Meet the New Star of Princess Cruises.
Say hello to the newest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet: the Star Princess—the second ship in the line’s Sphere Class, and sister ship to Sun Princess. Built in Italy by Fincantieri and debuting in October 2025, this 177,800-ton ship carries approximately 4,300 guests and over 1,600 crew. The following is my Star Princess ship review – my first impressions of this beautiful new ship.
I was lucky enough to sail on a 3-night preview cruise with stops in Princess Cays and Nassau, giving me a chance to explore the ship, try out some of the features, and get my first-ever taste of Princess Cruises. Spoiler: I really enjoyed the premium feel of the experience.
Star Princess will spend winter 2025–2026 cruising the Caribbean, followed by a Panama Canal transit and a season of Alaska cruises from Seattle.
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What’s New With the Sphere Class?
The Sphere Class brings a fresh layout and updated venues to the Princess fleet. One of the most striking features is The Dome—a glass-enclosed space inspired by Santorini that serves as a pool lounge by day and an entertainment venue by night. The reimagined Piazza (Centrum) now offers multiple seating levels and open sightlines, making it a natural gathering place. I found myself returning to it throughout the day—it’s beautiful, lively, and always hosting something.
Also worth noting in this Star Princess ship review: the Princess Arena is the most advanced theater at sea for Princess, with flexible staging and excellent views from every seat. I saw both main stage shows, Meridian and Illuminate, and they were both wonderful.
What I Loved About Star Princess:
OceanMedallion=Cruise Tech that Makes Sense and I loved it!
One of the absolute highlights was the OceanMedallion technology. It’s a small wearable that replaces your key card, automatically unlocking your stateroom, managing onboard purchases, and even displaying your photo when you approach your cabin. It worked seamlessly! Other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, offer an optional “wearable” on some ships, but in that case, you still have to use your physical card to get on and off the ship. Virgin Voyages also offers a wearable, but I haven’t experienced that one in person…yet!
Princess Plus – Yes, please!
I also chose the Princess Plus package during booking—around $65–70 per person, per day—and it was totally worth it. If you want to simplify your cruise experience, this is the way to go.
It included:
- Covered the classic drink package
- WiFi for one device
- Gratuities
- Casual dining and specialty dessert credits
For this short trip, I didn’t see the need to upgrade to the Princess Premiere package, but I would consider it on a longer sailing for the specialty dining additional benefits.
Related Posts: Symphony of the Seas Ship Review and Odyssey of the Seas Ship Review
Live Music & Chill Vibes
Entertainment-wise, the ship didn’t disappoint. Live music filled the Piazza in the evenings, ranging from solo artists to lively trios. The atmosphere felt vibrant but never overwhelming. There was also a piano bar, a pub, the main stage, a comedian/juggler, and more.
Food!
Dining was another strong point. As a first-time Princess cruiser, the buffet surprised me with pre-set tables featuring cloth napkins, glasses, and ice water pitchers—it felt more like a casual restaurant than a buffet. And the food? Great variety and high quality. Dare I say the best cruise ship buffet quality I have experienced?
Now, Alfredo’s Pizzeria serves some of the best pizza I’ve ever had, and not just at sea. I felt like I was cheating on my Sorentos, but I felt like I was back in Naples, enjoying a slice. I even ordered a glass of Prosecco to really embrace the moment. Speaking of pizza, delicious pizza by the slice is also offered on the pool deck alongside a grill, salad, and taco stations. Well done, Princess!
Additionally, the International Café (open 24/7) was my go-to for snacks and coffee.
Stateroom Smarts
My cabin had everything I needed and more:
- Drybar-brand hair dryer
- Robes in the closet
- Ample outlets (both sides of the bed—YES!)
- Twice-daily cabin service
- Full-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash (no all-in-one nonsense)
It felt modern, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed.
A Few Things That Didn’t Quite Work (yet)During my Star Princess ship review
As with many new ships, there’s a bit of a learning curve. While the staff was terrific, some of the venues seemed a little understaffed for a large, new ship.
Confusing Layout at First
It took me a while to figure out where everything was. There’s not a ton of directional signage, and while deck plans are posted near the elevators, I had to refer to them constantly the first day.
Tip for fellow worriers: Review the deck plans before you board—it’ll help you get your bearings faster.
Slowish Bar Service
There were a few times, both onboard and at Princess Cays, where the bar service lagged a bit, especially during busy times. Not a huge issue, but noticeable. Honestly, I think they are just working through staffing in particular venues. Some venues seemed to have more than enough staff, and others seemed a bit lacking.
Stateroom Layout Quirks
The shower door swings really close to the bathroom door handle, making exiting a little awkward—especially when reaching for a towel. Also, the closet door can’t open if the bathroom door is open, since it swings out into the room. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of. I’ll have a video tour of our cabin on my YouTube channel soon.
Motion Lights Near the Bed
The idea is great—motion sensor lights near the nightstands—but in practice, they were too sensitive. Even turning over in bed triggered them, which disrupted sleep a few times.
All very minor “complaints” though, as the cabin was beautiful.
A Quick Look at Princess Cays
Ok, Princess Cays is certainly not new, but it was MY first visit, so I wanted to share my brief perception of this beautiful Bahamian island within my Star Princess ship review. Princess Cays is a tender-access island in the Bahamas, and on this sailing, it was one of our two ports.
I waited about an hour after we anchored and had no problem walking directly onto the tender. Prior to this time, there was a wait for your tender ticket announcement. If you wait about an hour after tenders begin, it’s much calmer and faster.
You won’t need cash—everything is charged to your Medallion. The drink package and WiFi work on the island, which was great. However, there isn’t bar service on the beach. Guests need to go up to the bar and order (unless they are in a Cabana), and the lines (especially earlier in the day) were quite long. Beach loungers are included, but umbrellas and water gear rentals cost extra.
The food was standard BBQ-style fare, and I have to say, it wasn’t appealing. It was perfectly fine, though. I went back to the ship for a late lunch, and the food on board was spectacular.
Finally, while there’s a play area and a tiny pool for kids, there’s no pool for adults. Improvements and additions are in the works at Princess Cays, though, so we will see what great things are added in the future.
Fun tip: I recommend bringing your own inflatable floatie and mini pump—it’s allowed and makes for a fun, relaxing day! It’s easy to pack and there is no rental fee!
Final Thoughts for my Star Princess ship review: Would I Sail Star Princess Again?
Absolutely! For my first Princess cruise, Star Princess delivered a premium yet unpretentious experience. The tech worked flawlessly, the food was great, and the overall ambiance was calm and polished.
If you’re planning a Caribbean or Alaska cruise and want a ship that feels fresh but still relaxing, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Star Princess. 💌 Want help planning your Princess cruise? Please email me for a free quote or consultation.
The Worrier’s Guide: Things to Know Before You Sail
– The Medallion replaces your key card—don’t lose it! It’s also a nice perk that you can have it mailed to your home before your cruise, expediting your embarkation.
– Give the deck plans a quick look before boarding to avoid a little early confusion. (I normally do this for a new ship, but dropped the ball, and I didn’t see guest services until day 3)
– Motion lights near the bed may need to be covered for sensitive sleepers.
– The bathroom/closet door layout is tight—plan ahead.
– Bar service is limited on Princess Cays unless you have a cabana—no drink waiters on the beach.
– Tender tip: wait an hour after the first call to avoid crowds.
– Bring a floatie! They’re allowed and fun.
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