HERE COMES THE SUN: Princess gives a glimpse of the new ship

Horizons Dining Room rendering

Princess Cruises has revealed a first glimpse of the most contemporary and state-of-the-art designs imaged yet onboard Sun Princess – the cruise line’s newest and most innovative ship, which is scheduled to debut in early 2024.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the largest Princess ship ever constructed, accommodating 4,000 guests, embraces Italian heritage by featuring a newly designed, brand-iconic Piazza and The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini. While introducing a completely new class of ships for the cruise line, Sun Princess also remains true to the smooth clean lines and design aesthetics of the cruise line’s famous Seawitch icon and popularized in the original “Love Boat” TV series.

Featuring bright designs inspired by rays of sunlight and next-level expanded spaces, the ship will also include a state-of-the art theatre, the cruise line’s largest casino, and Horizons Dining Room, a three-story dining venue.

A first for Princess, the Horizons Dining will offer wake views and natural light highlights a decorative sculpture that stretches from deck 6 to deck 8. The three decks will each have their own personalities, offer different dining experiences and range in levels of formality.

Contemporary and versatile, the Princess Arena is an evolution and the most technologically advanced Princess Theatre design. Upon entering, guests will be drawn to a stunning visual above the central stage which can become part of the show. A radical ceiling accentuates the Arena’s in-the-round configuration with soft curved walls that allude to the movement of the tide. With moveable seats and capacity of a little more than 1,000 people, three configurations will maximize sight lines, as technological capabilities deliver a truly captivating experience.

Additional signature favourites with new designs and décor include:

Alfredo’s Pizzeria – This charming favorite that has been named “Best Pizza at Sea” will once again have an open kitchen design, allowing guests to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand and serve them straight out of them oven. New to the kitchen is a professional, open-mouth oven that reaches 968 degrees F., allowing chefs to create truly authentic contemporary Neapolitan pizza.

Princess Casino – The largest Princess casino in both size and number of gaming positions will be in the Piazza, featuring over 200 of the newest and most popular slots and video poker games.

Crown Grill – A classic steakhouse with modern touches, including leather booths, circular seating and modern artwork; plus, guests can see their food being prepared in the largest show galley on a Princess ship.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – Serving a modern, casual but elegant Italian dining experience, the newly imagined Sabatini’s offers handmade pasta courses prepared fresh daily. The restaurant is designed with intimate bistro-style nooks and a dramatic circular main room.

Princess Live! – Combining the design elements of Princess Live! and Explorer’s Lounge, guests can take part in cruise activities like game shows, trivia and the daily Wake Show. The lounge features a mixture of comfortable loose and fixed seating with full beverage service, a semi-open façade, and large LED screen on stage.

The Shops of Princess – With five retail locations, plus an art gallery, The Shops of Princess get a makeover on Sun Princess and guests will find a lifestyle boutique, a new bazaar featuring destination-specific selections, plus jewellery, watches, cosmetics fragrances and a modern art gallery.

Additional spaces with new designs, signage and décor will include Crooner’s, Wheelhouse Bar, International Cafe, Good Spirits and Gelateria.

Sun Princess will also feature the exclusive Princess Medallion experience that offer guests personalized service only previously found on the industry’s smallest ships.

Part of Carnival Corporation’s green cruising focus, Sun Princess will be the first Princess ship and one of 11 new vessels in the corporate fleet powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest fossil fuel.

“With the construction of any new ship, we have the incredible opportunity to design standout spaces with our guests’ preferences in mind,” says Princess Cruises president John Padgett. “With the new platform and size of Sun Princess, we’re uniquely able to refresh venues we know our guests love and expand upon, redesign and elevate them to the next level. We know our sun-inspired designs will exceed expectations and elevate the entire Princess experience.”

The 2024 Sun Princess inaugural cruise season in the Mediterranean is now available for booking.