Star Princess delivered: Fincantieri delivers second Sphere-class ship

Published on Sep 26, 2025, 3:43 pm CDT

4 min read

Princess Cruises has officially taken delivery of the 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest Star Princess during a handover ceremony at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard. The second Sphere-class ship follows Sun Princess and becomes the 17th vessel in the fleet. Star Princess will debut October 4, 2025 on Mediterranean cruises roundtrip Barcelona, then cross the Atlantic to begin Caribbean cruises roundtrip Fort Lauderdale on November 7, 2025. After winter, the ship will transit the Panama Canal en route to her first Alaska season.

Key Points

Why it matters: Delivery confirms the Sphere-class expansion timeline and adds capacity for Mediterranean cruises and Caribbean cruises.
Travel impact: Bookings span Europe, Florida roundtrips, and a Panama Canal repositioning ahead of Alaska.
What's next: Inaugural cruise October 4, 2025 from Barcelona; winter deployment from Fort Lauderdale.
177,800 tons, about 4,300 guests, more than 1,500 balcony staterooms.
New venues include The Dome, Princess Arena, and Spellbound by Magic Castle.

Snapshot

The Sphere-class design scales up Princess' signature Piazza atrium, entertainment tech, and outdoor spaces. Star Princess carries more than 1,500 balcony staterooms, 30 dining and bar venues, and the Sanctuary Collection, which adds a private restaurant, club, and adults-only pool deck. Entertainment highlights include The Dome multiuse space, the high-spec Princess Arena theater, and the immersive Spellbound by Magic Castle lounge experience. The Mediterranean opening is scheduled for October 4, 2025 from Barcelona, followed by Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale on November 7, 2025. After winter, the ship repositions through the Panama Canal for an Alaska season. For venue and show details, see our preview coverage: Star Princess Unveils Spectacular New Entertainment Lineup.

Background

Fincantieri delivered Star Princess at Monfalcone, the shipyard behind multiple recent Princess builds. The vessel is the second in the Sphere-class series, after Sun Princess entered service in 2024. Princess has emphasized upgraded show production, next-gen dining concepts, and expanded suite experiences on its newest hardware. The brand also continues to concentrate on high-demand homeports and itineraries that balance marquee cities with resort-style sea days. With Barcelona inaugurals, Florida winter roundtrips, and an Alaska deployment, Star Princess is positioned to serve core North American and European demand funnels. Travelers will also see continuity with Sun Princess while gaining Sphere-class refinements like the Sanctuary Collection and an evolved Spellbound concept, covered here: Star Princess Debuts Reimagined Spellbound by Magic Castle.

Latest Developments

Star Princess delivery sets up October 4 Barcelona debut

Fincantieri and Princess confirmed the handover at Monfalcone on September 26, 2025, marking the ship's official entry into the fleet. Princess' rollout plan remains intact: an inaugural sailing on October 4, 2025, operating Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Barcelona; a transatlantic crossing; and winter Caribbean cruises beginning November 7, 2025 from Fort Lauderdale. The line spotlights more than 1,500 balcony staterooms, 30 dining and bar venues, the Sanctuary Collection, and headline entertainment in The Dome and Princess Arena. Spellbound by Magic Castle returns in a refreshed format. For U.S. flyers, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) provides primary air access to Port Everglades for the winter program.

Analysis

This delivery locks in near-term capacity exactly where Princess wants it: Mediterranean cruises for the shoulder season, then Florida-based Caribbean cruises through the core winter window. The Sphere-class hardware gives Princess larger, high-yield venues that support premium pricing without abandoning the brand's mainstream sweet spot. Sanctuary Collection creates a ship-within-a-ship layer that lets Princess compete more directly with premium rivals, while 30 dining and bar venues offer enough variety to keep week-long itineraries fresh. Entertainment investments in Princess Arena and The Dome are equally strategic, letting the line field marquee shows that drive social coverage and guest satisfaction.

Commercially, the sequence is smart. Barcelona inaugurals generate European buzz and content ahead of a Caribbean marketing push timed to peak winter demand. The Panama Canal transit then reloads the narrative for an Alaska season, where Princess maintains strong brand equity with lodges and rail extensions. With Sun Princess proving the platform and Star Princess deepening supply, the class should anchor Princess' deployment for several years, especially as the company layers in new packages and upsell structures around the Sanctuary Collection and specialty dining.

Final Thoughts

With delivery complete, Star Princess gives Princess Cruises another modern flagship to headline Mediterranean cruises and Caribbean cruises on a proven platform. If you value big-ship choice with refined spaces, the Sphere-class design aims to deliver, from Sanctuary Collection perks to next-gen theaters. Watch October 4, 2025 for Barcelona's debut and November 7, 2025 for the Fort Lauderdale start. For Florida travelers, FLL access keeps winter getaways straightforward. Expect strong demand on the inaugural runs if Star Princess follows Sun Princess' booking pattern.