Key Aspects:
- Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, will be christened in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025 by celebrity couple Matthew and Camila McConaughey.
- The ship will initially debut in Barcelona in October 2025, and sail two voyages in Europe before making her way across the Atlantic to Florida.
- Star Princess will be based seasonally at Port Everglades, sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.
Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife, entrepreneur Camila McConaughey, were tapped to serve as godparents to Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, when the new-build makes her US debut in November 2025.
The two will oversee the 4,300-guest ship’s christening ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025, one day before her inaugural cruise from the South Florida port.
Princess Cruises took delivery of Star Princess on September 26, 2025 from Fincantieri’s Monfalcone, Italy, shipyard. The 177,882-gross-ton ship will sail two voyages from Barcelona — the first on October 4, 2025, before crossing the Atlantic to her seasonal homeport at Port Everglades.
“We are delighted to have Camila and Matthew McConaughey serve as the godparents of Star Princess,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Princess Cruises.
“With their signature warmth and spirit, Camila and Matthew embody the values that define Princess, and we are delighted to welcome them into our family in such a meaningful way,” added Antorcha.
Matthew McConaughey is well known not only for his acting abilities — he won an Academy Award for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” — but for his philanthropy supporting the education and health of children.
The celebrity couple also founded Pantalones Organic Tequila, which is included in Princess Cruises’ Love Line Premium Liquors collection and sold throughout the fleet.
“With Princess, it’s not just a vacation — it’s time well spent, families and friends coming together, meeting new folks, and making memories. This ship’s got that spirit built right in, and we’re proud to be part of her story from the beginning,” said Camila and Matthew McConaughey.
Princess Cruises has not yet revealed any additional details about the christening ceremony, but it is certain to be a gala event with live music performances, among other festive activities.
The McConaugheys join a long list of celebrities who have served as godmothers and godfathers to cruise ships. In April 2025, actor Drew Barrymore christened MSC Cruises’ MSC World America in a ceremony at Port Miami.
Others who have served as godparents for various cruise ships include Oprah Winfrey, Audrey Hepburn, Helen Mirren, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Queen Elizabeth II.
Maiden Voyage From Florida to Call at Princess Cays
Following the naming ceremony, Star Princess will sail her maiden voyage from North America, a 3-night cruise to Princess Cays, Bahamas. After that she will begin a series of 7- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.
Read Also: Are Smaller or Bigger Cruise Ships Better?
Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Princess Cays; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, while Western Caribbean itineraries will feature Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Star Princess’s seasonal deployment to Fort Lauderdale will continue through mid-April 2026, when she will reposition to Seattle and operate 7-night Inside Passage voyages to Alaska through the summer season, ultimately returning to the Florida port in fall 2026.
More From Cruise Hive
The ship, second in the line’s Sphere class and a sister ship to Sun Princess, which launched in 2024, offers guests 30 dining and bar venues, and 32 cabin categories.
Notable public spaces in The Dome, a spacious pool area that doubles as an entertainment space, the Princess Arena theater, and the 3-story Piazza atrium that is the centerpiece of the ship.
