Princess Cruises Welcomes New Star Princess
Star Princess, the second Sphere-Class ship in the fleet and the 17th vessel overall for Princess Cruises, was officially delivered today. The celebratory handover ceremony took place at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
Handover Ceremony Marks Official Transfer
The ceremony formally marked the transfer of the ship from Fincantieri to Princess, signifying the completion of construction and the start of final preparations before its inaugural sailings.
Attendees included key leadership from both organizations: Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises; Captain Gennaro Arma of Star Princess; and Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, among other executives and local government officials.
Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha said:
“Today is a proud moment for Princess as we welcome the new Star Princess to our incredible fleet,”
“This remarkable vessel is a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship of our long-standing partners at Fincantieri, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the shipbuilding team for bringing our newest ship to life.”
Setting Sail for Inaugural Cruise
The 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest Star Princess—a sister ship to the award-winning Sun Princess—now has her 1,600 crew members onboard preparing to welcome the first guests.
The ship will depart the shipyard and sail to Barcelona ahead of its inaugural voyage: an 11-day Western Mediterranean cruise departing on October 4, 2025.
Following her Mediterranean debut, the Star Princess will head across the Atlantic for a season of Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale starting on November 7, 2025. After the Caribbean, she will transit the Panama Canal and sail west to begin her inaugural Alaska season.
Onboard Features and Guest Experience
Star Princess features 30 distinct dining and bar venues and a host of curated entertainment and activities. The ship elevates the luxury experience with The Sanctuary Collection, an exclusive area at sea offering a private restaurant, the adults-only Sanctuary Club pool deck, and specially curated amenities.
Guests will also enjoy:
- Over 1,500 balcony staterooms with panoramic views.
- The Dome, a next-generation relaxation and entertainment space.
- The Arena, Princess’ most technologically advanced theater yet.
- The Piazza, the ship’s architectural centerpiece with dramatic curves and sweeping ocean vistas.
- Spellbound by Magic Castle™, the captivating speakeasy experience created in collaboration with the famed Hollywood icon.
Voyages are available for booking now at Princess Cruises website.
Are you booked on a Star Princess cruise during her inaugural year? Leave a comment below or join us on the Talking Cruise Community forums.
