Countdown begins: Princess Cruises’ Star Princess to shine in the mediterranean summer of 2025

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Princess Cruises and its partners at the Fincantieri Shipyard celebrated the commencement of construction for the second remarkable Sphere Class cruise ship, named Star Princess. This momentous occasion was marked by the official keel laying ceremony held in Monfalcone, Italy.

The keel, which forms the ship’s bottommost part and serves as its primary foundation, represents the initial block of the vessel’s construction. In a ceremonial act, a 500-ton (1.1 million pound) keel for Star Princess was gracefully lowered into position on the keel blocks within the dry dock. The ship will remain in this dry dock until the float-out phase. This precision-guided operation took only a matter of minutes, initiating the process that will require over two million man-hours to complete the construction of this magnificent cruise ship.

Following a traditional blessing and ceremony, executives from Princess and Fincantieri welded a Princess Medallion into the ship, a symbol believed to bring good luck to both the vessel and all those who sail aboard her.

John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, expressed, “Our longstanding partnership in shipbuilding continues to thrive as we construct extraordinary vessels that incorporate cutting-edge technology, while also honoring the rich tradition of Italian craftsmanship and the elegant design heritage of Princess.”

Star Princess stands alongside her sister ship, Sun Princess, as the largest ships ever constructed for Princess Cruises, boasting a weight of 175,500 tons and the capacity to accommodate 4,300 guests. This new ship is built on a unique platform that embodies Princess’ distinctive style, simultaneously paying homage to Princess’ legacy while celebrating the allure of the sea by providing expansive, outward-facing views.

Despite being 20% larger than any of the cruise line’s existing vessels, Star Princess retains the intimate ambiance that Princess is renowned for. It introduces several groundbreaking spaces, including:

1. The Dome, an innovative entertainment venue inspired by the terraces of Santorini.
2. A next-level Piazza, featuring a captivating glass sphere.
3. The “See it to believe it” Princess Arena, a highly adaptable, technologically advanced main theater capable of accommodating a variety of innovative entertainment concepts.
4. A magnificent three-story dining room positioned at the aft of the ship, providing unforgettable views of the wake.

Additionally, guests will enjoy an expanded range of luxurious staterooms and suites, elevating the art of relaxation and serenity. Star Princess guests can indulge in the exclusive Princess Experience, powered by the Medallion, which further cements Princess’ reputation for delivering personalized and exceptional experiences.

Notably, this new ship will be the second in the Princess fleet to be powered by LNG fuel technology and will incorporate the most advanced sustainable innovations available.

Star Princess is set to make her debut in August 2025, and cruises are already available for booking.

« Back to Page

• Crystal Serenity Sets Sail with Iconic Gloria Gaynor for an Exclusive Musical Performance

• Norwegian Cruise Line Charts New Course with BOGO Deal for Indian Travelers Eyeing 2024-2025 Cruises

• Singapore Yachting Festival Kicks off with Spectacular Display on Sentosa Island

• Royal Caribbean Axes More Trips to Beloved Haitian Getaway Following Safety Alerts

• Carnival Corporation Boosts Eco-Tourism with Acquisition of 5,000 Local Palm Trees for Celebration Key