On board the largest cruise ship

While Star of the Seas is still moored at Floridas Cape Canaveral’s banks, it is difficult to understand what the world’s largest cruise ship – together with his sister ikones of the sea – actually means.

The terminal building, to which the ship is connected, masked a large part of the ship while the guests approach it, and understands where the bug begins and the rear of the London borders after getting started after getting started.

But during the opening sail of the Seasseee-a three-day trip that slides over a supernatural caribbic, including a stopover at the private Bahamic island of Cococay of the cruise company, an unexpected moment of implementation.

It happened on the 17th of the 20 decks of the giant. “This thing is so big,” I heard out loudly.

All besides the lowest and highest levels are accessible via elevators that lead to every conceivable attraction and distraction.

I suddenly realized that I had met seven swimming pools; A water park with six bright water slides; 40 restaurants; And eight “neighborhoods”, including the family -oriented surfside with its aqueous playgrounds and the Central Park, which has a leaf promenade and specialties sushi and steak houses.

It is all of the order that does not exceed expectations.

The type of dining that is not included in the fare and therefore additional costs means “specialty”. However, those who adhere to the free options are not hungry.

The Windjammer buffet offers a confusing selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner. It described by Royal Caribbean’s Bullisches British President Michael Bayley as “the largest buffet in the world” and extends not only over the width of the ship, but also a variety of kitchens.

Via the display, you float the ghost of waste and greed – not so much that of the cruise line, but the consumers, you should succumb to the implicit invitation to eat everything you can and more.

Elsewhere, the main Multi-deck-eating room has the feeling of a 19th century dining hall with bustling waiters, a Maître d ‘, a chandelier and a more pleasant Soup the formality. Alternatively, the tailor -made burgers in the BaseCamp of Thrill Island are uniquely satisfactory.

However, it is best to eat your burger after you consumed the other attractions of this level: the nearby climbing wall, which is known as an adrenal peak, or the edge of crown-a pulse-outing challenge where it is about crossing a sidewalk that is used through the air and over the sea while being used for an overhead track.

In the late afternoon, the star had greeted guests on board its first full addition to almost six thousand guests, and a Conga already pulsed in the rhythms of a professionally happy Calypso band. Bronzed Torsos lined the swimming and tonic pool, which is the largest swimming rod at sea.

It doesn’t matter that Star Port Cananaveral had not yet left, the world’s most busy cruise ship. (The waterway, which itself is not much wider than the length of the ship, also serves Elon Musks nearby SpaceX operation. I became aware of it when a charred, reusable rocket was towed on the window of my candidate while I was unpacking.)

I was in an infinite ocean balcony room with a room-high window that gave the width of the room, which offers a strong contrast to the cheapest cabin: the windowless (and poky) inner cabin class.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Royal Loft Suite, which sleeps six and the most luxurious in the fleet of the 30 ships of the line is described, dominates from a white Grand piano in the reception room, from which a comprehensive staircase rises into the two bedrooms and as many bathrooms. The decor is clean, relentlessly modern and can be described as glassy rather than noble.

Regardless of the accommodation category, the ship goes out to encourage guests from their cabins.

The ice rink at Absolute Zero is organizing an impressive acrobatic ice show. The Aqua Theater built for the purpose is a technical miracle in which the air and synchronous swimming show is Torque is listed while the main theater houses the Hit West End and Broadway Musical Back to the future.

The standard of services and productions (especially the musical) are undeniably high. But usually for cruise companies, artistic programming is tirelessly impressive. Would it hurt to have a small, really challenging theater on board?

Next stop: Cococay. Royal Caribbean spent 250 million US dollars (£ 185 million), which transform this island into a “thrill” and cold “excursion, while children can do one while the parents do the other.

Access to the exclusive Coco Beach Club on the island costs extra, but apart from some of the shack shops that sell expensive merch (a Bahamas Hoody costs $ 60), only a few of the fresh water lagoon or the white sandy beaches that are gently in the Caribbean Azure Caribbean meal lake will be alternately changing. The children will now be enthusiastic about the adventurous Daredevil’s Peak, the largest water slide in North America.

Ten -year -old Jacob dared to follow him near vertical blue flower of the water park. “It is going down,” he promised when we approached the entrance. He was right. So the speed of the descent that the water in my nose and possibly out of my eyes is forced as the tube leaked.

After that, the largest wave pool in the region was child’s play. Was the day perfect? Maybe not if cultural and ecological authenticity is your thing. But it would be incredible to deny his obvious joys.

When the siblings of Star, Icon, started on his maiden voyage from Miami last year, the event was marked by a galactic fireworks. Not such a celebration for the younger sister, who is almost identical to icon despite some improvements.

When Star was accompanied by the 25 hectare private island of the Royal Caribbean by Wheeling Pelicans, I was responsible for the responsibility for the person responsible for the ship worth $ 1.7 billion and the security of thousands of people and their families.

“We have a lot of human life and a lot of responsibility,” said captain Rob Hempstead when I hit him on the bridge. In his crispy white uniform, the American, who comes from a generation of seafarers, greets me with a calming handshake.

“My great -grandson was an admiral in the navy and commander of the Pacific fleet around the turn of the century. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

Essentials

John Nathan was a guest of Royal Caribbean, who offers a seven-night eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise of £ 1,809 for a balcony-view cabin on May 10, 2026. Includes meals and entertainment. Excluded flights.