Janet and I aren't into big cruise ships anymore. They were great when our kids were little because there was so much for the whole family to do. But now that the kids have moved out, those huge ships just don't fit what we're looking for in a cruise vacation. That said, plenty of cruisers love big ship cruising, so we make sure to keep up with the latest trends.

Last week we did just that by sailing on a three-night preview cruise aboard the world's newest and biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas. The preview sailing gave us a taste of all the ship has to offer before she starts carrying a full complement of passengers. We even had the opportunity to meet and speak with members of the engineering teams still onboard, fine-tuning systems before the official inaugural cruise.

With my preference for smaller ships, I was prepared to hate the experience. What I realized was that big ship cruising is all about leaning into the size, accepting the crowds in exchange for the features big ships can offer that smaller ships can't. To be fair, our cruise sailed with about half the passengers Star of the Seas is expected to carry once she begins regular service. Big ship cruising is still not for me, but I have a better appreciation for why it appeals to so many.

Star of the Seas stays true to the Royal Caribbean brand — if you've cruised on any of Royal Caribbean's big ships recently, you'll find Star of the Seas familiar but with some unique innovations. Instead of detailing every activity, public venue, and restaurant, I'll provide an overview of the ship, highlight what stood out positively along with what didn't.

By the Numbers

Highlights

Anytime we board a new cruise ship, Janet and I make it a point to explore all public areas as soon as we board. We packed a week of exploring into three busy days — I logged 15,000 steps on my Fitbit the first day, and 10,000 steps on the other two days of our cruise. Because our cruise was an industry-oriented event, in addition to the public areas we were able to tour staterooms in each of the ship's 28 categories. More steps. Here are some of the things we liked about Star of the Seas:

Family Focus

The ship caters to families with activities for all ages from sun-up to well past sun-down. From adrenaline-producing water slides to age-appropriate kids' centers, the variety keeps everyone engaged. Though full capacity sailings will mean crowds and lines, the family-friendly environment stands out. I particularly liked that there are adults-only areas on the ship for those traveling without kids, or for adults wanting some precious alone time while the kids enjoyed the many age-appropriate activities the kids programming offers.

Elevators

I never would have thought a ship's elevators would be a highlight, but on Star of the Seas they are. Finally, a cruise ship that has solved the elevator problem. There are two elevator banks — one forward, one aft — each with 11 elevators surrounding a large lobby on every floor. The entire system is tied together through a "smart call" system where guests select floors on keypads in the lobby area before boarding. The system assigns you an elevator based on your current floor and destination, and tells you which car to expect the moment you make your selection. It worked well throughout our cruise, and a member of the design team told us tweaks are coming to achieve even greater efficiency. This is a major improvement over the traditional approach, where you wait as multiple elevators pass you by before one stops, only to find it packed full with every button pressed.

Neighborhoods

From my past experience with Royal Caribbean cruises, I know there will be those guests whose sole goal is to make the most of their drink package. They can be obnoxious, and as a non-drinker I have difficulty tolerating their antics. Star of the Seas distributes guests across eight distinct neighborhoods, each catering to different moods and personalities — from family fun and adventure zones to exclusive luxury and serene adult retreats.

Dining Variety

A range of complimentary dining venues provides options well beyond the main dining room. I loved the AquaDome Market, a food court-style area where you can get everything from an authentic Mediterranean doner kabob to good old southern BBQ — street food at its best. Star of the Seas also features 14 specialty restaurants scattered throughout the ship. These venues come with an upcharge, but they are always a hit with us. Specialty dining offers a more intimate setting with elevated food that is well worth the extra cost.

Activities

The ship offers a wealth of thrills: waterslides, an escape room, laser tag, a surf simulator, enclosed ping pong areas, mini-golf, and a family-friendly Sports Bar. The fitness center is huge — on par with a land-based gym, with free weights, dumbbells, kettlebells, weight machines, and treadmills with a view. The most thrilling attraction is the "Crown's Edge," a walk-the-plank experience where guests hop from one plank to the next, spaced just far enough apart to leave you unsure if you'll make it — suspended over the open ocean. Danger is a clever illusion; you're secured by a safety harness the entire time, and the final plank drops out from under you into an exhilarating zip line ride back to the ship. Unique and fun for those brave enough to try it.

Entertainment

Shows are always a highlight on Royal Caribbean cruises, and one of the genuine benefits of big ship cruising. The entertainment on Star of the Seas was top-notch. The ice show "SOL" featured incredible acrobatics with a themed storyline that entertains as much as it thrills. The main theater offers the Broadway-style musical "Back to the Future" — impressive special effects, a talented ensemble cast with a full live orchestra, and a storyline faithful to both the original movie and Broadway production in a 100-minute run time. The aqua show "Torque" was a high-energy combination of style, acrobatics, and sheer athleticism, though our sailing was beset with technical issues as engineers fine-tuned the many moving parts. In spite of the glitches, we saw enough to be awed.

Every lounge on Star of the Seas is more than just a bar — it's a live music venue. Guest favorites included the Dueling Pianos, which always attracted a crowd, and Lou's Jazz and Blues Bar.

Spacious Public Areas and Stateroom Variety

Despite the ship's immense size, public areas feel roomy, with many quiet corners available when you want to escape the crowds. The 28 categories of staterooms and suites offer something for every taste and budget. Stateroom sizes are standard for cruise ships — compact but adequate. Power outlets are conveniently positioned around the cabin with both US standard outlets and USB ports. For CPAP users, there is a bedside AC outlet built into the nightstand that does away with the extension cord entirely.

Chief Dog Officer

Navy ships have a Command Duty Officer responsible for exercising command and control in the absence of senior officers. Royal Caribbean's Icon class ships take a whimsical approach to the CDO position, redefining it as the Chief Dog Officer. On Star of the Seas, the CDO is a male golden retriever named Sailor. Specially trained for life at sea, Sailor cruises on every voyage and guests are encouraged to interact with him during his daily rounds — adding a warm, family-oriented touch to a ship already well-suited for it.

Lowlights

There weren't many lowlights on our cruise — mainly because we sailed with a full crew but half the ship's maximum passenger load. Still, it wasn't hard to see where a full ship would present challenges that engineering can only do so much to mitigate.

Price

Cruising in general has gotten more expensive than when we cruised mass-market lines with our kids, even allowing for inflation. By the time you factor in the cruise fare, gratuities, drink package, WiFi, shore excursions, and assorted onboard upcharges, a family of four in an ocean-view cabin will spend close to $12,000 for a week. Balcony cabins and suites push prices higher, with the Ultimate Family Townhouse averaging $80,000 for a family of eight. Despite these prices, the ship is expected to sail at or near maximum capacity most of the time.

Itineraries

Star of the Seas will sail classic 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes, so itinerary options offer nothing new for seasoned cruisers. All voyages include a stop at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island. CocoCay has expanded from a simple but relaxing beach break into a commercialized theme park where the most popular activities carry added fees. Multiple ships visit CocoCay daily, easily reaching the island's 13,000-guest maximum capacity — guests should expect crowds.

Main Dining

The main dining room experience was disappointing. Cruise ship dining is no longer the three-hour, six-course indulgence it once was — and today's busy families aren't looking for that. But what they get in the main dining room is fast-paced table service with mediocre food ordered from the same menu Royal Caribbean offers on most of their big ships. I was hoping for more imagination from the menu and better quality from the galley. I didn't get either.

Pools

While the ship boasts seven pools, most are small and were crowded even with the reduced guest capacity of our preview cruise. Most pools offer shallow wading areas with water loungers surrounding a plunge area deep enough for cooling off but too small for much else. Lap swimmers will be disappointed — none of Star's pools are configured with swim lanes. The whirlpools stayed less busy on our cruise, but on a full ship they will be packed, particularly with the tweens and teens who claim them as their territory when kids roam freely.