First Look at Star of the Seas: An Unforgettable Experience with Royal Caribbean

Hello, my friends, and welcome back to The House of Mels! I’m still buzzing with excitement from our latest family adventure, and I am beyond thrilled to share every single detail with you. We were given an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: an invitation from Royal Caribbean to be among the very first people to step aboard their newest and most innovative ship, the Star of the Seas!

This wasn't just a regular cruise; it was an exclusive "first look" with a select group of creators and influencers. We got to be the inaugural guests to sleep, eat, play, and explore everything before anyone else. Walking through the doors and seeing the ship for the first time felt like stepping into a futuristic playground designed just for us. The scale and attention to detail are simply breathtaking.

The Star of the Seas is broken down into various neighborhoods, each a distinct world waiting to be explored - it is a destination within itself!the Revolutionary design is centered around eight distinct neighborhoods, each offering a curated experience for different moods and vacation styles. Let me give you a quick overview of each neighborhood and then we'll dive into our experience.

• Thrill Island

  •  This is the ultimate playground for adventure lovers. Home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides, it's where you can get your adrenaline fix. The daring Crown's Edge attraction lets you swing out over the ocean, and classic favorites like the FlowRider surf simulator and a new take on mini-golf, Lost Dunes, are also found here. When hunger strikes, Basecamp offers convenient light bites like pretzels and chicken nuggets. This was one of LeMel's Favorite Spots -- Hello what kid doesn't like chicken nuggets?

    
    

• Chill Island

  • Now this one is for my parents or families that are seeking relaxation., The three-deck oasis is the perfect escape that features four of the ship's seven pools, including the expansive Royal Bay Pool. Adults can get their beverages at the Swim & Tonic Bar, which is Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea, and there are several ways to check out The Lime and Coconut bar - frozen or on the rocks - the choice is up to you personally i love the Lime & Coconut which is a drink in a bucket made with Malibu coconut rum, coconut milk, coconut syrup, Monin guava syrup and lime juice

    
    

• Surfside

  • Now this is the stay-all-day neighborhood for young families with kids. This was our stomping ground where fun never stops with a waterpark called Splashaway Bay, an interactive Playscape, and a whimsical carousel. LeMel was splashing the time away here and we had some bites and of course ice cream cones from the family-friendly spot Surfside Eatery. There is also a casual brunch or coastal vibe spot for dinner called Pier 7.

    
    

• The Hideaway

  • This neighborhood is a true "beach club" at sea. Perched at the stern of the ship, it's an adults-only space with a first-of-its-kind suspended infinity pool, hot tubs, and a private bar, all set to the backdrop of incredible wake views. It's the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere away from the bustling family areas.

    
    

• Central Park

  • A tranquil escape in the heart of the ship, this open-air neighborhood is a beautiful garden filled with real plants. It offers a variety of dining experiences, from the casual grab-and-go options at Park Café to specialty restaurants like Chops Grille steakhouse and the al fresco seating at Izumi Hibachi and Sushi. We at at Izumi and it was a top tier experience - more about that later tho. A new, exclusive dining venue, the Lincoln Park Supper Club, offers a glamorous 1930s Chicago-themed evening with an eight-course menu and live jazz.

    
    

• AquaDome

  •  A stunning architectural marvel at the top of the ship, the AquaDome transforms from a serene daytime spot with panoramic ocean views to an incredible entertainment venue at night. This is where you can catch the high-energy aqua show, Torque. The AquaDome Market is a food hall with five unique stands offering a global culinary tour with new concepts on Star of the Seas, including smoky BBQ and Southeast Asian street food.

    
    

• The Royal Promenade

  •  The bustling heart of the ship, this is a vibrant, multi-level hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment. You'll find live music, bars, and lounges, as well as the unique Pearl Café, a brand new 24-hour spot for light bites and coffee (Melvin when here everyday for a snack🤣) . This neighborhood is also home to new concepts like the Dueling Pianos bar and a reimagined Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

    
    

• The Suite Neighborhood

  • The centerpiece of this neighborhood is The Grove, a new two-story suite sun deck that provides an elevated experience. The Grove features a private pool, a whirlpool, and a dedicated bar where suite guests can relax in style. This area is designed for ultimate privacy and comfort, making it the perfect escape and guests can dine at the coastal-inspired Coastal Kitchen restaurant for a more intimate dining experience.
    

Now on to our experience. From the moment we stepped on board, we were blown away. The ship is massive and full of so many amazing experiences for everyone in the family. We spent our days exploring the various neighborhoods, each with its own unique vibe. For us, having a 6-year-old, the Surfside neighborhood was an absolute game-changer. Forget just a small kids' area—this is an entire deck dedicated to young families. The atmosphere is vibrant and full of energy, with colorful splash pads, pools designed for little ones, and a carousel that LeMel rode countless times. We loved that we could set up camp for the day and everything we needed—from snacks to changing rooms—was right there. The best part? Seeing LeMel’s face light up with pure joy as he made new friends and explored with confidence and independence that is so rare. When LeMel wasn't here he was at Adventure Ocean or as we like to call it Kids Camp! Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean is a completely reimagined kids' club experience, designed to give children the freedom to choose their own adventures. Unlike a single large room, the program is divided into distinct, themed spaces where kids can engage in a variety of activities.

• Age-Appropriate Fun: The program is split into groups for different age ranges. Aquanauts (ages 3-5) enjoy creative activities like finger painting and themed scavenger hunts. Explorers (ages 6-8) can get hands-on with science experiments, including making "space mud," or star in their own shows at the Adventure Ocean Theater. Voyagers (ages 9-11) can participate in more competitive fun, from sports tournaments and ga-ga ball to karaoke.

  
  

• Dedicated Spaces: The club features a variety of specialized areas. At Workshop, kids can get creative with arts, science, and tech activities. Hangout is a chill zone with video games, cozy nooks, and board games. For the youngest cruisers, there's AO Babies (ages 6-36 months) with a dedicated space for supervised play and games.

  
  

• Flexible Programming: While the days are filled with structured activities, kids have the freedom to move between the different spaces based on their interests. The club also offers a Late Night Party Zone for ages 3-11, allowing parents to enjoy an evening out while kids have a supervised dance party with a DJ.

  
  

One of the major highlights of the trip for all of us was the Aquadome, and specifically, the incredible show Torque. LeMel was completely blown away by the sky diving feats and the acrobats. The show was a high-energy spectacle that kept us on the edge of our seats. Afterward, we had the option to grab some delicious snacks at the Aquadome Market, which has some amazing new spots like Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai (spicing up regional favorites like pad thai ), La Cocinita (you can get flaky empanadas, arepas and more), Feta (mediterranean style bowls) or grab yourself a sweet or savory Crepe at Crème de la Crepe.

Of course, we spent some time at Thrill Island when LeMel was in Adventure Ocean. I rode some heart-pounding slides and when we needed a treat, we stopped over at Desserted for some delicious Milkshakes. They were over-the-top, delicious, and a perfect way to cool down after all the fun in the sun. The culinary experiences on board were also top-notch. We had two amazing dinners one at Izumi Sushi and Hibachi and the other at Giovanni's Italian,. We chose the prix fixe menu at Izumi, which was a fantastic value and allowed us to try a variety of dishes. We got to choose one appetizer, two plates, and a dessert each and of course we couldn't leave the ship without a dinner in the stunning main dining room.

Our time on the Star of the Seas was truly unforgettable. We made so many wonderful memories, and we’re already dreaming of our next Royal Caribbean adventure. A huge thank you to Royal Caribbean for inviting us on this incredible first look! Stay tuned for more photos and videos from our trip!

Love,

Mel