Princess Cruises unveils next-generation ship

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Princess Cruises has revealed the brand’s largest ship, a bespoke ship platform that will run on dual-fuel LNG and accommodate more than 4,000 guests


Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard and scheduled to debut in early 2024, the 175,500-tonne vessel is the largest Princess ship ever constructed and embraces Italian heritage by featuring a next-level Piazza and The Dome, an entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini. Sun Princess will also feature Princess Medallion, extending Princess’s position in delivering personalised experiences.

“Sun Princess is a new and bespoke ship platform, designed to simultaneously embrace Princess heritage while boldly pressing into the future with iconic, elegant and pure lines unique to our brand,” said Princess Cruises president John Padgett. “A show-stopping, first-of-its-kind Dome on the top deck and suspended glass Piazza in the centre of Sun Princess offer innovative designs showcasing expansive ocean views for incredible opportunities to connect with the sea.”

The cruise line also announced Sun Princess will sail an inaugural spring/summer season of Mediterranean cruises followed by western and eastern Caribbean voyages out of Port Everglades, Florida in Q3 2024.

The line’s Piazza spans three stories, forming an architectural feature offering guests an outward-looking suspended space with comfortable seating and areas to enjoy the ocean views in every direction. An LED screen is also showcased in the centre of the Piazza that can be moved and configured to deliver live entertainment. Adjacent to the Piazza Atrium will be Coffee Currents coffee shop, Bellini’s Cocktail Bar, along with Princess favourites like Crooners’ Bar and Alfredo’s Pizzeria.

The other stand-out structure onboard Sun Princess is The Dome. Princess Cruises said, “Inspired by the terraces of Santorini, it is a multi-level covered deck and the first true glass-enclosed dome ever constructed on a cruise ship. During the day, the Dome features an indoor/outdoor pool and unique water features in a comfortable and relaxed space. At night, the pool becomes a stage, and the Dome transforms into an entertainment venue with a South Beach vibe, state-of-the-art lighting effects and the ability to deliver stunning aerial performances.”

With 2,157 staterooms, including 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms, 21-deck Sun Princess features more outdoor balcony space and all-balcony accommodations feature an in-room sofa.

Also launching exclusively on Sun Princess will be a new level of suite accommodations, the Signature Collection. In addition to premium stateroom amenities, Signature Collection suites include access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge and Signature Sun Deck, a private area of the Sanctuary.

With Sun Princess, Club Class accommodations on board this ship, and all Princess ships will now be called Reserve Collection, which is the best-located mini-suite staterooms. Within the Reserve, Collection will be Reserve Collection Cabana rooms, resort-style staterooms that offer a balcony and private cabana, and extra-large outdoor lounge space. These premium accommodations also include access to the Reserve Collection Restaurant.

Sun Princess is part of Carnival Corp’s green cruising focus and is one of 11 new ships in the corporate fleet powered by LNG fuel technology.

A second, next-generation Sphere-class ship is also on order, slated to be delivered by Fincantieri in Q2 2025.

Costa Cruises Simplifies COVID-19 Protocols

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Costa Cruises is updating its COVID-19-related health protocols, making its vacations even more accessible, according to a press release.

Starting Oct. 8, new simple procedures will allow guests to enjoy onboard and shoreside activities without restrictions, the company said. 

The main changes concern the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates, where fully vaccinated guests will no longer have to undergo pre-embarkation testing. In addition, in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, unvaccinated guests with negative pre-embarkation antigen tests will also be able to embark.

In Mediterranean (excluding Greece) and the Caribbean cruises lasting less than 14 nights, guests who have completed the COVID-19 vaccination will be able to embark on the ships without having to undergo any more pre-embarkation tests.

Guests who have not been vaccinated or cured from COVID-19 will also be able to travel with Costa to these destinations, simply showing at the embarkation an official certification of the negative result of an antigenic swab (or also RT-PCR molecular swab, at the guest’s choice) performed within 48 hours of embarkation time.

All cruises calling in Greece will continue to be available only to fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and recovered guests, and who have undergone antigen testing with a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation.

On cruises visiting Morocco, guests without full vaccination will be required to take an additional RT-PCR molecular test on board 48 hours prior to entry into the country. As for Caribbean cruises, shore leave of unvaccinated guests in Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Marteen is permitted only with a negative result of an antigen test performed 24 or 48 hours prior to the ship’s arrival. These tests, as well as those scheduled prior to entering Morocco, can be done onboard Costa ships at a special price.

Cruises in the UAE, Oman and Qatar are currently available only to fully vaccinated guests, but with no pre-embarkation testing required.

Around-the-World, transatlantic cruises, and generally all cruises longer than 14 nights, require guests to be fully vaccinated and take an antigen test with a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation time. In addition, mask use onboard will be mandatory in public areas during the first seven days of the cruise, while in other destinations (Mediterranean, Caribbean, UAE) mask use is simply recommended.

Carnival Luminosa Conversion Underway in Italy

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The Carnival Luminosa conversion is making progress in Italy. After wrapping up its Costa Cruises career earlier this month, the vessel is being prepared for its Carnival Cruise Line debut.

Currently, in drydock, the 2009-built vessel is already sporting the new hull livery of the U.S.-based brand, while its funnel has been repainted with Carnival’s traditional colours.

The former Costa Luminosa also saw a flag change, moving from an Italian to a Portuguese ship register.

Work is also underway on the ship’s interior, with public areas being adapted to offer most of Carnival’s signature experiences and spaces such as Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Serenity Retreat and more.

Several dining venues are also being added, including Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table and Bonsai Sushi Express.

After leaving the shipyard, the Carnival Luminosa is set to welcome its first guests in early November.

Sailing from Brisbane, the ship’s inaugural program includes three- to 11-night itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef and the South Pacific.

After completing its winter season, the vessel is set to debut in the United States in May for its first summer program in Alaska.

Departing from Seattle, it will offer seven-day sailings as well as six- and eight-day cruises to popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and the scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord.

In September, the ship will sail Carnival’s longest-ever cruise, a 30-day transpacific itinerary that features visits to Alaska, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

According to Carnival, the Luminosa is a sister to its four Spirit-Class vessels. Originally built for Costa Cruises, the ship 92,000-ton ship has a capacity for 2,260 guests, in addition to 1,050 crew members.