Star of the Seas

Category 6 is the largest waterpark at sea, with mat racers, a drop slide and raft slides the whole family can ride together. It’s included in your fare, and so are the FlowRider surf simulator, Lost Dunes mini golf and the rock climbing wall. Crown’s Edge, part ropes course and part zipline off the side of the ship, is extra. Basecamp serves hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers and tots, and Desserted (extra cost) handles the sweets.

Star’s main pool deck centers on Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea, big enough for laps in the morning or evening. Up on deck 17, Cloud 17 has quieter loungers and an infinity-style pool. There’s also the Cove Pool, a champagne-glass hot tub, the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar, and Lime & Coconut bars stacked across decks 15 to 17. Rentable casitas come with a day bed, shade and phone plugs.

The glass AquaDome sits all the way forward on top of the ship. By day, the AquaDome Market food hall serves crêpes, Thai, barbecue, Mediterranean and Latin bites, all complimentary. At night the AquaTheater hosts Torque, with high divers, fountains and robots. Because the venue is forward and enclosed, weather seldom disrupts the shows. The Overlook wraps 270 degrees of ocean views, and Hooked Seafood and the private Celebration Table round out the neighborhood.

Central Park is an open-air garden with tens of thousands of real plants, trees and living walls, with birdsong piped in. It’s home to Chops Grille and its new signature cuts, Izumi Sushi & Hibachi (now bigger, and in the park), Izumi in the Park, Royal’s first walk-up window, and the Lincoln Park Supper Club. Park Café serves its famous Kummelweck roast beef sandwich, Bubbles pours champagne, and Lou’s hosts live jazz every night.

Surfside is the stay-all-day neighborhood for young families, and Danny’s kids’ favorite spot on board. Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay suit little ones up to about 9 or 10. There’s a carousel with animals designed by the children of Royal Caribbean employees, a playscape with a slide, an arcade (extra cost), the Sugar Beach candy shop, and the kid-height Surfside Eatery buffet. Pier 7 serves California-style brunch and dinner, and the Lemon Post pours drinks for kids and grown-ups.

The Royal Promenade is much wider than on earlier ships, with a second level and floor-to-ceiling windows. At its center is the Pearl, a kinetic sculpture that moves with the music and helps support the ship. Along the way are the 1400 Lobby Bar, the Schooner Bar, Boleros, the Thorn & Thistle pub, Spotlight Karaoke, dueling pianos, The Attic comedy club, Sorrento’s pizza, Starbucks, and the Pearl Café, open into the early morning hours.

The Hideaway is the adults-only retreat all the way aft. It has layered loungers, a couple of hot tubs up top, and a suspended infinity pool with day beds in the middle. The Hideaway Bar runs a Vegas day-club style concept: relaxed during the day, with the music turned up as night falls. Danny calls it the place where adults can get away and be adults.

Absolute Zero is the largest ice rink at sea, and on Star it’s an oval, which lets the skaters pull off tricks they couldn’t before. Guests can skate during free-skate sessions too. The Royal Theater stages Back to the Future: The Musical with a live orchestra and LED panels. After dark, there’s the Music Hall, dueling pianos, The Attic comedy club and Boleros. The headline shows are included in your fare.