Star Princess Cruise Ship Debut Postponed, Offering New Opportunities for Guests

Princess Cruises, a leader in global cruise vacations, has recently announced a delay in the delivery of its much-anticipated second Sphere-class vessel, the Star Princess. Initially set to be delivered in July 2025, the new schedule sets the date for late September 2025. This adjustment in timeline has led to the cancellation of the ship's first nine voyages, which were eagerly awaited by guests and the cruising community. These voyages were to feature departures from iconic cities such as Rome, Athens, and Istanbul, showcasing a myriad of stunning destinations including Naples, Montenegro, Marseille, Barcelona, Gibraltar, and Crete.

The delay, resulting from a mutual decision between Princess Cruises and the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, underscores both parties' commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in ship construction and guest experience. The decision was made following a thorough review of the looming construction milestones which revealed the need for additional time to ensure the vessel meets the high standards expected by guests. This announcement comes shortly after the debut of Sun Princess, the largest ship ever constructed for Princess Cruises and the lead vessel of the sophisticated Sphere class, marking a new era in the company's cruising history.

In response to the postponement, Princess Cruises has outlined several compensation options for guests already booked on the cancelled sailings. Affected passengers have the opportunity to rebook on alternative Princess voyages, including future sailings aboard Star Princess or its sister ship, Sun Princess, among others in the fleet. Guests opting to rebook will enjoy future cruise credits and onboard credits, with the specific amounts varying based on the original booking and the selected alternative cruise. Alternatively, guests can choose to cancel their booking entirely, receiving a full refund of all monies paid back to the original form of payment. Princess Cruises assures that it will uphold all contractual obligations to travel agents, safeguarding their commissions on bookings paid in full.

With the revised schedule, Star Princess is now set to embark on her inaugural sailings in late September, offering a series of Mediterranean voyages followed by a 16-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, where she will be homeported through March 2026. This revised itinerary presents guests with a unique opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. The Star Princess, measuring 175,500 gross tons and boasting a capacity of 4,300 guests at double occupancy, promises an array of stellar features including the groundbreaking geodesic dome and the suspended glass Sphere Piazza, epitomizing the innovative edge of Princess Cruises' fleet.

Despite the delay, the anticipation for the Star Princess remains high, with guests and cruise enthusiasts looking forward to experiencing the latest in luxury cruising. The ship's revised maiden voyage and the forthcoming inaugural season offer a renewed opportunity for guests to discover the unique offerings aboard the Sphere-class vessels. Princess Cruises' commitment to quality and guest satisfaction shines through this decision, ensuring that when Star Princess finally sets sail, she will offer experiences in line with the brand's high standards of cruising excellence.