Princess Cruises rang in 2026 in full bloom with an appearance at the iconic 137th Rose Parade, unveiling its “Together in the Magic of Alaska” float.

The company said its floral masterpiece depicted Star Princess sailing through Alaska’s beauty, marking the highly anticipated inaugural 2026 Alaska season for the cruise line’s newest ship.

The Star Princess “cruised” down the 5½ mile parade route on Colorado Blvd., the finely detailed ship shimmered with silverleaf protea, coconut, blue statice, and lunaria.

Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of Alaska, the design for Star Princess’ float extended this immersive artistry by incorporating textures and tones reminiscent of rugged coastlines and breathtaking regional scenery. The float featured spectacular animation, with Alaskan wildlife coming to life through gentle movement, from whales rising from icy waters to curious sea otters, soaring eagles, a bear clutching salmon, and a wild moose standing proudly amid the landscape.

Designed and built by Artistic Entertainment Services, the float also featured spectacular animation that brought Alaska’s wildlife to life, stretching approximately 55 feet long and 21 feet high, and adorned with more than 300,000 flowers and natural materials.

“What better way to welcome the new year than on the world-famous Rose Parade stage, celebrating the breathtaking beauty of Alaska and the debut of our remarkable new ship, Star Princess,” said Marie Lee, Princess Cruises Chief Marketing Officer.

“Our float pays homage not only to our passionate Princess crew who bring Alaska voyages to life, but also to the local Alaskans – the storytellers, guides, artists, naturalists, and communities – who welcome our guests each season and make every journey extraordinary.”

To honor “The Magic in Teamwork” theme, and to pay tribute to the 25,000 crew members and teammates worldwide who deliver incredible cruise vacations, four Princess teammates rode on the float, two from Princess’ shoreside offices and two crew members.

Additionally, 12 performers danced their way down Colorado Blvd. to a reimagined version of “The Love Boat” theme song in a nostalgic nod to Princess’ ocean-going, co-starring role on the beloved television show credited with introducing millions of viewers to the concept of a cruise vacation.