For Royal Caribbean fans, the specialty dining is one of the highlights of the cruise. Royal has proved time-and-time again that they do specialty dining well, and their newest ship, Icon of the Seas took the dining to a whole new level. Royal expanded favorites, introduced new concepts, and doubled down on the classics with Icon, and guests enjoyed every last bite.
The next Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, is set to make her debut in summer of 2025, and we will see many similarities between her and Icon. Royal fans will be happy to see some of their favorite venues onboard, and intrigued by new additions that have yet to be announced. Here is a closer look at the specialty dining that will be found on Star, based on the deck plans Royal has released thus far:
Sit-Down Restaurants
IZUMI HIBACHI & SUSHI | Always a popular Royal Caribbean favorite, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi will once again be on Star of the Seas, featuring the Central Park location. Guests can enjoy dinner and a show at the teppanyaki tables, or order their favorite rolls or sashimi, with a trio of mochi ice cream to finish.
CELEBRATION TABLE | Introduced on Icon and returning on Star, Celebration Table is a private VIP dining experience. The space can be rented out for parties of up to 13 to enjoy cocktails, and a delicious family-style dinner in a private setting. This is a wonderful option for those who are celebrating a big day on the cruise and want a upscale experience for their family, friends, or group.
PIER 7 | Located in the Surfside Family Neighborhood, Pier 7 is a delicious brunch and dinner spot that will satisfy every member of the family. The menu offers a range of options from the buttermilk pancake board, to eggs benedict, fish tacos, burgers, and more! And the best part is that kids under 12 eat free!
HOOKED SEAFOOD | This beautiful, New England-inspired dining venue is in the AquaDome neighborhood. The menu offers a wide array of delicious seafood, including lobster, crab cakes, messy fish sandwich, oysters, and much more.
CHOP'S GRILL | A Royal Caribbean classic, Chop's Grill serves up delicious strip steak, ribeye, and filets with an array of delectable sides from truffle fries, tater tots, mac & cheese, and many other tasty menu items.
GIOVANNI'S ITALIAN KITCHEN & WINE BAR | This Italian restaurant makes oven baked pizzas, handmade pasta dishes, and yummy dessert options from cannolis to tiramisu, and chocolate ravioli.
PLAYMAKERS SPORTS BAR & ARCADE | This lively venue is always packed with sports fans looking to enjoy a beer and some delicious bar food. Grab a basket of wings, tasty burgers, or nachos, and catch the big game; or try your hand at the arcade games and pool tables.
Quick-Bites
IZUMI IN THE PARK | Attached to the main Izumi restaurant, Izumi in the Park is the grab-and-go window. Guests can order take out of their favorite sushi rolls or bubble cone ice cream that can be enjoyed as late as 10pm.
BASECAMP | While Basecamp is primarily an included fast-casual dining venue, there are upgraded menu items for an additional cost. Guests can order cheese curds, pretzel bites, and even chicken waffle bites with maple syrup for dipping! As the location is right in the heart of Thrill Island, Basecamp is a great spot for a quick snack in the middle of a fun day.
DESSERTED MILKSHAKE BAR | Guests can order crazy milkshakes at this sweets bar. Each shake is topped with out-of-this-world toppings such as full brownies, oreos, entire cookies, and more!
STARBUCKS | A full Starbucks is located on the Royal Promenade, allowing guests to get their regular daily order, even at sea!
Mystery Venues
EMPIRE SUPPER CLUB | The Empire Supper Club on Icon was a brilliant new concept. The upscale restaurant has a vintage New York City theme, with a full 8-course dinner, cocktails with every course, 3-piece jazz band, and formal attire required. Royal Caribbean has hinted that this venue on Star will have the same dining concept, but with a vintage Chicago feel. They have yet to release the final name.
MYSTERY RESTAURANT | Deck plans for Star indicate that an unnamed restaurant will be in the location The Attic was on Icon. We know nothing yet about this venue, but there are many questions surrounding it. The Attic does not appear in another location, and as Royal almost always has a comedy club, we find it odd that they would replace it completely. One possibility is that they may use other venues for comedy sets. Another possibility is that an option to order specialty food inside The Attic may be on Star, making the club into a casual dining venue as well. There is also the option of the comedy club being moved to make way for this new restaurant, but we have yet to see where that might be based off of the current deck plans.
While we don't know the answers to these questions, we look forward to more announcements and information coming at a future date.
ENGLISH PUB | There has always been a classic English pub on the Royal Promenade, and Star is no exception. Royal has yet to announce the name of the Star pub, but we can expect the same delicious bites and pints that we have seen on Icon, and other Royal ships before.
Dining Packages
Royal offers 2 different dining packages that you can purchase and save money on specialty dining during your cruise.
Note: With Star Class, all specialty dining is included with the price of your suite. You can also enjoy in-suite dining, and order from any of the specialty menus throughout the ship. Star Class guests also get priority reservations, so they can book before everyone else, and tables are set aside for them throughout the cruise. The Royal Genie and concierge team can take care of reservations while onboard as well.
3 RESTAURANT PACKAGE | This package allows you to enjoy dining at 3 specialty venues while onboard. We recommend reserving your table before you cruise to ensure you are able to enjoy everything the package has to offer.
UNLIMITED DINING PACKAGE | With this package you can dine at 1 specialty restaurant per night of your cruise. This package also applies to lunch at specialties on sea days, and enjoy 40% off bottles of wine under $100, and 20% off bottles over $100. Once again we recommend reserving your tables ahead of your cruise to ensure you are able to dine at your preferred time, in your preferred venue.
Booking Your Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your cruise on the magnificent Star of the Seas, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the spaces inside and out, and have an amazing relationship with Royal Caribbean. Our advisors will help craft the cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an incredible rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.
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