Princess Cruises Launches Star Princess for Record Alaska Season
Event summary
- Star Princess, a 177,800-ton Sphere Class ship, debuts in Seattle on May 3, 2026, for its inaugural Alaska season.
- The ship will operate 20 weekly roundtrip voyages from Seattle's Pier 91 through Alaska's Inside Passage until September 13, 2026.
- Princess Cruises is sailing its largest-ever Alaska season in 2026, featuring eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations.
- The company made charitable contributions totaling $150,000 to Alaska communities, including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka.
The big picture
Princess Cruises is doubling down on its dominance in the Alaska cruise market with the debut of Star Princess, its newest and most innovative ship. The 2026 season marks the company's largest-ever deployment in the region, reflecting a strategic focus on premium, destination-specific experiences. The move comes as the cruise industry continues to recover from pandemic-related disruptions, with operators seeking to capitalize on pent-up demand for adventure travel.
What we're watching
- Capacity Utilization
- Whether Star Princess can achieve high occupancy rates during its inaugural season, given the competitive Alaska cruise market.
- Community Impact
- How Princess Cruises' charitable contributions will influence its reputation and relationships with Alaska communities.
- Season Performance
- The pace at which Princess Cruises can scale its Alaska operations, given the expanded fleet and itineraries.