Princess Cruises commenced the 2026 calendar year with a public presentation at the 137th Rose Parade, using the event to introduce its “Together in the Magic of Alaska” float and to signal the forthcoming inaugural Alaska season of Star Princess. The float portrayed the new vessel transiting an Alaskan landscape and was intended to highlight both the destination and the entry into service of the cruise line’s latest ship.
The float advanced along the 5.5-mile parade route on Colorado Boulevard, depicting Star Princess set against coastal scenery associated with Alaska. Its construction relied on a wide range of natural materials and florals selected to reflect glacial tones and northern maritime waters. Design elements emphasized the rugged shoreline and regional environment, with animated wildlife forms representing species commonly associated with Alaska, including whales, sea otters, eagles, bears, and moose. Additional botanical details referenced native flora, visually linking the vessel to the destination it will serve.
Built by Artistic Entertainment Services, the float measured approximately 55 feet in length and 21 feet in height and incorporated more than 300,000 flowers and natural materials. The scale and detailing were intended to balance the representation of a large modern cruise ship with the surrounding natural environment. Key architectural features of Star Princess were included, such as the Dome and the sphere-shaped Piazza, reflecting the design language of Princess Cruises’ Sphere Class vessels.
Princess Cruises’ marketing leadership indicated that the Rose Parade appearance was selected as a suitable platform to recognize the upcoming debut of Star Princess and to acknowledge the collective contribution of the company’s shoreside staff and shipboard crew, as well as the Alaskan communities that support cruise operations each season. The parade’s theme of teamwork was reflected through the participation of company representatives riding on the float.
In addition to the float itself, performers accompanied the presentation along the route, incorporating music associated with the brand’s long-standing association with televised depictions of cruising, reinforcing Princess Cruises’ historical visibility within the broader travel market.
Star Princess is the cruise line’s second Sphere Class ship, measuring approximately 177,800 gross tons and designed to accommodate up to 4,300 guests. The vessel is scheduled to operate weekly 7-night Inside Passage Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle between early May and mid-September 2026.
For the 2026 Alaska season, Princess Cruises plans its largest regional deployment to date, with 8 ships offering 180 departures to 19 destinations. The program includes both cruise-only and combined land-and-sea itineraries, continuing the company’s long-established presence in the Alaska market while introducing Star Princess as a new flagship for the region.