Star Princess, the newest vessel in Princess Cruises’ sphere-class fleet, arrived in Seattle on May 3 to begin its inaugural Alaska season. The 177,800-ton ship will operate 20 weekly roundtrip voyages from Pier 91 through September 13, sailing the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, with glacier viewing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
The ship accommodates 4,300 guests and joins Royal Princess, which runs a parallel weekly Alaska itinerary from the same pier. Together they anchor what Princess Cruises is billing as its largest-ever Alaska program: eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations across the 2026 season.
The arrival was marked with a maritime plaque exchange at Pier 91 attended by Captain Gennaro Arma, Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha, and port operations partners. A drone show at Seattle Center on May 1 preceded the formal ceremony.
Princess Cruises used the debut to announce a round of charitable contributions to Southeast Alaska communities. The largest, $100,000, goes toward rebuilding the Joseph T. Craig American Legion Post 3 in Ketchikan, destroyed by arson — a joint commitment with Holland America Line. Juneau Flukes received $25,000 for whale research, the Skagway Childcare Council $25,000 for childcare access, and Sitka Trail Works $10,000 for trail maintenance.
The onboard Alaska programming includes appearances by Iditarod champions, local lumberjacks, and Glacier Bay Park Rangers, alongside Alaska seafood menus and regional shore excursions. The format runs across all eight Princess ships operating in Alaska this season.
Alaska remains the line’s flagship seasonal market, and the sphere-class debut in Seattle consolidates its position as the dominant cruise operator in the region.
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