Star Princess

The 2025-built Star Princess cruise ship is the second of two SPHERE class vessels currently under construction at Fincantieri's yard in Monfalcone Italy. Princess' SPHERE class represents the fleet's first dual-fuel (MDO and LNG) powered ships. The sistership Sun Princess is currently scheduled for delivery in February 2024.

The vessel (IMO number 9863120) will be Bermuda-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Hamilton.

Note: This is the third cruise ship named "Star Princess", following Star Princess (1989-97/ordered as "Sitmar Fair Majesty" for Sitmar Cruises/1988-built as "Sitmar Fair Majesty"/1989-acquired by P&O Princess/2021-scrapped as "Columbus"/IMO 8611398) and the old Star Princess (2002-2021/now Pacific Encounter for P&O Australia.

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.

In July 2018 were ordered two new-class (larger than Royal-Class) liners with GT-tonnage/volume 175000 tonnes and passenger capacity 4300. These are the fleet's first dual-fuel (MGO and LNG/primarily) powered ships. The shipbuilding contract with Fincantieri (Monfalcone Shipyard) was signed on March 27, 2019, with scheduled deliveries in 2023 and 2025. Both contracts were signed by Jan Swartz (Princess' President) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO). Princess Cruises in 2018 had 5 new ships on order with Fincantieri. The 2024-2025 SPHERE liners are Carnival Corporation's 10th and 11th LNG-powered ships.

Decks and Cabins

Star Princess staterooms (2162 total) include 469x suites, 949x Standard and 100x Cove balconies, 186x Oceanviews, 460x Interior. Of all staterooms, 100x are interconnecting (for families) and 55x are handicap/wheelchair-accessible. All balcony staterooms (1518, or ~70% of all) are with triple/quad occupancy, being fitted with sofabed.

Unlike the preceding ROYAL Class, the new Princess SPHERE ships have oceanview cabins, each fitted with a large non-opening Picture Window.

Exclusive for the SPHERE ships, Star Princess has new types of Suites (Signature Collection Suite/categories Sky, Owner's, Penthouse, Signature) providing premium amenities and bonus perks like exclusive facilities access - Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge & Bar, and Signature Sundeck (part of The Sanctuary).

Club Class staterooms (called on the SPHERE ships "Reserve Collection Staterooms") are Mini-Suites, among which are the resort-style "Reserve Collection Cabana" cabins featuring a balcony-cabana combo (veranda accessed via a large outdoor patio lounge).

The boat has 20 decks, of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 10 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Details on the new Princess SPHERE class were revealed in September 2022. The new ship platform features iconic design elements, including The Dome (a unique entertainment space on top-deck covered by a glass roof) and a suspended glass (in the Piazza Atrium/midship) projecting live sea views as well as recorded UHD media.

The 4300-passenger ship Star Princess also has new for the fleet entertainment venues, 3-deck MDR restaurants (Main Dining Rooms) and new-design staterooms.

The 3-floors-high Piazza Atrium (spreading on decks 7-8-9 midship) is an iconic architectural concept for large-sized cruise liners. The outward-looking space is suspended and with comfortable seating (on all the 3 levels) providing 360-degree unobstructed outside views. The huge LED screen in the middle is movable to allow live entertainment. From The Piazza are accessed Coffee Currents (new for Princess coffee shop), Bellini's Cocktail Bar, Crooners Bar, Ocean Front Lounge, International Cafe, Alfredo's Pizzeria as well as the Lobby's guest services desks (Shore Excursions, Future Cruise, Reception).

The Dome is a glass-roof-covered sundeck (spanning two floors /decks 17-18 forward) and is the first true glass-enclosed space on a cruise liner. During the day, The Dome serves as a pool deck (having a large indoor/outdoor swimming pool). At night, the swimming pool is covered to become a stage as The Dome transforms into an entertainment venue with superior sound and lighting effects and live aerial performances.

As SPHERE Princess ships' coordinating architecture company the shipbuilder Fincantieri contracted TDoS/Tillberg Design of Sweden (1964-founded company specializing in cruise ship design as well as hospitality projects). TDoS was contracted to provide an architecture based on light interiors and transparency. Curiously, the ever-first Atrium (midship-positioned open-floor designed area) on a cruise ship (1969-built Sea Venture) was designed by Robert Tillberg.

Follows the complete list of Star Princess restaurants and food bars.

• 3-deck Main Dining Room (Horizons Restaurant, aft on decks 6-7-8)
• Signature Restaurant (aka Suite Dining Room)
• Reserve Collection Restaurant (fka Inclusive Restaurant)
• Ocean Front / Sushi Bar (specialty seafood bar with a la carte menu/sushi, sashimi)
• O'Malley's Irish Pub

On Lido Deck (deck 17) are the ship's swimming pools and outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools with a spacious sundeck served by 3 Poolside Bars (open-air venues for fast food and beverages) - 1 forward (Sea View Bar) + 2 midship (Coffee & Cones, THE MIX). Adjacent to The Dome are lined up the fast food venues Lido Slice (pizza), Lido Tacos, Lido Grill, Lido Greens (salads) and Lido Bar. Aft (with stern views/of the ship's wake) is the Altitude Restaurant.

Umai Teppanyaki (deck 8) is a new for Princes Cruises specialty restaurant serving Japanese traditional grilled cuisine using an iron griddle to cook the food.

Crown Grill (fka Sterling Steakhouse, open 6-11 pm) is a dinner-only specialty restaurant (at surcharge PP) serving grilled food (steaks and seafood). The ship's Steakhouse features circular seating, modern artworks, leather booths, open kitchen (guests enjoy the views of their food being prepared in the fleet's biggest show galley/kitchen).

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria is a specialty dining venue that also appeals to families with its handmade pasta dishes. The restaurant has a circular main room (with bistro-style nooks) and a separate pasta room where guests can witness the pasta-making process.

Alfredo's Pizzeria (Indoor-Outdoor Dining venue) has an open kitchen allowing passengers to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand/serve them straight out of the oven. New to the kitchen is the professional, open-mouth oven reaching 970 F (520 C) degrees.

World Fresh Marketplace (with Outdoor Dining Area and Eat Street) is the ship's complimentary, self-service Lido buffet restaurant (aft on deck 9). The Lido restaurant is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and has both indoor and outdoor seating (on the Terrace). The Marketplace offers different themed cuisine for lunch and also dinner specials. The restaurant's annexes include Crab Shack (seafood bar), Fondues (cheese bar), The Pastry Shop (self-service patisserie, with complimentary desserts), and the food counter "East Meets West".

Follows the complete list of Star Princess lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Princess Arena Theater (2-deck show lounge with capacity 1000+ seats)
• Two Teens & Tweens Areas (located forward on deck 7) are named The Underground and Neon Grove. These are exclusive to teenagers club lounges with supervised activities.
• Good Spirits At Sea (fka Explorers Lounge)
• Cabana Decks (two exclusive sundecks for the Reserve Collection Cabana Mini-Suites positioned portside and starboard/forward-midship on Deck 9)
• Future Cruise (loyalty program information, onboard booking)
• Shore Excursions Desk (booking, information)
• International Cafe (24-hour patisserie and specialty coffee bar- sandwiches, salads, pastries, cookies)
• Wheelhouse Bar & Lounge
• Princess Casino (age limit 21+ years, 200+ slots and video poker machines, gambling tables) is served by Magic Hour Bar. Star Princess's Casino is the fleet's largest by both size and the number of gaming positions.
• Crooners Bar & Lounge (piano bar with 2 glass grand pianos; cocktails, extensive Martini selection, also used for seminars and lectures)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery (also hosts art auctions)
• aft sundeck with an Infinity Pool and 2 Jacuzzies (whirlpool hot tubs)
• Family Space and Kid's Center are youth facilities served by a dedicated Guest Services Desk (deck 6 midship)
• Sun Deck with 4 Jacuzzies and a Bar
• Fitness Center (Gym with a separate Aerobics Studio for classes), Beauty Salon, Juice Bar
• Rollglider Track, Ropes Course, Jogging Track, Sports Court

Lido Deck (deck 17) houses 3 Swimming Pools (1 forward + 2 midship) and a total of 4 Jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs (2 forward + 2 midship) which are served by 3 Poolside Bars/open-air venues for fast food and beverages (1 forward + 2 midship).

Promenade Deck (deck 9) is an open-air space (running from midship to aft/stern, portside and starboard) with outdoor seating/alfresco dining areas.

"The Shops of Princess" is a 2-deck shopping complex (midship on decks 7-8) consisting of top-luxury boutiques selling designer high-end brand merchandise (jewelry, leather goods, watches, perfumes, cosmetics). The onboard brand stores include Cartier, Bvlgari, Chopard, Burberry, Gucci, Montblanc, Rado, Princess Shop (cruise brand's logo merchandise), Bazaar (new shop selling destination-specific goods).

Princess Live! Lounge & Bar (deck 7) is a TV studio for the Princess Cruises' shipboard live TV show programming (spots and music performances) filmed each day to be broadcast to the passenger staterooms. The venue is redesigned and expanded (combines the design elements of Princess Live! and Explorer's Lounge), with full bar/beverage service, a stage (with a large LED screen) and is served by the Gelateria (fka Affogato Bar). During the day, guests enjoy participatory activities like trivia, game shows, the Wake Show.

Sea View Terrace (fka The Beach Club) is a bow-facing observation lounge (forward on deck 16) with a glass-roof cover and direct stair access to The Dome (sundeck area on deck 17).

The ship has a 2-level Signature Lounge (aka Suite Lounge) exclusive to Suite passengers. The Suite Lounge (aft on decks 15-16) provides complimentary snacks and beverages, comfortable seating, restrooms, and is directly accessed by two lifts/elevators.

Lotus Spa is a wellness complex on two floors (midship on decks 5-6). The lower level (deck 5) consists of Relax Room, Treatment Rooms (for massages), Showers and Changing Rooms (male/female). The upper level (deck 6) is "The Enclave" grouping a Thermal Suite (3 times bigger than the traditional Lotus Spa), Hammam/Oriental Steam Room, Caldarium/aroma steam room, Laconium/sauna, aromatic Sensory Showers, Hydro-therapy Pool (with 3 Whirlpools and cascading rain shower), Male/Female Change Rooms.

The Sanctuary (aft on Deck 18) is the ship's adults-only sundeck/recreation area with luxury chaise lounges, its own swimming pool and a spa pool/hot tub, and is served by the open-air Sanctuary Bar (light meals/steward service). The Sanctuary is also fitted with private 4-guest outdoor cabanas (spa massages, Royal Indulgence Package/surcharges PP apply).

In comparison to the fleetmates, some of the venues (already available in the fleet) are redesigned and expanded (like Alfredo's Pizzeria, Crown Grill, Sabatini's Trattoria, Princess Casino, Crooner's Bar, International Cafe, Good Spirits At Sea, Gelateria, Princess Live!), while others are fleet-firsts (like the Princess Arena, and the 3-deck high restaurant Horizons Dining Room/aft on decks 6-7-8).

In April 2024 Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14th (2024) fleetwide would be introduced 3 distinct main dining/dinner table service options – Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. By the new program (introduced with Sun Princess) on each ship are allocated 3 separate dining rooms - one for Traditional dining (offering early and late dinner seating), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open-seating). The new options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime, and delivered anywhere onboard.

Itineraries

Star Princess itinerary program starts with an inaugural Mediterranean season (2025 summer).

Bookings on Star Princess cruises were opened on June 1st, 2023.

The Maiden Voyage is currently scheduled to depart from homeport Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) on August 4th (2025).

The 9-day "Inaugural Italy and Greece Cruise" is a roundtrip from Civitavecchia visiting Kerkyra (Corfu Island, Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), the Greek islands Mykonos and Santorini as well as Naples (Italy), before returning back to Rome.

The Mediterranean 2025 season is based on 10-day voyages and homeporting in Civitavecchia-Rome, visiting popular destinations like Livorno-Florence, Barcelona, Mykonos Island, Alternative departures are also offered from Piraeus-Athens (Greece) and Trieste-Venice (Italy).

The European season ends in October 2025, with a 16-day westbound Transatlantic crossing (Oct 20th) from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale (RepositionCruises.com).

The ship's Caribbean deployment is based on homeporting in Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida USA). The 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries visit the Bahamian private island resort Princess Cays/Eleuthera.

Princess Cruises' SPHERE-class ships are two units by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with the first one (Sun Princess) entering service in February 2024 and the second one (Star Princess) in August 2025. These are Princess' ever-largest vessels as well as the company's first LNG-powered (by liquefied natural gas).

In July 2018 were ordered two new-class (larger than Princess' ROYAL-class) liners with GT-tonnage/volume 175000 tonnes and passenger capacity 4300 (lower berths). These are the fleet's first dual-fuel (MGO and LNG/primarily) vessels. The shipbuilding contract with Fincantieri (Monfalcone Shipyard) was signed on March 27, 2019, with deliveries initially scheduled for 2023 (Sun) and 2025 (Star). Both contracts were signed by Jan Swartz (Princess' President) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

Princess Cruises in 2018 had 5 newbuilds on order with Fincantieri. The SPHERE-class units were Carnival Corporation's 10th and 11th LNG-powered ships.

By GT-tonnage/volume (175K) Princess SPHERE is the largest Italy-built vessel.

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 6311) is currently scheduled for delivery (to Princess Cruise Lines Ltd) in July 2025 and to start passenger shipping operations on August 4th (Maiden Voyage).

The ship's physical construction/assembly started on December 11, 2023, with the keel-laying ceremony held at Fincantieri Monfalcone and attended by John Padgett ()Princess Cruises' President). The keel (the ship's first block) weighs 500 tons and was positioned onto the drydock's blocks by crane.

During the keel-laying/coin ceremony were also announced the ship's Masters/Captains - Gennaro Arma (during the construction period/serving as Princess Cruises' newbuild site manager) and Nick Nash (Commodore, who will master the vessel after its inauguration). Gennaro Arma joined Princess in 1998 and was promoted to Captain in 2015 (on Sea Princess). Nick Nash (with Princess since 1990, the current Captain of Enchanted Princess) was promoted to fleet commander/Commodore in 2020.

Inaugural cruise itineraries (2025)

The new Star Princess is currently scheduled to start operations with the Maiden Voyage leaving out of Civitavecchia-Rome on August 4, 2025.

The 9-day "Inaugural Italy and Greece Cruise" (roundtrip from Civitavecchia) was priced from USD 1900 per person (with double occupancy).

Star Princess' cruises were open for booking on June 1, 2023.

The Maiden Voyage is followed by 9-day and 10-day voyages (leaving out of homeports Civitavecchia, Piraeus-Athens, and Trieste-Venice) also combinable into 19-day and 20-day B2Bs/back-to-back cruises.

Next tables show the ship's first relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) in Europe and the UK-USA Transatlantic crossing following the maiden Mediterranean season.

10-day from Rome to Barcelona (US$2000 pp)

10-day from Barcelona to Southampton (US$1450 pp)

16-day Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale (US$1400 pp)

Godspeed!