Ship Overview
Star of the Seas mirrors Icon of the Seas in size and Caribbean programming, with heavy Eastern and Western 7-night rotations from Port Canaveral and Miami. Passengers should plan port days around peak-demand snorkel and beach slots.
Typical Caribbean Itineraries
- →7-night Eastern Caribbean with St. Thomas and Philipsburg
- →7-night Western Caribbean via Cozumel and Roatan
- →Bahamas-forward short cruises on select seasonal deployments
Common Caribbean Ports Visited
Costa Maya
Mayan ruins & lagoon adventures
St. Maarten
Dual-nation culture & beaches
Recommended Shore Excursions
West Bay Beach and Snorkel
Short transfer from Mahogany Bay to reef snorkeling directly off West Bay Beach.
Tulum and Reef Combo
Mayan ruins morning with afternoon snorkel, best booked as a private or small-group format.
Orient Bay Beach Club
French-side beach club day with loungers, lunch, and optional water sports.
Family Recommendations
De Palm Island pass
Water park and snorkel areas in one controlled setting on Southern weeks.
Mr. Sanchos beach club
Pool, beach, and lunch packages with predictable pier-return shuttles.
Magens Bay with facilities
Chair rentals and calm water suit school-age children on busy Eastern calls.
Beach Recommendations
Orient Bay beach club
French-side loungers and lunch on Star's Eastern Caribbean rotations.
Eagle Beach morning transfer
Reliable wide sand outside hurricane season on Southern sailings.
Tabyana Beach break
Quieter alternative to West Bay when Mahogany Bay feels crowded.
Snorkelling Recommendations
Palancar reef sail
Star's Western weeks sell out reef boats fastest; reserve before embarkation.
Tintamarre catamaran
Uninhabited islet snorkel sail off the Dutch coast.
Gumbalimba reef add-on
Pair wildlife park morning with afternoon reef time at West Bay.
Private Tour Recommendations
Private Tulum and reef combo
Mainland ruins morning with afternoon snorkel on a custom timeline.
Private Orient Bay driver
Split Philipsburg shopping and French-side beach on flexible timing.
Private West Bay snorkel boat
Small-group reef stops with departure matched to Star's port hours.
Cruise Planning Tips
- ✓Star of the Seas port days mirror Icon-class demand patterns; prioritize early excursion departure slots.
- ✓Roatan and Cozumel reef tours sell out fastest on Western Caribbean weeks.
- ✓Check St. Thomas ship schedules when planning Magens Bay or St. John ferry days.
- ✓Private taxi tours in St. Maarten help split Philipsburg shopping and Orient Bay beach time.
Related Ships
Related Cruise Line
Continue planning with the full Royal Caribbean hub: fleet overview, all ships, popular ports, and excursion categories.
Plan and Book This Ship's Port Days
Match excursions to your itinerary with the Caribbean Excursion Finder, or open the cruise line shore excursions guide for fleet-wide recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Star of the Seas the same size as Icon of the Seas?
Yes. Star is Icon-class with similar capacity and Caribbean itinerary patterns, though specific port orders vary by sailing date.
What is the best port day on a Star of the Seas Caribbean cruise?
Many passengers rank Cozumel and St. Thomas highest for reef and beach variety. Roatan offers strong value on Western routes.
Does Star of the Seas use tenders in the Caribbean?
Most Star Caribbean calls are pier ports. Grand Cayman and some smaller islands may require tenders depending on the itinerary.