The Star Princess, the newest and biggest Alaska-bound ship will call in Seattle starting next May

 

An acrobatic performance on the piazza

When the 2026 Alaska cruise season launches next May, the Star Princess, the largest and newest ship to call in the 49th state, will homeport in Seattle, but don't expect to find water slides or a go-cart track on the top deck.

Think instead of viewing glaciers from inside a geodesic, glass-enclosed dome, or petting baby sled dogs as they roam around a central piazza encased in a glass sphere with panoramic views.

Oh, and did I mention the pickleball courts and Tiramisu cocktails?

Princess Cruises, one if 15 cruise lines to call out of Seattle next year, is doubling-down on Alaska by focusing on its core niche - a 50-plus crowd of active global travelers.

"Alaska really anchors our brand," said Princess Cruises president Gus Antorcha. Princess, owned by Carnival Corporation, which also operates Carnival and Holland America cruises from Seattle, dispatches half of its fleet to Alaska during the summer, Antorcha said. "We always want to make sure we take our newest ships there."

The 21-deck Star, with a passenger guest capacity of 4,300, will sail through the Inside Passage (7 days roundtrip from Seattle) from May 3 to September 6, with ports of call in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, and scenic cruising through Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. 

Travel agents and writers had a chance to explore the new ship recently where it is home-ported for the winter in Port Everglades, Florida. 

A candlelight concert in the Dome

The takeway: This is a ship cleverly designed to experience the best of being outdoors when the weather is warm, while providing cozy, light-filled indoor spaces for cooler temperatures in Alaska.

"You need to be flexible," Antorcha said. "You could have very sunny days in Alaska or a bit of drizzle. What is great about this ship is that you can be inside and still experience what it's like to be outdoors." 

An outdoor deck with lounge chairs and hot tub

While warm-weather travelers can take advantage of  living-room like seating on outdoor decks, cooler weather will draw passengers inside the covered Dome, a multi-level, glass-enclosed venue that functions as an indoor pool area during the day, then transforms into an entertainment venue at night for shows and candlelight concerts.

Also indoors, surrounded by a sphere of glass, is a multi-deck atrium called the Piazza, a central hub for socializing, entertainment, and dining. 

The ships programming shifts for Alaska cruises with a focus on cultural and educational activities, but its configuration stays the same. With the exception of the small pool in the Dome, the other pools are outdoors. Outdoor lounge areas are not heated which means grabbing a blanket and hot toddy on chilly days and nights.

Other standout features

*Twelve low-key bars scattered throughout the ship, some specializing in their own signature cocktails such as a popular Tiramisu cocktail and the 24K Gold Margarita, made with Pantalones Organic Tequila, a brand co-founded by Matthew and Camila McConaughey, who christened the Star Princess.

The Bellini Bar's Tiramisu cocktail

*Ten specialty and casual dining restaurants (in addition to main dining rooms) including my favorite, the Makoto Ocean Japanese restaurant serving fresh sushi in an airy space with ocean views. The meat-centered Butcher's Block, created in partnership with Italian butcher Dario Cecchini, was filled the entire three days we were on the cruise, an indication that passengers interested in specialty dining should book ahead. 

Freshly prepared tuna at Makoto Ocean

Dario Cecchini carving meat aboard the Star Princess

 *The walk-up international cafe, open 24/7, with glass cases stocked with pastries, yogurt parfaits and smoked salmon sandwiches in the morning and light bites and desserts in the afternoon and evenings. 

A light bite from the International Cafe

 * Spellbound by Magic Castle, an immersive, speakeasy-style lounge with magic shows, Victorian-themed rooms and drinks. This one is worth the $45 admission price which includes cocktails and a show based on vaudeville and the Great Cardini, a card magician (Richard Pitchford) who presided over the Magician's Guild in 1945.

Inside the Spellbound speakeasy

* The Sanctuary Collection, a ship within a ship, with 80 suites,123 mini suites and 12 deluxe balconies; a top- deck retreat area with private cabanas; and a private dining room and lounge.

*The Princess Medallion, a small, round button that keeps track of where you are and allows you to unlock staterooms, order food and drinks, and shop onboard from anywhere.

Antorcha describes Princess as family-friendly rather than family-focused. Younger travelers will enjoy an underground teen lounge, a junior ranger programs and baby sled dogs brought on board during Alaska sailings.

If I had it to do over again

I would have sampled Lido Tacos and Coffee and Cones on the Lido deck. This is a new addition for Princess, and looked like fun.

Our evening meals were hosted in the speciality restaurants, but if I were on my own, I would have sampled the Indian and seafood offerings at the Eatery buffet. This is a hectic and busy area of the ship, so best suggestion is to get what you want and take it out a table on the deck, or to a quieter area in back.

Skipped both port stops - the Princess Cays, Princess' private island, and Nassau in the Bahamas - and enjoyed being on the ship when most everyone else was away.

Pricing and rooms

Guests can choose among 2,157 staterooms, including more than 1,000 balcony rooms and 51 accessible rooms. 

The best deals on all cruises come during  "wave season," a promotional period starting in January. The Princess Star website recently showed a starting price of $974 per person for an interior room on May sailings. Balcony rooms jump to $1,574. 

Worth considering are one of two add-on packages. The Plus package ($70 per day) covers one Wi-Fi device,  daily gratuities, unlimited casual dining, and a generous beverage package for alcoholic drinks, speciality coffees and mocktails costing up to $15 each (The 14K Gold Margarita is covered). 

The Premier package ($105) covers more expensive beverages (such as the Tiramisu cocktail), dining at specialty restaurants and multiple devices for Wi-Fi. 

Cruising out of Seattle 

The Port of Seattle's 2026 cruise season is scheduled from mid-May to early October, with an estimated 330 ship calls for cruises to Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, and Asia. The season will feature 27 ships from 15 different lines, including new lines Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises. About 2.1 million passengers are expected to sail.