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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Marc Shoffman

Star Princess cruise ship features revealed ahead of October 2025 launch

It echoes the design of the brand’s largest vessel, Sun Princess, which was launched last year. - (Princess Cruises)

Princess Cruises has revealed new shows, expanded dining venues and a bigger sports court as it sets out details of its latest Sphere-class cruise ship.

The 4,300-guest, 178,000-ton Star Princess, which is preparing for its maiden voyage in October 2025, is the second Sphere-class ship in the Princess Cruises fleet.

It echoes the design of the brand’s largest vessel, Sun Princess, which was launched last year.

Many of the features of Star Princess will be the same, with the ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

You can relax at the pool by-day and enjoy entertainment such as Cirque Éloize at night in The Dome, a glass-enclosed piazza offering panoramic views of the sky and sea.

Guests in The Sanctuary also have access to their own restaurant, while other sailors can enjoy more than 29 places to eat and drink.

The vessel will set sail on its maiden voyage from Barcelona for an 11-day cruise on 4 October.

Here are some of the new features.

Sky Deck Sports Court

While Sun Princess had to scale back its top deck Park19 family entertainment space, Star Princess will feature pickleball and basketball courts, as well as a jogging track, splash pad, and shaded areas for relaxation.

More bar seating

There will be more space to sit at popular Princess venues such as O'Malley's Irish bar (Princess Cruises)

Princess has added 32 more seats to its popular O’Malley’s Irish Pub, while 20 more seats have been added to art-inspired dining venue Expanded Love by Britto.

Read more: The best deals on Princess Cruises for your 2025 holiday

Expanded casino

Star Princess will have the fleet's largest casino (Princess Cruises)

The ship’s casino will be the largest in the fleet.

The cruise line has installed 68 additional slot machines in newly designated non-smoking sections of the casino.

New shows

Two new shows will debut on Star Princess (Princess Cruises)

Star Princess guests will be entertained with new shows that will debut across the ship.

The Arena theatre will welcome Meridian, set aboard a fictional grand ship Celestial. Created by BAFTA award-winning director Dan Shipton, with an original score and reimagined songs, the show features glittering masked balls set in a high society.

Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy will transport guests to a nostalgic circus tent, where a cast of characters represent the ringmaster’s charisma, and control.

Viva La Música also returns from premiering on Sun Princess. Choreographed by Latin American talent Liz Imperio, known for her work with Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Gloria Estefan, it will feature Latin soundtrack favourites such as Camila Cabello’s Havana and Santana’s Oye Como Va.

The entertainment will stretch beyond The Arena, too. The ship’s glass-covered Dome venue will host Princess Cruises Candlelight Concert Series.

A new Celestial Champagne Soirée will debut in the Piazza, described as a “multimedia celebration under the stars”. It will end with Princess’ iconic Champagne Waterfall, where guests can take turns to fill champagne on a tower of flutes.

The Piazza will also host Princess Jamz, a 45-minute show from the 15-member Princess World Orchestra.

The Star Princess destinations

The ship will sail across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and the Panama Canal in its inaugural season before repositioning to Alaska in spring 2026.

Read more: An unforgettable family cruise across Alaska

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