A Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas cruise costs between $800 and $1,400 per person for a 7-night Caribbean sailing in an interior cabin, with balcony cabins running $1,200–$2,200 and suites starting at $3,500+ per person — before drinks, tips, and excursions add another $500–$1,500 per person.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship, and it comes with mega-ship pricing to match. Debuting in 2025 as the second Icon-class vessel, it's sailing year-round Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral — and demand is sky-high, which means base fares are holding firm at a premium right now.
What Does a Star of the Seas Cruise Actually Cost?
The cruise fare is just the opening bid. Here's what you're realistically looking at for a 7-night Eastern or Western Caribbean sailing, per person, based on double occupancy:
| Cabin Type | Budget (Off-Peak) | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | $800–$1,050 | $1,050–$1,400 | N/A |
| Ocean View | $950–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,600 | N/A |
| Balcony | $1,200–$1,600 | $1,600–$2,200 | N/A |
| Junior Suite | $1,800–$2,400 | $2,400–$3,200 | N/A |
| Sky/Star Class Suite | $3,500–$5,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $8,000–$15,000+ |
Solo travelers get hit hard — Royal Caribbean charges a single supplement that typically puts solo fares at 150–200% of the per-person double rate. Budget $1,400–$2,200 for a solo interior cabin.
All-in realistic budgets for two people on a 7-night sailing (including tips, drinks, and a couple of excursions):
| Travel Style | Estimated Total for 2 People |
|---|---|
| Budget (interior, minimal extras) | $2,200–$3,200 |
| Mid-Range (balcony, drink package, 2 excursions) | $4,500–$6,500 |
| Splurge (suite, all-inclusive Star Class) | $10,000–$20,000+ |
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Drives the Cost Up (Fast)
Beverage packages are the biggest add-on trap. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs $89–$110 per person, per day on Star of the Seas. On a 7-night sailing, that's $623–$770 per person — easily $1,246–$1,540 for two. If you drink 5+ alcoholic beverages a day, it's worth it. If you don't, it's not.
Gratuities are mandatory and not optional. Expect $18.50–$23.50 per person, per day depending on cabin category. That's $129.50–$164.50 per person for 7 nights — tack on $259–$329 for two.
Shore excursions through Royal Caribbean average $75–$180 per person per port. With 4–5 port stops, that's $300–$900 per person if you book everything onboard. Third-party operators typically run 30–50% cheaper.
Specialty dining on an Icon-class ship is everywhere — Hooked Seafood, Giovanni's, Chops Grille, and more. Budget $30–$75 per person per specialty meal. The main dining room and buffet (Windjammer) are included.
Internet packages run $20–$35 per device per day for the Starlink-powered Voom Surf+Stream. One device for a week is $140–$245.
The Surfside neighborhood, Thrill Island, and Crown's Edge are Star of the Seas exclusives — some experiences carry upcharges of $20–$89 per person.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
How to Get the Best Price on Star of the Seas
Book early or book late — there's no good middle ground. The best interior and balcony fares appear 12–18 months out when Royal Caribbean opens itineraries, or within 60–90 days of sailing when unsold cabins get discounted. The 3–8 month window is typically the most expensive.
Watch for Royal Caribbean's sitewide sales — they run promotions like "75% off second guest" and "Kids Sail Free" constantly. These aren't always the steals they appear to be (they inflate the first-guest price), but on certain sailings they genuinely cut $300–$600 off a balcony cabin.
Book through a travel agent or cruise specialist. Royal Caribbean pays agents a commission, so your price doesn't go up — but a good agent can stack perks like onboard credit ($50–$200), pre-paid gratuities, or a free drink package that Royal Caribbean won't offer you directly. Check CruiseHub for current Star of the Seas fare comparisons with perks included.
Star Class is the only true all-inclusive tier. If you book a Star Class suite ($8,000–$15,000+ for two), gratuities, drinks, specialty dining, WiFi, and excursions are all bundled. For everyone else, you're building your cost piece by piece.
Skip the beverage package math if you're not a heavy drinker. At $89–$110/person/day, you need to drink roughly 6–7 cocktails per day just to break even. A pay-as-you-go approach works fine for moderate drinkers.
Use third-party shore excursion companies in ports like Nassau, Cozumel, and St. Maarten. Viator, GetYourGuide, and local operators run comparable tours at 30–50% below Royal Caribbean's prices.
Star of the Seas vs. Other Icon-Class Ships: Is It Worth the Premium?
Star of the Seas sails out of Port Canaveral, Florida — which gives East Coast travelers a drive-to option that Icon of the Seas (Miami) doesn't offer. Itineraries include Eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, San Juan, Labadee) and Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya) routes.
Expect to pay 5–15% more than comparable sailings on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships (Oasis, Allure, Wonder, Symphony of the Seas) — the Icon-class premium is real, driven by the ship's waterpark, the AquaDome, and the Pearl entertainment venue. Whether those features justify the markup depends entirely on how much your group will actually use them.
If you have kids who'll live on the waterslides, the premium is worth every cent. If you're a couple looking for a quieter luxury experience, the Icon class's scale can feel overwhelming — and a Celebrity or Princess sailing in the same price range might suit you better.
Before you put down a deposit, run the real numbers — fare plus drinks plus tips plus excursions. The CruiseMutiny tool breaks down your actual all-in cost for Star of the Seas so you're not surprised when the onboard account hits at the end of the week.