There is excited, and then there is walking toward a cruise ship you have been waiting to experience and realizing, “We are actually about to get on this thing!”

That was me boarding Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas.

For this adventure, my son Trey joined me for a special showcase sailing connected to the ship’s naming ceremony. It was a work trip for me, but it was also a chance to make memories together. And between the beautiful Royal Promenade, a buffet that sent us on a lobster hunt, and a cabin assignment that pleasantly surprised us, we had plenty to talk about before the evening even started.

If you are wondering what embarkation day on Star of the Seas can look like, come aboard with us.

Getting Through Check-In: Early Arrival Still Meant Waiting

We arrived at the cruise terminal a little after 10:30 a.m., even though our check-in appointment was at noon. On this particular sailing, we were allowed to go through security and check-in early.

But getting through check-in did not mean we could immediately board. We still sat in the waiting area while the ship was being prepared.

My takeaway? Have your boarding pass and passport or required travel documents ready, and bring a little patience. Our early arrival worked out that day, but I would not use it as a promise that everyone can arrive before their assigned time. Plan around the arrival window for your own sailing.

The good part about the wait was that we had time to take pictures and soak up the excitement. Then they started moving our group toward the gangway, and it suddenly felt very real.

Walking Onto the Royal Promenade: Hello, Pearl!

One of the first things that caught our attention was The Pearl.

Pictures give you an idea. Standing in front of it gives you a completely different appreciation for the scale.

I had already experienced Icon of the Seas, so there was some familiarity walking onto Star. Still, seeing that space again was exciting. We boarded early enough that we could actually take it in and get a good look without a large crowd around us.

We also spotted the balloons waiting overhead for the balloon drop. That is the kind of detail that immediately puts you in vacation mode.

And yes, there was already a little dancing happening. Embarkation day energy is something else!

Our First Stop: Taking Care of Muster

Before getting too distracted, we headed to our assigned muster station near Sorrento’s.

It is easy to board a ship this impressive and immediately want to explore everything. But I like getting that required check-in handled early so we can move on with our day.

A practical tip from our walk around: when you need a public restroom, the theater area can be a useful place to look. We found one nearby before continuing our exploring.

A Huge Ship, but Plenty of Places to Sit During Our Walk

One concern people have about a large cruise ship is whether it will feel crowded everywhere.

During our first-day exploring, what stood out to me was how much seating we saw. There were shaded spots, places near the food, and areas where you could sit down and enjoy the surroundings.

Near El Loco Fresh, I especially appreciated seeing seating out of the direct sun. Because sometimes you want the tropical vacation without baking through your lunch.

Of course, this was our experience during a showcase sailing, early in the boarding day. Popular areas may feel different at peak times on other sailings. But our first impression was that there were plenty of inviting places to settle in.

El Loco Fresh and a Look Around the Pools

I may have called it El Pollo Loco before correcting myself. Listen, we were operating on very little sleep!

El Loco Fresh caught my attention because of the grab-and-go options. We saw prepared food that you could pick up without waiting for something to be made. Sometimes that is exactly what you need when you are hungry and ready to keep exploring.

We also walked past pools along the edge of the ship. Those spots looked made for slowing down and taking in the view.

That is part of the fun of your first day: you start finding the places you want to come back to once you are properly settled.

Windjammer Lunch: We Came for the Lobster

When the app showed that Windjammer was open, we headed over.

And this lunch deserved its own moment.

On our showcase sailing, we saw lobster, Alaskan king crab legs, salmon, and plenty more. This was an impressive welcome lunch, but remember the context: we were on a special sailing. I would not book a regular cruise expecting this exact seafood spread.

Now, about that lobster.

Trey had prepared himself for warm lobster. The first lobster he brought back was cold. Then he found another one that looked different—but it still was not the warm lobster experience he had imagined.

Meanwhile, I was perfectly willing to help with the lobster he did not want. The chilled one I tried was well seasoned!

We noticed several different lobster preparations around the buffet, which brings me to my tip: look around before assuming the first station has everything. If you are looking for a particular preparation, ask a crew member.

And I have to give the mac and cheese a mention. If you know me, you know I have standards. This one earned a favorable review.

The Part That Mattered Most: Sharing It With My Son

Behind the excitement, we were tired.

We had flown in the night before, traveled from California, and gotten only about four hours of sleep. Trey was helping me with the camera, which was not his usual role.

As much as I wanted to capture the ship, I also wanted him to enjoy being there.

That mattered to me. We were getting to experience something special together, and I did not want the whole trip to become a list of shots we needed to get.

The buffet definitely helped his energy. But the real highlight was having that time together.

Our Guarantee Cabin Surprise: An Interior Plus

After lunch, we headed to our cabin and found that our luggage was arriving.

We had booked an interior guarantee, often called a GTY. Rather than choosing our specific room, we let the cruise line assign it within the terms of that booking.

Our assignment was an Interior Plus cabin, and I was happy with what we walked into.

That was our result, rather than something to count on every time you book a guarantee. For us, though, it was a pleasant surprise.

What I Liked About Our Interior Plus Cabin

The layout stood out immediately. The desk and wardrobe area felt tucked away from the beds, which created a little separation when we were getting ready.

Our beds were arranged as twins. There was not a huge gap between them, but we each had our own sleeping space.

We also had a chair and ottoman, useful storage, a safe, a hair dryer, and a small cooler. I would describe that last one as a cooler rather than a full refrigerator.

The bathroom was compact, but I liked the shelving and the shower with an actual door. Those little design choices can make a difference in a cruise cabin.

An interior cabin can be a good option when you want to put more of your budget toward the ship experience. For this trip, I appreciated having a comfortable place to recharge between exploring and filming.

A Few Unexpected Welcome Gifts

We found souvenirs in the room and later received champagne and treats, which made us feel especially welcome.

These were special touches associated with our visit and relationships, rather than standard amenities I would tell every guest to expect.

It was a lovely way to settle in and pause before the rest of the day’s activities.

Watch Our Full Star of the Seas Embarkation Day Vlog

Reading about The Pearl, the buffet, and our cabin is one thing. Seeing them makes it easier to picture yourself on board.

Watch “Star of the Seas Embarkation Day | Boarding the World’s Biggest Cruise Ship!” on Ant & Shira Adventures for our check-in experience, first walk around the ship, lunch, and Interior Plus cabin tour.

[https://youtu.be/jGwoT5NkvRY?si=ANWK5qGIquTeFEiS]

Then follow our Star of the Seas series for more of the food, entertainment, and experiences from this sailing.

Ready to Plan Your Own Cruise?

If Star of the Seas is on your list, I would love to help you compare cabin options and find a sailing that fits your budget and the way you like to travel.

Visit A Finer Travel at TakeFinerTrips.com to request a complimentary cruise quote.

And tell me: What would you do first after boarding—explore the ship, find some food, or head straight for the pool?