Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas comes down to small details rather than big ones. The two Royal Caribbean ships share the same hull, the same eight neighborhoods, the Category 6 waterpark and Crown’s Edge, and they carry the same 5,610 guests at double occupancy. What actually separates them is the shows, a few dining and deck changes, and above all where they sail from: Icon from Miami (moving to Galveston in August 2027), Star from Port Canaveral.
Free: the Star of the Seas ship guide: cabins, dining, shows and where she sails →
If you’re choosing between them, read on for a side-by-side table, every meaningful difference we could confirm, the 2026 and 2027 homeport picture, and some straightforward advice on which ship suits which kind of cruiser.
Star of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas at a glance
Icon of the Seas debuted in January 2024 as the first Icon-class ship. Star of the Seas followed in August 2025. Royal Caribbean built them as sisters, so most of the numbers match. Published gross tonnage figures vary slightly from source to source (around 248,700 to 250,800 GT), but the ships are effectively the same size.
| Feature | Icon of the Seas | Star of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| First sailing | January 2024 | August 2025 |
| Gross tonnage | About 248,700–250,800 GT | About 248,700–250,800 GT |
| Length / decks | About 1,196 ft / 20 decks | About 1,196 ft / 20 decks |
| Guests (double / max) | 5,610 / 7,600 | 5,610 / 7,600 |
| Staterooms | About 2,805 | About 2,805 |
| Neighborhoods | 8 | 8 |
| Main theater show | The Wizard of Oz | Back to the Future: The Musical |
| AquaTheater show | Aqua Action! | Torque |
| Supper club | Empire Supper Club (New York theme) | Lincoln Park Supper Club (1930s Chicago theme) |
| Homeport (late 2026) | Miami | Port Canaveral (Orlando) |
| Homeport from August 2027 | Galveston, Texas | Port Canaveral |
| Chief Dog Officer | Rover | Sailor |
What both ships share
Before getting into the differences, it helps to know how much is identical. Both ships use the same eight-neighborhood layout:
- Thrill Island, home to Category 6 (six waterslides, billed as the largest waterpark at sea), Crown’s Edge (part ropes course, part thrill ride, about 154 feet above the ocean) and the Lost Dunes mini golf course.
- Chill Island, with Royal Bay (billed as the largest pool at sea) and the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar.
- Surfside, the neighborhood built for young families.
- AquaDome, the glass dome at the bow with the AquaTheater and the AquaDome Market food hall.
- Central Park, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway (an adults-only infinity pool area) and Cloud 17 (an adults-only retreat).
Both run on liquefied natural gas, both have seven pools, and both keep the signature venues that made Icon famous, including The Pearl, Dueling Pianos, Rye & Bean and the Ultimate Family Townhouse at the top of the suite range. If you want a deeper look at how this design compares with the previous generation, our guide to Icon class vs Oasis class ships covers the bigger picture.
The difference between Icon and Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean used Star as a chance to refresh the entertainment line-up and fine-tune a few things guests said about Icon. None of the changes reshape the ship, but some may matter to you.
Shows and entertainment
This is the biggest difference. Every production show is different:
- Icon: The Wizard of Oz in the main theater, the Aqua Action! water show in the AquaTheater, an ice show in Absolute Zero, and Showband! Live. Music. Now.
- Star: Back to the Future: The Musical in the main theater, Torque in the AquaTheater, the ice show SOL (with a large skating cast), and Create, an original show built around a robot character.
If one of those headline musicals is a must-see for your family, that alone may decide it.
Restaurants and AquaDome Market
Most dining is the same, but there are two notable swaps. First, the supper club: Icon’s New York-themed Empire Supper Club becomes the Lincoln Park Supper Club on Star, with a 1930s Chicago theme, live jazz, and dishes such as Wagyu prime rib and crab ravioli. Both are extra-cost dining experiences.
Second, the AquaDome Market food hall has new stalls. Star swaps Icon’s Mac’s (mac and cheese), GNGR (Chinese) and Toast & Garden for La Cocinita (South American), Pig Out BBQ and Mai Thai. Feta Mediterranean and Creme de la Crepes appear on both ships. These market stalls are included in your fare.
Bars
The bar line-up is very similar. The main change is Lincoln Park’s Prohibition-style cocktail menu, which leans into classic drinks such as brandy Alexanders. Swim & Tonic, The Lime and Coconut and the 1400 Lobby Bar are on both ships.
Pool deck tweaks
On Deck 15, Icon has bungee-style loungers, a rope swing and a small ropes course. Star replaces these with more traditional sun loungers and adds an extra hot tub near AquaDome Market. If finding a lounger on sea days is a sore point for you, Star’s change is a modest plus. Category 6 and Crown’s Edge are the same on both ships.
Suites and staterooms
Cabin categories are essentially the same, from interior rooms to the three-deck Ultimate Family Townhouse. That means cabin research for one ship largely applies to the other. Location still matters, though, so check our guide to Star of the Seas cabins to avoid before you book. Rooms beneath the pool deck or near late-night venues are worth a second look on either ship.
Family areas and small details
Star refines Surfside and the Adventure Ocean kids’ club with more hands-on activities, especially for kids around 8 to 10. There are also fun visual differences: surfer statues instead of Icon’s divers, a skateboarding dog statue, and a Surfside flamingo in a lei rather than a tie.
Homeports and itineraries for 2026 and 2027
For most US cruisers, this is the deciding factor, and it’s about to change.
Icon of the Seas: Miami, then Galveston
Icon sails 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami through mid-2027, with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay on every trip. From August 2027, Royal Caribbean moves Icon to Galveston, Texas, for 6- to 8-night Caribbean cruises calling at CocoCay, Roatan and Cozumel (where the new Royal Beach Club Cozumel is planned). That makes Icon the obvious choice for Texans and the central US from late 2027. Miami won’t lose an Icon-class ship: the fourth sister, Hero of the Seas, is scheduled to debut there in August 2027.
Star of the Seas: Port Canaveral year-round
Star sails 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, about an hour from Orlando, with CocoCay included. This makes it easy to pair a cruise with a few days at Orlando’s theme parks. Orlando International Airport also tends to have plenty of nonstop flights from across the US.
Where Legend of the Seas fits in
The third ship in the class, Legend of the Seas, was delivered in June 2026 and spent its first summer sailing the Western Mediterranean from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia). It has now repositioned to Fort Lauderdale for 3- to 8-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises. Legend adds new venues not on Icon or Star, including the Royal Railway dining experience and Hollywoodland Supper Club. Read our Legend of the Seas review for more.
Price differences between Icon and Star
There is no fixed price gap between the two ships. Fares change with the sailing date, cabin type, school holidays and demand. A few patterns are worth knowing:
- Newer often costs more at first. Star carried a premium in its first year. With Legend now sailing and Hero coming in 2027, both Icon and Star may become better value.
- Compare the same week. Miami and Port Canaveral sailings can price quite differently for the same dates, so check both before booking.
- Factor in travel costs. Flights, a pre-cruise hotel, and transfers (Port Canaveral is about 45 to 60 minutes from Orlando airport, while PortMiami is close to Miami’s airport) can easily outweigh a small fare difference.
- Watch the Galveston switch. Icon’s first Texas sailings in late 2027 may attract strong demand, while its final Miami months could be a good window to find deals.
Always compare live fares on Royal Caribbean’s website or with a travel agent, and include gratuities and any specialty dining you plan to book.
Icon of the Seas vs Star of the Seas: which should you pick?
Because the ships are so alike, let practical factors decide:
- Pick Icon of the Seas if Miami is easier for you to reach, you want to see The Wizard of Oz, or (from August 2027) you live in Texas and want to drive to the port.
- Pick Star of the Seas if you want to combine a cruise with Orlando, prefer the slightly roomier pool deck and extra hot tub, or want to see Back to the Future: The Musical.
- Pick whichever is cheaper for your dates if the shows don’t matter much to you. You’ll get the same waterpark, neighborhoods and cabins either way.
Both ships feature in our ranking of the best cruise ships of 2026, which lists the awards each ship has won.
FAQs
Is Star of the Seas bigger than Icon of the Seas?
Only marginally, if at all. Published gross tonnage figures vary slightly between sources, but the two ships share the same length, 20 decks, about 2,805 staterooms and 5,610 guests at double occupancy.
What is the main difference between Icon and Star of the Seas?
The entertainment and the homeport. Star has Back to the Future: The Musical, Torque and SOL instead of Icon’s Wizard of Oz and Aqua Action!, plus the Lincoln Park Supper Club and new AquaDome Market stalls. Icon sails from Miami, while Star sails from Port Canaveral.
Is Icon of the Seas leaving Miami?
Yes. Icon moves to Galveston, Texas, in August 2027 for 6- to 8-night Caribbean cruises. Hero of the Seas is due to take over Icon-class sailings from Miami that same month.
Do Icon and Star of the Seas have the same waterpark?
Yes. Both have Category 6, with six waterslides, plus Crown’s Edge and the same pools on Thrill Island and Chill Island.
Which is cheaper, Icon or Star of the Seas?
It depends on the sailing. Neither is consistently cheaper, so compare the same week from Miami and Port Canaveral and include flights and hotels in the total cost.
