Princess Cruises just made a long-range bet on the future of the brand—announcing three new shipbuilding agreements with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for a next-generation platform. These new builds (scheduled for late 2035, 2038, and 2039) are positioned as the largest by capacity in the Princess fleet and will build on what the line has learned from its newer Sphere Class ships.
If you love tracking “what’s next” in cruising—new ship design, technology, and onboard experiences—this is one of those announcements that matters, even if sailing dates are far out.
Photo Credit: Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd.
Quick Facts for Travelers (Save This)
- What it is: Princess Cruises has signed agreements with Fincantieri to build three new Voyager class ships on a next-generation platform.
- Who it’s best for: Princess loyalists, “new ship” enthusiasts, multi-generational cruisers, and travelers who like to plan premium trips early.
- Where: Ships will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy; deployment details will be shared later.
- When: Deliveries are targeted for late 2035, 2038, and 2039 (details/amenities to be shared in the future).
- Trip length / format: Itinerary details aren’t released yet; these are fleet/future-platform announcements (not a specific sailing).
- Key highlights: Next-gen platform; “reimagined” outer decks, staterooms, and Piazza; dual-fuel ships powered primarily by LNG; 183,000 gross tons; about 4,700 guests.
- Why it matters: This signals Princess’ long-term investment in bigger ships, updated public spaces, and cleaner fuel tech—shaping what the Princess experience looks like over the next decade-plus.
- Planning tip: If you care about being first on new hardware, start a “future ships” watchlist now—new-ship inaugural seasons often price and sell differently than mature deployments.
- How to book: Once names/itineraries open, Ironmill Travel can help you compare early booking value, cabin strategy, and best-fit itineraries for your travel style.
What Princess is building (and what we know so far)
Princess is describing these as a next-generation platform that blends proven Princess favorites with newly designed spaces—especially the parts of the ship guests feel the most:
- outer decks and pool environments
- stateroom design
- Piazza (the ship’s central social hub)
The line also confirms these Voyager class ships will continue to use guest-facing and marine technologies and will build on the momentum of recent ships like Sun Princess and Star Princess.
Size, capacity, and what that means onboard
Princess states the three ships will be:
- 183,000 gross tons
- approximately 4,700 guests
That scale typically translates to more venue variety, more cabin inventory, and broader family/group options—especially for peak-season itineraries.
The fuel story: dual-fuel LNG
A major operational detail: the Voyager class ships are expected to be dual-fuel and powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)—positioned as a readily available advanced fuel option that reduces emissions compared with conventional marine fuels.
This is part of a larger trend: newbuild announcements increasingly include a “future fuel + emissions” angle, because that’s where the industry is headed.
The “why now” signal: Princess is evolving the product
Princess leadership is framing this as a thoughtful evolution—protecting what loyal guests love while modernizing the ship experience:
“The Voyager class will delight both our loyal guests and attract the next generation of Princess guests. We have been leveraging extensive customer and agent research to strike the right balance between evolving our proven winners and introducing new concepts and partnerships grounded in what matters to our current and future guests,” said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises President. “From exceptional dining and inviting pool environments to elevated entertainment and beautifully reimagined spaces throughout the ship, we are leaving no area untouched as we thoughtfully evolve the Princess experience.”
What to do with this info as a traveler
Even though these ships are years away, this matters if you:
- love sailing the newest ships
- want to understand where Princess is investing
- plan “big milestone” trips far in advance (anniversaries, birthdays, retirement trips)
A practical planning move
If you’re a Princess fan and want to be in position for early launch seasons:
- decide what you care about most (itinerary, ship features, cabin type, price stability)
- keep a shortlist of “must-sail” regions
- be ready to move once the newbuild details and inaugural itineraries are released
If you tell me your ideal destinations and travel style, I’ll flag the kinds of inaugural itineraries that usually align best—so you’re ready when Princess releases details.
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Ironmill Travel LLC – Independent Agent (FST ST15578 | CST 2090937-50)