Star of the Seas completes sea trials ahead of schedule

At approximately 3:30 a.m. local time this morning, Star of the Seas quietly returned to her berth at the Meyer Turku Perno Shipyard, marking the end of her first—and likely only—set of sea trials. After spending just over a week at sea, her early return—three days ahead of the originally anticipated timeframe—is a promising indicator that trials went smoothly.

While official details from sea trials are typically kept under wraps, an early return like this is usually interpreted as a strong sign that performance metrics were met or exceeded. Over the past week, Star of the Seas has been navigating the Baltic Sea, undertaking a comprehensive series of technical assessments and manoeuvres designed to test her limits and verify her systems under real-world conditions. One of the key milestones achieved was a high-speed trial where the vessel reached an impressive 25.2 knots—no small feat for a ship of this scale.

What Happens Next?

If all systems performed to expectation, this single round of sea trials may be the only one needed before delivery. This contrasts with Icon of the Seas, which underwent two full rounds of sea trials—a common occurrence for the first ship in a new class, as unforeseen issues often emerge during initial testing. Lessons learned from Icon have likely smoothed the path for her sister ship, resulting in a more efficient process this time around.

Internally, Star of the Seas is reported to be around 95% complete, according to Royal Caribbean’s last official update. However, work on interiors and finishing touches has continued while she was at sea and will now ramp up again dockside in the final stretch before delivery.

The Countdown to Launch

With her maiden voyage scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on August 20—less than three months away—the clock is ticking. The transatlantic journey from Turku to Florida typically takes around two weeks. Unlike Icon of the Seas, which made a detour to Cadiz for additional dry dock work, Star is expected to sail directly across the Atlantic.

Her first stop will likely be Ponce, Puerto Rico, where she’s expected to take on additional crew, supplies, and undergo final inspections before heading to her new homeport. While Royal Caribbean has not yet confirmed the exact dates for these milestones, we’ll be keeping a close eye and will share updates the moment they’re available.

Stay tuned to Everything Icon for exclusive updates as Star of the Seas enters her final stages before making waves in the Caribbean.