princess cruise ships sold

Princess Cruises may join Carnival, Holland America in shrinking fleet size

Princess Cruises may be joining the list of cruise lines shrinking in size.

The California-based cruise operator on Friday told travel agents in Australia it soon would be disposing of two of its 18 ships -- the 2,000-passenger Sun Princess and 2,000-passenger Sea Princess.

Both the vessels have been based recently in Australia and draw a significant number of Australians.

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"We are writing to share the news that Sea Princess and Sun Princess have been sold and will be leaving our fleet," the line said in a letter to the travel agents. "While it is never easy to say goodbye to any ship in our fleet, the sale of these ships will allow us to deploy newer ships enhancing our offerings for Australia cruisers."

Still, despite the communication to travel agents, the line said in a statement to The Points Guy on Friday that the sale of the ships was not a done deal.

"Princess Cruises cannot confirm information around the sale of a ship at this time," the statement said. "We can confirm that there are interested buyers, however, nothing has been finalized."

The news of the possible sale comes just three days after Princess Cruises' parent company, Carnival Corporation , revealed in a regulatory filing that its nine brands were in the process of removing at least 18 ships from their fleets. That's three more ships than the company had previously disclosed were on the way out.

Carnival Corporation didn't name the three additional ships at the time.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Carnival Corporation has been downsizing its fleets in recent months as it cuts costs and reorganizes in anticipation of a slow restart to cruising . Most cruise operations around the world have been halted since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Based in Miami, Carnival Corporation is the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line , Holland America, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and five other brands that went into the coronavirus crisis with a combined fleet of 104 ships.

If Princess is, indeed, selling off the two ships, it is joining several of its sister brands in downsizing.

Carnival Corporation's Holland America brand in July announced it would dispose of four vessels — Maasdam, Veendam, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The company's Carnival Cruise Line brand also has announced the removal of four ships — Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Fascination.

Some of the ships are being sent to scrapyards while others have been sold to smaller cruise companies around the world for continued use.

Other Carnival Corporation-owned lines that have announced plans to downsize include its U.K.-focused brand, P&O Cruises, which recently said one of its vessels, Oceana, had left its fleet. The company's Europe-focused Costa Cruises brand has disposed of three ships since January: Costa Victoria, Costa neoRomantica and Costa Atlantica. A fourth Costa ship, Costa Mediterranea, will be transferred to a new Chinese cruise line in May.

The company's P&O Cruises Australia brand has announced the departure of two of its vessels, Pacific Aria and Pacific Dawn.

Related: Why your favorite cruise line probably isn't going out of business

In its regulatory filing on Tuesday, Carnival Corporation suggested the vessels that are leaving are its most inefficient ships. While they have represented about 12% of capacity, they only accounted for about 3% of operating income in 2019, the company noted.

Built in 1995 and 1998, respectively, Sun Princess and Sea Princess are the oldest vessels in the Princess Cruises fleet. They're also among the smallest ships at Princess.

Sun Princess had been scheduled to sail from Brisbane, Australia, over the coming winter before repositioning to North America for Alaska sailings. Sea Princess had been scheduled to operate a mix of short and long sailings from various Australia ports.

As of Friday, the sailings still were available for booking on the Princess website.

Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:

Everything you need to know about future cruise credits
Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon
How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed
Stream these 13 movies, television shows to get your cruise ship fix

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Princess Cruises Sold Two of Its Ships

As part of the announcement from Carnival Corporation of the plan to reduce their fleet, Princess Cruises has sold two of its ships. At this time, the name of the buyer, or buyers, has not been revealed.

What ships did Princess Cruises sell?

The ships that were sold were two of the three Sun Class ships, and the sale included Sun Princess and Sea Princess .

“ Sun Princess and Sea Princess contributed to significant growth in Australian cruising,” said Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz. “Both ships defined the premium cruise experience with Australians and New Zealanders spending close to 14 million nights aboard these ships. While it is never easy to say goodbye to any ship in our fleet, this will allow us to deploy newer ships enhancing our offerings for Australia cruisers and focus on exciting newbuilds like the upcoming delivery of Enchanted Princess .”

Sun Princess history

Sun Princess was the first of three ships in Princess Cruises’ Sun Class and debuted in 1995. Offering Caribbean cruise itineraries, Sun Princess was one of the largest cruise ships in the world, accommodating 2,000 passengers.

In summer, Sun Princess would transit the Panama Canal to Los Angeles. From there, the ship would spend summers cruising Alaska before reversing its itinerary back to the Caribbean.

Eventually in October 2007, Princess Cruises deployed Sun Princess to Australia. Then in 2013, the ship was relocated north to Japan and began sailing specifically for the Japanese cruise market.

Sea Princess history

Younger sister ship to Sun Princess , the 2,000-guest Sea Princess also catered to the Australian market. Princess Cruises decided to use Sea Princess for world voyages and claimed the title of the first world cruise departures from Australia.

Before moving to Australia, Sea Princess cruised throughout Europe, Alaska and also the Caribbean. For a while, the ship called Barbados its homeport in the early 2000s.

More cruise cancellations

With Sun Princess and Sea Princess out of the fleet, here are the upcoming cruise cancellations:

Sun Princess sailings from December 28, 2020 through August 14, 2021
Sea Princess sailings from December 23, 2020 through November 9, 2021

As always, if you have a booking, Princess will notify you as well as your travel agent. You can choose to rebook or request a refund.

The third Sun Class ship, Dawn Princess was sold to P&O cruise lines in May 2017 for the Australian market. The ship, renamed Ventura , is scheduled to leave P&O in 2021.

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Pacific Princess Sold as Another Ship Leaves Carnival Corp. Fleet

January 21, 2021

Princess Cruise today announced the sale of Pacific Princess to an undisclosed buyer. The 670-guest ship was the smallest in the current Princess fleet.

The company said the sale of the cruise ship is in line with parent company Carnival Corporation’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet, according to a statement.

The Pacific Princess first joined the cruise line’s fleet in 2002, and originally entered service in 1999 as R3 for Renaissance Cruises.

The Pacific Princess sailed more than 1.6 million nautical miles and 11 world cruises.

“Pacific Princess holds so many memories and cherished experiences to all who sailed upon her,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Pacific Princess offered a traditional style of cruising to unique destinations. While it’s difficult to say goodbye to our ‘Love Boat,’ our World Cruise and exotic itineraries continue onboard our Medallion Class-enabled Island Princess and Coral Princess, featuring the best Wi-Fi at sea, allowing guests to keep in touch with loved ones and share vacation memories along the way.”

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Grand Princess and Star Princess ships to be transferred to P&O...

Grand Princess and Star Princess ships to be transferred to P&O Australia

Princess Cruises confirmed the official transfer of Golden Princess (Pacific Adventure) and Star Princess (Pacific Encounter) to sister-brand P&O Australia . Previously announced back in 2018, the sisterships start operations for P&O AU in 2021. Princess and P&O are fully owned by Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner.

Golden Princess joined the Princess Cruises' fleet in May 2001 with her sistership Star Princess debuting in January 2002. Both Golden and Star Princess played a major role in the evolution of the company.

The liners offered passengers plenty of opportunities to customize their cruise experience through Personal Choice Cruising. One of the key elements of the program was Princess innovative Personal Choice Dining - the only dining program in the cruise industry at the time to give guests the freedom to dine where, when and with whom they want. Travellers could choose between Anytime Dining (dine in one of the MDRs / main dining rooms when and with whom they wish), and Traditional Dining (assigned dining time, tablemates, wait staff). Both cruise ships were also amongst the first to feature the popular Princess' Lotus Spa and Fitness Centers.

In addition, passengers enjoyed the special privacy afforded by the Princess trademark - 710+ balcony staterooms. Throughout the years, both vessels were modernized with signature features the company is popular for, including The Sanctuary adults-only retreat, Movies Under the Stars, the Piazza, specialty restaurants Sabatini’s and Crown Grill.

Passengers with bookings will be notified and will receive information on how to book another Princess voyage when operations resume. Those who prefer a refund will also be accommodated.

Cruise News

21 Carnival Ships Sold During the Cruise Industry Shutdown

Doug Parker

October 5, 2023

There were 21 Carnival ships sold as part of the cruise industry shutdown.

During the first few months of the shutdown, Carnival Corporation announced that at least 13 older ships across several cruise brands would be sold or scrapped. This was part of slimming down and eliminating its least efficient ships.

But that number kept growing. The number of ships leaving Carnival Cruise Line , Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, AIDA, and P&O Cruises fleets eventually increased to 21.

While some ships found new homes in Europe and Asia, many met a sad fate in scrapyards on the shores of India and Turkey.

Here’s a look at the 21 ships no longer part of Carnival Corporation’s fleet.

Carnival Fantasy

Year Sold : 2020
Buyer: Scrapyard
Guest Capacity: 2,044
Gross Registered Tonnage: 70,000
Entered Service for Carnival: 1990

Carnival Fantasy broke the mold for Carnival Cruise Line ships when she debuted in 1990, a first in the Fantasy class.

From the newly redesigned atrium (featuring 15 miles of neon — yes, miles) to VCRs in every stateroom, everything about Carnival Fantasy was designed to wow guests from the minute they boarded the ship. The ship attracted many fans over her 30 years of service thanks to regular refurbishments.

The eight-member fleet that Fantasy kicked off was considered the world’s most extensive peacetime shipbuilding program, lasting from 1989 through 1998.

RELATED: Last Look: Remembering Carnival Fantasy [PHOTOS]

Carnival Fascination

Year Sold: 2020
Buyer: Century Harmony Cruise Ltd. (renamed Century Harmony), scrapped in February 2022
Guest Capacity: 2,040
Entered Service for Carnival: 1994

The fourth Fantasy-class ship to debut, Carnival Fascination, was much loved by cruisers who prefer a smaller ship experience. From late 2017 through early 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency chartered the ship as a floating hotel, docked in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, to house relief workers following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Carnival Imagination

Buyer: Scrapped
Entered Service for Carnival: 1995

Legendary Carnival Cruise Line architect Joe Farcus applied a “classical and mythological” concept to Imagination ’s public areas — and while slightly more restrained than the four Fantasy-class sisters that preceded her, she was still quite an eye-popper.

Carnival Inspiration

Entered Service for Carnival: 1996

The sixth of what would ultimately be eight Fantasy-class ships, Carnival Inspiration was far from a trendsetter. But thanks to dramatic lighting and an imposing 50-foot centerpiece sculpture entitled Bird of Paradise by Norwegian artist Leon Bronstein, the Inspiration’s Art Nouveau-inspired Grand Atrium Plaza was still impressive.

Unfortunately, the sculpture was removed and replaced with the more practical, profitable, but less visually engaging Atrium Bar later in the ship’s lifespan.

Carnival Ecstasy

Year Sold : 2022
Buyer : Scrapped
Guest Capacity : 2,056
Gross Registered Tonnage : 70,000
Entered Service for Carnival : 1991

Carnival Ecstasy was one of the oldest ships in Carnival Corporation’s fleet following the departure of Fantasy in 2020.

This Fantasy-class ship had undergone several refurbishments over the years but still needed significant investment to maintain and upgrade.

Carnival Ecstasy’s last revenue voyage was out of Mobile, Alabama, in October 2022. From there, it sailed to Miami to drop off equipment and non-essential crew before departing on its last voyage bound for the scrapyard.

Carnival Sensation

Entered Service for Carnival : 1993

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sensation, the third ship in the line’s popular Fantasy class, was retired in early 2022 after nearly 30 years of service. The ship was a favorite among cruisers for its fun and casual atmosphere and played an important role in the company’s history.

After being sold to a scrapyard in Turkey in February 2022, Carnival Sensation met its fate on the beaches of the breaking yard the following month.

Pacific Princess

Year Sold: 2021
Buyer: Sycamore Partners (renamed Azamara Onward)
Guest Capacity: 688
Gross Registered Tonnage: 30,000
Entered Service for Princess: 2002

Christened R3 as a part of Renaissance Cruises’ fleet of well-regarded R-Ships, Pacific Princess was the second ship to bear her name for Princess Cruises.

The ship, acquired by Princess in 2002 after Renaissance Cruises’ demise, followed in the wake of the ship that brought worldwide attention to the still-nascent cruise industry in the late 1970s thanks to a weekly hour of prime-time TV known as The Love Boat .

Pacific Princess fans will still be able to enjoy the ship when it joins three of her R-Ship sisters sailing for Azamara.

The small cruise line Azamara Cruises was sold to Sycamore Partners in 2021 after Royal Caribbean Group liquidated assets. Sycamore Partners was the purchaser of the ship.

Sun Princess

Buyer: Peace Boat (renamed Pacific World )
Guest Capacity: 2,010
Gross Registered Tonnage: 77,000
Entered Service for Princess: 1995

While far less famous than the original Pacific Princess , Sun Princess had her moment of prime-time TV glory in 1998 and 1999 during the 27-episode run of Love Boat: The Next Wave .

When not carrying Robert Urich as Captain Jim Kennedy and the rest of the Love Boat crew, Sun Princess sailed to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale and, most recently, to Australia and New Zealand.

The sun-class ship was scheduled as a floating hotel for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. She now sails global education and awareness cruises for Peace Boat .

Sea Princess

Buyer: Sanya International Cruise Development (renamed MS Charming ), then sold to Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line (renamed Dream)
Guest Capacity: 2,000
Entered Service for Princess: 1998 and 2005

The sister ship to Sun Princess was the second ship to bear the name of the Sea Princess. It was a loyal workhorse for Princess Cruises and from 2002 to 2005 for P&O Cruises (named the Adonia during that period).

The sun-class vessel rejoined the Princess fleet in 2005 and most recently sailed in Australia. Renamed MS Charming, the ship was the second-largest cruise ship acquired by Chinese interests and will sail domestically in China.

The ship was sold and received a makeover, debuting in 2021. Then in 2023, it was resold to Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line for an undisclosed amount. In September 2023, she started sailing as Dream.

Costa Victoria

Buyer: San Giorgio del Porto Spa, Piombino Industrie Maritime (renamed St. Victoria ), subsequently scrapped
Guest Capacity: 1,928
Gross Registered Tonnage: 75,000
Entered Service for Costa: 1996

Among the first ships to be marked for sale by Carnival Corporation as the COVID-19 pandemic continued into its fourth month, Costa Victoria was thought to have found a second life as a floating hotel at an Italian shipyard. Still, it was not to be, and the Victoria-class ship is bound for her fate at a scrapyard in Turkey.

Costa neoRomantica

Buyer: Celestyal Cruises (renamed Celestyal Experience )
Guest Capacity: 1,578
Gross Registered Tonnage: 53,000
Entered Service for Costa: 1993

This ship launched as the Costa Romantica in 1993. It was renamed the Costa neoRomantica in 2012 after an aft-to-stern $110 million renovation that added two half-decks, balcony cabins, and suites.

Those very balconies and suites attracted Celestyal Cruises to the ship, as demand for premium accommodations is high on the line’s Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries.

Buyer: Fred. Olsen Cruises (renamed MS Borealis )
Guest Capacity: 1,404
Gross Registered Tonnage: 61,000
Entered Service for Holland America: 1997

The sixth Holland America Line ship to bear the name Rotterdam , launched in 1997, was named after the city in the Netherlands. Home to a multi-million dollar art collection, the ship was most often found in Europe in the summer months and plying the warm waters near South America during the winter.

Renamed MS Borealis, she joined the fleet of UK-line Fred. Olsen Cruises.

holland america amsterdam exterior aerial

Buyer: Fred. Olsen Cruises (renamed MS Bolette )
Guest Capacity: 1,380
Gross Registered Tonnage: 62,000
Entered Service for Holland America: 2000

Amsterdam is a sister ship to Rotterdam in many regards. She was named after a city in the Netherlands and had a multi-million dollar art collection (including a large, and at one time functional, Astrolabe). She continues her life in the fleet of the UK’s Fred. Olsen Cruises.

Class: 2020
Buyer: Seajets (renamed MS Aegan Myth ), resold in 2022 to Compagnie Française de Croisières (renamed Renaissance )
Guest Capacity: 1,258
Gross Registered Tonnage: 55,000
Entered Service for Holland America: 1992

Maasdam began sailing for Holland America Line in 1992 based on the Costa Classica design. For much of her 29 years of service to Holland America, the S-class ship sailed primarily from North America, but in later years, she cruised around New Zealand, the South Pacific, and other areas.

She’ll continue sailing as MS Aegan Myth for Greek ferry operator Seajets.

Buyer: Seajets (renamed MS Aegan Majesty )
Guest Capacity: 1,350
Gross Registered Tonnage: 57,000
Entered Service for Holland America: 1996

Like her younger sibling Maasdam , Veendam , an S-class ship, had her fans — specifically, cruisers who loved a smaller ship with a classic ocean-liner vibe. Like all Holland America Line ships, Veendam ’s crew hailed from the Philippines and Indonesia and had a reputation for friendliness and good service that many cruise lines would love to duplicate.

The forward observation lounge, the Crow’s Nest. is a beloved Holland America staple on the Veendam . Like Maasdam , Veendam was acquired by Seajets and is expected to have a future in the Greek Isles sailing under the name MS Aegan Majesty .

P&O Oceana

Buyer: Seajets (renamed Queen of the Ocean ). As of 2023, the vessel is still laid up in Greece
Guest Capacity: 2,016
Entered Service for P&O: 2002

P&O Oceana first started sailing for Princess Cruises in 2000 as Ocean Princess . Her atrium was certain to have inspired Princess Cruises’ new Piazza atrium design, as the space resembles the concept introduced across the entire fleet in the late 2000s.

In 2002, she was transferred to P&O Cruises, renamed the P&O Oceana, and sailed to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades. In mid-2020, the sun-class ship was acquired by Seajets and renamed Queen of the Ocean .

Pacific Dawn

Buyer: Ocean Builders (renamed Satoshi ), then Ambassador Cruise Line (renamed Ambiance)
Guest Capacity: 2,020

Built in 1991 as the original Regal Princess for Princess Cruises, the ship was transferred to P&O Cruises in 2002 and renamed Pacific Dawn , sailing primarily from Australia.

Pacific Dawn was sold in mid-2020 to become a permanent residence for “digital nomads, YouTube influencers, and crypto-currency enthusiasts” anchored off the coast of Panama, promising an exciting post-pandemic life.

Cabins in the sea-based community aboard the newly-renamed Satoshi would be auctioned off at $25,000, and Bitcoin would be the onboard currency. The lack of sales and insurance prevented the plan from going forward.

The ship was on its way to the scrapyard when it was purchased by an entity in the USVI. It later became Ambassador Cruise Line and entered service as the Ambiance in 2022.

Pacific Aria

Buyer: Seajets (renamed Aegan Goddess ), 2023 to Celestyal Cruises (renamed Celestyal Journey)
Entered Service for P&O: 2015

Built in 1994 as the Ryndam for Holland America Line, the ship was transferred to P&O Cruises in 2015 and renamed Pacific Aria . In late 2019, it was announced Pacific Aria would be acquired by Cruise & Maritime Voyages in 2021, destined to be named Ida Pfeiffer .

However, CMW filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2020, and the ship was ultimately sold to Greek ferry operator Seajets and renamed Aegan Goddess .

In 2023, Seajets sold the Statendam-class ship to Greek cruise operator Celestyal Cruises and renamed Celestyal Journey .

Year Sold: 2022
Buyer: Beta Marine (renamed Avitak)
Guest Capacity: 1,266
Gross Registered Tonnage: 42,289
Entered Service for AIDA: 2002

This is another Carnival Corporation ship that docked during the cruise industry shutdown and never returned to service.

One of the oldest ships in AIDA Cruises’ fleet is the AIDAvita, constructed in 1989. Maintaining and upgrading the vessel would have required significant investment in the upcoming years.

During the pandemic, AIDA Cruises, like other cruise lines, experienced a significant decline in revenue, resulting in billions of dollars in losses. To reduce expenses, selling older and less efficient ships was one solution.

An Estonia-based business eventually purchased the AIDAvita, though details are limited. The company intends to use the vessel to expand its operations in the Baltic Sea.

Buyer: Aquilon Shipping Co. (renamed Astoria Grande)
Guest Capacity: 1,186
Gross Registered Tonnage: 38,600
Entered Service: 2002

Built in 1996, this vessel marked the inaugural build for AIDA Cruises. Spanning nearly 600 feet, AIDAcare offered an intimate setting for over 1,100 passengers. Guests enjoyed its spa, sauna, and pool throughout life, while sports enthusiasts can practice golf and jog on its track.

In 2005, it received an upgrade with extra cabins. By 2021, and in the middle of the cruise industry shutdown, it found a new home with Russia’s Aquilon Shipping Co., adopting its new identity as the Astoria Grande.

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Princess Cruises' Star Princess ship delayed, 9 sailings canceled

Travelers will have to wait longer than planned to sail on Princess Cruises’ upcoming ship.

The delivery of Star Princess, which was set to debut next summer, will be pushed back by about two months. The cruise line said the delay was a “mutual” decision with shipbuilder Fincantieri.

“Following a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, both parties have elected to adjust the ship's delivery date from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025, which will result in the cancellation of the nine inaugural sailings,” Princess said in a news release .

Guests whose cruises are impacted will be able to rebook on any Princess ship and, depending on which sailing they pick, receive future cruise and onboard credits. They will also be able to opt for a full refund of their fare instead.

“Despite our collective dedication and relentless pursuit to deliver the ship in late July, it has become evident that additional time is required to ensure the Star Princess is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests,” Princess Cruises President John Padgett said in the release.

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

The ship’s new inaugural itineraries will include 11 and seven-day Mediterranean cruises on Oct. 4 and 15, 2025, respectively. Those will be followed by a two-week transatlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Oct. 22, 2025.

Those sailings will be available to book on April 30.

Star Princess will be the second in the line’s Sphere Class. Sister ship Sun Princess was also delayed ahead of its launch earlier this year, with Princess citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Princess Cruises Unveils Exclusive New Sanctuary Collection Aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess

New category offers unprecedented level of exclusivity and premium extras aboard newest ships from princess.

By downloading this image you agree to the Princess asset use terms and conditions

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 24, 2023) – Elevating the art of relaxation and serenity, Princess Cruises is introducing the exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess, as these newest ships prepare to debut with this select, all-inclusive oasis in October 2024.

As the name suggests, guests reserving in the Sanctuary Collection enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top deck retreat area, along with a host of additional and high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage. These indulgences include exclusive private dining and relaxation areas, a luxurious stateroom experience, as well as the Princess Premier bundle to round out the all-inclusive allure of the Sanctuary experience. Princess Premier offerings include:

Premier Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $20, champagne by the glass, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine)
Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for up to 4 devices
Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities)
Two nights of specialty dining
Unlimited prix fixe meals at any casual dining location
Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation
Complimentary Room Service
"Green Lane" Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included)
Reserved seating in the Princess Theater
Unlimited boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab)
Unlimited premium crafted desserts
Unlimited premium fresh juices
Unlimited Digital Photo package / Princess Prizes

Aboard Sun Princess, the luxurious, spa-inspired, top-deck Sanctuary Club, is now reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests who access the private entry via their Princess Medallion. In the adults-only (16 and up) area, guests enjoy plush lounge furniture, private cabanas, pool and jacuzzi, attentive service, soothing music, refreshing beverages, and light fare. The Club also features exclusive programming, including sunrise yoga classes and sail-away receptions.

Other Sanctuary Collection amenities include priority specialty restaurant reservations, and premium stateroom amenities.

The new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess includes three levels of stateroom types – Signature Collection Suites (80), Mini Suites (123), and Premium Deluxe Balconies (12).

“Our new Sanctuary Collection offers guests those ultra-private, tucked away spaces that rival any high-end resort and surpasses the offerings of comparable cruise lines featuring similar ship-within-a-ship amenities,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “With spacious and well-appointed accommodations, along with an array of premium extras and its exclusivity, our new Sanctuary Collection delivers the ultimate in access and indulgence to deliver an unparalleled experience.”

Sanctuary Collection staterooms go on sale today and are available starting with the Oct. 14, 2024 voyage on Sun Princess, and the Oct. 4, 2025 voyage on Star Princess. Guests who have booked as of April 23, 2024 and have already reserved Sanctuary Collection staterooms on either ship will receive the additional amenities outlined at no additional cost, excluding the Premier bundle.

The 177,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess offers an array of exciting new culinary and entertainment offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories. With the most balconies and sun decks on any Princess ship, guests can take in the sunshine and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom.

Additional information about Princess Cruises and the new Sanctuary Collection is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com .

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Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

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Princess Cruises Cancels 9 Sailings on Its Newest Ship After Inaugural Voyage Gets Delayed

What to know if you've booked a trip that's now been canceled.

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has pushed back the inauguration of its newest ship and canceled several sailings for next year in the process.

The cruise line delayed the delivery of its next ship, the Star Princess , by about two months, pushing the start date from July 29, 2025, to Sept. 26, 2025, according to the company . The setback means Princess has been forced to cancel nine different cruises.

“Despite our collective dedication and relentless pursuit to deliver the ship in late July, it has become evident that additional time is required to ensure the Star Princess is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests,” John Padgett, the president of Princess Cruises, said in a statement.

Travelers who were set to sail with the company on the brand-new ship can either receive a full refund of the cruise fare or choose to rebook on a future cruise and receive an onboard credit, which will depend on the cruise they choose.

Passengers can rebook on any Princess cruise, including a future cruise on the Star Princess or on the Sun Princess , which launched this year.

Going forward, Princess will schedule its new inaugural voyage for the Star Princess on Oct. 4, 2025, sailing an 11-day route along the Mediterranean roundtrip from Barcelona. That will be followed by a 7-day trip on the Mediterranean on Oct. 15 and a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 22. The ship will then spend time in the Caribbean.

These cruises open for sale on April 30.

When finished, the Star Princess will feature room for 4,300 guests across 21 decks, and come complete with more than 29 different bars and restaurants, a multi-level glass-enclosed covered deck called The Dome, a two-story spa, an infinity pool, and more. The ship will be the second in Princess’ Sphere Class of ships, joining the Sun Princess .

Cruise Availability: How to Find Sold-Out Cruises Easily

Should I book my cruise early or late in 2020? Is the Carnival Liberty cruise ship still available? When to book a cruise to Mexico? Is it already too late to book a 3-day cruise? These are common cruise questions that often stay unanswered.

To help you find the best cruise opportunities and understand when is the right time to book a cruise, we rely on data. We analyzed over 40 000 US cruises in the past years to help answer your questions and built a real-time cruise availability feature to save your time, money and energy during your cruise search.

Our real-time cruise availability feature: What is it and how does it work?

When will your cruise be sold-out our key findings, how to profit from cruisewatch cruise vacancy feature.

Our real time cruise availability feature or cruise vacancy prediction feature is the first and only service out there that helps you check if your preferred cruise is and will remain available in the next few weeks. In other words, if you are worried about booking your cruise too late or too early, this is the perfect service for you as it gives you recommendations about the right time to book your cruise. But how does it work, you wonder?

This added feature is based on the analysis of a massive data pool collected over the years, allowing our Artificial Intelligence to use machine and deep learning to not only process thousands of cruise deals, ships, and cabins daily, but also predict their sell-out probability very accurately and in real time.

By combining the power of big data, AI and machine learning, we made our model predict which cruise ships, sailings and cabin types are already very likely to sell out within the next 10 weeks! So get a pen and paper, save your notes, your time and your money.

Is your cruise sold out soon?

When it comes to sailing, one thing is to find the best cruise destination , so you can explore the most beautiful places that the world has to offer. But to find your dream cruise, you also need to take into account what the best cruise lines and cruise ships out there have to offer.

Once you have completed that search, it is now time to book. And wouldn't life be so much easier if you knew exactly the best time to book your cruise? To guide you, here is a ranking predicting the current top destinations, cruise lines, cruise ships and cabin types that are soon to be sold-out, based on data from the past 3 months.

Cruise destinations availability prediction

It is no surprise that the most attractive cruise destinations are booked very fast. According to our results, about 50% of all cruises that are likely to be sold out are sailing to... the Caribbean . This region is very popular, and right behind it are cruises to the Orient, to South America, and to the Mediterranean Sea.

If you are worried about missing out, you can check out the best cruise deals to the Caribbean , the Orient, South America and the Mediterranean Sea that are still available for booking.

Cruise lines and cruise ships availability prediction

Top sold-out cruise lines and cruise ships

World brands like MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines or Royal Caribbean are among the cruise lines that will sell out in the upcoming weeks.

Accordingly, MSC Grandiosa, Carnival Imagination or Pride of America are in the top ten of ships with sailings at cabin level that will likely sell out within the next weeks. As a consequence, not only are these cruise lines and ships popular, many of them come out with their best deals when itineraries first go on sale, and then raise their prices as the ships sell out. Make sure to check their terms and conditions before booking too.

But you don't have to endure that when trying to aboard your preferred ship. Check out MSC Cruises , Carnival Cruise Lines , Norwegian Cruise Lines or Princess Cruises and ships that are still available for booking.

Cabin type availability prediction

Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not always the suites that sell out in advance: Interior cabins have the highest probability of being sold out, followed closely by suites and finally with less probability, ocean view, and balcony.

Spot soon to be sold-out cruises easily

We built this feature to help you optimize your cruise search. Combined with our AI-based price prediction service, use it to gain more control in making informed decisions and find the perfect sailing for your next cruise vacation. Here is how to use it in a few simple steps :

Start your cruise search in the “find a cruise” tab

Set up a price alert to get the best cruise deals on your preferred cruise by touching the alert bell.

When opening the details of your cruise, scroll down to see the price details. This gives you information about price fluctuation history, allowing you to determine when to book at the best price. Below the price details you can find the vacancy prediction feature which automatically gives you real-time recommendations about your booking.

Cruise vacancy prediction feature screenshot

You are now prepared to set sail, cruiser! Share this tip with other cruise enthusiasts by clicking the social media buttons at the top of the page. For more tips about planning your next cruise check out the below recommendations.

Published on February 18, 2020.

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Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

I was rushing to make my dinner reservation on Princess Cruises’ new ship. But when I arrived at the restaurant, the view made me stop.

From the windows at the sushi eatery Makoto Ocean – part of a sphere-shaped structure near the middle of the vessel – I saw the sun sinking below the horizon, a reddish-orange dot on the Mediterranean Sea. The Sun Princess facilitates scenes like that by design.

“We wanted to make sure that within how we designed the (venues) and placed the furniture, we gave maximum opportunity for our guests to be able to celebrate those outward views,” Denise Saviss, Princess’ vice president of entertainment experience, told USA TODAY. “It is really, really unique to have so much glass on the ship.”

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That was one of several striking features during a recent sailing (the ship is now cruising the Mediterranean before it moves to the Caribbean in October). Here are three takeaways from the first in the line’s aptly named Sphere Class.

1. The design showcases views at sea and in port

Makoto isn’t the only venue that offers that kind of view.

Other spaces inside the Sphere – which also houses lobby-slash-entertainment venue The Piazza – feature similarly sweeping vistas across decks 7, 8 and 9. I watched the light sparkle on the water while I sipped coffee one morning at International Café, and patrons dining at Alfredo’s Pizzeria can take in the scenery during their meal from many seats.

That’s also true elsewhere on the ship. At Horizons Dining Room, floor-to-ceiling windows face the ship’s wake. At the other end of the vessel, the Dome, a geodesic structure that Princess has said was inspired by the hills of Santorini, is like a massive solarium.

The space – which will also host shows including acrobatics – has multiple tiers of loungers, an indoor-outdoor pool and the Cascade Bar (which comes in handy for cooling off, as it felt a bit muggy in the Dome at one point on a sunny sea day).

The overall effect helped to bring the outside in.

2. The ship is bigger but still intimate

Sun Princess is the largest ship in the Princess fleet, and the 21-deck vessel can accommodate 4,300 guests. But that doesn’t mean everything is huge.

Given the scale of the offerings, a number of spaces on board feel notably intimate. One night, I walked to Good Spirits at Sea, a cocktail bar crafted in partnership with mixologist Rob Floyd that also hosts classes, and thought I was lost before stumbling upon it tucked around a corner on Deck 7. Inside, the 40-person venue offered a laid-back alternative to other more boisterous nightlife options.

On Deck 9, the ship’s buffet-like venue, The Eatery, gives way to narrower hallways toward the aft with backlit wood paneling and benches. At the end, they open back up to reveal specialty restaurants The Catch by Rudi and The Butcher’s Block by Dario (from Princess’ head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin, and in partnership with famed butcher Dario Cecchini, respectively).

Even the multi-configuration Princess Arena felt cozier than its near-1,000-guest capacity would suggest. I sat in the second-to-last row of my section for a performance by the vocal group ODY·C and was still close enough to see clearly.

3. The line leans into family-friendly activities

Part of Sun Princess’ expanded footprint has been used to broaden the line’s family offerings.

Park19, a new space on the ship’s top decks, features a variety of activities in an open-air setting. Saviss said the line worked to balance the interests of core customers and a growing family market “and make sure we're prioritizing spaces that everybody can enjoy.”

“There are some attractions that I think naturally, at first blush, people would say, ‘Oh, it's just for kids,’ but actually, the space is really comprehensive,” she said. “Our attractions are available for many different levels of ability and mobility.”

Those include Coastal Climb, an obstacle course that culminates in 360-degree views from The Lookout observation deck (the highest point accessible to guests on the ship, also reachable via elevator) and The Net ropes course.

On Sea Breeze, billed as the first Rollglider on a cruise ship, passengers will glide along the outer edges of the ship on an electric track (the ride will also be ADA-accessible, though Saviss said some mobility is required for maneuvering into the seat).

It’s as close as the ship gets to an amusement park (Princess’ version). “We're not running the rat race, if you will, of like, who can do it bigger, better,” Saviss said. “If you want to just have a really incredible bird's-eye view of Sun Princess, and in and around where the ship is sailing, you can do that. But there is an option to push a little lever while you're riding it and dial up the speed a bit faster, and then it does become a bit more thrilling.”

The ride was not yet available when I was on board, as the line moved through a testing, certification and training process, but is expected to open on April 27. Sun Princess’ original launch was delayed with the cruise line citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard, which pushed back the opening of some onboard amenities.

When is the best time to take a cruise?: We broke it down by region.

There is also a hammock area to chill when guests need a break, a recreational court that can host activities from pingpong to morning meditation, a jogging track and more. Elsewhere on board, guests will find the Firefly Park kids club and hangout spaces Neon Grove and The Underground for tweens and teens, respectively.

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Princess Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.