The stopover opens a new stage for the connectivity of the Costa del Sol with major international routes and strengthens Malaga's positioning on the map of Western Mediterranean cruises.
An institutional event that reinforces the commitment to cruises
The ceremony began with speeches by the ship's captain, Gennaro Arma, and Esperanza González Pazos, CEO of Turismo Costa del Sol. Arma, with 27 years of experience at Princess Cruises and various recognitions for her leadership, welcomed attendees on board.
For his part, González Pazos has underlined the provincial commitment to cruise tourism, highlighting key factors of the destination such as safety, connectivity, culture, gastronomy, sports, and nature, and thanked the shipping companies for their trust in Malaga and its area of ​​influence.
Costa del Sol Tourism has emphasized the destination's potential for the cruise segment, a proposal that combines identity, a good network of connections and quality of service, with a strategy oriented to quality, sustainability and stays in the Port of Malaga for traveler profiles that value genuine experiences.
Exchange of metopes and visit on board
After the official interventions, the traditional exchange of metopes between the captain of the Star Princess and representatives of the Port of Malaga and the city, as a sign of welcome and institutional collaboration.
The agenda has continued with a tour of different areas of the ship, in which attendees were able to see first-hand some of its most representative spaces and its proposal for on-board services.
The Star Princess ship: facts and highlights
The Star Princess is the second ship in the new category Sphere from Princess Cruises, a class that combines contemporary comfort and classic aesthetics of navigation. It was built in Italy by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani.
In environmental matters, the ship operates with liquefied natural gas (LNG), a cleaner energy option compared to traditional fuels, which aligns with the sector's progress toward greater sustainability.
Among its technical specifications, the Star Princess has 177.800 GT gross tonnage, length of 345 meters, beam of 42 meters and height of 60 meters, and can reach a maximum speed of 22 knots. It has 21 decks for passengers and crew.
The total capacity is 4.300 passengers and 1.600 crew, distributed in 2.157 cabins: 80 suites, 123 mini-suites, more than 1.000 cabins with balconies, 100 connecting rooms and 51 accessible rooms, configurations that facilitate different travel needs.
Among the most relevant spaces are: The Dome, an innovative leisure area with a glass roof; The Princess Arena, the company's most technologically advanced theater; and The Piazza, an architectural core with floor-to-ceiling windows that opens the interior of the ship to the sea.
Impact for Malaga and the Costa del Sol
The arrival of the Star Princess is interpreted as a sector support to the Costa del Sol proposal and as an additional boost for the international projection of the destination. The city maintains a tourist plan focused on diverse experiences and a traveler who is co-responsible with the territory.
With this first stopover, the Port of Malaga reaffirms its commitment to serving cruise ships and with the tourism and economic promotion of the province, consolidating its role as a reference port in the western Mediterranean.
The day leaves a clear image: the coordination between the port, institutions and shipping companies is bearing fruit, the Star Princess leaves his mark on his debut in Malaga and the destination gains ground in a market where quality of service, connectivity, and cultural offerings make the difference.
