers fill the stage, connecting each element into one giant rhythm. Every beat vibrates through your chest like you’re inside the performance itself. Lasers sweep across the ceiling, platforms shift, and water jets explode. Then the floor reconfigures and out of nowhere, two motorcycles roar into a giant metal dome at center stage, racing in tight circles. The robotic arms rise up and move in sync with the music, almost like they’re dancing along with the performers. It’s high adrenaline, completely unexpected, and the kind of opener that makes you realize that this week is going to be huge. We take a slow walk down the Central Park pathway. At night it’s quieter, the trees are lit up, and it feels like a totally different space. The plan for tomorrow? Island time. Island Time. Eating at Windjammer Marketplace, the ship’s main buffet means a plate full of eggs, waffles, and fruit. Everything you need to start the day. Breakfast with ocean views hits different. We step off into perfect day at Coco Cay and it feels like walking into a postcard. The water is electric blue, the sand almost looks photoshopped, and the whole island just screams vacation. Royal Caribbean actually owns the island and it’s designed only for cruise guests, so everything here feels safe, clean, and easy to get around. We spend the morning beach hopping, swimming in one of the massive pools and moving back and forth between sun and shade. There are plenty of beach chairs with umbrellas set up everywhere, so it’s easy to find a spot to relax when we need a break. There’s even the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean here, the Oasis Lagoon, and it’s packed with swim-up bars and space to float all day. By lunch we’re ready to eat, so we stop at Skipper’s Grill. Tacos, burgers, ice cream, all included. And yes, I go back for more tacos. When we get back on board later that afternoon, our stateroom is freshened up and waiting. And right in the middle of the room, our steward leaves us a towel elephant. He’s clearly a pro at this. It’s such a small touch, but instantly makes us smile and adds a little extra magic to the trip. Towel animals are definitely replicate worthy, and we’re now inspired to learn how to make them ourselves. We get a new one every day, and if you subscribe, you’ll be able to follow along when we learn how to make them too. We detour past Thrill Island and peak over Category 6. Six record-breaking slides and the largest water park at sea. With most of the other passengers still on Coco Cay, we decide it’s the perfect time. We do all five slides that are open. It feels like we’re at an actual water park with slides like these. We cool down at the adults-only hideaway neighborhood. With a pool suspended over the ocean, it feels like a beach club in the sky. After another great dinner, we find our way to absolute zero, the ice rink on the ship. If you get cold easily, you’ll want to grab a jacket first. SOL starts with projections rolling across the ice like a sunrise. The arena glows. Skaters explode into motion with big jumps, tight spins, and precise landings. The story follows the sun’s path across a day, fiery reds into cool blues, and the lighting makes the whole rink feel like it’s breathing. This is Royal Caribbean’s largest cast of ice skaters, and it shows. They move as one, then split into duos and trios, then flood the ice again in formation. It’s art and extreme sport in the same breath. Some of Cirque du Soleil’s inline stunt skaters trade their rollerblades for hockey skates and ramp up the adrenaline. We finish the night with a stroll down the Royal Promenade for live music and a midnight slice at Sorrento’s, the ship’s complimentary pizzeria. Tomorrow’s a sea day. Code for, “The day to try and see everything this ship has to offer.” Sea days mean wandering. We brunch in the main dining room, eggs, pastries, a wedge salad? Oh, and yes, I order dessert with breakfast. We wander Central Park for the vibe, then head back to the hideaway to relax for a bit. Lunch is a quick bite at Basecamp, pretzel bites and crispy tater tots with nacho cheese sauce. Then after a quick change of clothes, we claim our seats at the Royal Theatre for Back to the Future, the musical. Because it’s an actual Broadway musical, filming was not allowed in the theatre. The opening guitar riff lands and the crowd’s all in. Marty, Doc, a live orchestra, and big set pieces. It’s full Broadway scale. When the DeLorean revs and the scene flips to 1955, the room erupts. It’s a legit sea debut that Royal Caribbean has been hyping up for Star of the Seas, and it lives up to all of it. After the time travel adrenaline, another round of swimming, and one more amazing dinner at the main dining room… It’s time to wrap up with a stop at the Karaoke Bar, where brave passengers take the stage and everyone sings along from the crowd. It’s the perfect low-key way to end the night before heading back to the cabin. Tomorrow, Mexico. We step off in Costa Maya, and it’s honestly a bit of a letdown. There are a ton of shops, but the whole area feels crowded, a little smelly, and definitely showing signs of neglect. Even the bathrooms don’t have toilet seats. It’s not the port we remember from past trips. But there’s a big change coming. Royal Caribbean is already transforming this spot into the next perfect day destination, this time in Mexico. And it’s going to look completely different once it’s finished. They’re calling it Perfect Day Mexico, set to open in 2027. The plans are ambitious. The tallest waterslides in the Americas, the longest lazy river in the world, plus new beaches, pools, and family zones designed just for cruise guests. Once that’s built, this stop will feel like a completely new experience. For now, though, it’s more of a quick walkthrough than a must do. Until Perfect Day Mexico is ready, Costa Maya has honestly become a skip for us. Instead of spending the day in port, we stay on board and take advantage of having the ship a little more to ourselves. One of the first stops? Sorrento’s for a few slices of classic, cheesy, all-you-can-eat pizza. It’s not the world’s most amazing pizza, but the nostalgia of grabbing endless slices on a Royal Caribbean ship definitely makes it replicate-worthy. It’s the kind of tradition you could even recreate at a cruise-themed party back at home. After another dinner, in the main dining room of course, the entertainer for tonight’s show is a juggler-comedian hybrid. He’s tossing clubs, balancing props, layering jokes, and pulling volunteers for bits that land. It’s energetic without being chaotic. Post-show, we drift through the Royal Promenade again. With dueling pianos and people dancing, it gives the ship that energetic small-town feeling. It’s the perfect end cap to a great day. We arrive in Roatan, a beautiful island that’s part of the Honduras. It sits off the northern coast, surrounded by the second largest barrier reef in the world, so the water here is unreal. It feels more laid back than some of the busier ports, and it’s the perfect place for an adventure day. Today’s adventure is ziplining up in the hills with South Shore Adventures, an excursion we booked with Royal Caribbean. We get harnessed up, helmets on, and they hand us a leather glove. That’s how you slow down. By pressing on the cable with your gloved hand. It’s definitely scarier than the automatic braking systems we’ve tried before, but it adds a real jolt of adrenaline. We step off the first platform, and suddenly we’re soaring over ravines and jungle canopy, with flashes of ocean peeking through the trees. Every landing deck turns into an instant, did you see that moment? It’s equal parts thrilling and scenic, and by the end we’re laughing as much as we’re catching our breath. After all that excitement, we head down to Sol Imar Beach Club. Calm turquoise water, a few rocks before turning into soft sand, and plenty of loungers under umbrellas. We swim, float, and practice the skill of doing absolutely nothing, which is kind of the perfect way to balance out a zipline day. Back on board the ship and up its escalators, we continue our path higher into the Aquadome Market, Royal Caribbean’s new food hall concept. I head to Mai Tai for Pad Thai and lemongrass chicken, while Sean goes for pig-out BBQ, and of course, we both accidentally end up at the crepe counter. The variety here is the best part. It feels more like a shoreside food court than a single buffet. And those crepes! Thin, folded, and filled to order, totally replicate worthy. The kind of dessert station you could recreate at home with a simple crepe pan and a toppings bar. Plates cleared, we head out on deck just in time for a sail away from Roatan. The sun is dropping, the coastline slowly fades, and you can still see the outline of Honduras’ mountains in the distance. It’s one of those moments who stop and just take in. Later, we head to the main dining room for dinner. Another great meal made even better by our awesome team of waiters. They keep things fun every night. After dinner, we slip into one of the hot tubs under the stars. Warm water, cool breeze, and the steady motion of the ship. It’s the perfect way to let the day sink in. We wrap the evening with a walk through Central Park. The trees glow softly, the ship feels calm, and a professional harpist fills the air with gentle music. It’s the kind of quiet ending that balances out a busy day on land. We start the morning in Windjammer Marketplace, loading up on eggs, fruit, and pastries with those unbeatable ocean views. Breakfast on a sea day feels different, but today we’re docking in one of the most famous cruise ports in the world, Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel sits just off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and is part of the state of Quintana Roo. It’s best known for its reefs. This island is surrounded by part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. That makes it a bucket list spot for diving and snorkeling. The port itself is lively, with rows of shops, people dancing, and plenty of souvenirs. But we’re skipping all that for now and heading to our excursion. A day with the Fury Catamaran, another excursion we booked with Royal Caribbean. The crew keeps the energy high, music blasting as we sail toward the reef. Masks on, we slide into the water and drift above coral gardens alive with color. Schools of fish flicker below, and then we spot a baby nurse shark resting calmly in the sand. It’s one of those surreal, just float and watch moments. Back at the catamaran, the crew hands out drinks while we head to a private beach club. White sand, loungers under umbrellas, turquoise water. It looks like a giant swimming pool. We swim, relax, and call it a win before sailing back to the port. When we return to the ship, the Ocean Odyssey Parade takes over the Royal Promenade. Performers in bright costumes fill the space, music booms, and giant sea creature puppets float down the path. It’s colorful, loud, and one of those only on a cruise ship surprises that make the day feel even bigger. That night, we head back to the main dining room for dinner. Tonight, I get one of my recently dubbed favorite dishes from Royal Caribbean. The roasted poblano pepper soup. It’s creamy, just the right amount of spice, definitely Replicate-Worthy! The kind of recipe I’d love to try making at home between cruises. The meal is relaxed, the tables buzzing, and by the time dessert rolls around, it feels like another highlight of the trip. Then it’s showtime. Gold Art Duo. Right away, they pull us in with these impressive balancing acts. Leaning on each other in ways that don’t even look possible. Just when you think you’ve seen the big trick, they roll right into something new. We’ll be right back. She takes the stage hanging from a ring suspended high above, spinning and twisting while the lights catch her perfectly. Then he comes out with this extra large hula hoop, bigger than anything we’ve seen used on stage, and somehow makes it look smooth and controlled. They mix in comedy too. At one point he climbs inside a giant balloon, bouncing around and cracking jokes until he pops out of it. The whole crowd is laughing and it totally breaks up the intensity of the bigger stunts. The duo keeps surprising us right up to the end. It’s a mix of skill, comedy, and pure creativity that has the whole crowd reacting. Unexpected, entertaining, and one of the standouts of the week. It’s our last full day at sea and we’ll fast forward past breakfast to jump straight into a full-on snack crawl. Pretzel bites, churros, tater tots, and mini cakes. Nothing fancy, just all the little favorites we’ve discovered over the week. Between snack stops, we make loops through our favorite corners. Time at the Overlook, where you can stretch out on a comfy chair above the bridge and look straight out at the horizon. A walk through Central Park, and even a stop at Cloud 17, the sun deck where you get sweeping views and a breezy vibe. With seven pools on board, pool hopping has basically become its own hobby. While we’re up at the Overlook, we also spot Sailor, the golden retriever who actually lives onboard the Star of the Seas. She’s Royal Caribbean’s official Chief Dog Officer, and her whole job is bringing joy to guests and crew. We don’t wait in the long line to pet her, but it’s fun to just see her making the rounds. It’s such a unique, light-hearted touch that adds a little extra personality to the ship. And then there’s the pearl, the massive white sphere that dominates the Royal Promenade. We pass by it every day, but on this last sea day we stop and really take it in. The shifting LED lights, the way it transforms the space. It feels futuristic and technically advanced in a way you don’t normally expect on a cruise ship. It’s one of those details that makes Star of the Seas feel different from anything else at sea. Once you notice the details, you start seeing art everywhere. Star of the Seas carries over 15,000 pieces across the ship. From murals, to sculptures, to hidden little surprises in each neighborhood. Before the day gets away from us, we head back to Category 6 for one last round of slides. Sean and I race on the mats down the blue slides one more time, then grab tubes for the big green slide. We’ve done them earlier in the week, but on the final day it feels like a last chance moment we can’t pass up. After coming back from swimming, our room is made up again. And waiting for us on the bed is our final towel animal. It joins the lineup of animals we’ve collected all week. Each one different, each one fun. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our future video where we learn how to make some of these ourselves. In the afternoon, we wander into the Royal Promenade for one of the last times on this trip. Live music fills the air, families are breaking records of who can eat the most slices of free pizza, and you really feel the pulse of the ship. It’s like the heartbeat of the Star of the Seas. Dinner that night in the main
dining room feels like a finale. We slow down, enjoy the courses, and talk through our favorite moments from the trip. After dinner, we take our cameras for one last walk around the open decks. The ship grows quiet in pockets, just the wind and the ocean. That’s our favorite soundtrack, a peaceful way to end an energy-packed week. Tomorrow morning we’ll be back in Port Canaveral, but tonight we stretch every moment we can. One last lap, one last look at the horizon, and a reminder of why we love being at sea. The alarm goes off at 6:15am and we get ready for the last day of our trip. By 7am, we’re in Windjammer for one final breakfast before making our way off the ship. This is one of those rare trips where it actually feels like the perfect amount of time. Long enough to do everything we wanted, but short enough that we’re walking off still wanting more. Stepping outside, the sunrise over Port Canaveral is waiting, and the week feels like it’s flown by. None of us really wants to say goodbye to a city that floats. But we’re already looking ahead. Maybe the next one will be on Star’s newest sister ship coming next year. Legend of the Seas. We’ll see. If you’re sailing star of the seas, here’s the bottom line. Don’t skip the shows, and don’t forget to make reservations before you board. Torque is jaw-dropping, SOL will blow your mind, and Back to the Future is literally a Broadway show. Food-wise, the included spots are solid. Park Cafe, Windjammer, El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s, Aquadome Market. Way better than what you’d expect for included dining, and plenty of variety to keep it interesting. And Coco Cay? This was our first time there, and we honestly loved it. The beaches, the pools, the food. It’s one of those stops that just works. As for the ship itself, yes, there are thousands of people on board. But it never really feels like that. The neighborhoods spread guests out, with calm spaces when you want to relax, and buzzing energy when you don’t. It really feels like Royal Caribbean’s best design yet. And what makes it even better is you’re seeing how they’ve taken feedback from guests seriously, using it to create an entire class of ships that feels like it’s the future of cruising. If you’re looking for the newest, boldest, and best designed cruise experience, this is the one for you. If you liked this video, please consider subscribing to our channel to join us on our next trip. Thanks for sailing with us!
You don’t have to be a cruise expert to enjoy life at sea… you just need curiosity, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure. Join us aboard Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Star of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world. For seven days, we explore every neighborhood on this Icon-Class ship… from sky-high slides and live shows to the island adventures waiting in each port.
✨ https://replicatethemagic.com/inspiration/travel/7-days-on-royal-caribbeans-star-of-the-seas/ ✨
In this full cruise review, we are going to:
🚢 Board Star of the Seas in Port Canaveral and explore the ship’s brand-new design
🎭 Experience AquaDome shows, live musicals, and late-night karaoke
🌴 Visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel
🍴 Try the included dining, hidden snacks, and a few specialty treats along the way
🎢 Ride the slides, meet Sailor the ship’s golden retriever, and share honest tips about what’s worth it, and what’s truly Replicate-Worthy
👉 Stay to the end for our full recap of favorite activities, food, and shows… plus a few things we’d skip next time.
👉 If you love travel, food, and bringing the magic home, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more Replicate the Magic.
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📍Chapters:
00:00 Intro: Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas (World’s Largest Cruise Ship)
00:51 Getting to the Port: Lyft to Port Canaveral & First Impressions
01:28 Our 7-Day Itinerary
01:43 Fast Facts: Icon-Class Specs & Neighborhoods
02:30 Ship Highlights
02:54 Day 1: Boarding in Port Canaveral & Torque AquaDome Show
06:28 Day 2: Perfect Day at CocoCay & SOL Ice Show
10:16 Day 3: Sea Day with Back to the Future Musical, Comedy & Karaoke
12:00 Day 4: Costa Maya, Ship Day Wins & Headliner
13:58 Day 5: Roatán, Zipline Adventure & Beach
17:15 Day 6: Cozumel, Fury Catamaran Snorkel & Parade
21:11 Day 7: Final Sea Day, Snack Crawl, Slides, The Pearl & Sailor
24:21 Day 8: Back to Canaveral, Disembarkation Morning
25:00 Recap & Tips: Must-See Shows, Included Food, What We’d Repeat
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Our Favorite Videos on YouTube About Star of the Seas
https://www.youtube.com/@UCZrh7jGCGMnxu5GZ_EuJaMw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTZhxyfJ_6Q
https://www.youtube.com/@UCGh9zg0zvyF3GqHeR4WR3Xg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE24LeWubxg
https://www.youtube.com/@HarrTravel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoIif4QhnZQ
https://www.youtube.com/@UCjT4G0ukknVoJXI31Qh4l1w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEnTCvaEA04
Our Favorite Place for Cruise News & Updates
https://www.youtube.com/@UCqFivW2VWJtGfvrMreyjNbw
Wondering what it’s like to live on a cruise ship? Follow Jordan Bauth, one of Royal Caribbean’s professional figure skaters:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCqkbECaAqs-mpOC09-R4eRw
✨ About Us
We’re Beau and Sean, the creators of Replicate the Magic. Our channel turns travel inspiration into real-life recreations… exploring, tasting, and then bringing that magic home through recipes, builds, and stories.
🌐 More guides, itineraries, and replicas: https://replicatethemagic.com
📌 Follow along for travel inspiration and DIY replications.
👍 Other Places to Find Us:
https://instagram.com/replicatethemagic
https://facebook.com/ReplicateTheMagic
https://pinterest.com/replicatethemagic
@replicatethemagic
✨ Thanks for joining us aboard Star of the Seas! Would you sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship? Tell us your dream itinerary (or your favorite Replicate-Worthy cruise dish!) in the comments below.
⚓ Until next time… keep traveling, keep creating, and keep Replicating the Magic.
#StarOfTheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #IconClass #RoyalCaribbeanCruise #CruiseVlog #CocoCay #Cozumel #Roatan #CostaMaya #ReplicateTheMagic #CruiseLife #TravelAndFood #CruiseTips
© 2025 Replicate the Magic. All rights reserved.
This video and its contents are the property of Replicate the Magic and may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without permission. All trademarks, characters, and locations referenced remain the property of their respective owners and are used here under fair use for commentary, review, and educational purposes. Replicate the Magic is an independent fan project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Disney, Universal, or any other company or brand featured.
5 Comments
Hey everyone… we’re still very new to longform and this is one of our first travel videos. We hope you enjoy it. We’re learning as we go and excited to keep improving. We’d love your honest thoughts and any tips for what we should do next… what to show more of, what to trim, and what would make this more useful.
Big thanks to @ordinaryadventures, @cruisewith, and @jbauth for inspiring us to do what we love.
Thanks for watching and for being patient while we try to level up. If you enjoyed it, please like the video and subscribe to Replicate the Magic so we can keep making these.
"The nerdy stuff" 🤣 Thanks for explaining the layout of the ship. It helped to have that understanding of the neighborhoods and what all in on the boat. Always love your videos ❤
Never been on a cruise and this is making me immensely envious 🤩
OMG you missed the windjammer on the first lunch with STEAKS of all kind and SEAFOOD all you can eat
One of the best videos I have seen from this cruise. Excellent!