Star of the Seas

High above Thrill Island, Crown's Edge lets guests lean out over a platform suspended 154 feet above the sea, blending a skywalk with a short, controlled drop for anyone brave enough to let go. It's one of the quicker onboard attractions to queue for, but the view over the ship and the ocean beyond makes the wait worth it.

Tucked away from the pool decks, Rise of Poseidon turns laser tag into something closer to a themed adventure, with a mythology-inspired set and lighting that changes the game as you play. It's a reliable way to fill a wet sea day, and one that tends to pull in parents as readily as teenagers.

Beneath the AquaDome's glass roof, Torque brings together high divers, aerial performers and motorcycle stunts for a show that trades the usual pool-based acrobatics for something closer to a circus act staged over water. It runs on several evenings each cruise and is worth booking ahead, as seats around the AquaTheater tend to fill quickly.

Ice skating at sea is no longer a novelty with Royal Caribbean, but Absolute Zero still surprises with Sol, a show pairing choreographed skating with live performance under a retractable glass roof. Guests can also book open skate sessions outside show times, giving this Star of the Seas cruise ship another way to fill an afternoon at sea.

A handful of venues make for a proper night out on the Star of the Seas ship. Lincoln Park Supper Club serves a six-course menu alongside a live jazz band in a room styled after 1930s Chicago, while Jamie's Italian brings Jamie Oliver's take on Italian classics to the AquaDome. For a quieter evening, Giovanni's Wine Bar pairs a shorter plates menu with a list built around Italian and Californian wines.

Casual dining is spread generously across the ship, led by the Aquadome Market food hall, where five stalls offer everything from Thai curries to South American grills, open late into the evening. Windjammer remains the reliable choice for an all-day buffet, and families gathered in Surfside will find Basecamp and Surfside Eatery handle simple requests without fuss.

Swim & Tonic keeps guests topped up without leaving the water at what Royal Caribbean calls the largest swim-up bar at sea, while The Lime & Coconut brings a Caribbean-inspired cocktail list to the pool deck. For evening entertainment with a drink in hand, Dueling Pianos invites guests to request the songs themselves.

Six slides make up the Category 6 waterpark on Star of the Seas, including the Hurricane Hunter raft slide and a near-vertical freefall body slide for guests chasing the biggest thrill on board. There's a gentler pair of family raft slides too, so there's something here for nerves of any level, not just the thrill-seekers.

Adults travelling without children often head straight for The Hideaway, tucked away at the stern of the ship around an infinity pool that looks out over the wake. Loungers wrap around three sides of the deck, and the bar never feels far away, so you rarely have a reason to leave once you've found a spot.

Away from the pools, the Sports Court hosts basketball and other pickup games for guests who'd rather move than lounge, while the Rock Climbing Wall gives anyone looking to test themselves a proper vertical challenge with a sea view behind them. Together, they keep a cruise feeling active rather than purely restful.