Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, completed its first-ever transit of the Panama Canal over the weekend, marking a milestone in the vessel’s inaugural season and adding another chapter to the cruise line’s six-decade history on the waterway.
Guests aboard the ship passed through the canal’s intricate lock system as destination experts provided live commentary and enrichment presentations on the history of the crossing. Passengers watched the transit from open decks and dedicated observation spaces throughout the day.
Gennaro Arma, Captain of Star Princess, called the crossing a landmark moment. “A Panama Canal transit is a true ‘must-do’ journey for travelers around the world, and it’s especially meaningful when one of our newest ships makes this iconic passage for the very first time,” said Arma.
“We’re honored to make this historic crossing in partnership with the Panama Canal Authority, whose expertise and stewardship have shaped one of the world’s great maritime landmarks.”
Princess in the Panama Canal
Princess Cruises pioneered regularly scheduled Panama Canal cruising in 1967, becoming the first cruise line to transit the waterway, and is the leading cruise line in this destination. The upcoming 2026-2027 season features six Princess ships, sailing on 31 departures on nine itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Vancouver. Highlights of the season include 13 transits through the historic locks and 26 transits through the new lock: https://www.princess.com/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-cruises.
More About Star Princess
The 177,800-ton Star Princess, the newest Sphere Class addition to the fleet, carrying 4,300 guests, represents the next evolution of the Princess Cruise experience, combining elevated dining, world-class entertainment, and luxurious accommodations with the brand’s signature personalized service.
