Princess Cruises has welcomed its newest ship, Star Princess, which set sail from Barcelona for its 11-day inaugural Western Mediterranean voyage on Oct. 4. The milestone marks the debut of the line’s second Sphere-Class ship, following the launch of Sun Princess earlier this year. The 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest ship becomes the 17th vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet.
Inaugural Season and Deployment
Star Princess’s inaugural itinerary features calls at Marseille, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Cartagena (Spain) and Gibraltar before returning to Barcelona on Oct. 15. The ship will then offer a 7-day Mediterranean sailing before crossing the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale, where it will be officially named on Nov. 6, 2025, ahead of its Caribbean season. Star Princess will transit the Panama Canal en route to Seattle to begin a summer 2026 season of 7-day Alaska cruises.
“Star Princess shines brightly as one of the largest and most spectacular ships we’ve ever built, and we proudly welcome excited guests on her inaugural voyage,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises, in a media statement. “We wish our Star Princess captain, senior officers, and crew much success—may her voyages be safe, her sunsets unforgettable, and may she shine, as her name promises, in the sky and on the seas.”
Onboard Design and Accommodations
Featuring more than 1,500 balcony staterooms, Star Princess introduces the Sanctuary Collection, which features suites, mini-suites and balcony accommodations that include access to private areas and enhanced amenities. At the heart of the ship is the Piazza, a social hub redesigned within a soaring glass sphere. The space serves as a venue for dining, entertainment and relaxation.
Guests can explore 30 dining and bar venues, including new culinary concepts and expanded favorites such as O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Love by Britto, a specialty dining venue inspired by the artist Romero Britto. Wellness and recreation options include the two-story Lotus Spa, a full fitness center, pools and whirlpools, and a SkyDeck featuring pickleball and basketball courts, a jogging track, a splash pad and shaded lounges.
Entertainment and Experiences
Star Princess introduces an array of entertainment offerings:
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Spellbound by Magic Castle, a returning concept from Sun Princess, debuts a new storyline celebrating the golden age of illusion, inspired by magician Richard Valentine Pitchford (“The Great Cardini”).
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Two new original productions — Meridian and Illuminate — premiere in the state-of-the-art Princess Arena, showcasing immersive storytelling, live music and innovative technology.
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The Dome, the ship’s glass-enclosed observation space, hosts a new Candlelight Concert Series, blending live performance with candlelit ambiance under the stars.
Beyond the theater, guests can expect lively deck parties, reimagined champagne waterfall celebrations and themed events that enhance the ship’s vibrant nightlife.
For more information, visit princess.com.
