I was lucky enough to be invited on board the brand-new cruise ship Star Princess by our cruise line partner Princess Cruises. It was her second-ever sailing, which I felt very privileged to be invited on. I had the most amazing time, and I even got to meet the captain!
Star Princess launched on the 4th of October 2025. She is the second ship in Princess Cruises’ Sphere class and will primarily sail the Caribbean and Alaska in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Itinerary highlights also include the Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera and the U.S. Pacific Coast. Star Princess holds 4,300 passengers, but with the spacious and luxurious layout of the ship, you would never think that.
Keep reading for my Star Princess highlights.
First Impressions
After a very early flight, I was pleased with the smooth embarkation onto the ship. Top tip: make sure your Advanced Passenger Information (API) is completed via your Princess Cruises App to avoid any delays when boarding. I was welcomed on board with lunch at Alfredo, an amazing Italian-inspired speciality restaurant serving artisan-style pizza, which was deliziosa!
I then checked into my cabin, a modern and spacious Deluxe Balcony stateroom featuring a seating area, U.S. plug sockets, plenty of storage including a bigger wardrobe than other Princess Cruises ships, a mini-fridge, floor-to-ceiling windows leading onto a balcony with two seats, and most importantly, a cushty bed to die for! Other amenities included a bathrobe, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, allowing the ladies to pack light.
I then headed up to the top deck for the famous Love Boat-themed Sailaway Party, where dance moves and drinks flowed easily. A great start to my seven-day cruise around the Mediterranean.
Highlights Onboard Star Princess
The Piazza Grand Atrium
The Piazza onboard Princess Cruises is a new piazza-style Grand Atrium spanning multiple decks with a mix of cafés, bars and restaurants including Vines wine bar, where over 30 wines are at your disposal, dangerous but indulgent!
It really is the heart of the ship, serving incredible 360° views of the golden décor and ocean paired with an amazing LED screen at its centre designed for live entertainment, including digital light shows, vibrant ’80s theme music performances, themed activities such as Zumba, and so much more.
The Lotus Spa
I visited the Lotus Spa, where I enjoyed a few hours in the Thermal Suite ‘The Enclave’ each day as I had pre-purchased a seven-day pass for $149 (approximately £113), which is great value if you love self-care days like me.
This is indeed a state-of-the-art spa that must be seen to be believed. You completely forget that you’re on a cruise ship with an expansive area made up of a hydrotherapy pool, loungers, sensory showers and new features including a salt room and an aromatic steam room.
If you want to go the extra mile in treating yourself, there is everything from massages and facials to hair and nail services, plus unique treatments including acupuncture and teeth whitening.
Dining Onboard Star Princess
From casual dining with fresh buffet lunches at The Eatery to evenings at the elegant and impressive main dining rooms to sipping and munching my way through the tastiest coffee and pastries at the International Café, the food options onboard Star Princess were nothing short of divine.
On top of this, I was very lucky to have experienced several speciality restaurants (somebody’s got to sample them for you):
- Catch by Rudi – A seafood, steak and pasta restaurant designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin serving the freshest of catches.
- Umai Teppanyaki – An immersive experience as you sit around a table while the chefs cook, sing and dance in front of you. Seeing them juggling the meat and veg was hilarious and not something I will unsee.
- Love by Britto – An artistic event rather than just a meal with a fixed sampler menu inspired by artist Romero Britto (this one was my personal favourite).
- Butcher’s Block – The best-loved steakhouse onboard serving premium cuts in an elegant setting.
Another of my favourite highlights was ordering breakfast to my cabin. There is no charge for this on Princess Cruises, and eating on my balcony in the sun in mid-October felt so good.
Entertainment
The entertainment onboard Star Princess shone in a league of its own with new concepts taken from experiences on land.
The entertainment can be found all around the ship at different times of the day. However, one of my favourite areas is The Dome, a new feature on Sphere Class ships. The Dome is an amazing glass-enclosed space at the top of the ship with an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace and bar. At night, this area transforms into an entertainment hub with live performances, a first-of-its-kind for Princess Cruises.
My favourite productions included:
- Candlelight Concert – A popular show back home brought to the sea, featuring live and intimate classical music performances in a candlelight setting with panoramic views of the night sky beyond The Dome.
- Spellbound – A magical 1920s speakeasy Hollywood-style experience. Expect hidden rooms, secret corners, cocktails and magic inspired by the great magician Cardini.
- Good Spirits at Sea – A pre-dinner cocktail class hosted by staff making delicious cocktails paired with music and laughter. This has a coverage charge of $15, but it is included at no additional cost if you have the Princess Plus package.
Final Thoughts
Disembarking Star Princess was seamless (not that anyone wanted to get off anytime soon). She is now sailing to Fort Lauderdale for a few months before making her home in Seattle.
This is a truly amazing ship and one I will remember for a long time. Thank you, Princess Cruises and Cruise Nation, for giving me this experience.
You can view our Star Princess cruise deals here, which include flights and a free hotel stay.
If you would like to enquire about anything Star Princess, you can email me at shirley@cruisenation.com or call me on 01792 002 508.
