Princess Cruises’ first Sphere-class ship will be called Sun Princess and will be able to carry up to 4,300 passengers.
The 175,500-ton Sun Princess, scheduled to debut in February 2024, will be powered by liquefied natural gas and will be the largest ship ever built for the line.
Sun Princess will operate its maiden programme in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the US east coast and offering western and eastern Caribbean voyages from Port Everglades, Florida.
The first three voyages of Sun Princess’ inaugural season have gone on sale. Prices for a 10-night Grand Mediterranean voyage departing on February 28, 2024, start at £1,789.
This ship is the third vessel Princess has called Sun Princess, following the Sun Princess which operated between 1974 and 1988 and another vessel between 1995 and 2020.
The ship, currently under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard, will feature multi-storey dining rooms and new stateroom accommodations, Princess said.
With 2,157 cabins, including 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms, the 21-deck Sun Princess features “more outdoor balcony space” than other Princess vessel.
Sun Princess will have new suites called The Signature Collection, offering passengers access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge and Signature Sun Deck.
Club class accommodation across other Princess ships will now be called Reserve Collection.
New onboard entertainment space, The Dome, is a multi-level area, made of glass and inspired by Santorini, the line added.
The Dome during the day on Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess ship
The Dome features a pool during the day but at night it transforms into an entertainment venue and the pool becomes a stage with “a South Beach vibe”, lighting effects and can deliver aerial performances.
More than 29 dining and bar options will be available on Sun Princess. The Piazza on the ship spans three storeys and is described as “an outward looking suspended space with comfortable seating”, the line said.
A LED screen is positioned in the centre of the Piazza and can show live entertainment programming.
A rendering of the Piazza on Sun Princess
New venue – Coffee Currents – is also located in the Piazza, alongside Crooners Bar, Bellini’s Cocktail Bar and Alfredo’s Pizzeria.
Princess Cruises president John Padgett said: “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.
“A first-of-its-kind Dome on the top deck and suspended glass Piazza in the centre of Sun Princess offer innovative designs showcasing expansive ocean views for incredible opportunities to connect with the sea.”
The line said further details about Sun Princess, including additional dining details, entertainment and onboard features, will be announced in the coming months.
A second Sphere-class ship is slated to be delivered by Fincantieri in spring 2025.
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