Princess Cruises and the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri started the construction/assembly of the second Sphere Class ship - Star Princess. The process started with the official keel-laying ceremony held on Monday, December 11, at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone Italy.
The keel, constituting the new ship's foundational structure, represents the initial block in the vessel's construction. The 500-ton (1.1 million pound) keel of Star Princess was methodically positioned onto the keel blocks in the dry dock by crane, where the ship will undergo construction until the float-out phase. This computer-guided maneuver, completed within minutes, marked the commencement of a comprehensive construction process requiring 2+ million man-hours.
Following a conventional blessing and ceremony, Princess and Fincantieri executives incorporated a Princess Medallion into the ship through welding. This symbolic act is believed to bring good fortune to the vessel and its passengers.
At 175,500 tons and accommodating 4,300 guests, Star Princess, alongside her sistership Sun Princess, stands as the largest ever constructed for Princess Cruises. The ship is designed on a platform unique to Princess, blending the cruise line's heritage with an emphasis on the maritime experience, offering enhanced outward views.
Scheduled to debut in August 2025, Star Princess is the second ship in the Princess fleet to utilize LNG fuel technology, incorporating cutting-edge sustainable innovations. Cruises aboard the new ship are currently available for booking.