Princess Cruises takes delivery of Star Princess at Fincantieri shipyard

Star Princess, the second ship in Princess Cruises’ Sphere Class, has been officially handed over at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, becoming the 17th ship in the Princess fleet.

The delivery was formalised during a ceremony attended by senior figures from both the cruise line and Fincantieri. 

The ceremony marked the transfer of ownership from the builder to Princess Cruises, concluding the construction process and initiating the ship’s final preparations for service.

“Today is a proud moment for Princess as we welcome the new Star Princess to our incredible fleet,” said Gus Antorcha, President, Princess Cruises. “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.”

With 1,600 crew now embarked, Star Princess will leave the shipyard for Barcelona, where she will prepare for her maiden voyage, an 11-day Western Mediterranean itinerary departing October 4th, 2025.

The vessel, measuring 177,800 gross tonnes and with capacity for 4,300 passengers, will debut in Europe before repositioning to North America. 

After a short Mediterranean season, she is scheduled to cross the Atlantic and begin a Caribbean programme from Fort Lauderdale on November 7th, 2025. Following this deployment, she will sail through the Panama Canal to commence her first Alaska season in summer 2026.

Star Princess is a sister ship to Sun Princess, delivered earlier in the Sphere Class. She features more than 1,500 balcony cabins and a range of newly designed public areas. The ship offers 30 distinct dining and bar venues, curated entertainment and activity offerings. 

Unique to Star Princess and Sun Princess is The Sanctuary Collection, an elevated private escape at sea with access to an exclusive restaurant; the Sanctuary Club, a tranquil, adults-only pool deck; and curated amenities that set a new standard for luxury at sea.

Distinctive spaces include:

The Sanctuary Collection: an exclusive suite and stateroom enclave offering private facilities, a dedicated restaurant, and access to a secluded pool deck.

The Dome: a glass-enclosed relaxation and entertainment venue.

The Arena: Princess Cruises’ most technologically advanced theatre to date.

The Piazza: a multi-level atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows and ocean-facing views.

Spellbound by Magic Castle: an immersive entertainment space created in partnership with Hollywood’s Magic Castle.

As the second Sphere-Class vessel, Star Princess continues the line’s emphasis on larger, technologically advanced ships with expanded dining and entertainment choices, adding further capacity to Princess Cruises’ European, Caribbean and Alaska programmes over the next two years.