Latest news with #AquaDomeMarket
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Inside new record-breaking mega cruise ship with ice rink and huge waterpark
A brand new cruise ship is set to sail this August as it becomes one of the biggest in the world. The Star of the Seas will be the same size as it's sister shop - the Icon of the Seas, making them the joint largest ships to date. With a gross tonnage of 248,633, the new Royal Caribbean ship contains many popular features and attractions such as an ice rink, a rock climbing wall, giant waterparks with six record-breaking slides and a surfside neighbourhood. There will also be some brand new food stations available, including the AquaDome Market, serving smoky pulled pork and beef brisket, Southeast Asian regional favourites such as pad thai and panang curry and South American staples including empañadas and arepas. Royal Caribbean's speciality Lincoln Park Supper Club is also being refreshed, serving intimate meals with live entertainment in a 1930s Chicago-inspired setting. Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean, said: 'We're incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionise how families and adventurers vacation. "It's a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we're excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.' The ship has space for 5,610 passengers in regular rooms and up to 7,600 when fully booked and there are 20 decks, and around 2,350 crew members are expected to work onboard. After almost two years of construction costing two $2billion, the Icon class ship was handed over to Royal Caribbean at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. It started construction in February 2023 and completed sea trails in May 2025. A ceremony was held at the Finnish shipyard with more than 1,250 crew members and partners to honour the team of engineers, designers and architects who built the ship and helped install key features such as the 327-ton glass-and-steel AquaDome and the six unique waterslides. Star of the Seas will now make its way from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will add some finishing touches before its August debut in Port Canaveral, Florida, when new godmother Diana Ross will christen it.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise take on key cruise dining problem
You'll never go hungry on a Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship. Without spending any extra money, you can eat three meals a day at sit-down restaurants or opt for a buffet with a changing lineup, at least for lunch and dinner, every day. You also have options like free pizza, which is generally available into the late night, as well as free cookies, snacks, and other small depends on the ship, but there are usually at least one and sometimes many more alternative free venues. That could be something like the famed Guy's Burgers on Carnival from celebrity chef Guy Fieri or or the less famous — but some would say equal equally as good — El Loco Fresh Mexican restaurant on many Royal Caribbean ships. There are, however, some complaints about food that both cruise lines hear. After midnight, your options get limited. Royal Caribbean has pizza until roughly 3 a.m. as well as room service for a small fee, along with snacks in Café Promenade. Carnival has controversially stopped serving its individually-made pizzas at midnight. Now, you can still order a fresh-made pizza via room service for an added charge, but the walk-up counter is closed. Instead, the cruise line has added a late-night buffet, which includes what many consider a lesser-quality pizza, as well as a changing variety of other the moment, Carnival does offer more late-night variety than Royal Caribbean. The problem is that people have not been very thrilled with the late-night buffet. Generally, passengers have been happy to have more choice, but the reviews for the food have not been great. At that same time of night, Royal Caribbean does still offer fresh-made pizza, but aside from room service and some very simple snacks, that's it. Many passengers wish they had more options after 10-11 p.m., when places like the added-fee sports bar stop serving food. The cruise line's newest ship, Icon of the Seas, has fixed this problem with its AquaDome Market. That's a food hall that has five different stands and remains open until the late hours. You can get crêpes, Mediterranean food, Chinese food, a variety of mac and cheese choices, as well as salads from a place that also serves fancy toast. It's a concept that cruisers appear to love, and it's one that the cruise line seems willing to lean into on its next Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas. Everything in AquaDome Market is free, and the stands stay open until at least 2 a.m. most nights. . Royal Caribbean has quietly added some text to its website to show that Star of the Seas, which begins sailing in August from Port Canaveral, will see some changes at its AquaDome Market. "AquaDome Market is the only food hall in the fleet, exclusive to Icon Class ships. Five unique food stands serve up a smorgasbord of global selections with a side of awe-inspiring views. Newcomers to Star of the Seas include Pig Out BBQ, serving up smoky pulled pork and beef brisket; Mai Thai, spicing up regional favorites like pad thai and beef panang; and La Cocinita, where you can savor South American staples like hot, flaky empanadas, arepas, and more," the cruise line shared. It appears that the number of stands is staying the same and that not all that's offered on Icon will make the trip to Star."Or grab yourself a bite of delicious, like sweet and savory French delights at Crème de la Crepe. Or mix up fresh pitas and bowls at Feta Mediterranean. Top it all off with a beer, wine, or seltzer from the bar," the cruise line added. Royal Caribbean has not specifically shared what will or won't be offered at this venue on Star of the Seas, but it does appear that the Chinese, mac and cheese, and salad/fancy toast stall won't make the cut, since the total number of choices will remain at five. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Royal Caribbean fixes big problem Carnival arguably made worse
Travel Royal Caribbean fixes big problem Carnival arguably made worse Icon is the first of its class. Image source: Royal Caribbean International You'll never go hungry on a Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship. Without spending any extra money, you can eat three meals a day at sit-down restaurants or opt for a buffet with a changing lineup, at least for lunch and dinner, every day. You also have options like free pizza, which is generally available into the late night, as well as free cookies, snacks, and other small items. Related: Popular Caribbean port delivers major blow to cruise industry It depends on the ship, but there are usually at least one and sometimes many more alternative free venues. That could be something like the famed Guy's Burgers on Carnival from celebrity chef Guy Fieri or or the less famous - but some would say equal equally as good - El Loco Fresh Mexican restaurant on many Royal Caribbean ships. There are, however, some complaints about food that both cruise lines hear. After midnight, your options get limited. Royal Caribbean has pizza until roughly 3 a.m. as well as room service for a small fee, along with snacks in Café Promenade. Carnival has controversially stopped serving its individually-made pizzas at midnight. Now, you can still order a fresh-made pizza via room service for an added charge, but the walk-up counter is closed. Instead, the cruise line has added a late-night buffet, which includes what many consider a lesser-quality pizza, as well as a changing variety of other options. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Pizzeria del Capitano on a Carnival cruise ship now closes at source: Carnival Corp. Carnival offers more late-night choice At the moment, Carnival does offer more late-night variety than Royal Caribbean. The problem is that people have not been very thrilled with the late-night buffet. Generally, passengers have been happy to have more choice, but the reviews for the food have not been great. At that same time of night, Royal Caribbean does still offer fresh-made pizza, but aside from room service and some very simple snacks, that's it. Many passengers wish they had more options after 10-11 p.m., when places like the added-fee sports bar stop serving food. The cruise line's newest ship, Icon of the Seas, has fixed this problem with its AquaDome Market. That's a food hall that has five different stands and remains open until the late hours. You can get crêpes, Mediterranean food, Chinese food, a variety of mac and cheese choices, as well as salads from a place that also serves fancy toast. It's a concept that cruisers appear to love, and it's one that the cruise line seems willing to lean into on its next Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas. Everything in AquaDome Market is free, and the stands stay open until at least 2 a.m. most nights. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Royal Caribbean expands AquaDome Market Royal Caribbean has quietly added some text to its website to show that Star of the Seas, which begins sailing in August from Port Canaveral, will see some changes at its AquaDome Market. "AquaDome Market is the only food hall in the fleet, exclusive to Icon Class ships. Five unique food stands serve up a smorgasbord of global selections with a side of awe-inspiring views. Newcomers to Star of the Seas include Pig Out BBQ, serving up smoky pulled pork and beef brisket; Mai Thai, spicing up regional favorites like pad thai and beef panang; and La Cocinita, where you can savor South American staples like hot, flaky empanadas, arepas, and more," the cruise line shared. It appears that the number of stands is staying the same and that not all that's offered on Icon will make the trip to Star. Related: Huge fire threatens Nassau cruise port; Norwegian upgrading ships "Or grab yourself a bite of delicious, like sweet and savory French delights at Crème de la Crepe. Or mix up fresh pitas and bowls at Feta Mediterranean. Top it all off with a beer, wine, or seltzer from the bar," the cruise line added. Royal Caribbean has not specifically shared what will or won't be offered at this venue on Star of the Seas, but it does appear that the Chinese, mac and cheese, and salad/fancy toast stall won't make the cut, since the total number of choices will remain at five. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 9:47 AM.
