Princess Cruises officially welcomed its newest ship, the Star Princess, with a star-studded naming ceremony at Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades. Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila served as the ship's godparents, marking a significant milestone for the cruise line's expanding Sphere Class fleet.
The event, held on Thursday, featured a unique twist on the traditional bottle-breaking ceremony. Instead of Champagne, a massive bottle of Pantalones tequila, the McConaugheys' own brand, was smashed against the hull.
Key Takeaways
- Star Princess is the newest ship for Princess Cruises, welcomed in Fort Lauderdale.
- Matthew and Camila McConaughey served as godparents, using their tequila brand for the naming.
- The ship is the second in the Sphere Class, significantly larger than previous Princess vessels.
- New features include exclusive suite access and innovative 'cabana cabins'.
- Princess Cruises now operates 17 ships, making it the world's fifth-largest cruise line.
A Naming Ceremony with a Twist
The ceremony took place in the ship's Princess Arena theater. Matthew McConaughey addressed the hundreds of attendees, including cruise industry leaders, travel advisers, and media members.
"As you all know, a bottle of Champagne (traditionally) hits the side of the ship, right? But it's not going to be a bottle of Champagne today," McConaughey stated with a laugh from the stage. He then recited a traditional blessing for new vessels: "May God bless her and all who sail in her."
"Star Princess is a testament to passion, craftsmanship, and teamwork," Princess president Gus Antorcha said at the event, acknowledging the efforts of shipyard workers and Princess staffers.
Camila McConaughey repeated a similar blessing. Both then watched on a giant LED screen as the custom tequila bottle made contact with the ship's hull. The McConaugheys launched their Pantalones tequila line two years ago.
Ship Facts
- Gross Tonnage: 177,800 tons
- Passenger Capacity: Up to 5,189 guests
- Fleet Size: 17 vessels
- Global Ranking: Fifth-biggest cruise line by passenger capacity
The Sphere Class: A New Era for Princess
The Star Princess is the second vessel in Princess Cruises' new Sphere Class. Its sister ship, Sun Princess, debuted one year ago. Both ships represent a significant leap in size and amenities for the cruise line.
At 177,800 tons, the Star Princess is more than 20% larger than any other ship in the Princess fleet. It can accommodate up to 5,189 passengers, setting a new record for Princess ships. The vessel is packed with an increased number of onboard venues, offering more choices for guests.
Construction of the Star Princess took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. This new class of ships aims to attract more upscale customers with enhanced features.
Innovative Onboard Features
The Sphere Class ships introduce several new features for Princess Cruises. These include suites with exclusive access to a private restaurant, a dedicated lounge, and a secluded sundeck. This move targets guests seeking a more luxurious and private experience.
Another innovation is the introduction of "cabana cabins" on the extra-wide 10th deck. These cabins provide guests with exclusive access to a private deck area, enhancing the outdoor experience.
The top deck of the Star Princess also features a glass-dome-topped pool area. This area transforms into a vibrant nightspot after sunset, offering a unique entertainment option.
Princess Cruises' Fleet Growth
The arrival of the Sphere Class marks the first time Princess has launched a new series of ships in over a decade. With the debut of Star Princess and Sun Princess, the line now operates 17 vessels. Collectively, these ships can accommodate approximately 54,000 passengers. This expansion solidifies Princess Cruises' position as the world's fifth-biggest cruise line, following Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Entertainment and Art Onboard
The naming celebration continued with a surprise deck-top performance by acclaimed singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. She delighted the crowd with her most famous hits. The concert concluded with a spectacular Alaska-themed drone light show, filling the sky with images of bears, whales, and other symbols of Princess's Alaska cruises.
Beyond the performing artists, the ship features art by Brazilian artist Romero Britto. His colorful and upbeat style is the theme for the ship's high-end restaurant, Love by Britto. Jill Whelan, who played Vicki Stubing on the popular 1970s and 1980s TV show "The Love Boat," also attended the event. The show was famously set on a Princess ship.
Dining and Entertainment Venues
Sphere Class vessels offer a different approach to dining compared to earlier Princess ships. They lack a traditional buffet restaurant on the main pool decks. Instead, buffet-like venues called The Eatery are located eight decks below, closer to the central piazzas and outside promenades.
The main theaters, known as the Princess Arena, feature a new, in-the-round shape. This design allows them to convert into various configurations, including a traditional proscenium-type theater or a keyhole-type theater, enabling diverse productions.
A unique addition to both Star Princess and Sun Princess is a secret hideaway for magical performances. This venue was designed in partnership with the Magic Castle performance venue in Los Angeles, promising an enchanting experience for guests.
Initial Itineraries and Fares
The Star Princess initially sails to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. In May, it will reposition to Seattle for voyages to Alaska. Fares for a seven-night Caribbean sailing start at $499 per person, including taxes and fees. The ship began sailing with paying passengers nearly five weeks before its official naming celebration.
This new addition underscores Princess Cruises' commitment to expanding its fleet and offering enhanced experiences to its passengers globally.
