Exciting news for art lovers and cruise enthusiasts alike! Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas will be transformed into a vibrant launchpad for Caribbean artists starting in August 2025. This innovative initiative aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse artistic talents of the Caribbean region.
Passengers aboard the Star of the Seas can look forward to immersive art experiences, live performances, and interactive workshops led by local artists. From traditional Caribbean music and dance to contemporary visual arts and fashion, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to supporting and promoting Caribbean artists, this partnership with Royal Caribbean will also provide a platform for cultural exchange and artistic collaboration. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with artists, learn about their creative process, and even purchase unique artworks to take home as souvenirs.
So, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cruise experience that celebrates the beauty and creativity of the Caribbean, be sure to book your ticket on the Star of the Seas starting August 2025. Get ready to set sail on a journey of art, culture, and inspiration like never before!
Tags:
Royal Caribbean, Star of the Seas, Florida launchpad, Caribbean artists, August 2025, cruise ship, art showcase, Caribbean culture, cultural exchange, artistic collaboration
The vacation brand’s art program will spotlight up-and-coming Caribbean artists on Star of the Seas
MIAMI, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — More ways to bring to life the heart of the Caribbean, its people, beauty and culture are on deck. Royal Caribbean announced that its “Artist Discovery Program” returns to the Caribbean, calling on brilliant artists across the region to showcase their work on the next combination of the best of every vacation, Star of the Seas. Set to debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August 2025, Star will provide a dynamic canvas for up-and-coming artists to capture and share the rich Caribbean spirit onboard with vacationers from all over the world for generations to come. Local artists across the Caribbean can send their submissions starting today through February 15thhere.
Angelika Wallace-Whitfield, The Bahamas
Jason Hospedales, Trinidad; Tobago
Philippe Dodard, Haiti
Introduced on Icon of the Seas, the program will highlight rising stars among local Caribbean artists featured in Star’s curated art collection, giving budding artists the opportunity to share their talent. The program aims to celebrate the destinations and people that make vacations with Royal Caribbean the vacation of a lifetime.
“We are excited for this next edition of The Artist Discovery Program and can’t wait to be awestruck by visionary artists across the Caribbean. Last year, our first-ever call to artists received an overwhelming response with more than 140 artists across 25 Caribbean countries submitting pieces that told a unique story and captured the allure of the region,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean International. “Our goal is to connect our guests to the enduring beauty and creativity of the Caribbean, and this immersive program is a pathway to celebrating and exploring local culture while onboard the next Icon of vacations – Star of the Seas.“
The Artist Discovery Program’s next group of budding artists will be commissioned to paint large-scale murals in four highly visible locations including the Royal Promenade neighborhood representing the heartbeat of the new vacation, Star’s embarkation area which will be among the first sights guests see, and in the Suite Sundeck Lobby, and Suite Sundeck. Joining a collection onboard that includes an array of pieces created by local artists and inspired by the region, each creation will invoke the vibrancy of the Caribbean.
Every artist will receive a grant from the vacation company, ranging from $20,000 to more than $100,000, to see their vision through. As artists in residence, the winners will work closely with the Royal Caribbean’s team later this year to bring their concepts to life in Turku, Finland, where Star is currently under construction.
Artists interested in joining the Artist Discovery Program must submit:
Five samples of previous works: The work must be original.
A brief artist statement that helps explain their work, inspiration and other details regarding the pieces submitted.
A copy of their CV / resume.
This year’s selected artists will join the 2023 inaugural cohort that created iconic murals that are featured throughout Icon of the Seas. The distinguished artists in-residence include Angelika Wallace-Whitfield in The Bahamas; Phillipe Dodard in Haiti, and Jason Hospedales in Trinidad & Tobago. To date, millions of guests embarking on Icon have had the privilege of experiencing these captivating works of art firsthand, celebrating the essence of The Bahamas.
Building on a new era of vacations introduced by Icon of the Seas, Star is the next bold combination of the best of every vacation. From the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, there are experiences for every type of family and adventure across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves. Between the new Lincoln Park Supper Club, six record breaking slides at Category 6, the largest water park at sea, and unrivaled ways to chill at neighborhoods like Chill Island and the luxurious four-level Suite Neighborhood, Starof the Seas sets the stage for everyone to make memories.
Star will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Port Canaveral (Orlando). Every vacation will visit Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and a lineup of idyllic spots like Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. More details about Star are available on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Future editions of the Artist Discovery program will be announced at a later date. Additional information can be found here.
About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and private destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 22 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line’s top-rated private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has announced the next edition of its highly anticipated Artist Discovery Program, set to take place on their newest ship, the Star of the Seas.
The Artist Discovery Program is a unique opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their talents while sailing the seas on a luxurious Royal Caribbean cruise. This program gives artists the chance to perform for a diverse audience of guests from around the world and gain exposure in the entertainment industry.
The Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest addition to its fleet, promises to be the perfect setting for this exciting program. With state-of-the-art performance venues, top-of-the-line equipment, and world-class entertainment staff, artists participating in the Artist Discovery Program can expect an unforgettable experience.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can apply to be part of this incredible opportunity to shine on the Star of the Seas with Royal Caribbean’s Artist Discovery Program. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your talents and make your mark in the entertainment world!
It’s no secret that all-inclusive resorts are having a huge moment, and no company is capitalizing on it more than World of Hyatt.
The Hyatt Inclusive Collection (HIC) has grown to its sweet spot of 10 brands, from staples like Secrets to newcomers like Hyatt Vivid, which debuted in Cancun in April 2024.
Shyla Gardner, Hyatt’s vice president of commercial services for Latin America and the Caribbean, is at the helm in the destinations where most of these properties reside. TMR spoke with Gardner about the hottest destinations, finding the right resort clients, and new advisor programs.
Dreams Estrella del Mar. Photo: Hyatt
The Hottest New All-Inclusive Destinations
HIC has seen big buzz around its growth Europe with resorts such as Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina in Portugal, which opened in October 2024. Still, HIC’s roots and bulk of its continued expansion are in the tropical countries North Americans have come to know and love.
In April 2024, Hyatt opened Dreams Estrella del Mar in Mazatlán, a city on the western coast of Mexico that is fairly new to travelers.
“It is a really neat offering in a sense where it’s a new destination where we are the luxury, highest end product in the destination,” Gardner said. “It’s a family friendly offering so there’s something for everyone there.”
Most anticipated for 2025 are new Secrets resorts in Aruba and St. Lucia – Secrets Baby Beach Aruba and Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa.
Also, there are neighboring resorts opening in the up-and-coming destination of Miches in the Dominican Republic: Dreams Playa Esmeralda and Secrets Playa Esmerelda. The complex will offer about 1,000 rooms combined and is slated to open in April.
“Think Tulum or Playa Mita when maybe 10 years ago, it’s untouched, virgin beaches. I just drove [to Miches] a week ago and it literally feels like you’re in Jurassic Park. It’s just this incredible mountainous jungle that you’re driving through. The road is very nice, so it’s a good drive, but it just has this really nature forward feel,” Gardner said.
“Within that destination there’s other developments all happening so within a very short period of time, we see Miches as a destination and Playa Esmerelda being probably the next big hotspot in the Dominican Republic,” she added.
To add to all of that, Gardner expressed excitement about welcoming 21 Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts to HIC. Hyatt just finalized a long-term agreement with the Spain-based company, whose resorts in Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Spain are now part of the collection.
Secrets Playa Esmerelda. Photo: Hyatt
A New Generation of Resort Clients
Predictable pricing, exceptional food and beverage, and a relaxed environment are all main reasons why people love all-inclusives. Hyatt continues to open new resorts to give their longtime guests something new yet familiar.
Catering to the new generation has become a key focus for HIC, as seen in the launch of its Hyatt Vivid brand. This way, all-inclusive clients are easier to come by because there is more to offer them in terms of dining, entertainment, and experiences that keep up with the trends. This can look like having a creative mocktail menu; authentic, high-quality grab-and-go bites; and seamless technology, all big hits with the newer generation.
“If you are maybe a first time all-inclusive traveler and you’re just wanting to dip your toe in and looking for something a little more approachable on a budget, we have great brand offerings like our Sunscape brand, and then also within the Gen Z space is the new [Hyatt Vivid Grand Island in Cancun], which is a very good, accessible price point,” Gardner said.
“We’re always being thoughtful, and that’s really one of the reasons why Vivid came to exist,” she added. “Rather than going for the exact same audience over and over again, how do we look for different niches and different audiences that we can design product for?”
Today’s travelers also value authentic experiences within a destination, and resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico need to rise to the occasion on that. Gardner again pointed to culinary creativity as a way that the resorts fulfill this for guests.
At Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen, guests enjoy the Omakase taco tasting experience, where they are served seven tacos from different regions of Mexico, which Gardner calls “a diverse culinary experience in a way that maybe you wouldn’t expect in an all-inclusive.”
“We want to share those best practices, but we don’t want to just copy-paste them because then it’s not authentic to each destination,” Gardner said. “So, it’s like, how can this one get excited about an idea and then that inspires a different resort to think of something new and fresh and just keep that energy of innovation moving throughout the portfolio?”
Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen. Photo: Hyatt
What’s on the Horizon for Travel Advisors
Going into 2025, Gardner wants travel advisors to look out for an upcoming announcement regarding HIC’s weddings and social groups programming.
“Our travel advisor partnerships are hugely important to us,” she said. “I know [weddings and social groups] is a very important segment of business for the travel advisors and something we’re always looking to grow.”
“We’re looking for ways on that side to improve our technology, to help them with how they see their rooming list, to help with the speed of our commission payments, which is always very important for them,” she added.
Until then, joining HIC’s Confidant Collective is the best way for travel advisors to get all the tools they need to sell Hyatt’s all-inclusive resorts. It includes the educational platform Confidant Learning, which aims to make advisors experts in the product. The program also Confidant Rewards for advisors to earn benefits for their bookings.
“Even if they book through a third-party tour operator, they’re able to register those bookings, and as a token of our appreciation for their loyalty and their recommendations, they’re able to earn rewards and points that they can convert for stays and other incentives within our organization,” Gardner said.
Hyatt’s invitation-only Hyatt Privé is another travel advisor program that gives eligible sellers access to exclusive benefits for themselves and their clients.
Hey everyone, it’s time to catch up with Hyatt’s very own Shyla Gardner, the Vice President of Development for Latin America and the Caribbean! Shyla has been instrumental in expanding Hyatt’s presence in this vibrant region, and we can’t wait to hear all about her latest projects and initiatives.
Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Shyla as she shares insights on the hospitality industry in Latin America and the Caribbean, upcoming hotel openings, and her vision for the future of Hyatt in this dynamic market. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to get to know one of the key players shaping the hospitality landscape in the region.
Get ready to be inspired and informed as we delve into the world of hospitality with Shyla Gardner. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming interview with this trailblazing leader! #Hyatt #LatinAmerica #Caribbean #Hospitality #ShylaGardner #Development #Interview
