During an official keel laying ceremony in Monfalcone, Italy, Princess Cruises revealed the names of the two captains who will oversee Star Princess, the second Sphere Class cruise ship in their fleet.

Captain Gennaro Arma, the current lead at the newbuild site overseeing the construction of Sun Princess and Star Princess, will assume command of the 17th Princess ship upon its debut in summer 2025. Commodore Nick Nash will temporarily assume the responsibilities of navigation and leadership for Star Princess during Captain Arma’s leave.

Commodore Nick Nash, a 33-year veteran of Princess Cruises, was promoted to commodore of the company’s global fleet in 2020. Currently, he captains the Enchanted Princess and successfully navigated it out of the Fincantieri shipyard for its maiden voyage. Nash joined Princess Cruises in 1989 and became a staff captain in 1997. In 2002, he was appointed as captain and has since commanded various Princess vessels. Furthermore, Nash has held positions such as President of the Nautical Institute and is currently a council member. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was honored with the United Kingdom’s Merchant Navy Medal in 2018. Nash is a Chartered Master Mariner and a Fellow of The Nautical Institute, The Royal Institute of Navigation, and The Royal Geographical Society. He is also a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

Captain Gennaro Arma’s devotion to the ocean has been unwavering. He embarked on his Princess Cruises journey in 1998, starting as a Cadet and steadily ascending the ranks. In 2015, he assumed his first leadership role as Captain of Sea Princess, skillfully leading the ship on two global voyages. In 2018 and 2020, he assumed command of Diamond Princess, receiving esteemed accolades such as the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, an honor bestowed upon the highest achievers in the Italian Republic, and being named one of Vanity Fair’s 20 most influential Italian figures of the year in December 2020. Arma’s notable achievements also include being honored as Magister of Amalfi Civilization for the Byzantine New Year, receiving the Emanuela Loi award for courage, and being presented with the Assarmatori prize from the Italian maritime association by the Minister of Transportation. Recently, Arma proudly served as the captain of Discovery Princess.