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The vacation brand and Star's godmother celebrated the newest Icon Class ship from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, with an iconic naming ceremony
MIAMI, Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a godmother from the stars and a ship ready to shine, Royal Caribbean celebrated the family vacation of a lifetime, Star of the Seas, with an iconic naming celebration* in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. To kick off the next chapter in a bold era of family vacations, Royal Caribbean crew members, executives, loyal guests and more gathered together in Star's iconic AquaTheater, as research astronaut and payload specialist Kellie Gerardi bestowed safekeeping onto the ship, the dedicated crew and the millions of vacationers who will make memories together on Star for years to come.
"I'm honored to celebrate Royal Caribbean's new Star of the Seas in such a beautiful naming ceremony as godmother – a tradition that is close to my heart and a spirit that spans both sea and space," said Kellie Gerardi, godmother of Star of the Seas. "A vacation on Star is the perfect combination of two of my biggest passions in life, a spirit of exploration and quality time with family, and I can't wait for this journey to begin."
The naming ceremony marked a celebratory milestone in which Royal Caribbean officially named the ship and honored the achievements of thousands who brought Star to life. The ultimate family vacation will now set sail with its first vacationers, who will experience the record-setting Icon Class lineup that combines the best of every vacation and create their ideal vacation day at Royal Caribbean's top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
"Star of the Seas represents the next bold step in our journey to reimagine vacations," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "It brings together the best of our innovation, signature experiences, and the most sought-after destinations into one unforgettable vacation. With Star, we're not just launching a ship, we're advancing our mission to create the world's best vacations responsibly for guests of all ages."
Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in and of themselves, adventurers can find next-level experiences for everyone day and night, including adrenaline-pumping thrills at Category 6 waterpark and the Crown's Edge experience at 154 feet above the ocean, and unrivaled ways to chill with seven pools, including a suspended infinity pool at sea. The game-changing experiences also include the stay-and-play-all-day Surfside neighborhood designed for families with young kids, more than 40 ways to dine and drink, jaw-dropping entertainment – including the cult classic hit "Back to the Future: The Musical" and marquee performances across air, ice, water and theater – and more.
"Here we are introducing the boldest family vacation ever! Star of the Seas delivers everything families want in a vacation with more adventure and more ways to make unforgettable memories together," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean. "We've created the world's best vacation for all ages yet again, and it's truly a magical moment to celebrate that with our Royal Caribbean family who made it all possible."
Building on the new era of vacations introduced by Icon of the Seas in Miami, Star will deliver bold 7-night adventures from its home in Port Canaveral (Orlando), visiting bucket-list destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Perfect Day at CocoCay. The vacation brand has even more standout experiences in store over the next three years across an expanding lineup of destinations, including the ultimate beach day at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opening in December 2025 and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, along with the next game-changing adventure in vacations, Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027.
For more details on Star, vacationers can visit Royal Caribbean's website.
*NOTE TO EDITOR:
Media can find assets on Star and the naming ceremony at www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com/Star.
About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line's game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 22 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line's top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor.
The vacation brand and Star's godmother celebrated the newest Icon Class ship from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, with an iconic naming ceremony
MIAMI, Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a godmother from the stars and a ship ready to shine, Royal Caribbean celebrated the family vacation of a lifetime, Star of the Seas, with an iconic naming celebration* in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. To kick off the next chapter in a bold era of family vacations, Royal Caribbean crew members, executives, loyal guests and more gathered together in Star's iconic AquaTheater, as research astronaut and payload specialist Kellie Gerardi bestowed safekeeping onto the ship, the dedicated crew and the millions of vacationers who will make memories together on Star for years to come.
"I'm honored to celebrate Royal Caribbean's new Star of the Seas in such a beautiful naming ceremony as godmother – a tradition that is close to my heart and a spirit that spans both sea and space," said Kellie Gerardi, godmother of Star of the Seas. "A vacation on Star is the perfect combination of two of my biggest passions in life, a spirit of exploration and quality time with family, and I can't wait for this journey to begin."
The naming ceremony marked a celebratory milestone in which Royal Caribbean officially named the ship and honored the achievements of thousands who brought Star to life. The ultimate family vacation will now set sail with its first vacationers, who will experience the record-setting Icon Class lineup that combines the best of every vacation and create their ideal vacation day at Royal Caribbean's top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
"Star of the Seas represents the next bold step in our journey to reimagine vacations," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "It brings together the best of our innovation, signature experiences, and the most sought-after destinations into one unforgettable vacation. With Star, we're not just launching a ship, we're advancing our mission to create the world's best vacations responsibly for guests of all ages."
Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in and of themselves, adventurers can find next-level experiences for everyone day and night, including adrenaline-pumping thrills at Category 6 waterpark and the Crown's Edge experience at 154 feet above the ocean, and unrivaled ways to chill with seven pools, including a suspended infinity pool at sea. The game-changing experiences also include the stay-and-play-all-day Surfside neighborhood designed for families with young kids, more than 40 ways to dine and drink, jaw-dropping entertainment – including the cult classic hit "Back to the Future: The Musical" and marquee performances across air, ice, water and theater – and more.
"Here we are introducing the boldest family vacation ever! Star of the Seas delivers everything families want in a vacation with more adventure and more ways to make unforgettable memories together," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean. "We've created the world's best vacation for all ages yet again, and it's truly a magical moment to celebrate that with our Royal Caribbean family who made it all possible."
Building on the new era of vacations introduced by Icon of the Seas in Miami, Star will deliver bold 7-night adventures from its home in Port Canaveral (Orlando), visiting bucket-list destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Perfect Day at CocoCay. The vacation brand has even more standout experiences in store over the next three years across an expanding lineup of destinations, including the ultimate beach day at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opening in December 2025 and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, along with the next game-changing adventure in vacations, Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027.
For more details on Star, vacationers can visit Royal Caribbean's website.
*NOTE TO EDITOR:
Media can find assets on Star and the naming ceremony at www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com/Star.
About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line's game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 22 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line's top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTRODUCES STAR OF THE SEAS, THE ULTIMATE FAMILY VACATION
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTRODUCES STAR OF THE SEAS, THE ULTIMATE FAMILY VACATION
ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.
As a premier destination rich in ancient history and breathtaking nature, AlUla, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, solidifies its position on the global stage as a dynamic, emerging land art destination with Desert X AlUla, the region's first public art biennale, and a key highlight of the AlUla Arts Festival.
The 2026 edition of Desert X AlUla brings together 11 acclaimed artists whose diverse works reflect a wide spectrum of ideas, materials, and traditions. From monumental kinetic sculpture to sound-based explorations above and below ground, each commission is deeply rooted in relationships to AlUla's distinctive environment, further cementing Desert X AlUla's reputation as a globally significant platform for site-responsive land art.
Desert X AlUla runs until February 28, 2026, as a cornerstone of the annual AlUla Arts Festival. Curated by Wejdan Reda, Zoé Whitley, with artistic direction by Neville Wakefield, and Raneem Farsi, its fourth edition explores 'Space Without Measure.' Inspired by Kahlil Gibran, the theme fosters contemplation of imagination within AlUla's natural settings. The exhibition, set in the desert canyons of AlUla, serves as a pre-opening programme for Wadi AlFann, offering a pivotal glimpse into AlUla's plans to create a permanent land art 'Valley of the Arts.'
Hamad Alhomiedan, Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: "At Desert X AlUla 2026, audiences will engage with art that deeply converses with AlUla's unique landscapes and rich heritage. These compelling commissions highlight AlUla's dynamic transformation into a major global destination, where ancient and contemporary expressions converge. This exhibition is part of our broader revitalisation of AlUla as a culturally rich destination to live, work and visit and integral to positioning AlUla in the global dialogue of contemporary art and as a precursor to monumental projects like Wadi AlFann."
Participating artist/artworks are:
- Sara Abdu, A Kingdom Where No One Dies: Contours of Resonance
- Mohammad Alfaraj, What was the Question Again?
- Mohammed AlSaleem, The Thorn, AlShuruf Unit, The Triangles, Flower Bud, and Al Ahilla (courtesy of Royal Commission for Riyadh City)
- Tarek Atoui, The Water Song
- Bahraini-Danish, Bloom
- Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Imole Red
- Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid
- Ibrahim El-Salahi, Haraza Tree
- Basmah Felemban, Murmur of Pebbles
- Vibha Galhotra, Future Fables
- Héctor Zamora, Tar HyPar
For further information, please contact:
Sabrine.Shaw@bursonglobal.com
AlUlaArtsFestival@bursonglobal.com
Multimedia gallery:
High-resolution photos of all 11 artists and their artworks can be found here.
About AlUla and Arts AlUla
Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.
The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages. AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes was developed from at least the 12th century and has been revitalised as the vibrant hub for visitors and residents.
The creation of Arts AlUla within The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is a commitment to crafting the next chapters in a millennia of artistic creation – celebrating cultural inheritance and shaping a future inspired by artists built be artists. The work of Arts AlUla seeks to preserve this legacy: fuse the old with the new; the local with the international, keeping the arts central to the spirit of AlUla as a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage.
Wadi AlFann, meaning 'Valley of the Arts,' will be a global cultural destination for land art, unveiling from 2028 onwards, where era-defining works by artists from around the world will be permanently sited in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Desert X AlUla 2026: monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla
