After months of anticipation, Princess Cruises recently revealed the first details of its first new Sphere Class ship, Sun Princess, scheduled to debut in early 2024.
Here is everything we already know about the ship and its features:
The third ship named Sun Princess
The new Sun Princess will be the third ship to bear the Sun Princess name. First introduced by Princess Cruises in 1974, the name continued in use until 1988 before being revived for the first time in the mid-1990s.
Sold in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the second Sun Princess debuted in 1995 as the leader of four Sun-Class ships. At the time, it had the cruise line’s first 24-hour cafe and the largest number of balcony staterooms in the entire fleet.
The largest princess ship ever built
The new Sun Princess will be Princess Cruises’ largest cruise ship. Taking over the title currently held by the 145,000 ton Discovery Princess, the new 175,000 ton ship will accommodate more than 4,300 guests and feature larger public areas.
The 21-deck vessel, currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard, will also be the largest cruise ship ever built in Italy.
Innovative Guest Experiences and Fresh Staterooms
The ship was designed to offer dynamic views of the world in addition to innovative experiences, from service to food and entertainment, Princess said. The company added that the vessel’s lighter, brighter look will embrace the exterior and celebrate the romance of the sea while offering more views to the outside.
Sun Princess will also have what Princess calls “newly appointed suites and staterooms” that have more outdoor balconies. According to the company, among the 2,157 rooms, 1,500 have balconies and in-room sofas, 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms.
New concept of “ship within a ship”
One of the ship’s new features is Princess’s first-ever luxury enclave. Based on the ship-within-a-ship concept, the company will offer two new accommodation categories: Signature Collection and Reserve Collection.
Including the ship’s finest suites and mini-suites, the former includes access to private areas such as the restaurant, lounge and sun deck, while the latter has its own private restaurant and cabanas.
World’s first geodesic dome on a cruise ship
The dome is the first glass geodesic dome of its kind ever built on a cruise ship. According to the princess, the space will operate as a state-of-the-art multi-purpose area that changes functions throughout the day.
Inspired by the terraces of the Greek island of Santorini, the multi-deck area includes an indoor/outdoor pool and a unique water system for daytime use. At night, the pool becomes a stage and the dome transforms into an entertainment area with a South Beach vibe, lighting effects and the ability to host aerial performances.
Three-story atrium Piazza
Piazza, Princess’ signature atrium, will span three floors, creating what the company calls an “iconic architectural feature” that offers an outward-facing suspended space with comfortable seating and areas for enjoying ocean views.
There will also be a large LED screen in the center of the room that can be moved and adjusted to show live entertainment. Next to the Piazza Atrium there will be a new Coffee Currents coffee shop, a Bellini cocktail bar, as well as the princess favorite Crooners bar and Alfredo’s pizzeria.
Environmental friendliness and LNG propulsion
As part of Carnival Corporation’s environmental initiative, the new ship will also be environmentally friendly.
Equipped with various environmentally friendly features and technologies, she will be one of 11 new vessels in the corporate fleet powered by liquefied natural gas. One of the cleanest fossil fuels currently available on the market, LNG significantly reduces air emissions, minimizing the ship’s environmental impact.
First Mediterranean season followed by Caribbean debut
The new Sun Princess will enter service in early 2024, offering the first spring/summer season of Mediterranean cruises.
Following her European program, the vessel is poised to make her North American debut with a series of voyages to the Western and Eastern Caribbean from Port Everglades beginning in fall 2024.
