Star Princess cruise ship: who it suits and which cabin to book

Star Princess at a glance

Line

Princess Cruises

Class

Sphere

Entered service

2025

Gross tonnage

177,800

Guests

About 4,300 (double occupancy)

Crew

About 1,600

Decks

21

Part of the Princess Cruises fleet. Sister ships: Sun Princess. Home ports: Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral.

Star Princess was built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone, Italy, and sailed its first cruise on October 4, 2025. It runs on liquefied natural gas. It follows Sun Princess (2024) and shares its design, with a few changes: more space for sports and families on the top deck, more restaurant seating and a bigger casino. With about 4,300 guests at double occupancy, it is tied with Sun Princess as the largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet.

Who it suits

Couples and retirees who want a big, modern ship without a party feel. Princess ships run quieter than Royal Caribbean or Carnival, and Star Princess keeps that style.

Alaska first-timers from the West Coast. Seattle round trips mean no border crossing to start the trip, and Princess is one of the most experienced lines in Alaska. Compare it with other lines in our best cruise lines for Alaska.

Multi-generation groups where the grandparents set the pace. There are kids’ and teen clubs and a splash pad on the SkyDeck, but no water slides.

Who should look elsewhere: families with water-park-minded kids should look at Royal Caribbean, and travelers who want a small ship should look at our luxury and small-ship picks.

Standout features

• The Piazza and its glass sphere: the atrium is wrapped in a sphere of glass facing the sea, so the social center of the ship also has an ocean view.
• The Dome: a glass-enclosed space at the top of the ship. On Sphere-class ships Princess describes it as a pool by day and a stage for acrobatic shows at night.
• The Arena: the main theater, with staging that changes shape between shows. Production shows include Illuminate, Meridian and Viva La Música.
• Spellbound by Magic Castle: a magic-themed venue with magicians, themed rooms and theatrical cocktails.
• SkyDeck Sports Court and Track: a multi-sport court, jogging track and splash pad for young children.
• The Sanctuary Collection: suites and some balcony cabins come with access to adults-only areas and a dedicated restaurant.

Cabins to pick, cabins to avoid

Star Princess has 2,157 guest cabins across interior, oceanview, several balcony types, mini-suites and suites. The layout is the same as Sun Princess, so cabin guides for that ship broadly apply.

Pick:

• Cove Balcony cabins on a low deck. They sit closer to the waterline, so you feel less motion and get a closer view of the water. Useful in Alaska, where you want to watch for wildlife.
• Midship balconies on a deck with cabins above and below, for the least motion and noise.
• Sanctuary Balcony cabins if you want adults-only spaces without paying for a suite.

Avoid or think twice:

• Cabins right below the pool deck, where early-morning deck-chair noise carries.
• Cabins near the Piazza on the decks around the atrium, where evening entertainment runs late.
• Cabins next to the guest laundry rooms.
• Mini-suites on the lower balcony decks where the balconies stick out and can be seen from above.
• Forward cabins on high decks if you are prone to seasickness.

Before you book, open the deck plan and check what sits directly above, below and beside the cabin you want.

Dining and activities

The included choices are the three-level main dining room, The Eatery buffet, Americana Diner, International Café and Coffee & Cones. The extra-charge restaurants include Crown Grill (steakhouse), Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, The Catch by Rudi (seafood), The Butcher’s Block by Dario, Makoto Ocean, Umai Teppanyaki, Umai Hot Pot and Love by Britto. O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Alfredo’s Pizzeria round out the casual options.

Drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities are extra unless you buy Princess Plus or Premier. Check what each package includes on our Princess line guide before you compare fares. Other things to do on board include the casino (the largest Princess has built), the Lotus Spa and the SkyDeck sports area.

Where Star Princess sails in 2026–2027

• Summer 2026: Alaska from Seattle (season now over). 20 weekly 7-day round trips from Pier 91 between May 3 and September 13, 2026, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with glacier viewing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. See our Seattle cruise port guide.
• Winter 2026–27: the Caribbean. Star Princess makes Princess’s first call at Celebration Key, a new cruise destination on Grand Bahama, on November 1, 2026. It has 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings on sale from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) this winter.
• Spring 2027: one Los Angeles sailing. A single 7-day Mexican Riviera round trip leaves Los Angeles on April 19, 2027, as the ship heads back north. See our Los Angeles cruise port guide.
• Summer 2027: Alaska from Seattle again. 7-day Inside Passage round trips every Sunday, plus some 9- and 10-day voyages, including a 9-night sailing from Vancouver in late April. Princess has not tied a single glacier to all the Seattle sailings, so check the scenic-cruising day on the itinerary you pick.
• Winter 2027–28: Port Canaveral, its first season based there; Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral are already on sale from late October 2027.

Sample Star Princess sailings. From-prices per person, checked September 2026.

Departs	Line and ship	Nights	Itinerary	From	Link
Oct 31, 2026	Princess Cruises, Star Princess	7	7 Night Caribbean - Eastern Cruise (from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida)	$561	Check price
Apr 19, 2027	Princess Cruises, Star Princess	7	7 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise (from Los Angeles, California)	$1,189	Check price
Apr 30, 2027	Princess Cruises, Star Princess	9	9 Night Alaska Cruise (from Vancouver, British Columbia)	$674	Check price
May 9, 2027	Princess Cruises, Star Princess	7	7 Night Alaska Cruise (from Seattle, Washington)	$524	Check price
Oct 26, 2027	Princess Cruises, Star Princess	5	5 Night Caribbean - Eastern Cruise (from Port Canaveral, Florida)	$389	Check price

Sister ships

Sun Princess, which entered service in 2024, is the only other Sphere-class ship. It spends 2026 and 2027 summers in the Mediterranean and its winters in the Caribbean, so if you want the same ship design in Europe, Sun Princess is the one. For a Seattle Alaska cruise at a lower fare, Royal Princess sails from the same pier on Saturdays.

Star Princess FAQ

Where does Star Princess sail in Alaska?

From Seattle’s Pier 91, on 7-day Inside Passage round trips. In 2026 they call at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, with scenic cruising at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. It returns to Seattle for summer 2027 with Sunday departures.

How big is Star Princess?

About 177,800 gross tons, with about 4,300 guests at double occupancy, about 1,600 crew and 21 decks. It is the joint-largest ship in the Princess fleet with Sun Princess.

When did Star Princess enter service?

Its first cruise sailed on October 4, 2025. It is the newest Princess cruise ship.

Where can I find the Star Princess deck plans?

Princess publishes deck plans on each ship’s page at princess.com and in its booking engine. Check the cabins above, below and beside any cabin before you book, especially near the Piazza and under the pool deck.

Is Star Princess good for families?

For families who like a calmer ship, yes: it has kids’ and teen clubs, a splash pad and a sports court. For kids who want slides and thrill rides, Royal Caribbean and Carnival have more. See our family cruise guide.