Princess Cruises is reshuffling its shoreside leadership structure and creating a new department designed to tighten control over the guest experience and onboard revenue.

Guests aboard Princess Cruises’ Island Princess were called to their staterooms for a full headcount after a man overboard alarm was reported while the ship was sailing in the Pacific off Mexico, according to passenger posts on social media.

A large cruise ship briefly appeared in the background of NASA and SpaceX’s live broadcast as Crew-11’s Dragon descended toward the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, moments before splashdown.

The ship entered the frame during the drogue parachute deployment phase which is part of the spacecraft’s final descent sequence, creating an unusual moment in the otherwise tightly framed recovery coverage as the capsule approached the ocean.

Princess Cruises is planning significant changes coming to the Rooms Division department across the fleet, bringing new roles, and performance-based incentives aimed at rewarding top-performing crew members. In a letter sent to the crew, Princess Cruises said these changes are intended to support crew growth, and build stronger teams across the fleet. While the rollout extends into 2026, the company reassured crew that guidance and support will be provided throughout the transition.

Princess Cruises marked a new milestone with the arrival of Sky Princess, the line’s first Royal-Class ship to homeport in Port Canaveral. The 3,660-guest vessel docked at Cruise Terminal 6 on November 30, starting the Caribbean season, running through March 2026.

Princess Cruises has announced an update to its Drug and Alcohol Policy, aimed at improving efficiency, fairness, and consistency while reinforcing its strong commitment to a safe and healthy working environment for all crew members.

Starting December 1, 2025, drug testing will be conducted onboard by the Medical Staff, supported by the HR Officer and Security personnel. This will streamline the process, reduce operational disruption, and minimize the impact on crew rest hours, all while maintaining full compliance with company and regulatory standards.

Algerian naval forces carried out a medical evacuation of a British cruise passenger from the Sky Princess while the vessel was transiting international waters off Algeria’s northeastern coast.

The rescue happened on Wednesday morning, October 8, when the Sky Princess was sailing between Italy and Spain.

Princess Cruises has rolled out its much-anticipated Sanctuary Collection aboard the new Star Princess, combining elevated comfort with exceptional service. Along with this milestone, the ship’s team proudly celebrated their British Butler Institute certification, reinforcing Princess Cruises’ dedication to refined guest experiences.

Princess Cruises has officially welcomed its newest Sphere-Class vessel, the Star Princess, as it embarks on its inaugural 11-day Western Mediterranean journey from Barcelona. This milestone marks the debut of the 17th ship in the Princess fleet.

Weighing in at 177,800 tons and accommodating 4,300 guests, the Star Princess sets a new standard for the fleet with its 30 dining and bar venues, upscale entertainment options, and refined accommodations.

Princess Cruises announced that Academy Award–winning actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila McConaughey, a New York Times bestselling author and philanthropist, have been named the godparents of the line’s newest ship, Star Princess. The couple will officially christen the vessel during a naming ceremony on November 6, joining a distinguished roster of Princess godparents that has included global icons such as Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren.