Princess Cruises will feature a 55-foot floral replica of Star Princess in the Rose Parade on January 1, 2026, showcasing Alaska wildlife and scenery ahead of the ship’s inaugural Alaska season.
Alaska Theme Dominates Float Design
The float depicts Alaska’s Inside Passage with glaciers in icy blues, bald eagles, spouting humpback whales, bears catching salmon, and a moose, all crafted from over 300,000 flowers, seeds, bark, and natural materials. Animated elements include whales rising from water, sea otters, soaring eagles, and bears with salmon in their mouths.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the new year by sharing the wonder of Alaska with millions of people watching the Rose Parade,” said Marie Lee, Princess Cruises chief marketing officer.
The float showcases Star Princess’s signature venues including The Dome, a glass-enclosed entertainment space atop the ship, and the sphere-shaped Piazza with floor-to-ceiling windows. Viewers may hear a nod to “The Love Boat,” the television show that introduced cruise vacations to mainstream audiences.
Eight Ships Sailing Alaska in 2026
Princess’s 2026 Alaska season expands to eight ships with 180 departures visiting 19 destinations. Star Princess will sail weekly seven-day Inside Passage cruises roundtrip from Seattle from May 3 through September 19, 2026.
The 177,800-ton, 4,300-passenger Star Princess is Princess’s newest ship, delivered in September 2025. The Sphere-class vessel currently sails Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale before repositioning to Seattle through the Panama Canal in spring 2026.
Rose Parade Details
The Rose Parade attracts 800,000 spectators along its 5½-mile route and more than 28 million U.S. television viewers. The float, built by Artistic Entertainment Services, measures 55 feet long and 21 feet high.
“It is an honor to welcome Princess Cruises, Los Angeles’ Hometown cruise line back to the Tournament of Roses Parade,” said Mark Leavens, president of the 2026 Pasadena Tournament of Roses.
The parade’s 2026 theme is “The Magic in Teamwork,” which Princess connects to its crew and Alaskan guides, storytellers, artists, and naturalists who work with passengers during Alaska cruises.
Princess markets itself as the number one cruise line in Alaska, operating from multiple West Coast ports including Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Whittier.
