Two Royal Caribbean International ships, head to head — specs, amenities, and what each one is genuinely better at.
Star of the Seas (2025) is the newer ship by 22 years versus Mariner of the Seas (2003). Star of the Seas is the larger hull at 248,663 GT (~78% bigger). Mariner of the Seas sails with fewer guests at double occupancy (3,344 vs 5,610).
| Spec | Mariner of the Seas | Star of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Year built | 2003 | 2025 |
| Tonnage | 139,863 GT | 248,663 GT |
| Guests (double occupancy) | 3,344 | 5,610 |
| Guests (max) | 4,000 | 7,600 |
Trophy marks the ship that wins each row. Smaller capacity = more space per guest.
Most autumn cruise sales inflate Guest 1 fares. We audited 10 live campaigns to find the 5 deals from $69/night that actually save money.
Norwegian advertises Free at Sea while Royal Caribbean charges upfront. We audited the family ledger on go-karts, dining, tips, and shows.
One man-made beach earns Royal Caribbean an estimated $600M a year. Which private-island days are worth leaving the ship — and which are traps.