Star Princess begins maiden voyage from Barcelona

Published on Oct 5, 2025, 9:56 am CDT

5 min read

Princess Cruises has officially sent its newest Sphere Class ship, Star Princess, on her maiden voyage. The 11-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, sailing October 4-15, calls at Marseille, Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples, Sicily, Cartagena, and Gibraltar before returning to Barcelona. Following a short Mediterranean cruise, the 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest ship will cross the Atlantic to debut in Fort Lauderdale on November 6 for her naming ceremony and the start of a winter Caribbean program.

Key points

Why it matters: Princess expands its Sphere Class with a larger, tech-forward flagship aimed at premium family and multigenerational travelers.
Travel impact: Added capacity and new entertainment options in the Caribbean from November through spring 2026.
What's next: A Panama Canal repositioning brings Star Princess to Seattle for 7-night Alaska Inside Passage cruises in summer 2026.
Spellbound by Magic Castle returns with an evolved concept exclusive to Star Princess.
Sanctuary Collection suites and more than 1,500 balconies headline accommodations.

Snapshot

Star Princess is the second Sphere Class ship after Sun Princess, built to deliver bigger public spaces and a refreshed entertainment lineup while keeping the line's service DNA. Guests will find 30 dining and bar venues, a glass-walled Piazza, and The Dome for candlelit concerts and late-night programming. Princess says the ship carries 4,300 guests at double occupancy, with 1,600 crew across 21 decks. The ship's inaugural season starts in the Western Mediterranean, then shifts to a Caribbean schedule after the November 6 naming in Fort Lauderdale. Early highlights include two new main-stage productions in the Princess Arena and an updated Spellbound by Magic Castle experience with multiple nightly showtimes.

Background

Princess appointed Captain Gennaro Arma to oversee Sun Princess and Star Princess during construction, and he now takes the helm for Star Princess' first passenger voyage after leading the newbuild team in Monfalcone. The ship's design centers on the Sphere concept, which wraps the atrium with glass for panoramic sea views and daylight-filled dining and entertainment zones. The accommodations mix ranges from Sanctuary Collection suites to mini-suites and balconies, reinforcing Princess' long-running focus on private outdoor space. On deck, guests will find multiple pools, a jogging track, and a new sports court for pickleball and basketball. Wellness programming revolves around a two-story Lotus Spa and a fitness center with instructor-led classes.

Latest developments

Naming ceremony and Caribbean debut in Fort Lauderdale

After completing her initial Mediterranean sailings, Star Princess will make a transatlantic crossing to Port Everglades for a November 6 naming ceremony, then begin a season of Caribbean itineraries running through spring 2026. Princess confirmed that Camila and Matthew McConaughey will serve as godparents, extending the brand's tradition of celebrity sponsors. The winter deployment increases premium-segment capacity in Florida and gives Princess loyalists a second Sphere Class option alongside Sun Princess. For travel advisors, the combination of a fresh entertainment slate, large cabin inventory, and multigenerational appeal should support strong demand into the winter holidays and spring break. Following the Caribbean, the ship repositions via the Panama Canal to Seattle for 7-night Alaska Inside Passage cruises in summer 2026.

Entertainment headliners: Spellbound and two new Arena shows

Princess is bringing back Spellbound by Magic Castle on Star Princess with an evolved format and a new thematic homage to master illusionist Richard Valentine Pitchford, known as The Great Cardini. Unlike the original dinner-plus-show concept, the updated venue is open to all guests with several nightly performances and admission that includes two signature cocktails. In the Princess Arena, the line will premiere two original productions, Meridian and Illuminate, designed to showcase the venue's advanced staging and immersive lighting. Beyond the theater, late-night deck parties, a reimagined champagne waterfall, and Piazza pop-ups extend programming across the ship. The Dome's Candlelight Concert Series adds an intimate, glow-lit setting for classical and crossover performances.

Analysis

Star Princess arrives at a timely moment for Princess as premium competitors add tonnage and experiment with dinner-theater and immersive nightlife. The line's strategy uses Sphere Class scale to broaden choices without abandoning core brand signatures like the Piazza and extensive balcony inventory. Entertainment is the clearest differentiator. The Arena's tech and the retooled Spellbound bring a curated, ticketed layer that can manage crowds, create buzz, and, importantly, add ancillary revenue while still feeling inclusive. Couple that with the Dome's candlelit concerts, and Princess now fields three distinct nighttime vibes that play well with multigenerational groups.

Commercially, the winter Caribbean base at Fort Lauderdale positions Star Princess in the densest short-haul air market for North American cruisers, which should help fill a 4,300-guest ship outside peak holidays. The spring Panama Canal move and summer in Alaska keep utilization high and align with the brand's strongest destination equities. For travelers comparing premium megaships, the calculus will hinge on entertainment taste, suite perks, and itinerary cadence. On those fronts, Star Princess looks competitive, with Sanctuary Collection upgrades, a stable of celebrity-linked beverages, and crowd-pleasing Med, Caribbean, and Alaska routings.

Final thoughts

With her inaugural Western Mediterranean cruise underway and a November 6 naming on the calendar, Star Princess steps in as Princess Cruises' tech-forward flagship for the winter Caribbean and beyond. The evolved Spellbound, two new Arena productions, and a revitalized Piazza nightlife slate sharpen the brand's after-dark identity, while a big balcony count and Sanctuary Collection suites address space-and-privacy expectations. For travelers plotting winter sun or a 2026 Alaska adventure, the deployment offers fresh itineraries on the newest hardware. Expect strong interest as word of mouth builds around the entertainment and design of Star Princess' maiden voyage.