Preparations for the sea trials of Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International's second Icon Class cruise ship have reached a major milestone. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the vessel successfully completed its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

The operation involved the Coralius, an LNG bunker vessel that sailed from Norway specifically for this task. Once moored alongside Star of the Seas, the team initiated a coordinated 12-hour fueling process, transferring the ultra-cold LNG into the ship’s onboard cryogenic storage tanks for the first time.

“This marks a significant moment in the construction and commissioning timeline,” said a spokesperson for Meyer Turku. “With LNG now onboard, the ship’s dual-fuel propulsion systems can begin testing with the environmentally cleaner fuel.”

Sea trials for Star of the Seas are expected to commence in the coming weeks. With preliminary engine and propulsion testing already underway since February, the ship’s six dual-fuel engines are now set to operate using LNG under real-world maritime conditions.

Set to debut in August 2025, Star of the Seas follows in the wake of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s flagship that redefined the family cruise experience. Once delivered, Star of the Seas will expand the line’s LNG-powered fleet and continue Royal Caribbean’s push toward cleaner cruising.

Photo: Mediascope Productions