by InTrieste
The global maritime industry took a significant step towards greener cruising on Wednesday, as Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri launched the Star Princess, its second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ship for Princess Cruises. The vessel, celebrated for its environmentally advanced fuel technology, is part of an emerging generation of cleaner, more sustainable cruise liners.
The launch ceremony, held at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, was attended by industry leaders including John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, and Cristiano Bazzara, Director of the Monfalcone shipyard. The ship’s godmothers, Chiara del Vecchio, a third engineering officer on board the Sun Princess, and Francesca Maraventano, an executive assistant at the Monfalcone site, took part in the traditional christening of the vessel.
With an imposing 178,000 gross tons, the Star Princess is the second-largest ship ever built in Italy, following in the wake of its sister ship, Sun Princess, which was also constructed at Monfalcone and delivered earlier this year. The new ship is a milestone not just in scale, but in sustainability. It is the second LNG-powered vessel built for Princess Cruises, a dual-fuel ship designed to operate primarily on LNG — widely regarded as the most advanced and scalable maritime fuel for reducing environmental impact.
“Liquefied natural gas represents a crucial step in making cruise travel cleaner and more sustainable,” said Padgett during the launch. LNG is considered one of the cleanest fossil fuels available, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and virtually eliminating particulates and other pollutants, making it a crucial technology for an industry seeking to reduce its environmental footprint.
The Star Princess is the second ship in Princess Cruises’ Sphere class, and its delivery is scheduled for autumn 2025. The ship, which will accommodate roughly 4,300 passengers, is designed with next-generation platform technology that promises to blend luxurious passenger experiences with innovative sustainability features.
Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, is a global leader in the cruise industry, operating 17 modern ships that carry millions of guests annually to over 330 destinations around the world. With the Star Princess, the company reinforces its commitment to cleaner, more sustainable maritime practices.
As the global cruise industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental impact, LNG-powered vessels like the Star Princess are being hailed as a key part of the solution. Industry experts see LNG as a transitional fuel, paving the way for more sustainable alternatives in the future, but for now, its benefits are clear.
“This is a proud moment for us,” Bazzara noted. “We’re building not just bigger ships, but better ones — ships that reflect the future of maritime travel.”
The launch of the Star Princess underscores Fincantieri’s role in the evolving landscape of international cruise ship construction, as the industry leans toward more sustainable solutions without sacrificing luxury or performance.
