What’s new on Star of the Seas?, Where does Star of the Seas sail?, How big is Star of the Seas?, How much does Star of the Seas cost?

Royal Caribbean International is an expert in cruise vacations, but guests get to enjoy a new kind of trip on its latest ship: time travel.

Passengers can go along for a ride in the DeLorean during "Back to the Future: The Musical," that is. A shortened version of the show — which ended its Broadway run in January — debuted on Star of the Seas this month.

During a preview cruise in mid-August, a full-size version of the iconic car appeared to twist, turn and speed along, transporting Marty McFly from 1985 to 1955 — without ever leaving the ship’s Royal Theater — thanks to some dazzling special effects.

Alex Marchant, the cruise line’s senior director of entertainment creative development and strategy, couldn’t give away any secrets, but noted that an onstage turntable "helps." Small lights pointed at the audience also help to obscure what’s happening onstage, so guests can’t see beyond the illusions.

"I think what the creator and the creative team for 'Back to the Future' did was they took traditional theater technology, theater technique, and found ways to mimic what you might have seen in the movie," he said onboard.

The production is just one of the new features on the line’s second Icon Class ship, which will sail its inaugural voyage on Aug. 31. Here’s what to know.

The Pearl on Star of the Seas is part support structure, part art installation.

What’s new on Star of the Seas?

The ship features a familiar layout and many features found on sister vessel Icon of the Seas, both tied for the title of biggest cruise ship in the world. "The difference is really nuanced," Michael Bayley, the cruise line’s president and CEO, said at an onboard press briefing during the preview cruise.

Star's Central Park neighborhood seen from above.

The "Sol" ice show traces the sun over a single day (packed into a roughly 45-minute show), starting in Miami and ending in Santa Monica, California. The cast shows off athletic feats – at one point a skater swung another in circles while holding only their foot – while projections light up the ice, culminating in a group of stunt skaters gliding up ramps and through the air to U2’s "Vertigo".

Other entertainment offerings include "Torque" in the ship’s AquaTheater, which incorporates dance, high-diving and aerial acrobatics, while the "Ocean Odyssey" parade that follows the story of King Atlantis' search for the lost Royal Scroll, which navigators have long used to find their way through the ocean. "We've done a lot of parades in recent years above the water," said Marchant. "This time, we decided to go below the water."

Among its more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, Star also features the Lincoln Park Supper Club, a reimagined version of Icon’s New York-themed Empire Supper Club. The venue serves a multi-course dinner with dishes like crab ravioli and lamb with morel and chanterelle mushrooms, cocktail pairings and live jazz that pays homage to 1930s Chicago. Three of the AquaDome Market food hall’s stands are new, as well: Thai eatery Mai Thai; Pig Out BBQ; and La Cocinita, serving empanadas, arepas and more.

The Overlook Bar in Star's AquaDome.

The ship features a new art collection, too, and tweaks to furnishings and color palettes, Bayley noted. "It's a little bit like if you move into a house, and you wander around and you think, 'We really should have put the outlet over there,' or, you know, 'These doors they open out and they should really open in,'" he said.

Returning favorites from Icon include the Category 6 water park, the adults-only Hideaway area – with a suspended infinity pool – the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar and a Chief Dog Officer, a golden retriever named Sailor.

Where does Star of the Seas sail?

Following several shorter cruises, Star will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises round-trip from Florida’s Port Canaveral beginning Aug. 31.

A balcony cabin on Star of the Seas.

How big is Star of the Seas?

The nearly 250,000-gross-ton ship measures 1,196 feet long and can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy.

Star's kid-friendly Surfside area.

How much does Star of the Seas cost?

Available itineraries currently start at $1,046 per person based on double occupancy, according to Royal Caribbean’s website. The fare includes accommodations; many meals on the ship; drinks such as regular coffee, iced tea, lemonade; entertainment and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].