On 15SEP, Princess Cruises revealed a new ship, the brand's largest ship ever that will accommodate over 4,000 guests. The new Sun Princess new entertainment venues, multi-story dining rooms and stateroom accommodations while remaining true to the brand design while returning the "Sun Princess" name back into operation.
Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard and scheduled to debut in early 2024, the 175,500-ton vessel is the largest Princess ship ever constructed and embraces Italian heritage by featuring a Piazza and The Dome, a new entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini. Sun Princess will also feature the exclusive Princess Medallion feature.
"Sun Princess is a new and bespoke ship platform, designed to simultaneously embrace Princess heritage while boldly pressing into the future with iconic, elegant and pure lines unique to our brand," said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president.
The cruise line also announced that Sun Princess will sail an inaugural spring/summer season of Mediterranean cruises followed by Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages out of Port Everglades, Florida in the fall of 2024.
The ship's first three voyages will go on sale at 3pm EST on 16SEP.
Guest Experience
The line's Piazza spans three stories, forming an architectural feature offering guests an outward looking suspended space with seating and areas to enjoy the ocean views in every direction. An LED screen is also showcased in the center of the Piazza that can be moved and configured to deliver live entertainment programming. Adjacent to the Piazza Atrium will be a new coffee shop, Coffee Currents, Bellini's Cocktail Bar, along with Princess favorites like Crooners Bar and Alfredo's Pizzeria.
The other structure onboard Sun Princess is The Dome. Inspired by the terraces of Santorini, it is a multi-level covered deck and "first-of-its-kind" true glass-enclosed dome ever constructed on a cruise ship. During the day, the Dome features an indoor/outdoor pool and water feature. At night, the pool becomes a stage, and the Dome transforms into an entertainment venue with a lighting effects and the ability to deliver aerial performances.
The ship's overall interior design offers outward views from morning until night, with brighter and lighter décor and finishes.
Newly Appointed Suites and Staterooms
With 2,157 total staterooms, including 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms, the 21-deck Sun Princess features more outdoor balcony space and all balcony accommodations feature an in-room sofa.
Also launching exclusively on Sun Princess will be a new level of suite accommodations, the Signature Collection. In addition to premium stateroom amenities, Signature Collection suites include access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge, and Signature Sun Deck, a private area of the Sanctuary.
With Sun Princess, Club Class accommodations onboard this ship, and all Princess ships will now be called Reserve Collection, which are mini suite staterooms. Within the Reserve Collection will be Reserve Collection Cabana rooms, resort-style staterooms that offer a balcony and private cabana, an extra-large outdoor lounge space. These premium accommodations also include access to the Reserve Collection Restaurant.
In addition to the ship's design are the sustainable elements being engineered in the vessel. Sun Princess is part of Carnival Corporation's green cruising focus and is one of 11 new ships in the corporate fleet powered by LNG fuel technology.
This is the third ship to be honored with the Sun Princess name, adding to the legacy of the first ship sailing from 1974 to 1988 and the second ship sailing from 1995 to 2020. At that time, the vessel had the largest number of balcony cabins, and the cruise line's first 24-hour cafe.
A second, next-generation Sphere class ship is also on order, slated to be delivered by Fincantieri in spring 2025.
For more information, visit Princess Cruises' web site.
