Star of the Seas: First LNG Bunkered – Sea Trials Imminent

Bild: © Royal Caribbean
Turku, Finland – Preparations are advancing swiftly at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for the upcoming crucial sea trials of Star of the Seas. A significant milestone was achieved last Thursday, April 10, 2025, when the vessel received its inaugural load of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at the yard's outfitting pier.

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Star of the Seas is the second Icon Class cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International. Scheduled to enter service in August 2025, its delivery is anticipated this summer. Prior to handover, the newbuild must demonstrate its seaworthiness and the functionality of all systems during comprehensive sea trials.

This first LNG bunkering operation lasted approximately twelve hours. Throughout the procedure, the vessel's specially constructed hull tanks were filled with the cryogenically stored liquefied natural gas for the first time. The LNG supply was delivered by the specialized bunkering vessel Coralius, which traveled from Norway to the Finnish shipyard specifically for this operation.

With LNG now onboard, the path is clear for the initial sea trials utilizing the actual propulsion system. Preparatory tests on the machinery and propulsion plants have been underway since February of this year. The ship's six advanced dual-fuel engines can now operate on LNG for the first time. While preliminary tests likely utilized conventional marine diesel, its use is expected to be minimal during the ship's operational service. Utilizing LNG facilitates a significant reduction in vessel emissions compared to traditional marine fuels.

Beginning August 31, 2025, Star of the Seas is slated for long-term deployment offering seven-day Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Prior to its official service commencement, several shorter introductory voyages are planned to showcase this second vessel in the Icon Class.

The Meyer Turku shipyard is currently operating at high capacity with the construction of this new ship class. Two additional, currently unnamed Icon Class sister ships are already on firm order for delivery in 2026 and 2027. Furthermore, options are in place for the potential construction of fifth and sixth vessels in the series.

Star of the Seas Specifications:

  • Overall Length: 365 meters
  • Max Beam (Width): 65 meters
  • Shipyard: Meyer Turku Oy (Finland)
  • Cabins and Suites: 2,805
  • Guest Capacity (Double Occupancy): 5,610
  • Guest Capacity (Maximum): 7,600
  • Crew Size: 2,350