Star of the Seas Departs Port Canaveral on Inaugural Sailing

Star of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, departed Port Canaveral over the weekend for her maiden voyage.

A large cruise ship, "Star of the Seas," makes its inaugural sailing near Port Canaveral’s shoreline as a crowd watches and a smaller boat sprays water jets. Parked cars line the waterfront road beneath a partly cloudy sky.
(Photo courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel received a warm send-off from hundreds of fans gathered at Jetty Park, the port’s recreational beach and campground facility.

A large cruise ship labeled "Oasis of the Seas" sails near the shore from Port Canaveral while a crowd of people, some with hands raised, watch and wave from the waterfront on a sunny day.
(Photo courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

The Port hosted a free public event called the “Star-Studded Sailabration” to mark the occasion. Attendees lined the shore with custom banners and oversized signs to wave off guests and crew as the ship departed.

The family-friendly celebration featured food trucks, a DJ, giveaways, a bubble machine, and a photo opportunity with a real DeLorean car inspired by Back to the Future: The Musical, which is featured onboard.

A crowd gathers at Port Canaveral for an outdoor event with vendor booths under white tents. One person rides a Segway as others browse tables with brochures and Star of the Seas inaugural sailing promotional items beneath palm trees and blue skies.
(Photo courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

As Star of the Seas sailed away, she received a traditional maritime water cannon salute from Canaveral Fire Rescue’s Fireboat 2. She was accompanied by tugboats Christine S from E.N. Bisso and the Patriot from Marine Towing of Port Canaveral.

The departure took place during a busy afternoon at the port. Star of the Seas led a lineup that included Adventure of the Seas, Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Freedom, Disney Treasure, and Norwegian Aqua.

The Star of the Seas, on its inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral, cruises near a green shoreline on a sunny day. Multiple decks and colorful water slides stand out as it’s accompanied by a small tugboat in the open blue water.
(Photo courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

Following the four-day inaugural cruise, Star of the Seas is scheduled to be officially christened during a private naming ceremony while docked at Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 1.

She will then begin a regular schedule of week-long voyages to The Bahamas and the eastern and western Caribbean.

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Frank M

Frank is a seasoned travel journalist with over a decade of experience covering hospitality, cruise, and air travel. He has traveled extensively by land, sea, and air, collaborating with industry giants like Marriott, Hyatt, Disney, and Carnival Corp. His work has been featured in major international and industry publications across four continents.
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