Saving humanity in a film about interstellar travel is a decent film to have on one’s resume to take on the godparent duties for a cruise ship named Star Princess.
Princess Cruises announced Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila will play a ceremonial role for its new ship that will be arriving to Fort Lauderdale in November for its first season sailing the Caribbean.
Princess Cruises’ Star Princess is the second Sphere-class ship set for a debut in 2025. (Courtesy/Princess Cruises)
In addition to 2014’s “Interstellar,” McConaughey’s film credits also include space-themed “Contact,” and he has more seafaring experience from 2000’s “U-571” and 2005’s “Sahara.”
So thematically he’s a good fit for the sister ship to Sun Princess that debuted out of Port Everglades in 2024. Both are in the Sphere class for Princess Cruises, the largest vessels in their fleet.
The duo are expected to be on hand for the ship’s christening ceremony at the South Florida port on Nov. 6 and will begin regular seven-night Caribbean itineraries starting Nov. 10.
“We’re honored to be godparents of the Star Princess,” the pair said in a press release statement. “With Princess, it’s not just a vacation — it’s time well spent, families and friends coming together, meeting new folks, and making memories. This ship’s got that spirit built right in, and we’re proud to be part of her story from the beginning.”
The two are cofounders of Pantalones Organic Tequila, with which Princess has a partnership. Fleetwide, Princess uses the tequila brand in signature cocktails including the 24K Gold Margarita, which the line called a fan favorite.
Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha said the pair’s charisma is a good match for the godparent role.
“With their signature warmth and spirit, Camila and Matthew embody the values that define Princess, and we are delighted to welcome them into our family in such a meaningful way,” he stated in the release.
Camila McConaughey is also a best-selling author, entrepreneur and founder of online community Women of Today.
Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar for 2013’s “Dallas Buyers Club”, with other film and TV credits including “A Time to Kill,” “Dazed and Confused,” “The Wedding Planner,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Magic Mike,” “The Lincoln Lawyer” and “True Detective.”
The title of romantic comedy “Failure to Launch,” though, would conceivably not apply to his new cruise ship title.
Princess Cruises’ Star Princess completed sea trials in the Adriatic Sea from Aug. 9-12, 2025. (Courtesy/Princess Cruises)
The cruise line took possession of the 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest vessel at a ceremony last Friday during a ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
It became the 17th ship in the Princess fleet.
The vessel will make its debut in the Mediterranean beginning Oct. 4 before sailing to Florida on a transatlantic crossing at the end of the month. After its winter Caribbean season, the ship will venture to Alaska through the Panama Canal.
“This remarkable vessel is a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship of our long-standing partners at Fincantieri, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the shipbuilding team for bringing our newest ship to life,” Antorcha said.
Just like Sun Princess, the ship is fueled by liquefied natural gas, a cleaner-burning propulsion that’s part of the cruise industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The new vessel will have an expanded nonsmoking casino area, more seats in its Irish pub and a larger version of the new art-inspired dining venue Love by Britto. The architectural debuts on Sun Princess are mirrored on the new ship, including the spherical atrium called The Piazza that juts out on both sides of the ship’s hull, the transforming theater space called The Arena and a top-deck, glass entertainment venue called The Dome.
It will have 30 dining and drink venues, including a new version of the magic-themed speakeasy Spellbound by Magic Castle.
Original stage productions coming on board include one titled “Meridian,” which has a Titanic-esque forbidden love story, and another circus-themed one titled “Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy.”
Unlike Sun Princess, which was originally planned to have a hang-glider attraction, although that fell through, Star Princess is taking that same space for a dedicated sports court and track, along with a splash pad.
The ship is one of several with Florida debuts out of Port Everglades planned this fall, including Disney’s third Wish-class ship, Disney Destiny and Celebrity Cruises’ fifth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcel.
The state has already seen the debuts of the Norwegian Aqua, MSC World America and Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas.
