Sun Princess (ship, 2024)

Sun Princess is a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises, a cruise brand within Carnival Corporation & plc. It is the third vessel to use the Sun Princess name and the first ship in Princess Cruises' Sphere class. Built by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, the vessel represents a substantial redesign of the cruise line's ship architecture, combining a contemporary exterior with large glass and dome-like structural elements. It is also the first Princess Cruises ship designed to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a change that was intended to continue across the Sphere-class series. The ship was ordered from Fincantieri in July 2018, with the final contract for the first two Sphere-class vessels signed in March 2019. Construction progressed at Monfalcone, where the vessel was floated out in March 2023. Sea trials took place in late 2023 and again in January 2024. Delivery was mutually delayed shortly before the originally anticipated handover, although the parties did not publicly explain the circumstances. This delay pushed the ship's planned maiden voyage from 8 February 2024 to 28 February 2024. Sun Princess entered service on 28 February 2024 with a Mediterranean itinerary. Its formal naming ceremony took place at the Port of Barcelona on 23 April 2024, with actor Hannah Waddingham serving as godmother and participating in a promotional performance connected with The Love Boat, the television series historically associated with Princess Cruises. The ceremony and related marketing helped position the vessel as a new flagship-style expression of the Princess brand rather than merely a replacement for an older ship carrying the same name. The ship measures approximately 1,133 feet (345 metres) in length and 155 feet (47 metres) in beam. Its Sphere-class design introduces a more modern visual identity than earlier Princess vessels, including prominent glazed exterior spaces and rounded or domed architectural features. Beyond its physical scale, the vessel was significant operationally because it expanded Princess Cruises' capacity and introduced LNG propulsion to the fleet. It is described as the largest ship currently sailing for Princess Cruises. After its initial Mediterranean program, Sun Princess repositioned to Florida for Caribbean cruises beginning in October 2024. Before its United States debut, the ship underwent refurbishment and changes to several onboard spaces. The work included moving and reconfiguring restaurants and removing attractions from the Park19 family area. These alterations illustrate the practical adjustments required when a newly introduced ship is adapted for a different market and passenger mix. Sun Princess therefore serves both as a high-capacity cruise product and as a test case for Princess Cruises' newer Sphere-class design, LNG-fueled operations, entertainment concepts, and deployment strategy.

Sun Princess is the first vessel in Princess Cruises' Sphere class and the third ship in the company's history to carry the Sun Princess name. The project originated with an order placed by Princess Cruises with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri on 23 July 2018. The final contract covering the first two ships of the new class was signed in March 2019. The class marked a significant change in Princess Cruises' ship design, moving toward a larger and more contemporary platform with extensive glass features and rounded, dome-like exterior elements. Construction took place at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard in Italy. The ship was floated out in March 2023, after which it entered the testing and commissioning phase. Sea trials were reported in November 2023 and January 2024. Shortly before its anticipated delivery, Princess Cruises and Fincantieri agreed to postpone the handover. No detailed public explanation for the delay was given. As a result, the planned 8 February 2024 maiden voyage was rescheduled. Sun Princess finally began commercial operations on 28 February 2024, sailing in the Mediterranean. Its official naming ceremony was held at Barcelona on 23 April 2024. Hannah Waddingham was associated with the ceremony and later appeared in advertising for the ship, including a performance of the theme from The Love Boat. The use of that song connected the new vessel with Princess Cruises' long-standing popular-culture identity while promoting the ship's new design and onboard experience. At approximately 1,133 feet (345 metres) long and 155 feet (47 metres) wide, Sun Princess became the largest ship in Princess Cruises' current fleet. It also introduced LNG propulsion to the Princess fleet, making it an important technical and environmental milestone for the brand, although LNG remains a fossil fuel and does not eliminate the broader environmental impacts of cruise operations. The Sphere-class concept was intended to continue as a broader platform rather than remain a one-off design. In October 2024, Sun Princess moved to Florida to begin Caribbean operations. Before its American deployment, the ship underwent refurbishment and changes to its onboard layout. Restaurants were relocated or reconfigured, and attractions in the Park19 family area were removed. These modifications demonstrated how the newly launched ship was adjusted after its initial Mediterranean service and before entering a major Caribbean market. Its operating history to date is therefore defined by a delayed but high-profile introduction, a new class and propulsion system, and rapid repositioning between European and North American cruise regions.

1. 2024Sea trials completed

   The vessel underwent sea trials in January after earlier trials in November 2023.

   Source
2. 2024Maiden voyage

   Sun Princess entered commercial service on 28 February with a Mediterranean voyage.

   Source
3. 2024Naming ceremony in Barcelona

   The ship was named at the Port of Barcelona on 23 April, with Hannah Waddingham participating as godmother.

   Source
4. 2024Caribbean deployment

   The ship moved to Florida for Caribbean sailings beginning in October after refurbishment.

   Source
5. 2023Ship floated out

   Sun Princess was floated out at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard in March.

   Source
6. 2019Sphere-class contract finalized

   The final contract for the first two Sphere-class ships was signed in March.

   Source
7. 2018Order placed with Fincantieri

   Princess Cruises ordered the future Sphere-class vessel from Fincantieri on 23 July.

   Source

A large, contemporary Princess Cruises vessel positioned around the Sphere-class design, expanded onboard capacity, LNG propulsion, and premium leisure cruising in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

• Sun PrincessCruise ship2024

  The first Sphere-class vessel operated by Princess Cruises and the third ship to use the Sun Princess name. It is approximately 1,133 feet (345 metres) long and 155 feet (47 metres) wide. The ship combines a contemporary exterior featuring extensive glass and dome-like elements with passenger amenities centered on dining, entertainment, leisure, and family travel. It is the largest vessel in Princess Cruises' current fleet and the first Princess ship equipped for LNG propulsion.

• 2024Sun Princess naming and Love Boat promotion

  International · United Kingdom · United States

  Hannah Waddingham participated in the Barcelona naming ceremony and later appeared in advertising connected with the ship, performing the theme associated with The Love Boat. The campaign linked the new vessel's launch to Princess Cruises' established television and travel identity.

  Outcome. The campaign supported the public launch and brand positioning of the new Sphere-class ship.

  Source

• 2024Delayed delivery and maiden voyageProduct launch

  The vessel's expected handover and 8 February maiden voyage were postponed by mutual agreement between the parties, without a publicly stated explanation.

  What changed. Princess Cruises rescheduled the maiden voyage to 28 February, when the ship began Mediterranean operations.

  Aftermath. Sun Princess entered service later than planned but proceeded with its high-profile launch and naming program.

  Source
• 2024Repositioning for Caribbean serviceStrategy

  After its initial Mediterranean season, Princess Cruises prepared the ship for deployment from Florida.

  What changed. Sun Princess underwent refurbishment and changes to restaurant layouts and the Park19 family area before beginning Caribbean sailings in October.

  Aftermath. The ship expanded its operating program from Mediterranean cruising into the Caribbean market.

  Source
• 2018Commissioning of the first Sphere-class vesselOther

  Princess Cruises sought a new large-ship platform to update its fleet design and expand capacity.

  What changed. The company ordered the future Sun Princess from Fincantieri in July 2018.

  Aftermath. The order led to the development of the Sphere class, with Sun Princess becoming its first ship.

  Source

• 2024Sun Princess begins maiden voyage after delivery delay

  The ship entered service on 28 February 2024 on a Mediterranean itinerary, later than the originally expected 8 February start date.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2024Sun Princess receives Barcelona naming ceremony

  Princess Cruises held the vessel's naming ceremony at the Port of Barcelona on 23 April, with Hannah Waddingham serving as the named godmother.

  CampaignProduct launch
  Source
• 2024Sun Princess moves to Florida for Caribbean deployment

  Following its Mediterranean introduction, the ship transferred to Florida for Caribbean cruises and received refurbishment work before its United States debut.

  Other
  Source

1. Sun Princess (2024)