Princess Cruises has delayed the Star Princess launch, affecting nine inaugural sailings due to construction delays.
- Star Princess’s delivery from Fincantieri has shifted from 29 July 2025 to 26 September 2025.
- John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, cited the need for additional time to meet high standards as the reason for delay.
- New sailings will begin in October 2025 with Mediterranean and transatlantic voyages.
- Affected guests receive options to rebook or obtain a refund, with protected travel agent commissions.
The anticipated arrival of the Star Princess has been postponed, as Princess Cruises announces a delay impacting nine initial sailings. This decision follows a detailed review of the ship’s construction progress at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Originally, the vessel was scheduled for delivery on 29 July 2025. However, the timeline has now shifted to 26 September 2025.
In a statement, John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, explained that the decision to postpone was made despite the concerted efforts to meet the initial deadline. He emphasised that the additional time would ensure that the Star Princess aligns with the high standards anticipated by guests. Padgett stated, “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.”
Passengers initially booked on the disrupted itineraries are now offered three primary choices: to book any cruise across the Princess fleet worldwide, including future voyages on the Star Princess, its sister ship Sun Princess, or any other vessel in the lineup. Furthermore, rebooked guests will obtain cruise and onboard credits depending on their selected voyage. Alternatively, guests can opt for a full refund of their cruise fare.
The revised inaugural schedule for the Star Princess is slated to commence with roundtrip voyages from Barcelona. This includes an 11-day Mediterranean cruise starting on 4 October 2025, followed by a seven-day Mediterranean voyage on 15 October 2025. These sailings precede a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale beginning on 22 October 2025, marking the vessel’s introduction to the Caribbean cruise season.
Princess Cruises has assured that travel agent commissions will be safeguarded for all bookings completed in full. This gesture reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining positive relationships with its partners amidst the unforeseen changes.
Princess Cruises remains committed to delivering a high-standard experience despite the necessary adjustments to the Star Princess’s launch schedule.
