Disappointing news to some, Princess Cruises and shipbuilder Fincantieri have announced the postponement of the delivery of the new Star Princess.
Star Princess was due to be delivered by the shipyard to Princess Cruises on July 29, 2025. However, after reviewing the remaining construction milestones, a decision was made to cancel the first nine cruises. The new delivery date is now September 26, 2025.
“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,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
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Star Princess New Inaugural Sailings
The new inaugural sailings of Star Princess will sail roundtrip from Barcelona and include:
- an 11 day Mediterranean voyage on October 4, 2025
- a 7 day Mediterranean voyage on October 15, 2025
- a 14 day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale on October 22, 2025
Following the first 3 cruises, Star Princess will begin sailing in the Caribbean.
Options for Booked Guests
According to a press release from Princess Cruises, guests who are booked on any of the impacted voyages will be given three options.
Guests may book any Princess cruise worldwide, including aboard the new Star, sister ship Sun Princess, or any other Princess ship.
Guests who elect to rebook will receive future cruise and onboard credits, depending on the cruise they select. Guests will also have the option to cancel and receive a full refund of the cruise fare.
Princess Cruises will protect travel agent commissions on all bookings that have been paid in full.
About Star Princess
Star Princess is the second in the new Sphere Class of ships for Princess. Sister ship Sun Princess, built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, debuted in February (after an initial delay) and is currently sailing in the Mediterranean.
The next level Love Boat features the iconic and elegant structural lines Princess is known for, while delivering an evolution of the brand with new eye-catching architectural spectacles like The Dome, the cruise industry’s first geodesic feature on the top deck, and The Sphere, the suspended glass Sphere Piazza at the center of the cruise ship.
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Final Thoughts
While any delay of a new cruise ship is disappointing, I’m glad to see this decision and announcement made more than a year before the planned inagural sailings.
This gives cruise passengers options to rebook and change plans well in advance.
Are you planning to cruise on Star Princess and were you impacted? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
*Featured photos credit: Princess Cruises