Star Princess Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage from Barcelona

Rhea-AI Summary

Princess Cruises (NYSE: CCL) announced the maiden voyage of Star Princess from Barcelona on October 4, 2025. The Sphere‑Class ship is 177,800 tons, carries up to 4,300 guests, and offers 30 dining and bar venues, over 1,500 balcony staterooms, and expanded specialty-dining seating.

The 11‑day Inaugural Western Mediterranean voyage (Oct 4–15, 2025) visits Marseille, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Cartagena, and Gibraltar. Star Princess will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean cruises and an official naming ceremony on November 6, 2025, then transit to Seattle for Alaska in summer 2026.

Insights

Cruise Operations Expert

Star Princess debuts as Princess Cruises' 17th ship, starting an 11-day inaugural Mediterranean voyage on October 4, 2025.

What it means: The company placed a 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest Sphere‑Class vessel into service, adding capacity and a new product with 30 dining venues, expanded entertainment, and luxury accommodations.

Why it matters: Operationally, the ship broadens itinerary reach—Mediterranean, transatlantic, Caribbean, then Alaska—and introduces revenue-driving features like additional specialty dining seats and premium beverage offerings; those features are explicit in the release and could influence onboard spend per guest.

The company has scheduled the official naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025, a discrete milestone to monitor.

Second Sphere-Class Ship Welcomes First Guests with Curated Entertainment, Elevated Dining, Luxurious Accommodations, and Signature Princess Service

BARCELONA, Oct. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises celebrates the maiden voyage of its newest Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, which is departing Barcelona on an 11-day Inaugural Western Mediterranean voyage. Continuing the brand's tradition of innovation, elegance, and warm service that connects guests to the world and to one another, the gleaming Star Princess now sails as the 17th jewel of the Princess fleet.

"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."

The 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest Star Princess features 30 distinct dining and bar venues, elevated entertainment and activity offerings, and luxurious accommodations. Here is a closer look at the ship's inaugural season, the highly anticipated naming ceremony, exciting entertainment offerings, and services:

Maiden Season & Naming Ceremony

• The 11-day Inaugural Western Mediterranean Voyage (October 4-15, 2025) sails from Barcelona with highly anticipated visits to Marseille, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Cartagena (Spain), and Gibraltar, before returning to Barcelona.
• After a 7-day Mediterranean voyage, Star Princess sails a transatlantic voyage before debuting in Fort Lauderdale for her Caribbean season and official naming ceremony on November 6, 2025.
• After a winter 2025 through spring 2026 season of sundrenched Caribbean cruises, visiting the best destinations the region has to offer, Star Princess sails through the Panama Canal to Seattle for a debut season of 7-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises in the summer of 2026. Star Princess will be the newest and most spectacular ship offering voyages to The Great Land.

Star Princess' Captain Gennaro Arma added, "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. We warmly invite guests to come aboard our new Star Princess to experience the extraordinary and well-loved service Princess is known for."

New Entertainment Highlights

• Spellbound by Magic Castle – After its acclaimed debut on sister ship Sun Princess,Spellbound returns to Star Princess with a new theme honoring the golden age of magic and legendary illusionist Richard Valentine Pitchford—better known as The Great Cardini. This one-of-a-kind speakeasy experience at sea enchants guests with its mesmerizing illusions, spaces, and theatrical spirits.
• Meridian & Illuminate – Two new, original theatrical shows debut during Star Princess' inaugural season in the most technologically advanced Princess Arena yet, where spectacle takes center stage. Meridian is a sweeping, cinematic spectacle of longing and liberation, set to a lush original score and reimagined chart-toppers. Step aboard Celestial, a grand ship sailing through the age of elegance, where love hides behind velvet masks and fate reveals all. Illuminate: takes place under the velvet canopy of a nostalgic circus tent and peels away illusion to reveal chromatic reverie and unexpected wonder.
• Entertainment Beyond the Arena – From vibrant deck parties and lively Piazza celebrations to a reimagined champagne waterfall, Star Princess comes alive after dark. Guests can dance to live music, mingle at themed events, or simply savor the sparkling atmosphere.
• The Dome – The new Candlelight Concert Series transforms the glass-enclosed Dome into a glowing haven of music and light. Guests are immersed in works reimagined for today, where live performance and candlelit atmosphere create pure magic under the stars at sea.

Key Features of Star Princess

• Luxurious Accommodations: With over 1,500 balcony staterooms, guests enjoy panoramic views from the privacy of their own staterooms. This includes the exclusive Sanctuary Collection suites, mini-suites and balcony staterooms, each offering a private getaway with exclusive amenities.
• Stunning Piazza: A signature space of Princess, the elevated Piazza onboard Star Princess offers panoramic views from a sphere of glass, offering the perfect spot to socialize, dine, and enjoy a multitude of entertainment throughout the day and night.
• Culinary Excellence: Guests choose from 30 inviting restaurant and bar venues with an unprecedented collection of celebrity collaborators, high-end ingredients, and culinary experiences including an expanded O'Malley's Irish Pub featuring 32 additional seats, and Love by Britto Specialty Dining space, offering 20 additional seats.
• Princess' Love Line Premium Liquor Collection: This collection offers a selection of thoughtfully curated wines and spirits, including both spirited selections and non-alcohol* creations by renowned celebrities, such as Pantalones Organic Tequila by Camila and Matthew McConaughey; Sláinte Irish Whiskey by Liev Schreiber; Kylie Minogue's No Alcohol Sparkling Rosé; MEILI Vodka by Jason Momoa; and Love Prosecco by Artist Romero Britto.
• Wellness & Recreation: Guests can indulge in relaxation at the two-story Lotus Spa or stay active at the fitness center, which offers dynamic classes, pools, and spas. On the SkyDeck, they'll find a new sports court for pickleball and basketball, along with a jogging track, splash pad, and shaded lounge areas — all with stunning views overlooking the sea.

More information about Star Princess can be found here.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

For b-roll footage and high-resolution images of Star Princess, please visit the Star Princess Media Kit.

*Some beverages labeled as "non-alcohol" may contain trace amounts of alcohol up to 0.5% alcohol by volume due to natural fermentation or flavoring extracts. In accordance with FDA and TTB guidelines, the term "non-alcoholic" does not mean "alcohol-free." These drinks are intended for adults aged 21 and over. Please consume responsibly.

About Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. Sun Princess, the brand's new, next-level Love Boat named Condé Nast Traveler's Mega Ship of the Year, introduces the groundbreaking Sphere Class platform and will be joined by sister ship, Star Princess, in Fall 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK). 

Newsroom:
Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

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SOURCE Princess Cruises

FAQ

When did Star Princess (CCL) depart on its maiden voyage from Barcelona?

Star Princess departed Barcelona on its 11‑day Inaugural Western Mediterranean voyage on October 4, 2025.

What are the itinerary stops for Star Princess' inaugural Barcelona voyage (CCL Oct 4–15, 2025)?

The Oct 4–15, 2025 itinerary visits Marseille, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Cartagena, and Gibraltar before returning to Barcelona.

What are Star Princess' size and passenger capacity reported by Princess Cruises (CCL)?

Princess Cruises lists Star Princess at 177,800 tons with capacity for up to 4,300 guests.

When and where is Star Princess' official naming ceremony for CCL?

The official naming ceremony is scheduled for November 6, 2025 after the ship debuts in Fort Lauderdale for its Caribbean season.

What onboard features did Princess Cruises highlight for Star Princess (CCL)?

Key features include 30 dining/bar venues, over 1,500 balcony staterooms, the Dome Candlelight Concert Series, new theatrical shows, and a two‑story Lotus Spa.

When will Star Princess begin Alaska sailings and from which homeport (CCL)?

After winter Caribbean cruises and a Panama Canal transit, Star Princess will debut in Seattle for 7‑day Alaska Inside Passage cruises in summer 2026.