Sun Princess Sets Sail on New Maiden Voyage After Delay

After a delay in delivery, Princess Cruises reschedules the maiden voyage of the Sun Princess, its largest ship ever, now departing from Rome to Barcelona on February 28.

Princess Cruises has announced a rescheduled maiden voyage for its latest flagship, the Sun Princess, now set to embark on a 10-day journey from Rome to Barcelona on February 28. This comes after the initial launch dates, planned for February 8 and subsequently February 18, were canceled due to delays in the ship's delivery.

Constructed by Fincantieri at their Monfalcone yard in Italy, the Sun Princess, while officially delivered, remains at the shipyard for final technical enhancements. The delay in delivery, announced in late January, prompted Princess Cruises to offer full refunds and additional compensation to guests booked on the canceled February 18 cruise, including a 50% future cruise credit and coverage of certain travel expenses.

The Sun Princess, boasting a gross tonnage of 178,000, stands as Princess Cruises' largest vessel to date. It represents a significant leap forward in the cruise industry's move towards more environmentally sustainable operations, being powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) and the first dual-fuel vessel in the Princess fleet. This marks a milestone for Fincantieri as well, highlighting their capability to construct advanced LNG-powered cruise ships.

As the inaugural ship of the new Sphere class, the Sun Princess paves the way for its sister ship, the Star Princess, expected to join the fleet in the latter half of 2025. Designed to accommodate 4,300 guests in double occupancy, these ships are set to offer unparalleled luxury and space to travelers.

The decision to delay the Sun Princess's delivery was mutually agreed upon by Princess Cruises and Fincantieri earlier in January, though specific reasons for the postponement were not disclosed by the cruise line. Despite these initial setbacks, the anticipation for the Sun Princess's maiden voyage continues to build, promising an exciting new era for Princess Cruises and its guests.