The newest addition to the Icon class fleet pushes the boundaries of cruise ship design with a retractable glass roof, underwater observation lounge, and AI-powered concierge service.
Royal Caribbean has officially unveiled the Star of the Seas, the second vessel in its groundbreaking Icon class and the largest cruise ship ever built. At 250,800 gross tons and accommodating 7,600 guests, the ship represents the pinnacle of modern cruise engineering.
The most talked-about feature is the ship's retractable glass roof over the Central Park neighborhood, allowing this lush garden area to transform from an open-air oasis to a climate-controlled paradise depending on weather conditions. The engineering challenge of creating a moving glass structure spanning over 20,000 square feet took designers three years to perfect.
Another industry first is the Abyssal Lounge, an underwater observation deck located below the waterline. Using reinforced glass panels and advanced lighting, guests can watch marine life pass by while enjoying cocktails and live music. The lounge extends eight feet below the surface and offers a truly unique at-sea experience.
The ship also debuts an AI-powered concierge system called ARIA, which uses natural language processing to help guests plan activities, make dining reservations, and get real-time answers about onboard services. Available through the Royal Caribbean app and interactive screens throughout the ship, ARIA learns guest preferences over time to deliver increasingly personalized recommendations.
The most talked-about feature is the ship's retractable glass roof over the Central Park neighborhood, allowing this lush garden area to transform from an open-air oasis to a climate-controlled paradise depending on weather conditions. The engineering challenge of creating a moving glass structure spanning over 20,000 square feet took designers three years to perfect.
Another industry first is the Abyssal Lounge, an underwater observation deck located below the waterline. Using reinforced glass panels and advanced lighting, guests can watch marine life pass by while enjoying cocktails and live music. The lounge extends eight feet below the surface and offers a truly unique at-sea experience.
The ship also debuts an AI-powered concierge system called ARIA, which uses natural language processing to help guests plan activities, make dining reservations, and get real-time answers about onboard services. Available through the Royal Caribbean app and interactive screens throughout the ship, ARIA learns guest preferences over time to deliver increasingly personalized recommendations.
