Star Princess completes first transit of the Panama Canal

International

Princess Cruises’ newest ship marks milestone during inaugural season

Princess Cruises has reached an important milestone as its newest ship, Star Princess, completed its first transit of the Panama Canal. The crossing took place over the weekend and forms part of the ship’s inaugural season, highlighting the cruise line’s long-standing connection with canal voyages.

During the passage through one of the world’s most famous waterways, guests on board were able to observe the canal’s complex lock system and the surrounding landscapes from the ship’s observation areas and open decks. The transit was accompanied by onboard programming including expert commentary and presentations on the history and engineering of the canal.

Historic journey for the new ship

Gennaro Arma, captain of the Star Princess, described the crossing as a special moment for the vessel and its passengers. “A Panama Canal transit is a true ‘must-do’ journey for travelers around the world, and it’s especially meaningful when one of our newest ships makes this iconic passage for the very first time,” he said. “We’re honored to make this historic crossing in partnership with the Panama Canal Authority, whose expertise and stewardship have shaped one of the world’s great maritime landmarks.”

Long tradition of canal cruises

Princess Cruises has a long history with Panama Canal itineraries. The company introduced regularly scheduled cruises through the canal in 1967 and today remains one of the leading cruise lines operating in the region.

For the 2026–2027 season, the company plans to deploy six ships on 31 sailings across nine itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Vancouver. The program includes 13 transits through the historic canal locks and 26 crossings through the expanded lock system.

Newest addition to the fleet

The 177,800-ton Star Princess is the newest vessel in the cruise line’s Sphere Class and can accommodate approximately 4,300 passengers. The ship represents the latest generation of the Princess Cruises experience, combining upgraded dining concepts, entertainment venues and luxury accommodations with the company’s personalized service approach.