Glass Panel Shatters on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas: What We Know
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, has been sailing short preview itineraries from Port Canaveral ahead of its weeklong Caribbean and Bahamas schedule. Ten days into service, the ship experienced a minor onboard incident involving a glass panel on the upper decks. Here is a clear rundown of what happened, how the crew responded, and what it means for guests.
What Happened and When
While the ship was at sea returning to Port Canaveral, a tempered glass wall on Deck 15 suddenly shattered. The incident took place at approximately 10:30 a.m. A guest nearby described hearing a sharp pop, similar to a tire burst, before the panel failed. The area overlooks the main pool deck, where a ring of glass panels provides wide, wind-protected views.
Immediate Crew Response
Crew members arrived quickly, roped off the section, and covered the broken panel to keep passengers clear of any remaining fragments. The surrounding walkway was temporarily closed while the team secured the site. This is standard procedure when exterior materials are damaged at sea and helps prevent foot traffic until repairs are complete.
What Guests Saw
Guests on Deck 15 reported the sound, then noticed crew placing barriers and signage around the affected section. A short video shared on social media shows the shattered panel and a crew member guiding people away while the area was being made safe. The rest of the deck, including adjacent seating and viewing spaces, continued to operate with localized restrictions.
Ship Status and Schedule
Star of the Seas is on a four day Showcase cruise that included a call at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. The ship is scheduled to arrive back at Port Canaveral tomorrow morning. This sailing is one of the last short voyages before the vessel begins weeklong Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. There has been no indication that the incident will affect the ship’s published schedule.
About Those Glass Panels
The pool deck’s perimeter uses tempered safety glass, which is designed to break into small, less sharp pieces rather than large shards. While failures are rare, exposure to stress, temperature swings, or small imperfections can cause tempered glass to crack or shatter suddenly. Cruise ships carry materials and equipment for minor repairs, and exterior components like this are typically replaced during quick-turn maintenance or at the next port.
What It Means for Upcoming Sailings
Guests booked on near term voyages should expect normal operations, with the possibility of a small sectioned-off area until the replacement panel is installed. If final repairs are scheduled in port, work is usually timed to minimize guest impact. As always, follow crew instructions and posted signs around any maintenance zones on open decks.
Bottom Line
A Deck 15 tempered glass panel shattered as Star of the Seas sailed back to Port Canaveral. Crew secured the area immediately, and the ship remains on schedule after its four day showcase cruise. With its main debut season about to begin, this appears to be a localized maintenance issue rather than a disruption to operations. For most guests, the experience should remain unchanged—sun on the pool deck, sea views all around, and a smooth return to port.
