Princess Cruises reveals 1st details of giant new ship on order for 2024
Coming to a port near you in the next few years: Cruise ships topped with giant glass domes.
That's the word from Princess Cruises, which is unveiling the first details of a new, bigger class of vessels that it plans to start rolling out in 2024.
Princess says the first ship in the series, to be called Sun Princess, will have a giant geodesic dome at its top that covers a multideck pool and lounge area — billed as the first of its kind at sea.
The ship will also have a more elaborate version of the multideck interior piazzas that are a Princess Cruises signature space and new, elevated suite offerings. Other design details announced Thursday include plans for a lighter, brighter decor than on other Princess ships.
At 175,500 tons, Sun Princess will be about 21% bigger than the biggest ships currently in the Princess fleet. It'll rise 21 decks high and accommodate more than 4,000 passengers, assuming two passengers per cabin.
While not the biggest cruise ship in the world, it'll be among the larger vessels at sea when it begins sailing.
Sun Princess already is under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and is scheduled to debut in the first half of 2024.
Here is a look at everything Princess has announced so far about the vessel, which will be the third to hold the Sun Princess name. Princess operated two other ships that went by the name Sun Princess from 1974 to 1988 and from 1995 to 2020, respectively.
The line plans to announce more details of the ship over the next few months.
The Piazza
Sun Princess will have a bigger version of the Piazza areas that serve as central gathering points on Princess ships. Spanning three decks, the Piazza on Sun Princess will have an LED screen at its center that can be moved and configured to deliver live entertainment programming — something new for the line.
Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line
The Piazza also will be adjacent to a new coffee shop, to be called Coffee Currents, and a new cocktail bar called Bellini's. It'll also open onto such signature Princess venues as the Crooners Bar and Alfredo's Pizzeria.
The Dome
By far the most unusual new feature announced so far for Sun Princess is The Dome. Inspired by the terraces of Santorini, Greece, it's a multilevel deck area covered with what the line is saying is the first true glass dome ever constructed on a cruise ship.
The Dome will cover an indoor-outdoor pool area and water feature that will be a place to lounge during the day. But at night, the area beneath The Dome will transform into a nightspot with a vibe similar to Florida's South Beach. The pool will be covered to become a stage; the space will feature state-of-the-art lighting effects and be rigged to allow for aerial performances.
An elevated suite offering
Sun Princess will feature a new level of suite accommodations called the Signature Collection, which will come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck. It's Princess Cruises' first move toward offering the sort of "ship-within-a-ship" upscale suite areas that have become a mainstay on some giant vessels operated by the likes of Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
The Signature Sun Deck will be a private area reserved for Signature Collection suite passengers within the Sanctuary, the extra-charge adults-only area found on Princess ships.
Related: 7 reasons you should splurge on a suite on your next cruise
Sun Princess also will have a new category of accommodations called the Reserve Collection, which will comprise the best-located minisuite staterooms. Similar to what formerly was called Club class at the line, the Reserve Collection rooms on Sun Princess will come with access to an exclusive Reserve Collection Restaurant.
Sun Princess will have 50 suites in all, among a total of 2,157 cabins. In addition, 100 rooms on the ship will connect to adjacent cabins to create a larger complex for families and groups.
Initial Sun Princess itineraries
Princess on Thursday said the vessel would debut in the Mediterranean in February 2024 and remain there through the summer of 2024. It'll then reposition to Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades in the fall of 2024 to operate voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Sun Princess's first three inaugural voyages will be:
- A one-way, 10-night Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona to Rome starting on Feb. 8, 2024.
- A roundtrip 10-night Mediterranean sailing out of Rome starting on Feb. 18, 2024.
- A one-way, 10-night Mediterranean sailing from Rome to Barcelona starting on Feb. 28, 2024.
The three sailings are available for booking today for Elite members of the Princess Captain's Circle loyalty program. All other travelers will be able to book the sailings starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Related: The TPG Caribbean cruise guide: Everything you need to know
An as-yet-to-be-named sister ship to Sun Princess is on order from Fincantieri to debut in spring 2025.
The new class will be called the Sphere class.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees