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Sphere-class cruise ship

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Sphere class
Sun Princess at Piraeus, 2024
Class overview
BuildersFincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
OperatorsPrincess Cruises
Preceded byRoyal class
Built2021–present
In service2024–present[1]
Planned2[2]
Building1
Completed1
General characteristics
TypeCruise ship
Tonnage175,000 GT
Length345.3 m (1,132 ft 10 in)
Beam47 m (154 ft 2 in)
Decks21
Installed powerDual-fueled LNG power
Capacity4,300 passengers
Crew1,500

The Sphere-class cruise ship is a class of cruise ships currently under construction that will enter service with Princess Cruises in February 2024. They will be the largest ships built for Princess Cruises and the company's first ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The first name was revealed to be Sun Princess.[3]

Design and construction

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In July 2018, Fincantieri announced it signed a memorandum of agreement with Princess Cruises, for the construction of two cruise ships with a gross tonnage of 175,000 GT, the largest ships built in Italy. The deliveries were planned for late 2023 and early 2025.[4] The construction was to take place at Monfalcone. The signing of the final contracts was announced in March 2019.[5]

The ships have a capacity of about 4,300 passengers[6] and will be primarily powered by LNG.[7] The vessels measure 345.3 metres (1,132 ft 10 in) long[8][9] with a beam of 47 m (154 ft 2 in). The ships have 2,157 cabins and are served by a crew of 1,500.[10]

Steel was cut for the first ship by Fincantieri in September 2021. The second ship is planned to be completed in 2025.[11] It will be the largest ship ever built in Italy, eclipsing MSC Cruises' recently launched flagship MSC Seashore, which currently holds the record at 170,412 gross tons.[12] The first float-out took place on 8 March 2023.[13] Sun Princess was delivered on 14 February 2024.[10] There were technical issues aboard the ship after entering service, delaying its first port of call.[14][15][16]

In April 2024, Princess announced that the delivery of the Star Princess will be delayed by two months.[17] The ship was launched in September.[18]

Ships in class

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Name  Gross tonnage Capacity Builder
Sun Princess[3] 175,000 GT 4,300 passengers Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Star Princess[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Princess Cruises to Build Two Next Generation LNG Cruise Ships" (Press release). Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. 23 July 2018.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Fincantieri Starts Construction of New 'Sphere' Class Ship for Princess Cruises". Cruise Industry News. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Next Princess Ship Set to Be Named Sun Princess, Debut Spring 2024". Cruise Industry News. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  4. ^ "2 Next-Generation LNG Ships for Princess Cruises" (Press release). 23 July 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Princess Cruises and Fincantieri Sign Contract For Two Next-Generation Cruise Ships" (Press release). 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  6. ^ Sloan, Gene (23 July 2018). "Princess Cruises joins list of cruise lines ordering giant new ships". USA Today. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Fincantieri: Construction of New "Sphere" Class Ship for Princess Cruises Begins" (Press release). Fincantieri S.p.A. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Sun Princess Cruise Ship, USA". Ship Technology. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Fincantieri Floats Its First LNG and Largest Cruise Ship Sun Princess". The Maritime Executive. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  10. ^ a b Groizeleau, Vincent (15 February 2024). "Fincantieri livre le paquebot Sun Princess" [Fincantieri delivers the Sun Princess liner]. Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  11. ^ Thakkar, Emrys (3 September 2021). "Construction Begins on First Sphere-Class Princess Cruise Ship". Cruise Hive. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  12. ^ Williamson, Jeanine. "Sun Princess Review". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Sun Princess Floats Out at Fincantieri". Cruise Industry News. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Technical Delays Lead to Change in Sun Princess' Itinerary". Cruise Industry Daily. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  15. ^ Princess Cruises, Fincantieri Mutually Agree to Postpone Sun Princess Delivery February 8 Inaugural Voyage Cancelled
  16. ^ Princess Cruises Takes Delivery of New Sun Princess from Fincantieri; Additional Work in Shipyard Required to Support New February 28 Maiden Voyage
  17. ^ Princess and Fincantieri to Delay Star Princess Delivery
  18. ^ https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/shipbuilding-equipment/fincantieri-s-monfalcone-shipyard-floats-out-star-princess
  19. ^ Kalosh, Anne (12 May 2023). "Second Sphere-class ship, Star Princess, to debut August 2025". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
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