• Alaska Debut: The Star Princess will sail its inaugural season in Alaska next summer, introducing the Sphere-class vessels to the region.
• Sphere-Class Features: The ship accommodates 4,300 passengers and features The Dome, a versatile glass-domed entertainment and pool area.
• Adult Sanctuary Club: A notable addition is the Sanctuary Club, a “ship-within-a-ship” adult-only private deck designed for ultimate relaxation.
• Target Audience: The cruise is focused on providing a sophisticated, unhurried experience, catering to guests, particularly those in the 50+ age group

The new Star Princess, the second vessel in Princess Cruises’ Sphere-class series, is scheduled to debut its sailing season in Alaska next summer. This marks a significant event for both the ship and the popular cruise destination, introducing a new level of luxury and innovative features to the region’s itineraries. The Star Princess, a sister ship to the Sun Princess, can accommodate 4,300 passengers and features a distinctive glass-domed top deck called “The Dome,” which serves as a pool area by day and an entertainment venue by night.

The ship incorporates several enhanced offerings designed for comfort and elegance, catering particularly to a clientele seeking a relaxed and unhurried cruise experience. A notable addition is the first-of-its-kind “ship-within-a-ship” area, the adults-only Sanctuary Club, located on a private deck for a serene retreat. The Star Princess will offer guests an exploration of Alaska’s striking landscapes, including calls at destinations like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Its refined onboard spaces, state-of-the-art entertainment—such as candlelight concerts and the “Illuminate” circus-themed show—and focus on sophisticated comfort promise an unforgettable voyage that perfectly blends luxury with the thrill of Alaskan wilderness exploration. The ship’s arrival reinforces Princess Cruises’ commitment to expanding its presence and enhancing the standard of cruising in Alaska.

The Sphere-class ships, Star Princess and Sun Princess, share many cutting-edge features, but the Star Princess does include some minor, experience-focused tweaks based on feedback.

Here is a breakdown of the key Sphere-class features and the comparison between the two sister ships:

🏰 Sphere-Class Signature Features

1. The Sanctuary Collection & Club (Ship-Within-A-Ship)

This is Princess Cruises’ premium, elevated experience that offers exclusive access and amenities:

• Sanctuary Club: This is the private, top-deck, adult-only (16+) retreat space. It features its own pool, hot tub, cabanas (for rent), and a dedicated bar with custom menus for drinks and light fare.
• Sanctuary Restaurant: An exclusive private dining venue available only to guests staying in Sanctuary Collection staterooms, offering a chef’s custom menu for a quieter, more relaxed dining experience without reservations.
• Sanctuary Collection Staterooms: Guests in Suites, select Mini-Suites, and select premium Balcony staterooms gain access to the club and restaurant. These rooms also include the Princess Premier all-inclusive package, which covers gratuities, enhanced Wi-Fi, unlimited specialty dining, and premium drinks.

2. The Dome (A Transformational Venue)

The Dome is a signature architectural and entertainment feature of the Sphere-class:

• Design: It is the world’s first geodesic, glass-enclosed dome at sea, inspired by the terraces of Santorini.
• Daytime Use: It serves as a tranquil, climate-controlled indoor/outdoor pool area with unique water features and natural light.
• Nighttime Transformation: The pool seamlessly converts into a stage using a motorized hydraulic system. The venue then becomes a high-tech entertainment space featuring impressive light effects, DJs, and live performances, including specialized aerial acrobat shows.

⚖️ Star Princess vs. Sun Princess Comparison

The Star Princess and Sun Princess are very similar, sharing the same 1,133-foot length, 175,500 gross tonnage, and 4,300-passenger capacity. However, Princess Cruises incorporated minor design adjustments on the Star Princess based on guest feedback from the Sun Princess‘s debut:

Feature	Star Princess (Newest)	Sun Princess (Original)	Note
O’Malley’s Irish Pub	Larger footprint and more seating.	Smaller and often crowded based on early reports.	Expansion addresses crowding at this popular venue.
Casino	Features a larger, dedicated non-smoking casino area.	Had some guest complaints about smoke wafting into public areas.	Improved separation for non-smoking guests.
Entertainment Venues	New and slightly different entertainment shows and concepts.	Launched with its own set of signature shows and concepts.	The core venues like the Princess Arena are the same, but the featured shows differ.
The Piazza	Minimal changes, though some minor adjustments to the layout.	Some initial reports of noise issues due to the high-traffic, central location.	The grand, three-deck design with the glass Sphere centerpiece is identical.
Inaugural Region	Alaska (Summer 2026)	Mediterranean (Original debut region)	This is the main differentiating factor for their first year.