Princess Cruises’ newest Sphere class ship blends familiar comfort with innovation. We find a line evolving with confidence – without losing its signature touch of casual luxury

I was lucky enough to board Star Princess for one of its first sailings only a few months after cruising on Discovery Princess, the final iteration of Princess Cruises’ preceding generation of ships, the Royal class. That recent comparison proved invaluable.

Star Princess, the second vessel in the new Sphere class after 2024’s Sun Princess, marks a clear evolution for the brand: larger, sleeker and more imaginative, yet still unmistakably Princess. It can be a challenge for a line to scale up without losing intimacy or warmth, but Star Princess manages both.

The ship carries 4,300 guests – around 20 per cent more than its Royal class predecessors – yet rarely feels crowded. Light and space define the experience, reflecting Princess Cruises’ evolution toward modern, resort-style design while maintaining its “casual luxury” DNA.

With Star Princess, Princess Cruises has built on everything that worked well in the Royal class, addressing niggles and introducing meaningful innovations that improve day-to-day life at sea. At the heart of the ship lies The Sphere, a vast glass-enveloped atrium that floods the central Piazza with daylight.

The Sphere is not the only change in the Piazza – the number of surrounding venues has been streamlined, giving the ship’s central hub a more spacious and uncongested feel. Bellini’s Cocktail Bar becomes the Piazza’s social heart, while O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Good Spirits at Sea now occupy their own dedicated spaces, creating a more intimate ambience than the open-plan versions found on Discovery Princess.

The colour palette continues the Princess tradition of blues, creams and coppers, but textures are richer and finishes sharper. The result is a ship that feels more contemporary without alienating long-time loyalists.

Among the standout new features of the Sphere class is The Dome, a striking spherical glass structure designed by creative agency ICRAVE – the same studio behind the interiors of Las Vegas’s Sphere. By day, it’s a calm, light-filled pool deck perfect for lounging; by night it transforms into an immersive performance venue. The Dome leads into the Sea View Terrace, a pool, bar and lounging area sitting towards the bow of the ship.

In addition to being one of the best spots for panoramic sea vistas, this additional pool area also relieves pressure on the Lido Deck, giving the main pools a more peaceful feel. Another talking point is Spellbound by Magic Castle, a partnership with Hollywood’s private members’ club. Also present on Sun Princess, this speakeasy-style lounge combines close-up illusion with cocktails and theatrical flair.

Other changes, while smaller in scale, benefit the cruising experience greatly: the new smart lifts make moving around the ship quicker, and the staterooms and suites have been thoughtfully updated.

The accommodation on Star Princess has taken a step forward compared to the previous generation of ships. Gone are the walk-in wardrobes that, while spacious, could give the stateroom a messy feel after a few days. In their place is enclosed storage that keeps cabins neat and visually uncluttered. In the bathrooms, the shower curtains, a long-standing niggle with some guests, have finally been replaced with proper glass doors. The main beds are wonderfully plush.

The one slight downside: the sofa-bed’s mattress is on the firm side and would benefit from a topper. Still, the comfort level is overall excellent, and the look polished and contemporary. A key evolution in the accommodation offering is the introduction of Sanctuary Collection staterooms and suites, signalling a more exclusive version of the Sanctuary concept.

The Sanctuary Club, once an adults-only pool and bar space available on a first-come-first-served basis for a fee, becomes an exclusive area for Sanctuary Collection guests. Sanctuary accommodation also comes with access to the Sanctuary Restaurant and the Princess Premier package, which covers Wi-Fi, gratuities, drinks and speciality dining. As a light-hearted touch, guests can ring a bell after 3pm at the Sanctuary Club to receive a glass of Champagne.

With 30 venues across the ship, Princess Cruises has expanded its range of dining and drinking options while maintaining quality. Two main dining rooms – Aurora and Celestial – anchor the complimentary offering, joined by the buffet-style Eatery on Deck 9 and the Americana Diner.

The Eatery now extends onto an open promenade with sea-view tables, creating one of the most pleasant informal dining spots on board. Pizza, tacos, burgers, hot dogs and salads available poolside on the Lido Deck are also included in the fare. The speciality offering has been expanded: The Catch by Rudi, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Crown Grill and Makoto Ocean remain firm favourites, joined by newcomers to the Sphere class: The Butcher’s Block by Dario, Umai Teppanyaki and Love by Britto. The latter, a pop-art-themed venue, developed with artist Romero Britto, is arguably the fleet’s most romantic dining experience.

As for drinking options, guests won’t go thirsty with more than 10 choices around the ship. Many old favourites are back, including Good Spirits at Sea, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Crooners and Bellini’s, while the Sea View Bar (aft of The Dome) and the Cascade Bar (within The Dome) are exclusive to Star Princess and Sun Princess.

Service quality often wobbles during a new-ship launch, but not here. The crew were polished and confident from day one – friendly without being over‑familiar, and clearly well-versed in the new layout. Facilities are extensive.

Beyond the spa, gym and beauty salon, the retail space now spans two decks and features more than 200 brands. A new sports court and running track occupy Deck 19, while the casino introduces an expanded smoke-free zone.

The ship’s technological core is equally impressive. Star Princess is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and uses Azipod propulsion – electric pods that rotate 360 degrees beneath the hull. This configuration reduces vibration and noise, making the ship remarkably quiet.

The main Princess Arena theatre debuts with two original shows – Meridian and Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy – both created with Black Skull Creative. The scale of staging, sound and lighting feels close to a West End standard. Elsewhere, entertainment spills out across the ship.

The Piazza hosts the 15-piece Princess World Orchestra for Princess Jamz concerts, while the Celestial Champagne Soirée combines multimedia visuals with a Champagne Waterfall. At The Dome, the Candlelight Concert Series turns sea days into something quietly spectacular, mixing classical and modern music beneath a canopy of stars.