Tag Archives: Diamond Princess

Princess to offer land packages with Japan cruises

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Princess Cruises said it will offer pre- and post-cruise land tours for 2016 Japan cruises on the Diamond Princess.

When Princess launched cruises from Japanese homeports in 2013, they were designed for Japanese travelers, but they have proved popular with North Americans.

The new multi-day land packages explore the departure cities Kyoto and Tokyo. The Kyoto tours will include sightseeing at Nijo Castle, the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), and popular Japanese gardens, Princess said. In Tokyo, there will be city tours as well as visits to Mt. Fuji, Togendai and Lake Ashi.

The 2016 season will again run from April through October and feature four- to 20-day cruises, including circumnavigations of Japan, two new ports of call on the island of Kyushu, along with visits to Korea, Taiwan and Russia.

Although the cruises have found an international audience, Diamond Princess remains customized for Japanese guests. The ship features a traditional Izumi Japanese bath, a restaurant with made-to-order sushi and a large selection of sake, a traditional Japanese breakfast omelet, noodle stations and unique Japanese entertainment offerings such as “rakugo” storytelling performances and origami classes.

Sales for the 2016 Japan cruises open April 16.

Emerald Princess to sail in Australia

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Princess Cruises is redeploying the Emerald Princess to Australia, giving it five ships there during the winter season.

The 3,082-passenger ship will be the largest and youngest of the five. It was built in 2007.

The Emerald Princess will be based in Sydney from November 2016 to April 2017. Currently it sails in the Caribbean. Its itineraries to New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific will be announced in detail later this spring.

The Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Sun Princess sail year-round from Australia. The Diamond Princess splits its time between Australia and China.

Diamond Princess to get more Japanese amenities

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By Tom Stieghorst
Princess Cruises said its Diamond Princess ship will undergo a renovation that will add a sushi restaurant and the largest Japanese bath at sea.

The $30 million refurbishment is intended to get the ship ready for its second year of seasonal sailings in Japan, Princess said.

Other improvements include enhanced shopping areas, a revitalized Horizon Court, 14 more staterooms, new interior furnishings and finishes, fresh hull paint and exterior refurbishment, and contemporary and Asian-style touches.

The most dramatic new feature, the 8,800-square-foot bath and garden complex, will include indoor and outdoor bathing areas. The 66-seat sushi restaurant will feature table seating and a sushi bar.

Princess said onboard shopping would be restyled to fit Japanese tastes, including the addition of a luxury watch boutique. The work is scheduled to be finished April 2 ahead of the start of the summer season in Japan on April 17.