More Drama for Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas After “Oscar” Alert

Guests onboard Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Star of the Seas had an unexpected dose of drama during the ship’s preview sailing when an emergency “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” alert was sounded at Perfect Day at CocoCay on Thursday, 14 August.

Royal Caribbean's massive "Star of the Seas" cruise ship is shown arriving with the help of a tugboat, surrounded by calm waters and a forested shoreline in the background. The ship's aft features bold blue and white detailing, yellow lifeboats, and a vibrant waterpark structure on the upper deck.

Guest Falls from Pier at CocoCay

The 5,610-passenger ship was docked next to sister vessel Symphony of the Seas when a man fell from the pier just after 8 am. Photos shared online show him clinging to a life ring thrown by crew before being pulled out of the water by jet ski.

Royal Caribbean later confirmed the cause: “A guest fell off the dock while capturing footage of the ship on his smart phone. Our team immediately picked him up via jet ski and returned him to shore.” Thankfully, he was not seriously injured.

This isn’t the first pier incident at CocoCay. In April 2025, a child fell between Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas before being swiftly rescued. Other cases have involved guests crossing safety lines for photos or stumbling after drinking.

This image captures the vibrant and exciting atmosphere of Perfect Day at CocoCay, a private island resort. The scene showcases colorful beach cabanas over turquoise waters, lush greenery, and a sandy beach filled with rows of lounge chairs. In the background, a water park with towering slides and a large cruise ship docked at the island are visible. A bright orange and pink hot air balloon adds a playful touch as it floats in the clear blue sky, completing the perfect tropical vacation setting. — CocoCay

Another Setback for Star of the Seas

The fall comes during what has already been a bumpy debut season for Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class ship.

Legendary Motown singer Diana Ross had been announced as the ship’s godmother, but the cruise line confirmed she has now withdrawn from the naming ceremony scheduled for 20 August. A replacement has not yet been named.

Adding to the issues, the ship’s marquee attraction, the Frightening Bolt waterslide, has been closed indefinitely. The move follows an incident just days earlier on Icon of the Seas, when a glass panel in the identical slide shattered mid-ride, injuring a passenger who is now pursuing legal action.

While the other slides remain open on Icon, Royal Caribbean says Star’s Frightening Bolt will stay closed pending investigations and any required repairs.

What’s Next?

Despite the hiccups, Star of the Seas continues sailing preview voyages out of Port Canaveral before officially kicking off her first full itinerary on 16 August.