Princess Cruises Announces Rescheduled Debut for Sphere Class Ship, Star Princess

Princess Cruises, in collaboration with esteemed shipbuilder Fincantieri, has announced a revised timeline for the much-anticipated debut of its Sphere Class vessel, the Star Princess. Originally scheduled for its inaugural voyage on July 29, 2025, the delivery date has been rescheduled to September 26, 2025, after a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones.

John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises, expressed the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, stating, “Despite our collective dedication and relentless pursuit to deliver the ship in late July, it has become evident that additional time is required to ensure the Star Princess is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests.”

The rescheduling will impact nine inaugural sailings, which have been cancelled to accommodate the new timeline. However, Princess Cruises has unveiled an exciting array of inaugural sailings for the Star Princess, now set to commence with an 11-day Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona on October 4, 2025. This will be followed by a 7-day Mediterranean journey on October 15, 2025, and culminate in a grand 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale on October 22, 2025, heralding the start of the ship’s Caribbean season. These new cruises will be open for booking from April 30, 2024.

Guests who are impacted by the schedule change are being provided with flexible rebooking options. They have the freedom to select any Princess cruise worldwide, including voyages on the new Star Princess, its sister ship Sun Princess, or any other vessel in the Princess fleet. Those who choose to rebook will receive future cruise and onboard credits, while those who decide to cancel will be eligible for a full refund of their cruise fare. Furthermore, Princess Cruises has guaranteed that travel agent commissions on fully paid bookings will be safeguarded.

The Star Princess is the second Sphere Class ship for Princess Cruises, following the successful launch of the Sun Princess. Built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, the Sun Princess has been celebrated as the next evolution of the “Love Boat,” showcasing the brand’s signature elegance alongside innovative architectural features like The Dome and The Sphere Piazza.

With the promise of unparalleled luxury and groundbreaking design, the Star Princess is poised to continue the legacy of its sister ship, offering guests an unforgettable cruising experience filled with wonder and discovery.