Star of the Seas cruises start around $899–$1,200 per person for a 7-night Caribbean sailing in an interior cabin, with balcony cabins running $1,400–$2,200 and suite-class accommodations reaching $4,000–$12,000+ per person — but your all-in cost with drinks, dining, and excursions will realistically run 40–70% higher than the base fare.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean's newest and largest ship in the world launches in August 2025, and everyone wants to know what it actually costs to sail on her. The base fare is just the beginning — Star of the Seas is a full-throttle resort at sea, and the onboard spending opportunities are aggressive. Here's the honest number breakdown before you book.
Star of the Seas Base Fare: What You'll Actually Pay
Star of the Seas homeports in Port Canaveral, Florida, sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. As Royal Caribbean's flagship — the sister ship to Icon of the Seas — expect pricing that reflects serious demand, especially in her debut year.
Base fares below are per person, double occupancy, for a 7-night sailing in 2025–2026:
| Cabin Category | Budget (Off-Peak) | Mid-Range | Splurge / Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | $899 | $1,100–$1,400 | $1,600+ |
| Ocean View | $1,100 | $1,400–$1,700 | $2,000+ |
| Balcony | $1,400 | $1,700–$2,200 | $2,800+ |
| Junior Suite | $2,000 | $2,800–$3,500 | $4,500+ |
| Sky Suite | $3,500 | $5,000–$7,000 | $9,000+ |
| Star Class Suite | $8,000 | $10,000–$14,000 | $18,000+ |
Peak sailings (summer, holiday weeks, spring break) command a 25–40% premium over the base prices above. If you're sailing in January, February, or early November, you'll find the best deals.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Total Cost
1. The Beverage Package
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs $79–$110 per person, per day on Star of the Seas, depending on when you purchase it. Buy it at home before sailing — onboard pricing jumps by 20–30%. On a 7-night sailing, that's $553–$770 per person just for drinks. If you're a moderate drinker, do the math before auto-adding it.
2. Specialty Dining
Star of the Seas has Royal Caribbean's full suite of specialty restaurants. Plan on $35–$65 per person per specialty meal. The Unlimited Dining Package runs approximately $35–$50 per person, per day if purchased in advance — worth it only if you intend to eat at specialty venues every night.
3. The Waterpark and Exclusive Amenities
Star of the Seas features the Category 6 waterpark, the largest at sea. Access is included in your cruise fare, which is one genuine value-add compared to paying separately at a land resort. However, the Hideaway Beach Club day pass (Royal Caribbean's private island experience) adds $79–$149 per person.
4. Shore Excursions
Budget $80–$200 per person, per port day for Royal Caribbean-booked excursions. Independent tours will save you 20–40%, but on a new, high-demand ship, Royal Caribbean will push hard to keep you in their ecosystem.
5. Gratuities
Mandatory gratuities are $18.00–$20.50 per person, per day depending on cabin category. On a 7-night sailing: $126–$143.50 per person. This is non-negotiable and rarely mentioned prominently at booking.
The Real All-In Cost Estimate
| Traveler Type | Base Fare (per person) | Drinks | Dining Upgrades | Excursions | Gratuities | Total Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget-Conscious | $899 | $0 (minimal) | $0 | $160 (2 ports) | $126 | ~$1,185 |
| Mid-Range Couple | $1,500 | $560 | $150 | $300 | $133 | ~$2,643 |
| Full Experience | $2,200 | $770 | $350 | $500 | $143 | ~$3,963 |
| Suite-Class | $8,000 | Included (Star Class) | Included (Star Class) | $600 | $143 | ~$8,743 |
Star Class suites include nearly everything — drinks, specialty dining, WiFi, and a Royal Genie butler. At that price point, the all-in value actually improves dramatically relative to piecing it together yourself.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money on Star of the Seas
Book early or book late — avoid the middle. Star of the Seas debut sailings in late 2025 sold out fast and at premium prices. The sweet spot is either booking 12–18 months out to lock in early pricing, or watching for last-minute deals 30–60 days before departure if the ship isn't full.
Buy your drink package and dining packages before you board. Royal Caribbean consistently prices these 15–25% cheaper in the Cruise Planner online versus buying onboard. Set a price alert and wait for a sale — Royal Caribbean discounts Cruise Planner items frequently.
Watch for Royal Caribbean's Next Cruise and Casino sales. If you've sailed Royal Caribbean before, you're likely on their marketing list. Sales like "Kids Sail Free" and "Buy One Get One 60% Off" can cut the second passenger's fare significantly — which matters when base fares are this high.
Go off-peak. January and February sailings on Star of the Seas will be meaningfully cheaper than July sailings. A family of four can easily save $2,000–$4,000 total by avoiding summer.
Skip the shore excursion markup. In ports like St. Kitts, Cozumel, and Nassau, independent operators offer the same (often better) experiences for 30–40% less. Use that savings toward a specialty dinner.
Consider the adjoining cabin strategy for families. Two balcony cabins booked as connecting often beats a suite price-per-person while giving you the same square footage access.
Is Star of the Seas Worth the Premium Over Other Royal Caribbean Ships?
Compared to older Royal Caribbean ships like Harmony of the Seas or Freedom of the Seas, Star of the Seas commands roughly a 15–25% price premium for equivalent cabin categories. Here's how it stacks up:
| Ship | Avg. 7-Night Balcony (per person) | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of the Seas | $1,100–$1,500 | Budget-friendly, solid itineraries |
| Harmony of the Seas | $1,300–$1,800 | Oasis-class amenities, reliable |
| Wonder of the Seas | $1,500–$2,000 | More dining/entertainment options |
| Icon of the Seas | $1,700–$2,400 | Category 6 waterpark, Thrill Island |
| Star of the Seas | $1,400–$2,200 | Newest ship, largest waterpark at sea, debut buzz |
For families with kids who live for waterslides and pool experiences, Star of the Seas justifies the premium. For couples prioritizing quiet time, fine dining, and port-heavy itineraries, a smaller Royal Caribbean ship at lower cost might serve you better.
You can also book Star of the Seas directly through Royal Caribbean's booking partner here: CruiseHub — worth checking for bundled package deals that may not appear on the main site.
Before you book, run your full Star of the Seas cost scenario — including drinks, dining, excursions, and cabin type — through CruiseMutiny to see exactly what you'll spend and whether the newest ship in the world fits your actual budget.