Key Aspects:

• Star of the Seas departed Cadiz, Spain on July 27 and is now making her way across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Artwork installation, crew training, stunt practices, and more are all happening onboard without guests.
• The ship’s first four cruises are showcase sailings ahead of her inaugural 7-night voyage on August 31.

Every “loyal to Royal” cruiser is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas. She left Cadiz, Spain on Sunday, July 27 and is now heading across the Atlantic Ocean to her new home at Port Canaveral.

The ship was officially delivered to Royal Caribbean on July 10, 2025 and departed the Meyer Werft shipyard in Turku, Finland one week later, on Thursday, July 17.

She then made her way to Cadiz to take on supplies and additional crew members, and is now out to sea for her first transatlantic crossing.

Despite the fact that the brand-new ship does not have guests aboard for this first trip across the pond, that doesn’t mean it isn’t as crazy busy as if she did have all 7,600 guest berths filled. But what is happening during these sailing days?

Royal Caribbean has shared a rare insight at what is going on aboard the brand new ship as she heads west for the first time.

“The trek will take nine days, where all the finishing touches will take place,” the cruise line explained. “The first guests on Star arrive in just 19 days. See you soon, Florida!”

The ongoing finishing touches include:

• Hanging more than 10,300 pieces of artwork
• Stress testing every venue while conducting training
• Practicing stunts for the ice, air, and aqua shows
• Test driving thrills on deck, such as the waterslides

These are all final flourishes that do not need specialized equipment from the shipyard. Hundreds of crew members are participating in the different tasks as Star of the Seas makes her way to the Sunshine State.

The exact time and date of Star of the Seas‘ arrival to Port Canaveral has not yet been confirmed. Poor weather, technical challenges, or port schedules can still impact exactly when the ship will be welcomed home.

The ship may also stop at CocoCay before arriving in Florida, just as Icon of the Seas did in January 2024. This is also where the new Chief Dog Officer, Sailor, may join the crew.

Current satellite tracking data shows Star of the Seas on course for Ponce, Puerto Rico, where she will take on more supplies.

Undoubtedly other crew training, emergency drills, and familiarization tasks are also underway so the new ship is truly ready to shine when she welcomes her first guests on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

First Cruises Aboard Star of the Seas

That sailing is a 4-night “showcase cruise” that will only visit Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

With just one port of call, even on such a short cruise guests will still have plenty of time to experience what the immense new ship has to offer.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Ships by Size – Largest to Smallest

Like her sister ship, Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas is divided into distinct neighborhoods, each with its own individual flair. From the excitement of Thrill Island and its extensive waterpark to the relaxing vibes of Chill Island, there is something for everyone aboard.

Guests can also look forward to exclusive entertainment, including the highly anticipated production show of “Back to the Future.” Live music, the energetic AquaTheater shows, game shows, and more will keep guests entertained day and night.

The first four cruises for the new ship are all preview or showcase sailings. These are shorter 3- and 4-night voyages that have been added to her schedule because the ship was completed ahead of schedule.

Star of the Seas will remain homeported from Port Canaveral year-round at least through April 2027. She is offering 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries from August 31, 2025.

Depending on the departure date and exact itinerary, the new ship will visit such top destinations as Costa Maya, Cozumel, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, San Juan, Roatan, and more.

All itineraries will also visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, consistently rated as one of the top private island destinations and a favorite among cruise guests.

When passengers boarded the world’s largest cruise ship last week, they expected to embark on a fun-filled weeklong journey and make happy memories. And with its waterparks, top-tier entertainment venues, and bucket-list itineraries, Icon of the Seas definitely delivers. But just a few days into the voyage, guests witnessed a traumatic event they’ll likely never forget.

Last Thursday, a guest aboard the ship posted on Reddit about a male crew member who had gone overboard. As news of the incident spread, other passengers aboard Icon of the Seas reported seeing crew in rescue boats retrieve the man. While many passengers initially believed the incident was an accident, it was soon revealed that the man jumped overboard and died after stabbing a female crew member.

Here’s how guests responded to the incident, and what it reveals about the often unseen challenges crew members face on board.

What Happened On Board Icon of the Seas?

The incident occurred on July 24, five days into the scheduled seven-night Caribbean sailing aboard Icon of the Seas, currently the world’s largest cruise ship and soon to be the second largest after Star of the Seas debuts next month. According to a video by Doug Parker of Cruise News Today, two crew members were involved in a violent personal dispute while the ship was near San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.

In a news release posted on X, the Royal Bahamas Police Force wrote that the male crew member attacked his female coworker, stabbing her before jumping overboard. The crew aboard the ship launched a search and rescue operation and recovered the man from the water. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

The news release states:

“Shortly before 7:30 p.m., a 28-year-old South African female crew member was allegedly stabbed multiple times by another crew member, a 35-year-old South African male. Following the incident, the male reportedly fled from the scene and jumped into the water. He was retrieved unresponsive and pronounced dead by onboard medical staff.”

Authorities also reported that the female crew member sustained stab wounds to her upper body and is now in stable condition after treatment. Although Royal Caribbean hasn’t released the names of those involved, the Royal Bahamas Police Force has opened an investigation to determine the male crew member’s cause of death.

How Passengers Are Reacting To The Incident Aboard Icon Of The Seas

Several guests shared their experiences on Reddit, describing what they saw from their balconies and the confusion that followed. One traveler reported watching the ship’s crew deploy life preservers and send out a rescue boat shortly after the incident occurred.

Other passengers reported that the crew quickly closed the blinds and restricted access to the open deck areas. This left many unsure about what had actually happened, or whether the person who went overboard had survived.

In a separate Reddit thread, commenters discussed what life is like for crew members behind the scenes and how it may have contributed to the incident aboard Icon of the Seas.

For passengers, cruising is just a fun way to spend a vacation, but this incident highlights the hidden struggles many crew members face while on board.

What This Tragedy Reveals About The Hidden Struggles Of Cruise Ship Crew Members

In a video by Wanderlust Alley, travel YouTuber, Alley Kerr, interviewed cruise ship crew members about what life is really like below deck. Long shifts and a lack of rest days are common among ship crew members. Additionally, crew often spend months at sea, far from home, with little personal time and few mental health resources. While the terms of each job vary, most agreed that the crew lifestyle isn’t for everyone.

Many crew members also live in small, windowless cabins shared with one or more coworkers. Combined with the pressure to be friendly and professional at all times, burnout and mental health struggles are all too common.

And when it comes to dating and relationships among crew members, one of the interviewees described it as being like “college at sea,” where people meet, date, and sometimes clash in close quarters. While many of these relationships are harmless, the mental strain of the job and the lack of private space can make emotions harder to control.

Although the recent incident aboard the Icon of the Seas is rare, it’s still an important reminder that cruise ships are more than just floating resorts. They’re also workplaces where crew members deal with the constant pressure to perform.