Often, a cruise line’s latest ship can be its costliest to guide, a minimum of for some time. However some savvy cruisers just lately observed some costs on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas that have been even cheaper than its 2024-launched sister ship.
When Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024, it set a brand new benchmark for mega-ships. It was additionally probably the most anticipated cruise ships in a very long time.
It broke the mildew with the biggest waterpark at sea, a suspended infinity pool in an adult-only space, and a glass-domed AquaDome with jaw-dropping ocean views.
So, when Star of the Seas, its sister ship debuting August 31, 2025, began displaying decrease costs, it received some consideration. A Reddit consumer just lately posted in a Royal Caribbean subreddit, puzzled that his September 7, 2025, reserving on Star was cheaper than an identical Icon journey.
“We assumed it could be the opposite means round, contemplating Star can be newer,” he wrote.
On-line feedback pointed to ports, demand, and preview sailings as culprits—however what’s actually occurring?
I dug into the numbers, compiling a spreadsheet of 2025-2027 sailings for each ships from CruisePlum, specializing in the most cost effective inside cabins for 2.
The info tells an attention-grabbing story—one that would prevent lots of in your subsequent Icon-class cruise. Right here’s what I discovered, with insights that can assist you choose the proper ship, time, and itinerary.
Learn extra: 10 Variations Between Icon and Star of the Seas
Star’s Pricing Solely Seems Cheaper on This Foundation
At first look, Star of the Seas does appear cheaper. The common whole cabin value for 2 on Icon is about $3,900 throughout my dataset, whereas Star ranges round $3,800. That is with taxes, charges, and even gratuities for 2 all included.
However whenever you break it right down to price per day, Star averages $577, outpacing Icon’s $548. Why? Star presents shorter 3- and 4-day Bahamas sailings (e.g., $660-$869/day) alongside its 7-day journeys, elevating the each day charge.
Icon, in the meantime, sticks to constant 7-day sailings, spreading prices for higher worth.
(I just lately wrote concerning the push for shorter cruises on Oasis-class ships and the way so lots of them are 3- and 4-day sailings, if you wish to examine that out too.)
So, take the Reddit consumer’s September 7, 2025, Star crusing—a 7-day North America itinerary from Port Canaveral for $3,642 ($520/day). Evaluate that to Icon’s September 6, 2025, Central America journey from Miami at $3,800 ($543/day). Star wins the value battle on whole price and each day worth.
For price range hunters, this means Star can undercut Icon—however provided that you stick with its 7-day choices.
Timing Is All the pieces: Summer season Peaks, Fall Steals
Each ships comply with a predictable seasonal value sample. Summer season (June–August) and year-end holidays (December) are dearer.
Icon’s priciest crusing hits $935/day on December 27, 2025, whereas Star peaks at $910/day on December 28, 2025—each in the course of the New Yr rush. Summer season isn’t significantly better, with each day charges hovering round $650-$690 (e.g., July 25, 2026: Icon $672/day, Star $675/day).
Desire a deal? Late fall (October–November) and early spring (March–April) are your candy spots. Icon drops to $403/day on October 18, 2025, and Star hits $402/day on October 26, 2025—a number of the lowest charges you’ll find on the ships proper now.
Ebook good, and you may save $200-$500 per individual.
Journey Size Makes the Distinction
Star of the Seas presents a mixture of 3-, 4-, and 7-day itineraries, contrasting with Icon of the Seas’ unique 7-day sailings. Whereas the shorter Bahamas journeys from Port Canaveral may appear interesting, their each day charges are considerably greater.
For instance, a 3-day Star crusing on August 20, 2025, prices $660/day. As compared, a 7-day Star journey on September 14, 2025, is priced at $475/day, displaying the higher worth of longer voyages.
Icon’s constant 7-day choices additionally present a aggressive low each day charge, usually outperforming Star’s short-trip premiums. For budget-conscious vacationers, sticking to 7-day itineraries on both ship is usually probably the most economical alternative.
Pricing Predictability: Icon vs. Star
Icon of the Seas has pretty predictable 7-day journey costs, starting from $381 to $935 per day, doubtless as a result of its constant PortMiami departures. Star of the Seas’ 7-day costs are additionally in an identical vary ($402-$910), however its total pricing is extra complicated as a result of it presents shorter, dearer each day charge journeys to The Bahamas.
Star’s decrease whole costs is perhaps as a result of it being newer or crusing from Port Canaveral. For instance, a 7-day Star cruise from Orlando on September 14, 2025, prices $475 per day, lower than an identical Icon journey from Miami ($502 per day).
So, whereas Star’s 7-day costs aren’t wildly completely different from Icon’s, its mixture of journey lengths means it’s essential evaluate costs rigorously to seek out the perfect deal.
Pattern Sailings: Star vs. Icon
Finest Worth on Icon
- Might 3, 2025: 7-day Caribbean – East from Miami
- Value: $2,668 ($381/day)
- Why: Icon’s lowest each day charge—excellent for spring financial savings.
Star’s Most cost-effective 7-Day
- October 26, 2025: 7-day North America from Orlando
- Value: $2,816 ($402/day)
- Why: A fall steal, undercutting Icon’s same-week charge ($469/day).
Summer season Peak Comparability
- July 25, 2026 (Icon): 7-day Central America from Miami
- July 26, 2026 (Star): 7-day North America from Orlando
Star’s Brief Journeys
- August 23, 2025: 4-day Bahamas from Orlando
- Value: $3,474 ($869/day)
What It Means for You
So, are costs on Star of the Seas actually cheaper than Icon’s pricing? Usually, sure—however it’s not that straightforward. For the Reddit consumer and his spouse, reserving a September 2025 Star crusing was a win, mixing new-ship pleasure with a cheaper price tag. Should you’re eyeing an Icon-class cruise, right here’s your playbook:
- Go Lengthy: Choose 7-day journeys on both ship to maximise worth.
- Time It Proper: Late fall or early spring sailings can slash each day charges by $100 or extra.
- Know Your Ship: Icon presents predictable worth; Star tempts with financial savings however calls for flexibility within the dates.
As Star of the Seas joins the fleet, it’s shaking up the pricing sport. Let’s be trustworthy although, neither ship may be very low cost to guide.
Whether or not it’s port variations, demand prediction, or Royal Caribbean testing the waters with a brand new ship, one factor’s clear: savvy cruisers are all the time watching costs.
