From the elevated vantage point of my hotel room overlooking the glittering Port Everglades waterfront in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the impressive new Star Princess ship from Princess Cruises didn’t initially appear to be all that massive or imposing against the South Florida skyline, but distances across water can be tremendously deceiving, and when my Uber driver finally pulled up directly alongside the towering vessel at the cruise terminal where Star Princess was preparing to depart on its highly anticipated three-night U.S. inaugural cruise, we both literally gasped in simultaneous amazement at the sheer scale—we simply couldn’t believe how monumentally big it actually was.
Although the 177,800-ton, 4,300-passenger ship and its Sphere-class sister vessel, Sun Princess, represent the largest ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, they are by no means the largest cruise ships at sea overall. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, currently holding the title as the largest cruise ship in the world, weighs in at an impressive 250,800 tons and accommodates 7,600 guests at maximum capacity.
But make no mistake: Star Princess’ impressive size enables it to offer guests a veritable cornucopia of dining venues and bar locations—30 establishments in total—as well as a generous number of accommodation choices across multiple categories, along with plenty of entertainment options and an eclectic array of onboard activities that cater to diverse passenger preferences.
This comprehensive Star Princess review addresses travelers asking “What’s on the new Star Princess?” and “Is Star Princess worth it?” with detailed insights into the ship’s features.
One-of-a-Kind Venues Define Star Princess Experience
In my view as a cruise industry journalist, what distinguishes Star Princess from other mega-cruise ships is the innovative three-story Sphere and The Dome, a remarkable multipurpose geodesic public area spanning decks 17 and 18 that creates a unique architectural centerpiece.
The glass-enclosed Sphere houses The Piazza, which serves as the ship’s central atrium and proffers spectacular views of the outdoors with impressive floor-to-ceiling windows. It functions as a hot spot for live entertainment and offers a diverse range of dining options; I’ve never seen a cruise ship atrium quite like this innovative space.
The Dome, which features climate-controlled comfort and a retractable glass-enclosed roof, boasts an indoor-outdoor pool that morphs into a dynamic entertainment venue in the evenings, complete with a performance stage for shows, concerts, and special events.
These unique venues address travelers asking “What makes Star Princess different?” and “What are the best features on Star Princess?” with distinctive architectural elements.
Spellbound by Magic Castle: Exclusive Magic Experience
As is the case with Sun Princess, Star Princess features the exclusive Spellbound by Magic Castle venue, which takes direct inspiration from Hollywood, California’s legendary clubhouse for members of the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts, which was founded in 1963.
The venue, which originally debuted on Sun Princess, no longer features a dinner show format on either ship, but continues to offer curated signature cocktails such as The Inner Circle—crafted with milk-washed Meili vodka and jasmine honey syrup—and Cardini, a sophisticated Old-Fashioned variation made with butter-washed rum.
A number of ornately appointed rooms comprise the venue, which includes a dedicated area for intimate magic shows featuring professional magicians and mentalists. The $45 admission fee is well worth the unique experience and exclusive entertainment.
Princess Arena: State-of-the-Art Theater Venue
Entertainment enthusiasts will be thrilled with the Princess Arena, which holds nearly 1,000 guests and represents the cruise line’s most technologically advanced theater venue. The sophisticated theater design ensures there’s really not a bad seat in the house, with excellent sightlines and acoustics throughout.
A new addition exclusive to Star Princess is the SkyDeck Sports Court & Track, featuring dedicated spots for pickleball, basketball, and a jogging track, as well as a second smoke-free casino located within the ship’s larger casino complex.
Accommodation Options: 2,157 Staterooms
In all, Star Princess houses 2,157 staterooms including 80 suites, 123 mini-suites, more than 1,000 balcony staterooms, and 100 connecting rooms ideal for families or groups traveling together.
I was accommodated in a 235-square-foot Deluxe Balcony stateroom featuring a queen-size bed—which could be converted into twin beds—a sofa bed, a work desk, a flat-screen television, and a bathroom with shower. The stateroom was tastefully appointed in soothing hues of cream and beige, which created a relaxing ambience perfect for sea days.
This cabin category addresses travelers asking “What size are Star Princess balcony cabins?” and “What’s included in Star Princess staterooms?” with practical dimensions.
Sanctuary Collection: Premium Suite Experience
Travel advisors looking to elevate a client’s cruise experience should seriously consider booking a Sanctuary Collection stateroom, where the complement of premium accommodations includes the 80 suites, 123 mini-suites, and 12 Premium Deluxe Balconies that offer enhanced space and amenities.
In addition to reserved theater seating and exclusive access to the private Sanctuary Restaurant and the adults-only Sanctuary Club—which houses private cabanas, a secluded pool, and a jacuzzi while offering premium beverages and light meal service—the Sanctuary Collection automatically includes the comprehensive Princess Premier Package.
This valuable package features unlimited drinks (including premium cocktails and specialty coffees), unlimited specialty dining at all restaurants, Wi-Fi for up to four devices, and generous shore excursion credits that offset tour costs.
The Sanctuary Collection benefits address travelers asking “What’s included in Princess Cruises suites?” and “Is Sanctuary Collection worth the upgrade?” with substantial value additions.
Culinary Offerings: 30 Dining Venues
Star Princess’ vast collection of culinary options can sate virtually any palate, from traditional cruise dining to innovative specialty restaurants.
The three-level main dining area includes the spacious 910-passenger Aurora Dining Room on Deck 6 and the 601-guest Celestial Dining Room on Deck 7. (The third dining room, located on Deck 8, is the exclusive 314-passenger Sanctuary Restaurant reserved for Sanctuary guests.)
On Deck 9, The Eatery serves as Star Princess’ main buffet venue with an excellent mix of international cuisine options—including healthy breakfast choices, varied lunch selections, and satisfying dinner options—while the nearby Americana Diner features a nostalgic retro vibe and an abundance of classic comfort foods.
One definite crowd pleaser (I was personally a huge fan) is the International Café, conveniently located on Deck 9 and open 24/7, serving specialty coffees and teas along with fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches, and delectable desserts perfect for late-night cravings.
Specialty Dining: 10 Premium Restaurants
In all, Star Princess features 10 specialty restaurants which are available either for an à la carte fee or included through the line’s Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages.
My personal recommendations for travel advisors to suggest to clients include:
Alfredo’s Pizzeria: Authentic Italian pizza with fresh ingredients
O’Malley’s Irish Pub: Expanded by 32 additional seats due to overwhelming popularity, serving Irish fare and craft beers
Crown Grill: An upscale steakhouse featuring premium main courses such as filet mignon, New York strip steaks, and excellent entrees like grilled salmon for non-meat eaters
Makoto Ocean: Where the sushi quality is genuinely on par with some of the finest Japanese restaurants on land
Another strong suggestion to pass along to clients is Love by Britto, where the elaborate seven-course prix fixe menu is the creative brainchild of chef Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts for Princess Cruises, and whose fanciful artistic décor was created by renowned Brazilian artist Romero Britto.
As its name implies, the restaurant’s theme celebrates love, with some dishes artfully shaped as hearts. Entrees include prime beef and premium wagyu, butter-poached lobster tail, pistachio-crusted rack of lamb, and Chilean sea bass—which was honestly the tastiest I’ve ever experienced.
Other notable specialty restaurants include Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria for traditional Italian, The Butcher’s Block by Dario for premium meats, The Catch by Rudi for seafood, Umai Hot Pot for Asian cuisine, and Umai Teppanyaki for hibachi-style dining.
Technical Specifications and Ship Stats
For cruise planners and maritime enthusiasts, Star Princess specifications include 177,800 gross tonnage, 4,300 passenger capacity at double occupancy, 2,157 total staterooms, 30 dining and bar venues, 1,000-seat Princess Arena, multiple pool areas including The Dome, and Sphere-class designation as part of Princess’s newest ship class.
Who Should Book Star Princess
Star Princess ideally suits several traveler demographics including couples seeking romance who appreciate the diverse dining and entertainment, families with teens who enjoy the sports facilities and casual atmosphere, foodies drawn to the exceptional culinary program, first-time cruisers wanting impressive amenities, and Princess loyalists eager to experience the line’s newest innovations.
Comparing Star Princess to Other Mega-Ships
While Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offer larger vessels with more extreme features like water slides and go-kart tracks, Star Princess focuses on refined elegance, culinary excellence, and sophisticated entertainment that appeals to travelers seeking premium cruise experiences without the chaos of ultra-large vessels.
This positioning addresses travelers asking “Star Princess vs Royal Caribbean?” and “What’s better Princess or Norwegian?” with clear differentiation.
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