Icon of the Seas vs Star of the Seas: Which Sister Ship Should You Choose?

Icon and Star of the Seas are 99% identical sister ships with same layout, neighborhoods, and activities. Key differences: Icon sails from Miami with Empire Supper Club and Wizard of Oz show; Star sails from Port Canaveral with Lincoln Park Supper Club and Back to the Future musical. Choose based on departure port preference and specific entertainment offerings.

We chose Icon over Star purely for the Miami departure until we realized we’d picked the ship with the Wizard of Oz show. Watching my Dorothy-obsessed daughter sing along to ‘Over the Rainbow’ with the full cast, I knew we’d accidentally made the perfect choice.

Want to know everything about the world’s largest cruise ship? Our complete Icon of the Seas Guide covers it all.

👉 👉 Book direct: Get exclusive deals on your next Icon of the Seas Cruise

The Tale of Two Titans: Understanding the Similarities

Before diving into differences, let’s acknowledge what makes these ships nearly identical twins. Both vessels share the same revolutionary design with eight distinct neighborhoods, from the family-friendly Surfside to the adult-only The Hideaway. You’ll find identical cabin categories, the same Crown’s Edge challenge course dangling over the ocean, and those Instagram-famous infinite pools that seem to disappear into the horizon.

The deck plans are mirror images, meaning your cabin 8254 on Icon will have the exact same location and view as cabin 8254 on Star. Even the specialty restaurant menus are largely identical, though we’ll explore the subtle differences that might influence your choice.

Entertainment: The Heart of Your Decision

Icon of the Seas: Emerald City Magic

Icon’s headline show “The Wizard of Oz” transforms the main theater into a tornado-swept Kansas farmland before whisking audiences to the technicolor land of Oz. The production features flying sequences that’ll make you question the laws of physics and costume changes so quick they’d make Broadway jealous.

Here’s an insider secret: the best seats for Wizard of Oz aren’t center orchestra but rather the first balcony, rows A-C. You’ll catch all the flying sequences without neck strain and get perfect sightlines for Dorothy’s house spinning sequence.

Star of the Seas: Time Travel Adventure

Star counters with “Back to the Future: The Musical,” complete with a DeLorean that actually travels through time on stage (spoiler: it involves some seriously impressive holographic technology). The show captures the movie’s essence while adding musical numbers that somehow feel like they belonged in the original film all along.

Pro tip: The time travel sequences use intense strobing effects, so if you’re sensitive to flashing lights, request an aisle seat for easy exit access.

Dining Distinctions That Matter

Supper Club Showdown

While both ships feature the same 20+ dining venues, their supper clubs offer distinctly different experiences:

Here’s what cruise lines won’t tell you: both supper clubs have “hidden” early seating times at 5:30 PM that aren’t advertised online. These slots often have better availability and you’ll enjoy more intimate performances with smaller crowds.

👉 👉 Book direct: Get exclusive deals on your next Icon of the Seas Cruise

Port Logistics: Miami vs Port Canaveral

Miami Advantages and Challenges

Choosing Icon sailing from Miami port puts you in America’s cruise capital with undeniable perks and some hidden challenges:

• Pros: More flight options, vibrant pre-cruise dining scene, easier international connections
• Cons: Higher parking costs ($25-35/day), more crowded terminal, Miami traffic can be unpredictable

Insider hack: Book parking at Port of Miami garage E rather than the closest garages. It’s a slightly longer walk but costs $5 less per day and fills up last, meaning easier exit on disembarkation day.

Port Canaveral’s Hidden Advantages

Star’s Port Canaveral departure offers several secrets that experienced cruisers know:

• Streamlined boarding: Newer terminal with better flow design
• Cost savings: Parking averages $20/day, Uber rides cost 30% less than Miami
• Disney proximity: Perfect for pre or post-cruise theme park visits
• Less hectic atmosphere: Smaller port means less chaos and stress

The secret sauce? Port Canaveral’s Terminal 3 (where Star docks) has dedicated ride-share pickup zones that Miami lacks, meaning no wandering around looking for your Uber in a sea of identical white cars.

Itinerary Differences That Influence Experience

While both ships sail Caribbean routes, their Icon itinerary patterns differ subtly. Icon’s Miami base means slightly longer sea days to reach the same destinations, which sounds negative but actually provides more time to experience the ship’s amenities without port day crowds.

Star’s Port Canaveral position offers quicker access to private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, meaning you’ll typically dock earlier and have first pick of cabanas and beach chairs before other ships arrive.

Booking Strategy and Pricing Patterns

Here’s where cruise math gets interesting. Icon commands a premium of roughly 10-15% over Star for identical cabin categories and sail dates, purely due to Miami’s perceived desirability. However, this premium often evaporates when you factor in Miami’s higher parking, dining, and hotel costs.

Smart booking tip: If you’re flexible on departure ports, book Star during Icon’s peak seasons (especially during Miami’s winter months) for significant savings without sacrificing the experience.

Family Considerations

Both ships excel at family entertainment, but subtle differences matter:

• Wizard of Oz (Icon): Better for kids 6-12 who know the story
• Back to the Future (Star): Appeals more to teens and parents who grew up with the movies
• Pool access: Star’s earlier CocoCay arrivals mean less crowded ship pools when you return
• Kids club pickup: Miami’s busier atmosphere can make meeting points more chaotic

👉 👉 Book direct: Get exclusive deals on your next Icon of the Seas Cruise

Bonus Tips Only Cruise Aficionados Know

The WiFi Secret

Both ships use the same Starlink internet, but connection quality varies by location. The best WiFi spots aren’t the advertised “internet cafes” but rather the quiet corners of Central Park and the upper decks of The Hideaway during off-peak hours.

Specialty Restaurant Hack

Book your specialty dining reservations for the first night of your cruise. Most passengers book for mid-cruise dates, leaving opening night surprisingly available with better service as staff aren’t yet overwhelmed.

Photo Package Timing

Don’t buy photo packages until day 2. Photographers often offer unpublicized discounts once they’ve assessed demand, and you’ll have a better sense of whether you’ll actually use the service.

Making Your Final Decision

Choose Icon if:

• You prefer Miami’s international vibe
• Your family loves classic musicals
• You want the prestige of the “original” world’s largest cruise ship
• Flight connections favor Miami

Choose Star if:

• You prioritize value without sacrificing experience
• You’re combining with a Disney World vacation
• You prefer smaller, less hectic ports
• Your group enjoys science fiction themes

The honest truth? You can’t go wrong with either ship. They’re both engineering marvels that push the boundaries of what’s possible at sea. The key is matching your priorities—whether that’s entertainment preferences, budget considerations, or simply which departure port works better for your travel plans.

For more comparisons, check out Icon vs Utopia of the Seas or Icon vs Wonder of the Seas to see how Icon stacks up against other Royal Caribbean giants.

Common Questions and FAQ

Can you switch between ships if you change your mind after booking?

Royal Caribbean allows ship changes without penalty up to 90 days before sailing, subject to availability. However, you’ll pay any price difference, and specialty dining reservations don’t transfer between ships.

Do both ships have the same cabin steward quality?

Cabin steward assignments rotate between Royal Caribbean ships, so service quality is virtually identical. Both ships staff their housekeeping teams from the same training programs and standards.

Which ship gets priority docking at Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Neither ship receives preferential treatment, but Star’s Port Canaveral departure often results in earlier arrival times due to shorter sailing distances, giving passengers first access to island amenities.

Are the water slides identical on both ships?

Yes, both ships feature the identical Category 6 water park with the same slide configurations, heights, and thrill levels. Even the water temperature and pressure systems are calibrated identically.

Do the supper clubs accept walk-ins or require reservations?

Both Empire and Lincoln Park Supper Clubs require advance reservations and charge a cover fee of $95 per person. Walk-ins are only accepted if there are last-minute cancellations, typically announced at guest services around 4 PM.

Which ship has better cell phone reception at sea?

Both ships use identical cellular and internet infrastructure, so coverage depends on your specific carrier’s roaming agreements rather than the ship itself. Verizon and T-Mobile typically offer the best at-sea coverage for both vessels.