Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, makes historic first transit through the Panama Canal | News
Princess Cruises, one of the world’s most iconic cruise brands, celebrated a major milestone this weekend when its newest ship, Star Princess, completed the first-ever transit of the Panama Canal.
As Star Princess made its way through one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels, guests on board had a front-row seat to the intricate lock system and breathtaking scenery that characterizes this legendary crossing. The transit marks an important moment in the ship’s inaugural season and underlines Princess Cruises’ longstanding commitment to canal travel.
“A transit through the Panama Canal is a true must-do trip for travelers around the world, and it is especially meaningful when one of our newest ships makes this iconic passage for the very first time,” said Gennaro Arma, captain of Star Princess. “We are honored to make this historic crossing in partnership with the Panama Canal Authority, whose expertise and stewardship have shaped one of the world’s greatest maritime monuments.”
Guests sailing aboard Star Princess enjoyed a special program all day, including commentary from destination experts, enriching presentations on the history and significance of the canal, and scenic viewing opportunities from the ship’s open decks and observation areas.
Princess in the Panama Canal
Princess Cruises pioneered Panama Canal cruises in 1967, becoming the first cruise line to sail the waterway and is the leading cruise line in the destination. The upcoming 2026-2027 season includes six Princess ships, sailing on 31 sailings on nine routes from Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Vancouver. Highlights of the season include 13 passages through the historic locks and 26 passages through the new lock: https://www.princess.com/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-cruises.
