Princess Cruises has launched the maiden voyage of its newest Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, departing Barcelona on October 4 for an 11-day Western Mediterranean itinerary. The 177,800-ton ship, which accommodates 4,300 guests, becomes the 17th vessel in the Princess fleet and will later debut in the Caribbean and Alaska.
The voyage includes calls in Marseille, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Cartagena, and Gibraltar before returning to Barcelona on October 15. Following a transatlantic crossing, the ship will be officially named in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, marking the beginning of its Caribbean season before transitioning to Alaska in summer 2026.
Maiden Season and Naming Ceremony
The Star Princess begins its service with an 11-day Mediterranean voyage, followed by a shorter 7-day sailing in the region before heading across the Atlantic. After the inaugural Caribbean season through winter 2025 and spring 2026, the ship will reposition via the Panama Canal to Seattle for its Alaska program, offering 7-day Inside Passage cruises.
Camila and Matthew McConaughey will serve as godparents of Star Princess, carrying forward a tradition that has included cultural icons such as Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren. The McConaugheys will christen the ship at a naming ceremony to be held on November 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Camila Alves McConaughey is an entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and founder of Women of Today. Actor and author Matthew McConaughey is known for his award-winning performances, best-selling books, and philanthropic work.
“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. “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.”
Star Princess is the second Sphere-Class vessel in the fleet, following sister ship Sun Princess. Its launch expands Princess Cruises’ capacity in Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska, three core markets for the brand.
Captain Gennaro Arma, who oversaw the newbuild team in Monfalcone, Italy, emphasized the crew’s commitment. “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,” he said. “We warmly invite guests to come aboard our new Star Princess to experience the extraordinary and well-loved service Princess is known for.”
Entertainment, Dining, and Onboard Features
The ship debuts with two new original productions—Meridian and Illuminate—performed in the technologically advanced Princess Arena. Meridian is a cinematic production with an original score and reinterpreted chart-toppers, while Illuminate blends circus-inspired staging with visual effects. The Arena also hosts Spellbound by Magic Castle, a speakeasy-style performance themed around famed illusionist The Great Cardini.
Additional entertainment includes deck parties, Piazza celebrations, and a candlelit concert series in The Dome, a glass-enclosed venue designed for immersive live performances.
Onboard, guests have access to 30 dining and bar venues. These include an expanded O’Malley’s Irish Pub and the Love by Britto Specialty Dining space. Princess Cruises also introduces its Love Line Premium Liquor and Non-Alcoholic Collection, featuring collaborations with Camila and Matthew McConaughey, Liev Schreiber, Kylie Minogue, Jason Momoa, and Romero Britto.
The Star Princess offers more than 1,500 balcony staterooms, including Sanctuary Collection suites with exclusive amenities. Public spaces feature an expansive Piazza at the ship’s center with panoramic glass views. Wellness facilities include a two-story Lotus Spa, fitness center, pools, and a SkyDeck with a pickleball and basketball court, jogging track, splash pad, and shaded lounges.
Star Princess represents the next stage in Princess Cruises’ expansion of its Sphere-Class program, designed to combine larger-scale amenities with the brand’s signature service. With its introduction, the line strengthens its position in competitive markets while offering passengers expanded entertainment and dining experiences across multiple regions.
