Star Princess Review (Nov 2025)
Sailed on by Cruiseco November 2025
Cruise Line: Princess
Ship Class: Sphere Class
Best For: Couples | Premium Travellers | First-time Princess guests
Reviewed: November 2025 by the Cruiseco Team
Star Princess currently sails in Alaska and the Caribbean with a repositioning voyage through the Panama Canal at the change of seasons.
Quick Verdict
Best For: Couples, premium travellers, food-focused cruisers.
Not Ideal For: Travellers seeking high energy attractions like waterslides or theme park style ships.
Star Princess represents the next generation of Princess Cruises, combining a more contemporary design with a strong focus on dining, relaxation and destination-focused cruising. While it doesn’t try to compete with the “high-adrenaline” ships in the market, it delivers a refined, well-balanced experience that will appeal strongly to Australian travellers looking for comfort, quality and ease.
What we Loved
- The ship feels noticeably more modern than older Princess vessels
- Dining options are a standout, with more variety and flexibility.
- The MedallionClass technology adds genuine convenience without feeling intrusive
- Public spaces are well-designed, with a good mix of social and quieter areas
- Strong balance between onboard experience and destination focus
- The Magic Castle experience was a cruise highlight!
Things to Know
- As a brand-new ship, popular sailings will book quickly, especially balcony cabins
- Peak areas such as the pool deck and buffet can still get busy during sea days
- Entertainment is more refined than high-energy, not designed around thrill attractions
- Dining flexibility is excellent, but popular times and venues can fill quickly
- Premium areas (such as suite-level spaces) offer a noticeably upgraded experience
- Still some Princess quirks, for instance, challenges to navigate forward to aft on the one deck at times
Ship Overview
Star Princess is part of Princess Cruises’ new Sphere Class, a step forward in ship design that focuses on:
- Modern layouts
- Expanded dining options
- Enhanced technology
- Improved guest flow and public spaces
While the ship offers all the core elements Princess is known for, it delivers them in a more contemporary and upmarket environment.
Cabins
Cabins on Star Princess are designed with comfort and practicality in mind.
- Balcony cabins will be the most popular choice for Australian travellers, especially on longer itineraries
- Interior cabins still offer good value for shorter cruises or budget-conscious travellers
- Suites and Sanctuary Collection accommodations provide access to upgraded spaces and additional inclusions
Overall: a strong mix of value and premium options depending on traveller type
We sailed in a Deluxe Balcony cabin and since we were on board for the launch sailing, everything was shiny and new! The colour and decor is light and there is a good amount of space for two passengers. The bathroom with glass doored shower was well sized for the cabin type. We were happy with the storage space available
Dining
Dining is one of the biggest strengths of Star Princess:
- Multiple venues with flexible dining times
- Strong variety across included and specialty experiences
- Improved quality and presentation compared to previous generations
Tip: We recommend pre-booking preferred dining times where possible
As well as the included dining, we dined in The Butchers Block by Dario, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Makoto Ocean. All provided an enjoyable dining experience and high quality food. We’d heartily recommend all of them!
Entertainment
- Focus is on live shows, music and immersive experiences
- More refined than high-energy cruise lines
- Designed to complement, not dominate, the overall experience
Highlights for us were the Irish duo performing nightly in O’Malley’s Irish Pub. As Australian’s, the atmosphere here was a real highlight. The Sphere was transformed into a candelight performance area and the visual impact of candles reflected from the glass sphere was very impressive. The arena show was enjoyable but the highlight by far was Spellbound by the Magic Castle. This was a really enjoyable experience that left us guessing!
Overall Onboard Experience
- A relaxed, premium atmosphere
- Plenty of choice without feeling overwhelming
- Well-suited to travellers who want balance rather than constant activity
Cruising in the Caribbean allowed us to make the most of the outdoor space and this environment is where the space shined. There are enough pools and spas to allow passengers to spread out. The main pool deck was busy, but enjoyable and well serviced with F&B. The Sphere itself has a multi-purpose floor including an indoor/outdoor pool. This area would be perfect in a cooler climate like Alaska. The pool at the Wake View Terrace (Deck 8, Aft) was a great spot for sailaway leaving Nassau.
Who This Ship Is Best For
Ideal for:
- Couples and adult travellers
- First-time cruisers wanting a comfortable, easy experience
- Travellers who value dining and destinations over onboard thrills
- Guests looking for a more modern Princess product
Less suited for:
- Families with young kids seeking high-energy attractions
- Travellers wanting waterslides, theme-park style activities
- Guests looking for ultra-luxury small-ship experiences
Final Verdict
Star Princess is a significant step forward for Princess Cruises, offering a more modern and refined onboard experience without losing the brand’s strength in itinerary-driven cruising. For Australian travellers, it presents a strong option in the premium segment, particularly for those who prioritise great dining, comfortable surroundings and a well-balanced cruise experience.
Ready to experience Star Princess? Click here to view all her sailings.