PRINCESS Cruises President Gus Antorcha was among the executives in attendance as shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the new Star Princess – the cruise line’s second Sphere-class ship.
Local dignitaries also turned out for the handover ceremony, including Monfalcone Mayor Luca Fasan and both Fincantieri’s CEO and President, Pierroberto Folgiero and Biagio Mazzotta.
Star, which is the sister to last year’s Sun Princess, is the cruise line’s second LNG-powered vessel, and the second-largest ship constructed in Italy.
“This remarkable vessel is a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship of our long-standing partners at Fincantieri, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the shipbuilding team for bringing our newest ship to life,” Antorcha said.
Star will cater to 4,300 travellers and is currently en route to Barcelona, where she will enter service with a pair of Western Mediterranean cruises sailing around France, Italy, and Spain.
Afterward, the ship will embark on a 14-day one-way transatlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale, from where she will sail the Caribbean.
At the end of her Caribbean season, Star Princess will transit the Panama Canal, bound for Alaska for the 2026 season.
“Star Princess is a symbol of our ability to shape the future of the cruise industry, combining tradition and innovation,” Folgiero said. ML
Pictured: Leaders from Princess and Fancantieri celebrate.