Sphere class
Class overview
BuildersFincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
OperatorsPrincess Cruises
Preceded byRoyal class
Built2021–present
In service2024–[1]
Planned2[2]
On order1
Building1
Completed0
General characteristics
TypeCruise ship
Tonnage175,000 GT
Length345.3 m (1,132 ft 10 in)[3][4]
Installed powerDual-fueled LNG power[5]
Capacity4,300 passengers[6]

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.[7]

Design and construction

The ships have a capacity of about 4,300 passengers and will be powered by LNG with a gross tonnage of about 175,000 GT. Steel was cut for the first ship at Fincantieri in September 2021. The second ship is planned to be completed in 2025.[8] 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.[9] First float took place on March 8th 2023 at the Fincantieri shipyard (Monfalcone, Italy).

Ships in class

Name Gross tonnageCapacityBuilder
Sun Princess [10] 175,000 GT 4,300 passengers Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Star Princess [11] 175,000 GT 4,300 passengers Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy

References

  1. ↑ "Princess Cruises to Build Two Next Generation LNG Cruise Ships". Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. July 23, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Fincantieri Starts Construction of New 'Sphere' Class Ship for Princess Cruises". Cruise Industry News. September 3, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Sun Princess Cruise Ship, USA". ShipTechnology. March 15, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE (March 8, 2023). "Fincantieri Floats Its First LNG and Largest Cruise Ship Sun Princess". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ "FINCANTIERI: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW "SPHERE" CLASS SHIP FOR PRINCESS CRUISES BEGINS". Fincantieri.com. Fincantieri S.p.A. September 3, 2021.
  6. ↑ Sloan, Gene (July 23, 2018). "Princess Cruises joins list of cruise lines ordering giant new ships". USA TODAY.
  7. ↑ "Next Princess Ship Set to Be Named Sun Princess, Debut Spring 2024".
  8. ↑ Thakkar, Emrys. "Construction Begins on First Sphere-Class Princess Cruise Ship". Cruise Hive LTD.
  9. ↑ "Princess Sphere Class Cruise - Ship Review - Photos & Departure Ports on Cruise Critic". www.cruisecritic.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  10. ↑ "Next Princess Ship Set to Be Named Sun Princess, Debut Spring 2024".
  11. ↑ "Second Sphere-class ship, Star Princess, to debut August 2025".
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