Key Aspects:
- Star Princess has officially entered service and departed on Saturday, October 4 for her maiden voyage, an 11-night Western Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona.
- The second Sphere-class ship is now offering limited departures from Barcelona before heading to Fort Lauderdale for her first winter in the Caribbean.
- Guests onboard will be able to enjoy more than 30 bars and restaurants, exclusive entertainment options, and the largest casino in the Princess Cruises fleet.
A star is born in the Princess Cruises fleet as Star Princess, the second Sphere-class ship, has set sail from Barcelona on her maiden voyage.
Following a two-month delay and the cancellation of nine earlier sailings, the ship has now departed for the 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Saturday, October 4, 2025, officially beginning what will hopefully be many years of stellar service.
“Star Princess shines brightly as one the largest and most spectacular ships we’ve ever built, and we proudly welcome excited guests on her inaugural voyage,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises.
“From leading the newbuild team at the Monfalcone shipyard to watching our amazing crew now guiding her on her maiden voyage with our very first guests, this journey is a true honor for me and our dedicated crew,” added the ship’s master, Captain Gennaro Arma.
This inaugural sailing has visits planned to Marseille, Rome, Naples, Palermo, Cartagena, and Gibraltar before arriving back in Barcelona on Wednesday, October 15. Along the way, guests onboard will have plenty of time to experience all the brand new ship has to offer.
Following this first voyage, Star Princess is offering two more departures from Barcelona. The October 15 sailing is a 7-night cruise visiting Mediterranean voyage to Malaga, Gibraltar, Cartagena, and Marseille.
The October 22, 2025 sailing is of particular interest, as it will be the new ship’s first transatlantic cruise as she moves from Europe to her homeport in Fort Lauderdale. That 14-night one-way sailing includes visits to Palma de Mallorca, Gibraltar, and the Azores before the ship turns her bow toward Florida.
From Port Everglades, Star Princess will offer Caribbean sailings with both Western and Eastern routes, including visits to the Bahamas and Mexico. Guests can easily combine back-to-back cruises for more immersive vacations.
In April 2026, the ship will offer another amazing first with her April 13 departure, a 20-night sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle. This will be the ship’s first transit of the famed Panama Canal and will include stops in Aruba, Panama, the Mexican Riviera, and southern California.
From Seattle, Star Princess will spend the summer offering 7-night Inside Passage itineraries to explore Alaska, before returning to Fort Lauderdale in October 2026.
“We wish our Star Princess captain, senior officers, and crew much success – may her voyages be safe, her sunsets unforgettable, and may she shine, as her name promises, in the sky and on the seas,” said Antorcha.
The next memorable step for the new ship will be her official christening. The ceremony will be in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, November 6, 2025, before she debuts her Caribbean itineraries.
A Star Princess Is Born
Just delivered to Princess Cruises on September 26, 2025, the new ship is certainly ready to shine with something for each of the 4,300 guests aboard. The crew of more than 1,500 international members stands ready to ensure everyone truly feels like a star.
“We warmly invite guests to come aboard our new Star Princess to experience the extraordinary and well-loved service Princess is known for,” said Arma.
The 177,800-gross-ton ship offers 30 different bars and dining venues, including the wildly popular Love by Britto specialty dining and an expanded O’Malley’s Irish Pub.
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The signature Piazza with its extraordinary glass sphere is the go-to spot for panoramic views at the heart of the ship. Guests can also take on the challenge of the pickleball court, immerse themselves in the candlelit atmosphere of live music under the Dome, or try their luck at the biggest casino on any Princess Cruises ship.
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Just don’t miss the exclusive entertainment, including Spellbound by Magic Castle and the two new production shows, Meridian and Illuminate. Both productions showcase phenomenal effects and music with talented casts and breathtaking scenes.
Of course, the biggest stars of all include the ship’s celebrity godparents, Matthew and Camila McConaughey, who will be onboard for the ship’s christening next month.
Whatever guests choose to experience onboard, every voyage is sure to sparkle like the stars the ship is named for.
