In the world of shipbuilding, there are few moments as exciting as a ship’s float out. It marks the first time a brand-new vessel touches water, signifying that her journey from blueprint to floating marvel is nearly complete. For Royal Caribbean’s next Icon-class cruise ship, Star of the Seas, this milestone was no different—it was a spectacular event, steeped in tradition and technical precision.
The float out is not only a major moment for ship enthusiasts and engineers alike, but it’s also a celebration of the years of hard work, innovation, and craftsmanship involved in building such a massive vessel. On this day, Star of the Seas—the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Icon class—took her first dip, floating for the very first time.
Preparing Star of the Seas for her Float Out
The journey to her float out began well before the big day. Preparing a ship of this size to be floated out is no simple task. First, all electricity to the ship was cut off. Then, overnight, the shipyard’s dry dock was flooded with a staggering 92 million gallons of water. For a little perspective, that’s enough to fill 140 Olympic-sized swimming pools! The dock slowly filled, hour by hour, until Star of the Seas was no longer standing on supports but floating in her new aquatic home.
Once afloat, four powerful tugboats carefully nudged and guided the 250,000-ton behemoth 1,000 feet to the outfitting pier. The move took nearly 36 hours to complete as precision was key. Once docked at the pier, the final stages of construction and outfitting began—an equally monumental task to get her ready for her maiden voyage in summer 2025.
Celebrating a Milestone in Shipbuilding
As Star of the Seas settled into her place alongside the pier, thousands of workers, from engineers to electricians, welders to designers, had their efforts acknowledged in this pivotal moment. The ship, which had been a hive of activity on land, would now begin to take on the elements and life of the sea, where she will eventually set sail with up to 10,000 guests and crew.
Upon her debut, Star of the Seas will be nothing short of a floating city, featuring eight distinct neighborhoods and over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges. This mammoth vessel will redefine the cruise experience when she launches from Port Canaveral, Florida, offering everything from high-end dining to thrilling adventures at sea.
Watch Star of the Seas Float Out
Check out this behind the scenes video to see Star of the Seas float out of the shipyard and make her way to the outfitting dock.
The Future Icon of the Seas
Star of the Seas follows in the wake of her sister ship, Icon of the Seas, which has already made waves with her innovative design and wildly successful cruises out of Miami. With Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is set to elevate its Icon class further, blending modern design, sustainability, and unmatched onboard experiences.
For now, the journey continues as the outfitting process gets underway to prepare this spectacular ship for her grand debut. We can’t wait to see her in action, offering a cruise experience like no other in 2025! Stay tuned for more updates as we follow Star of the Seas on her exciting path to the open seas!