Princess Cruises Unveils Star Princess Float for 2026 Rose Parade

Princess Cruises will mark the start of 2026 with a Rose Parade entry built as a floral replica of its newest ship, Star Princess, rolling down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 1, 2026. The Alaska-themed float is designed to spotlight the ship’s inaugural 2026 Alaska season.

New Year’s Day float will spotlight Alaska and Star Princess

Princess Cruises said the float concept is meant to evoke an Alaska Inside Passage cruise, combining coastal scenery with wildlife and glacier imagery. Marie Lee, Chief Marketing Officer for Princess Cruises, said the company intends to use the televised event to share an Alaska message with a mass audience: “We’re thrilled to welcome the new year by sharing the wonder of Alaska with millions of people watching the Rose Parade.”

Tied to the parade’s 2026 theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” Lee said the float is also intended to recognize the people behind Alaska guest experiences, including “storytellers, guides, artists, naturalists and communities,” along with Princess crew members.

Float design: 300,000-plus flowers, natural materials, and animated wildlife

Artistic Entertainment Services is designing and constructing the entry. Princess Cruises said the float will measure about 55 feet long and 21 feet tall, decorated with more than 300,000 flowers and other natural elements, including materials such as seeds and bark.

The design includes moving elements intended to bring Alaska wildlife to life as the float travels the parade route. Princess Cruises said the scenes include whales surfacing, bears fishing for salmon, bald eagles overhead, sea otters, and a moose in the landscape, alongside glacier-themed visuals.

Star Princess’ Alaska debut and the broader 2026 program

Princess Cruises has scheduled Star Princess to operate weekly seven-day Inside Passage Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle. The sailing window runs from May 3 through Sept. 19, 2026.

The ship’s debut is part of what Princess describes as its largest Alaska season to date. The cruise line’s 2026 Alaska program calls for eight ships, 180 departures, and visits to 19 destinations, with options for sea-only travel as well as combined land-and-sea itineraries.

Ship details featured in the parade preview

The float is also meant to highlight the ship itself. Princess Cruises lists Star Princess, its second Sphere-Class ship, at 177,800 gross tons with capacity for 4,300 guests.

Princess said featured venues include The Dome, described as a next-generation relaxation and entertainment space located high on the ship, and a sphere-shaped Piazza positioned as the ship’s architectural centerpiece, designed with curved lines and large windows for expansive ocean views.

Rose Parade reach and a “Love Boat” nod

The Rose Parade presented by Honda is a New Year’s Day tradition known for elaborate floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. Princess Cruises said the event draws about 800,000 spectators along its five-mile route and more than 28 million U.S. television viewers, with additional audiences watching internationally.

Mark Leavens, President of the 2026 Pasadena Tournament of Roses, said the organization is welcoming the cruise line back to the parade. “It is an honor to welcome Princess Cruises, Los Angeles’ Hometown cruise line back to the Tournament of Roses Parade,” Leavens said. He added that the parade has long emphasized “community, creativity, and the enduring spirit of hope,” and said Princess Cruises reflects similar values through travel and destination experiences.

Princess also said the entry will include a “nostalgic nod” tied to the cruise line’s association with the television series “The Love Boat,” which the company notes is widely credited with helping bring cruise vacations into mainstream pop culture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will Princess Cruises’ Star Princess float appear in the Rose Parade?

Princess Cruises said its Star Princess float will appear on Jan. 1, 2026, during the Rose Parade presented by Honda in Pasadena, California.

How large is the Princess Cruises Rose Parade float, and what is it made from?

Princess Cruises said the float will be about 55 feet long and 21 feet tall and will use more than 300,000 flowers along with other natural materials, including items such as seeds and bark.

When does Star Princess begin Alaska cruises, and from which port?

Star Princess is scheduled to sail weekly seven-day Inside Passage Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle from May 3 through Sept. 19, 2026.

What ship features will Princess Cruises highlight with Star Princess?

Princess Cruises said Star Princess is its second Sphere-Class ship and highlighted venues including The Dome, described as a next-generation relaxation and entertainment space, and a sphere-shaped Piazza designed as the ship’s architectural centerpiece with curved lines and large windows.

How large is Princess Cruises’ 2026 Alaska season overall?

Princess Cruises said its 2026 Alaska program will include eight ships, 180 departures, and visits to 19 destinations, with options to travel by sea or through combined land-and-sea itineraries.