Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, made its first arrival at Port Canaveral on August 9. The vessel sailed past Jetty Park with a water cannon tugboat escort before docking at the recently renovated Cruise Terminal 1.
Port Canaveral marked the occasion with a “Star-Studded Sailabration” that included a traditional maritime plaque exchange to welcome the ship to its new homeport. The event was attended by Canaveral Port Authority CEO and Port Director Capt. John Murray, Board Chairman Admiral Wayne Justice (USCG-Ret.), Commissioner Kevin Markey, Star of the Seas Captain Rob Hempstead, and other officials.
“We are enormously proud of our longtime partnership with Royal Caribbean and very excited to have this magnificent new ship join their fleet of vessels homeported here,” said Murray. “Star of the Seas is a substantial addition and underscores the growing demand for cruising from our port. After months of planning, preparation and facilities improvements we’ve made, our team is ready to provide the high-quality guest experience that has become our hallmark.”
The arrival of the Icon-class Star of the Seas marks another step in nearly three decades of collaboration between Royal Caribbean and Port Canaveral. The 248,663-ton ship will offer special showcase voyages before beginning seven-day eastern and western Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral starting August 31.
Star of the Seas joins other Royal Caribbean ships based at Port Canaveral, including Utopia of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas.