RCI-Royal Caribbean International has announced the return of its Artist Discovery Program, aimed at showcasing the talent of Caribbean artists on its newest ship - Star of the Seas, scheduled to debut in August 2025.
The program, introduced on Icon of the Seas, invites emerging artists from across the Caribbean to contribute to the ship’s curated art collection, celebrating the region’s vibrant culture, beauty, and people.
The initiative provides a platform for artists to bring their creativity to life through large-scale murals displayed in prominent areas of the ship. These include the Royal Promenade, the Suite Sundeck Lobby, and the embarkation area, offering a unique opportunity to connect with vacationers worldwide. Each selected artist will receive grants ranging from US$20,000 to US$100,000+ to complete their commissioned works in collaboration with Royal Caribbean’s team at the shipyard in Turku (Finland) where Star OTS is under construction.
Artists can submit their applications until February 15th, 2025, including 5 samples of original artwork, a brief artist statement describing their inspiration and approach, a CV or resume detailing their experience.
This year’s program builds on the success of the 2023 cohort for Icon of the Seas, which featured works by artists such as Angelika Wallace-Whitfield (The Bahamas), Phillipe Dodard (Haiti), and Jason Hospedales (Trinidad & Tobago). Millions of guests have experienced these works and celebrate them as integral parts of the ship’s onboard experience.
Positioned as a dynamic blend of diverse vacation experiences, Star of the Seas offers 8 distinct neighborhoods tailored to various traveler preferences, including Chill Island, the Suite Neighborhood, and the record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark. New venues like the Lincoln Park Supper Club add to the ship’s appeal, alongside itineraries designed to highlight the best of the Caribbean.
Sailing year-round from Port Canaveral-Orlando (Florida USA), the ship will offer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Ports of call include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island, as well as destinations like Cozumel (Mexico), Philipsburg (St. Maarten), and Basseterre (St Kitts).
Future editions of the Artist Discovery Program will expand on these efforts, continuing to highlight local artistry and cultural heritage throughout Royal Caribbean’s fleet.