Finland’s Meyer Turku Shipyard Builds World’s Next Megaship, Star of the Seas, for Royal Caribbean’s New 2025 Launch from Port Canaveral

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At the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, a colossal undertaking is in progress as the 250,800-ton Star of the Seas, the latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, nears completion. Built as a sister ship to the record-breaking Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas shares many of its predecessor’s awe-inspiring features, offering a unique glimpse into the scale, technical mastery, and challenges involved in constructing a modern megaship.

The “Float Out”: Bringing the Ship to Life

One of the most anticipated moments in the ship’s construction came during the “float out,” a nine-hour process where more than 92 million gallons of water were pumped into the dock, pushing the ship toward the pier for the final stages. Over a thousand workers gathered to witness this major milestone as the ship transitioned from the dry dock to the open water. At 1,196 feet long and 20 decks high, Star of the Seas can accommodate nearly 8,000 passengers, setting the stage for its official launch from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31, 2025.

A Rising Demand for Megaships and Royal Caribbean’s Fleet Expansion

The debut of Icon of the Seas earlier in 2024 met with both excitement and scrutiny from cruise enthusiasts and environmentalists alike. Despite concerns over the environmental impact of megaships, the ship has exceeded expectations in terms of bookings and customer satisfaction. As a result, Royal Caribbean has announced plans to build more Icon Class ships, with the third vessel set to be completed by 2026 and options for further additions into 2027.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO, emphasized that these new ships align with the company’s growth strategy, which increasingly attracts a younger demographic. With the cruising industry rebounding since the pandemic, other major cruise lines, including Carnival, Norwegian, and MSC, are also expanding their fleets. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), global cruise passenger numbers, which reached 31.7 million last year, are projected to grow to 34.7 million in 2024, underscoring the rising demand for cruise vacations.

The Shipbuilding Process: From Keel to Cabin

Star of the Seas, like most modern cruise ships, was assembled in sections, each part coming together like building blocks of a gigantic puzzle. The ship’s keel, the foundational piece, was laid in December of the previous year, marking the beginning of its construction. Today, the ship is nearly 71 percent complete, with cranes slotting in prefabricated cabins and the interior being transformed into a high-end floating resort.

Inside the ship, over 1,000 workers focus on mechanical, electrical, and furnishing tasks, laying floor tiles, wiring the endless loops of electrical cables totaling 7,600 kilometers (about 4,722 miles), and assembling the ship’s attractions. Once outfitting is finished, Star of the Seas will undergo inspections, engine tests, and sea trials to ensure it is ready to host passengers on the open ocean.

Innovative Features: The Pearl and Aquadome

One of Star of the Seas’ standout architectural features is “The Pearl,” a kinetic art installation and structural centerpiece that graces the Royal Promenade. This rounded, steel structure supports several staterooms and provides panoramic windows for natural light and views of the water. The design of “The Pearl” has been refined based on feedback from Icon of the Seas, where some passengers tripped while navigating its moving tiles. Adjustments are being made to create a safer yet equally captivating visual experience.

Another signature feature, the Aquadome, weighs 367 tons and consists of 673 glass panels. Measuring 82 feet high and 164 feet wide, this structure was lifted onto the ship using a specialized rig. Once completed, the Aquadome will offer guests a tranquil environment with sweeping ocean views, providing a peaceful counterbalance to the ship’s bustling public spaces.

Overcoming Construction Challenges

Building a ship of this magnitude comes with unique challenges, many of which are influenced by Finland’s cold weather conditions. Project production manager Jon Sandhan explained that working outdoors at the Meyer Turku shipyard, where temperatures can drop to -7.6 degrees Fahrenheit, often presents logistical issues. For example, installing the Aquadome required low wind speeds to ensure safety. Moreover, coordinating a large number of contractors—usually around 10 to 15 per section—demands precise planning to avoid delays.

Sandhan noted that certain areas, such as the water park, involve complex, multi-contractor collaborations but praised the efficiency with which these elements come together to create a seamless passenger experience.

Environmental Commitments and Challenges

Responding to growing environmental concerns, Royal Caribbean has implemented energy-efficient technology on the Icon Class ships, aiming to minimize their carbon footprint. Star of the Seas will feature waste management systems that convert onboard waste into energy for powering attractions, an advanced purification system for treating wastewater, and the capability to run on shore power when docked. Additionally, the ship’s engines are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which Royal Caribbean considers a cleaner alternative to heavy fuel oil due to its lower carbon dioxide emissions.

However, environmental advocates remain cautious. They point out that LNG emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps more atmospheric heat over time than carbon dioxide. Royal Caribbean acknowledges that while LNG was the best alternative fuel option when the ship was designed seven years ago, they continue to explore future energy sources to adapt as technologies evolve.

The Meyer Turku shipyard itself is committed to sustainability through its NEcOleap program, which focuses on energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and optimizing hull and steel structures to reduce fuel consumption. These initiatives reflect an industry-wide shift toward more sustainable practices, even as the scale of new ships continues to grow.

The Future of Cruise Ship Construction

In the background of the Star of the Seas construction, the keel of the third Icon Class ship has already been laid, and planning is underway for more ships to meet rising global demand. With the cruising industry’s return to pre-pandemic popularity, Royal Caribbean and other major players are racing to expand their fleets. The challenge now lies in balancing passenger demand for larger, entertainment-packed ships with the need for sustainable practices that align with global environmental goals.

What Star of the Seas Means for the Cruise Industry?

As Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas moves closer to completion, the cruise industry sees it as a symbol of the future: a blend of luxury, innovation, and sustainability efforts in response to environmental challenges. The ship’s massive scale, unique architectural features, and energy-efficient technologies highlight the direction in which cruise travel is evolving. For travelers, this signifies more options for unique experiences at sea, while for the industry, it underscores the importance of addressing both market demand and environmental responsibility.

With the Icon Class setting new standards for megaships, the cruise industry faces a dual path of growth and accountability, where future developments in shipbuilding technology may continue to transform the world’s largest floating hotels into eco-friendly giants of the seas.