Star Princess: A New Chapter for Princess Cruises’ Premium Vision

Princess Cruises

When Princess Cruises launched Sun Princess, it marked a noticeable shift for the brand, one that recaptured the attention of travelers looking for a more elevated, premium cruise experience without crossing fully into luxury territory. Now, with the debut of her sister ship Star Princess, that vision feels not only validated, but refined.

As Princess Cruises president Gus Antorcha put it, “I think it’s a beautiful platform; I think it works great for Princess. This [ship] allows agents to really sell into the premium space.” Star Princess builds on what worked aboard Sun Princess, smoothing out early growing pains and sharpening the onboard experience in ways that matter to today’s cruise traveler.

A Smarter Take on Stateroom Design

One of the most meaningful upgrades on Star Princess is found where guests spend the most private time: their staterooms.

By rethinking the layout of balcony cabins- most notably removing walk-in closets from previous designs- Princess has reallocated space to features guests actually use. The result is significantly improved bathrooms and showers, along with thoughtful details like USB-A and USB-C outlets on both sides of the bed, a plush Princess Luxury Bed, and a full-size sofa that makes the room feel livable, not just functional.

This is a subtle but important shift toward comfort-driven design—one that aligns well with Princess’ premium positioning.

Entertainment That Truly Sets the Ship Apart

If there is one area where Star Princess truly distinguishes itself, it’s entertainment.

From the moment guests step into The Piazza, they’re met with live aerialists and dynamic LED panels that create a sense of movement and energy throughout the ship. The Dome, a signature architectural feature of the Sphere Class, hosts unexpected experiences such as candlelight concerts and even a sand artist projecting intricate drawings overhead- performances that feel intimate, creative, and genuinely memorable.

The Princess Arena, the ship’s in-the-round theater, showcases ambitious productions including Meridian and Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy. Meridian is particularly noteworthy, taking the uncommon step, outside of Disney Cruise Line, of presenting a narrative-driven musical, described as a pirate-tinged, Romeo-and-Juliet-style story. Meanwhile, Illuminate balances acrobatics, pantomime, and humor, even incorporating a playful Daft Punk laser sequence.

Princess deserves credit here for taking creative risks—and succeeding.

Spellbound by the Magic Castle: A Standout Experience

Perhaps the most talked-about venue on Star Princess is Spellbound by the Magic Castle, an evolution of an already-strong concept first introduced on Sun Princess.

By removing a dinner component that limited capacity, Princess has made this experience accessible to more guests while keeping the added cost quite modest, especially given what’s included: immersive magic and two specialty cocktails.

The venue itself is a multi-room marvel. Intimate magic performances unfold in a dedicated 40-seat theater, at the bar, and even behind a curtained corner of the lounge. One highlight described in early sailings was a mentalist in the Peacock Theater who accurately recreated a drawing secretly sketched by an audience member, while close-up magic in the Inner Circle lounge incorporated Princess’ Ocean Medallion technology in clever, surprising ways.

Beyond the performances, the space is richly themed, complete with a ghostly piano-playing specter named Iris, who takes requests and sings through a vintage phonograph. Even the cocktails lean into the whimsy, like The Spirited Piano, blending Absolut Vanilla vodka with Fruit Loops–infused milk, lemon, and egg white.

Quite simply, Spellbound alone gives travelers a compelling reason to consider Star Princess.

Refinements That Matter

Star Princess also benefits from lessons learned aboard Sun Princess. Some early concepts, such as Sun’s never-opened Park 19, have been removed, replaced by a more streamlined activity zone featuring a sports court, jogging track, and splash pad.

Dining venues have also been reshuffled for better flow and clarity. The ship’s triple-decker dining room is now split into two main restaurants, with The Sanctuary Restaurant reserved for guests staying in the ship’s upscale Sanctuary Collection accommodations. This change allows specialty venues to shine in their own dedicated spaces rather than feeling tucked away.

Dining That Elevates the Experience

Star Princess offers one of the most robust dining lineups Princess has ever assembled.

Highlights include:

• The Butcher’s Block by Dario, from master butcher Dario Cecchini, delivering a celebratory parade of expertly prepared meats

• The Catch by Rudi, showcasing chef Rudi Sodamin’s seafood expertise

• Love by Britto, a romantic prix-fixe experience created with artist Romero Britto, perched high above the stern

Princess loyalists will also find familiar favorites intact: Crown Grill, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, and O’Malley’s Irish Pub. Add to that Umai Teppanyaki and Makoto Ocean, offering sushi that has already been praised as some of the best at sea.

The Sanctuary Collection & Wellness Spaces

For travelers seeking a quieter, more exclusive onboard experience, the Sanctuary Collection offers access to the Sanctuary Restaurant and Sanctuary Club, including a private pool deck designed as a peaceful retreat from the main ship.

The Lotus Spa Thermal Suite rounds out the wellness offerings, with a therapy pool, steam and salt rooms, dry sauna, heated loungers, and experience showers—ideal for recovery after long port days.

Sailing Alaska in Summer 2026

One of the most exciting aspects of Star Princess’ deployment is her Alaska season beginning summer 2026, following a repositioning along the California coast in May.

For travelers considering Alaska, pairing these itineraries with a ship that prioritizes comfort, refined entertainment, and strong dining makes a compelling case—especially for those who want scenic cruising by day and elevated experiences onboard at night.

Why Star Princess Matters

Star Princess represents more than just a new ship. She reflects a brand that is listening- to travelers, to advisors, and to changing expectations in the premium cruise space.

With no additional Sphere Class ships currently on order (though future additions haven’t been ruled out), Star Princess stands as a confident statement of where Princess Cruises sees its future.

For travelers seeking a cruise that feels polished, modern, and thoughtfully designed, without losing the warmth and accessibility Princess is known for, Star Princess is absolutely one to watch, especially as she heads north to Alaska in 2026. If you'd like to participate in her opening season, click here to schedule a quick call, or email greta@savvytraveldesign.com