Sun Princess (2024)
{{Short description|Sphere-class cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises}}
{{Other ships|Sun Princess (ship)}}
Sun Princess is a {{sclass2|Sphere|cruise ship}} operated by Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, and is the third ship to sail for the cruise line under this name. Sun Princess was ordered on 23 July 2018 from Fincantieri and were constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and had her maiden voyage in 2024.
History
=Construction and delivery=
The final contract of the first two Sphere-class vessels was signed in March 2019. In March 2023, the ship was floated out in Monfalcone, Italy.{{Cite web |title=New Sun Princess Named by Hannah Waddingham |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/03/sun-princess-floats-out-at-fincantieri/ |website=cruiseindustrynews.com |date=2023-03-08}} Sun Princess was seen completing her sea trials in November 2023 and January 2024.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
She had her naming ceremony in the Port of Barcelona being named by Hannah Waddingham on 23 April 2024. The Ted Lasso actress would later participate in an ad campaign where she performs the theme to The Love Boat television series aboard the ship.{{cite web |date=2024-11-22 |author=Brenton Blanchet |title=Hannah Waddingham Takes on The Love Boat Theme for Princess Cruise Ad — and Shares How It Honors Her 108-Year-Old Grandpa |url=https://people.com/hannah-waddingham-cruise-love-boat-8750184|website=People }} Two weeks before her originally expected delivery, a mutual agreement to delay her delivery was announced. The circumstances were not explained. Sun Princess{{'}}s maiden voyage was delayed from 8 February to 28 February 2024.{{Cite web |title=Sun Princess Delivered but Feb. 18 Sailing Cancelled |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/sun-princess-delivered-but-feb-18-sailing-cancelled/ |website=cruiseindustrynews.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/01/princess-cancels-first-sun-princess-cruise/ |title=Princess Cancels First Sun Princess Cruise |website=cruiseindustrynews.com |date=2024-01-24}}
=Operational history=
Sun Princess sailed her maiden voyage on 28 February 2024, setting sail in the Mediterranean.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Sun Princess Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage to the Mediterranean - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/sun-princess-sets-sail-on-maiden-voyage-to-the-mediterranean/ |website=cruiseindustrynews.com}}{{Cite web |title=Sun Princess Cruise News: Sun Princess Arrives in Ft Lauderdale for North American Premiere |url=https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/sun-princess-cruise-news?stay=1&posfrom=1 |website=cruisecritic.co.uk}}
Design and specifications
Sun Princess is the first ship of the Sphere class.{{Cite web |last=Maritime |first=Baird |date=2024-10-24 |title=VESSEL REVIEW {{!}} Sun Princess – Princess Cruises' newest 4,300-guest ship for Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings |url=https://www.bairdmaritime.com/passenger/cruise/vessel-review-sun-princess-princess-cruises-newest-4300-guest-ship-for-mediterranean-and-caribbean-sailings |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Baird Maritime / Work Boat World |language=en}} She measures {{convert|1133|ft|m}} in length, with a beam of {{convert|155|ft}}. The Sphere class has been a major update to the overall design of Princess's ships, featuring a more modern look. Sun Princess also features new glass, dome-like elements visible from the exterior of the vessel.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Holly |date=2024-06-25 |title=Sun Princess: The Best Dining, Amenities and More on Princess Cruises' Newest Ship |url=https://travel.usnews.com/features/princess-cruises-sun-princess-review |website=travel.usnews.com}} Sun Princess is the first Princess ship to be fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) which will persist throughout the Sphere class.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Princess Ships}}
{{List of ships built by Fincantieri}}
Category:Ships built by Fincantieri