Princess Cruises celebrates the float out of the first of its new Sphere class ships

Princess Cruises has marked the float out of its upcoming Sphere-class cruise ship Sun Princess at at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Sun Princess is the first of a planned two Sphere class cruise ships for the cruise line, and the first vessel in the fleet to run on LNG.

At 175,500 gross tons, Sun Princess is the largest ship built so far in Italy, and the largest cruise ship ever ordered by Princess Cruises.

She is also the first LNG cruise ship ever built by Fincantieri, and the first dual-fuel vessel powered primarily by LNG to enter Princess’ fleet.

LNG is the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly advanced fuel technology and the world’s cleanest fossil fuel, which will significantly reduce air emissions and marine gasoil usage, according to a release from Fincantieri.

Sun Princess is due for delivery in the first few months of 2024, although an exact date has not been announced. Her as-yet-unnamed sister ship is due for delivery in 2025.

The ships will each accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and are based on a next-generation platform design exclusively for Princess Cruises.

Few details have been announced about Sun Princess, but we do know that she’ll feature the cruise line’s first triple-deck main dining room and the most advanced theatre in the fleet.

The Horizons main dining room will be a three-story space with open and flexible seating offering ocean views across the ship’s wake. A massive decorative sculpture that stretches from deck 6 to deck 8will be a centrepiece of the room.

The three decks will each have their own personalities, offer different dining experiences and range in levels of formality, according to a press release.

Up in the bow of the ship, the Princess Arena will be the most technologically advanced Princess Theater design at sea, with a stunning visual above the central stage which can become part of the show, and an in-the-round configuration and moveable seats giving all guests uninterrupted sightlines.

The ship will also debut a newly designed Piazza, a characteristic public space aboard Princess ships, and The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini.