Princess Cruises is going bigger, confirming an order for three next-generation ships that will become the largest in its fleet.
The new vessels, part of a fresh “Voyager-class” design, will build on the line’s existing Sphere-class ships, including Sun Princess and Star Princess. Deliveries are scheduled for 2035, 2038 and 2039.
According to the cruise line, each ship will measure 183,000 gross tonnes and carry around 4,700 guests, marking a notable step up in scale for the brand. They will be constructed by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Italy.
For travellers, the focus remains on evolving the onboard experience. Princess says the ships will combine its most popular venues with redesigned outdoor spaces, updated staterooms and a reworked Piazza hub.
The new class will also continue the shift towards lower-emission cruising, running primarily on liquefied natural gas. This aligns with broader fleet upgrades across parent company Carnival Corporation, which already has orders for 18 other LNG-based vessels.
While full design details are still to come, the order signals long-term confidence in cruise demand and a continued push into larger, more feature-rich ships. It also reflects how cruise lines are balancing scale with experience, aiming to attract both repeat cruisers and first-timers with more choice on board.
“The Voyager class will delight both our loyal guests and attract the next generation of Princess guests,” Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha states.
“We have been leveraging extensive customer and agent research to strike the right balance between evolving our proven winners and introducing new concepts and partnerships grounded in what matters to our current and future guests.
“From exceptional dining and inviting pool environments to elevated entertainment and beautifully reimagined spaces throughout the ship, we are leaving no area untouched as we thoughtfully evolve the Princess experience.”
Fincantieri CEO and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero says the deal “confirms the strength of a long-standing and forward-looking partnership”.
“With the new Voyager-class ships, we are once again leveraging Fincantieri’s distinctive expertise in sustainable, next-generation shipbuilding, supporting Princess Cruises in its growth trajectory and reaffirming our role as a trusted industrial partner for the evolution of the cruise industry.”
Princess Cruises will homeport three ships in Australia for the 2027-28 summer season with Royal Princess, Grand Princess and Sapphire Princess sailing in Australia and New Zealand, making it the cruise line’s biggest fleet Down Under to date. Read more about that here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Princess Cruises is doubling down on scale, but the play is still experience-led. Bigger ships mean more onboard choice, which should give travel advisors a stronger sell – especially for multigenerational and first-time cruisers.
