Princess Cruises orders 3 ships in all-new Voyager class that will be largest to date

Princess Cruises has signed agreements with Fincantieri to build three new cruise ships, in an all-new class that will be the cruise lines largest to date.

The agreements mark a significant long-term expansion of Princess Cruises’ fleet through to the end of the next decade.

Part of a new Voyager class platform, the vessels will build on the recently introduced Sphere class, and are scheduled for delivery in late 2035, 2038, and 2039.

The ships will each measure approximately 183,000 gross tonnes and carry around 4,700 guests, making them the largest ever built for the brand. They will be constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, continuing a long-standing partnership between the two companies.

The new platform is expected to build on the design and operational principles introduced with the line’s Sphere Class vessels, including Sun Princess and Star Princess, while incorporating redesigned outer decks, staterooms, and central Piazza spaces.

Further details on the ships’ layout and onboard features are expected to be released at a later stage.

“The Voyager class will delight both our loyal guests and attract the next generation of Princess guests. We have been leveraging extensive customer and agent research to strike the right balance between evolving our proven winners and introducing new concepts and partnerships grounded in what matters to our current and future guests,” said Gus Antorcha, President, Princess Cruises.

“From exceptional dining and inviting pool environments to elevated entertainment and beautifully reimagined spaces throughout the ship, we are leaving no area untouched as we thoughtfully evolve the Princess experience,” he added.

Like their Sphere Class predecessors, the Voyager class ships will be dual-fuel powered, operating primarily on liquefied natural gas.

LNG is currently the most widely adopted alternative marine fuel capable of delivering immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants compared with conventional fuels, although its long-term role in decarbonisation remains under scrutiny within the sector.

For Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Princess Cruises, the agreements form part of a broader fleet strategy that continues to prioritise LNG propulsion.

Once delivered, the three vessels will bring the group’s total number of LNG-capable ships to 21. In addition to these orders, Carnival Corporation has seven other ships on order across its brands, scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2033.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, said the agreements would provide long-term visibility for the company’s shipbuilding operations. “With the new Voyager-class ships, we are once again leveraging Fincantieri’s distinctive expertise in sustainable, next generation shipbuilding, supporting Princess Cruises in its growth trajectory, and reaffirming our role as a trusted industrial partner for the evolution of the cruise industry,” said Folgiero.

The financial value of the agreements has not been disclosed in absolute terms, although under Fincantieri’s classification system, contracts described as “very important” typically exceed €2 billion (US$2.3 billion) in value.

Key specifications – Voyager class

Gross tonnage: 183,000

Guest capacity: 4,700+

Propulsion: dual-fuel (primarily LNG)

Builder: Fincantieri, Monfalcone (Italy)

Delivery schedule: late 2035, 2038, and 2039