THE RESULTS ARE IN: ROYAL CARIBBEAN SELECTS ITS NEXT COHORT OF LOCAL ARTISTS TO FEATURE ON STAR OF THE SEAS

MIAMI, MAY 29, 2025 – Celebrating the culture and people at the heart of the Caribbean destinations the vacation brand visits, Royal Caribbean has chosen its encore cohort of up-and-coming artists for the Artist Discovery Program. As part of the program, the selected artists will put their work on display for families and vacationers who will set sail on the ultimate family vacation, Star of the Seas.

Representing countries across the Eastern and Western Caribbean, artists from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti were selected during the second round of the program. Each artist will receive a grant amount between $20,000 and $100,000 to conceptualize and create a custom, large-scale mural that represents the local culture, experience and spirit of their home country. The artworks will be displayed across four highly visible locations on the Icon Class vacation, including the Royal Promenade neighborhood, Star’s embarkation area, the Suite Sun Deck lobby and Suite Sun Deck.

“We are excited about the overwhelming positive response we received from the next edition of the Artist Discovery Program,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean. “Collaborating with the places we visit is at the heart of what we do and who we are at Royal Caribbean. Whether its hosting guest roundtables or hiring locals from our destinations around the world, it’s important to us to collaborate and connect with the communities we operate in. This year’s selection is special, and we’re thrilled about the vibrant, beautiful and cultural murals that’ll be on Star of the Seas for years to come.”

Over several months, the vacation brand reviewed nearly 180 applications from across 28 Caribbean countries. Candidates were required to submit unpublished conceptual artwork, a professional resume and a personal statement expressing how their artistic passions, life experiences, cultures and future aspirations inspire their artwork.

The Artist Discovery Program aims to spotlight up-and-coming local artists in the Caribbean by providing a platform for them to showcase their artwork and increase visibility while celebrating the places and people that make Royal Caribbean vacations the vacations of a lifetime. The program was first introduced on Icon of the Seas and has since been a well-received and highly anticipated initiative both on board and at the vacation brand’s exclusive destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, set to debut December 2025 in The Bahamas.

About the Artists

• Nestor Omar Garcia ‘Angurria’ from the Dominican Republic: From the moment vacationers step on Star, Garcia’s mural will light up the embarkation area, leaving guests with the ultimate first impression. Garcia’s art represents a fusion of his Dominican roots, bold color choices, and tales of his region to create energetic and relatable pieces.

• Anthony Smith o/c Taoszen from Jamaica: Smith’s mural will be at the heartbeat of the soon-to-debut Star of the Seas in the Royal Promenade neighborhood. Through his art, Smith strives to connect communities, promote understanding and positive change. His previous works combine striking imagery, nature and vibrant colors to showcase the world’s complex themes in nuanced ways.

• Saegel Bascombe from Trinidad and Tobago: Located in the luxurious escape of the Suite Sun Deck lobby, Bascombe’s art will further illuminate the vibes of this private oasis. Ignited by a beautiful fusion of eclectic colors and patterns, Bascombe’s artistry celebrates themes from her homeland, while personifying the colors in the pieces.

Returning to showcase his unique work across the revolutionary Icon Class, Haitian artist Philippe Dodard will create a mosaic piece that evokes his home island’s rich history on the Suite Sun Deck on Star.

Debuting August in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Star will deliver more of the best of every vacation introduced by Icon with new twists and signature favorites. Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, there are ways for families and vacationers of all ages to make memories with a lineup of thrills, unrivaled chill and more than 40+ ways to dine, drink and be entertained. The adventurers continue with island hopping on 7-night vacations to Eastern or Western Caribbean destinations, including the vacation brand’s top-rated exclusive destination at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. More details about Star are available on Royal Caribbean’s website.

About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive 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 exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. 

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visiting www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor. 

Related Images

Introduced on Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s “Artist Discovery Program” calls on up-and-coming artists in the destinations the vacation brand visits to spotlight their region’s culture and people. The program’s next editions in the Caribbean will take center stage on Star of the Seas and at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in December 2025, inviting artists to put their work on display for millions of vacationers to experience.

August 2024 – Debuting August 2025 in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas is the next bold combination of every vacation – from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure. Star’s all-encompassing Icon Class lineup has experiences in store for every type of family and vacationer to make memories their way every day, without compromise.

Agosto de 2024 – Debutando en agosto de 2025 en Puerto Cañaveral (Orlando), Florida, Star of the Seas de Royal Caribbean International es la próxima combinación audaz de todas las vacaciones, desde el retiro a la playa hasta la escapada al resort y la aventura en el parque temático. La amplia gama de Icon Class de Star ofrece experiencias para todo tipo de familias y vacacionistas para crear recuerdos a su manera todos los días, sin concesiones.

In the next edition of the Artist Discovery Program, Royal Caribbean has chosen its encore cohort of up-and-coming artists who will put their work on display for families and vacationers on Star of the Seas. Anthony Smith (Taoszen) from Jamaica will showcase his mural at the heartbeat of the soon-to-debut Icon Class vacation in the Royal Promenade neighborhood.

In the next edition of the Artist Discovery Program, Royal Caribbean has chosen its encore cohort of up-and-coming artists who will put their work on display for families and vacationers on Star of the Seas. Leaving guests with the ultimate first impression, Nestor Omar Garcia (Angurria) from the Dominican Republic will showcase his mural in Star’s embarkation area.

In the next edition of the Artist Discovery Program, Royal Caribbean has chosen its encore cohort of up-and-coming artists who will put their work on display for families and vacationers on Star of the Seas. Saegel Bascombe from Trinidad and Tobago will spotlight her art in the Suite Sun Deck lobby of the soon-to-debut Icon class vacation.