Royal Caribbean Welcomes LNG-Fueled Star of the Seas to Its Fleet

Royal Caribbean has officially taken delivery of Star of the Seas, the cruise line’s third vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), reinforcing its commitment to cleaner maritime operations and advancing toward a net-zero emissions future.

The handover took place on 11 July 2025 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the ship was built over nearly two years. The event was attended by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.

Set to begin operations from Port Canaveral, Florida this August, Star of the Seas is the second ship in the cruise line’s Icon Class and is a core part of Royal Caribbean Group’s decarbonisation strategy. In addition to its LNG propulsion system, the vessel incorporates a range of sustainability technologies, including shore power connectivity and waste heat recovery systems.

“Star of the Seas represents another major step toward our goal of introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035,” said Jason Liberty. “This ship combines innovation, sustainability and extraordinary experiences for guests, while moving the needle on climate-conscious cruising.”

The introduction of LNG-fueled vessels is central to Royal Caribbean’s environmental roadmap, as LNG is currently the cleanest-burning marine fuel available at scale. It significantly reduces sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, while also lowering carbon emissions compared to conventional marine fuels.

Star of the Seas will soon sail to Cadiz, Spain, for final preparations before beginning its scheduled seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The ship follows the earlier launch of Icon of the Seas, and will be joined by a third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, in 2026—also LNG-powered. Royal Caribbean’s sustainability ambitions extend beyond ship technology. In addition to fleet upgrades, the company is investing in destination development with upcoming projects like Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas and Perfect Day Mexico.