The captains of the upcoming Star Princess cruise ship from Princess Cruises have been announced!
Princess Cruises has appointed two captains who will serve as masters of the line’s second Sphere Class cruise ship, Star Princess, during an official keel laying ceremony in Monfalcone, Italy.
Captain Gennaro Arma, currently serving as the newbuild site lead for the construction of both Star Princess and her sister ship Sun Princess, will be master of Princess Cruises’ seventeenth ship when she debuts in the summer of 2025, bringing her into service from the shipyard.
Update: Delivery of Princess Cruises’ Star Princess Will Be Postponed, Nine Sailings Canceled
When Captain Arma is on leave, Commodore Nick Nash will take over the navigation and leadership of Star Princess.
“It is my privilege to introduce and congratulate the masters of the stunning new Star Princess,” said Princess Cruises president John Padgett.
“Captain Arma and Commodore Nash have remarkable histories with Princess, and will provide great experience and excellent leadership on our newest vessel,” Padgett continued in a press release.
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Related: Star Princess Will Be Princess Cruises’ Second Sphere Class Ship
About Captain Gennaro Arma
The sea has always been Captain Gennaro Arma’s passion. He started his career with Princess Cruises in 1998 as a Cadet, and worked his way up to become Captain of Sea Princess in 2015. Under that first command, he navigated the ship on two world cruises.
In 2018 and again in 2020, he assumed leadership of Diamond Princess. The ship famously made headlines around the world as it was quarantined for nearly a month due to a COVID-19 outbreak early in the pandemic.
Captain Arma was honored with the recognition of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic—the highest of the orders of the Italian Republic—and in December 2020 was selected among the 20 most influential Italian characters of the year by Vanity Fair.
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Arma has also received the title of Magister of Amalfi Civilization for the Byzantine New Year, the Emanuela Loi award for courage, and the Assarmatori prize from the Italian Maritime Association awarded by the Minister of Transportation.
He most recently served as captain of Discovery Princess. Captain Arma was born in Sorrento, Italy, where he lives with his wife Mariana and his son Diego.
Related: Princess Cruises’ Star Princess Keel Laying Marks Start of Construction
About Commodore Nick Nash
Commodore Nick Nash, a 33-year veteran of Princess Cruises, was promoted to commodore of the line’s global fleet in 2020.
Commodore Nash joined Princess in 1989 and was promoted to staff captain in 1997. In 2002, he became captain and has been at the helm of many of Princess’ vessels’ cruise ships.
He currently serves as captain of Enchanted Princess, having navigated the ship out of the Fincantieri shipyard for the first time.
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Commodore Nash also has served as President of the Nautical Institute and currently serves on its council. He was awarded the UK’s Merchant Navy Medal for meritorious service in 2018.
Nash is a Chartered Master Mariner, a Fellow of The Nautical Institute, The Royal Institute of Navigation, The Royal Geographical Society, and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.
More news about Princess Cruises
- Princess Cruises Announces 2026 World Cruise
- Princess Cruises Revises 2025 World Cruise Itineraries
- Princess Cruises Will Debut New Sanctuary Collection Aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess
- Delivery of Princess Cruises’ Star Princess Will Be Postponed, Nine Sailings Canceled
- Actor Hannah Waddingham Will Serve as Godmother of Sun Princess
- Sun Princess Sets Sail on Inaugural Voyage
Are you looking forward to the new Star Princess when she debuts in 2025? Have you ever sailed with Captain Gennaro Arma or Commodore Nick Nash before? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!