Why Families Will Love A Star Of The Seas Vacation

From deck to shore, this ship brings more ways to play, chill, and keep the good times going

By Heidi Sarna | Published on April 16, 2025

Star of the Seas is fast becoming one of the most beloved ships for families — and with good reason. A Star of the Seas vacation promises more of the exciting tastes and thrills introduced on Icon of the Seas, from a tantalizing menu of tastebud-teasing dining options to a vast program of family-friendly activities in areas like Surfside, a stay-all-day neighborhood for young families where you can hit a water park, play in the pool, ride a carousel and more. Six exhilarating waterslides onboard attract thrill seekers of all ages, while families craving something a bit calmer can take a dip in one of the ship's seven stylish pools.

Here's a list of all the exciting reasons Star of the Seas makes for a winning family vacation. My personal favorite is number six because grabbing a fruity cocktail and soaking in a well-positioned pool or hot tub to people-watch while my kids enjoy the water is my favorite pastime! Read on to learn more about why Star of the Seas should be at the top of your list for your next family cruise.

1. Entertaining The Whole Family

Everyone in your crew will be wide-eyed when they enter the shimmering AquaDome to witness superhuman performances that take diving stunts to new heights beneath a high-tech waterfall. Absolute Zero, the biggest ice arena in the fleet, is another family vacation must, with high-resolution digital projections setting the backdrop to world-class figure skaters spinning, jumping and dancing across the ice.

If you're craving a more laid-back vibe, there are plenty of places for that, too. For example, live musicians sing, strum, drum and tickle the ivories in lounges like the Schooner Bar, Lou's Jazz 'n Blues and Dueling Pianos. In the Royal Theater, performers in dazzling costumes take the stage, belting out favorite pop and Broadway classics — and these shows are entertaining for families of all ages. When my boys were young, they loved watching the performances with us, wide-eyed at the exciting sets, lighting and theatrics. And if you've got sports lovers in tow, don't skip the opportunity to head to Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. My family has also spent many innings there, drawn to both the screens showing the latest match ups and the tasty nachos and wings.

2. Eating Counts As An Activity

It's easy to fit your meals around all the daily activities your family can participate in. That's because many of the more than 40 places to dine onboard Star of the Seas are conveniently located near pools and entertainment areas — from the food court-style offerings at the AquaDome Market to the Desserted milkshake bar and casual eats at the Basecamp restaurant near the Adrenaline Peak climbing walls.

I know for my family, eating is a beloved cruise activity. While we're dedicated to the Windjammer for breakfast — there's something for everyone — for lunch and dinner, consider going to one of the numerous specialty restaurants also found on the Star of the Seas predecessor Icon of the Seas. Many restaurants are included in the fares, while others cost extra, so consider pre-purchasing a Specialty Dining Package to maximize your budget. Unskippable favorites include Izumi Hibachi & Sushi for Japanese, Hooked Seafood for delicious Maine lobster rolls and fish sandwiches — plus juicy burgers at Johnny Rockets^®, a guest favorite that's been pleasing palates for years.

3. Pursing Adventure On The Top Decks

The tangle of colorful Category 6 Waterpark slides on Deck 20 of Star of the Seas includes a near-vertical free-fall slide for the fearless and two raft slides the whole family can try. The same goes for the over-the-top Crown's Edge experience, a thrilling obstacle course first introduced on Icon of the Seas that literally takes you over the edge. My rock-climber husband is a fan, and he enjoys stepping out onto the walkway suspended over the ship's side and then dangling like a human fishing tackle high over the ocean waves. For something more grounded, spend time with your family on the sports court and join pickup soccer matches or shoot hoops.

4. Recharging In Star Of The Seas Family Suites

There's so much to do around the ship on your Star of the Seas vacation that you might not think about spending much time in your room. But of the many stateroom choices available, Star of the Seas family suites may make you rethink that. Each offers lots of well-appointed space for guests, with separate sleeping areas for parents and children. The cozy new Surfside Family Suite Star of the Seas offers for families of four overlooks the Surfside neighborhood and has a convenient split bathroom. Taking family time to new levels, the two-story Icon Loft Suites have a large living room with a dining area and a private balcony. The Royal Loft Suite is the most luxurious abode in the fleet, measuring more than 2,000 square feet and sleeping six. The best part of booking a suite, including the posh Ultimate Family Townhouse that accommodates eight guests, are the VIP perks — from access to the private sun decks and eateries to complimentary VOOM^® Powered by Starlink Wi-Fi, priority boarding and departure and more.

5. Playing Around At Adventure Ocean

Just like on its sister ship Icon of the Seas, the Star of the Seas kids club is the perfect place for young cruisers to have fun and make new friends. Supervised Adventure Ocean Youth Program activities are offered for several age groups, from babies to kids aged 12. When they were younger, my boys loved the scavenger hunts and the skits that were put on for adoring parents at the end of the cruise. Movie nights and arts and crafts were also big hits in those early years. As they got older, video game competitions, dance parties and sports tournaments — they were big ping pong players — got them excited and involved. With thrills in mind, teens are drawn to the water slides and other amusement park style adventures up on deck.

6. Making A Splash In The Seven Pools

Families can splash around together in the seven different pools on Star of the Seas — as well as nine whirlpools. The Surfside neighborhood's Splashaway Bay at the back of Deck 7 is perfect for little ones with its gentle water features and shallow pool. All ages are invited to the sprawling Royal Bay on Deck 15, with in-water loungers and on-deck chaises to spread your towel and slip into vacation mode. My favorite perches are the multiple raised whirlpools set above Royal Bay for prime views of the ocean, pool and cruisers down below.

For adults-only time, The Hideaway's infinity pool is suspended mid-air eight stories up and buzzing with relaxing beach tunes, while the upscale Cloud 17 poolside oasis tucked way up on the deck of the same number has cushioned loungers and daybeds. If you fancy a dip in the pool with a chilled beverage in hand, swim over to The Lime and Coconut multilevel bar where frozen cocktails are on tap, or order your favorite drink at Swim & Tonic, the largest swim-up-bar at sea.

7. Chilling Out In Perfect Day At Cococay

Every Star of the Seas vacation includes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, giving families with little children the chance to feel the cool sands of South Beach and Chill Island between their toes and to squeal with joy in the Splashaway Bay water park. Meanwhile, older kids and young-at-heart adults will appreciate the heart-pounding thrills of the island's super-high waterslides. One of them is the tallest in the Caribbean and aptly called Daredevil's Peak.

Sailing year-round from Port Canaveral, Star of the Seas is made for memory-making. Big fun, easy vibes, and something for everyone. Shop your family’s next getaway now.