Diamond Princess to Sail on Over 50
Departures Showcasing the Land of the Rising Sun - January through
November 2026
FT.
LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The scenic island nation of
Japan continues to be a hot
destination for tourists who are inspired by architecture, local
cuisine and natural landscapes, and this trend is expected to
extend into 2026. Today, Princess Cruises – recognized as the
leading North American cruise line in Japan – released its 2026 Japan cruise season,
offering the most immersive and authentic experiences for the
culturally curious traveler who wants to plan ahead.
The 2,670-guest Diamond Princess, built in Japan and designed for this great destination,
returns to offer a longer season, from February through
November 2026, with 50 departures
ranging in length from seven to 28 days, on 35 unique itineraries
visiting 38 destinations in three countries.
No matter the itinerary, Diamond Princess guests will take in
legendary cities from Tokyo,
Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima; temples and shrines like the
Aomori's Sannai-Maruyama ruins, Kochi
Castle and Itsukushima Shrine, the most recognizable red
torii; arts, culture and tradition from baseball, Sumo
wrestling, Kabuki theater and Zen gardens; natural wonders and
landscapes with the celebrated cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji and
Nagai Botanical Gardens in Osaka;
to vivacious festivals, sake, seafood and celebrated cuisine.
"Only on Princess can you become immersed into Japan's rich culture, ancient traditions and
incredible beauty while enjoying a completely unique onboard fusion
of eastern and western cultures," said John
Padgett, Princess Cruises president. "The extended 2026
season lets guests choose a cruise in the season they find most
appealing – from spring cherry blossoms, to summer festivals,
autumn foliage or snowy, wintery landscapes."
2026 Itinerary Highlights
The season offers
opportunities to view the famed Spring
Flowers, experience the epic Fall Foliage, and enjoy five
top festivals, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Kumano
Fireworks Festival. Itinerary highlights
include:
- 10- and 11-day Spring Flowers
cruises in March and April to all four main islands,
following the predicted blooming season as it moves from south to
north.
- 9- to 14-day Circle Japan Voyages circumnavigate
the island of Japan, with stops
including Nagasaki, Kanazawa and
Maizuru (for Kyoto).
- 9-day Southern Islands itineraries call to
Okinawa, Ishigaki in Japan, along with Taipei (Keelung) and Hualien on the island of
Taiwan.
- 7- to 11-day Japan Explorer voyages visit some of
the country's most iconic destinations, such as Shimizu (for Mt.
Fuji), Osaka (for Kyoto) and Hiroshima.
- Longer voyages from 15 to 28 days, allowing for a
deeper exploration of the region.
- More Ashore late-night stays in six ports including
Aomori (for Nebuta Festival), Hakodate (for Minato Festival), Kochi
(for Yosaki Festival), Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji) and Tokushima (for
Awa Odori Festival).
Southeast Asia Grand Adventures
Before Diamond
Princess arrives for the Japan
season, the ship sails to exotic locations in southeast
Asia, with opportunities to
explore Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand in January
2026, including:
- 10-day Vietnam
with Halong Bay sailing roundtrip from Singapore and visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Halong Bay/Hanoi with scenic cruising and Da Nang.
- 11-day Malaysia &
Thailand from
Singapore with stops in
Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi,
Phuket, Penang, Ko Samui and Bangkok.
These two itineraries can be combined for an unforgettable
21-day Southeast Asia Grand Adventure with Halong Bay,
roundtrip from Singapore.
Onboard Diamond Princess
Built by Mitsubishi in
Nagasaki, Diamond Princess
features uniquely designed, Japanese-inspired experiences including
an Izumi Bath modeled after a
traditional onsen, regional dishes from the Noodle Bar or freshly
prepared sushi at Kai Sushi, fine Japanese whiskeys, sake and
shochu, 400-year-old traditional "rakugo" storytelling,
karaoke-filled evenings and folkloric dancers showcasing the
arts.
The Princess Experience
No matter the cruise, Princess
delivers a premium vacation with the line's award-winning,
signature Princess MedallionClass experience which offers
unparalleled service and personalization. Guests booking can
take advantage of inclusive packages like Princess Plus and
Princess Premier (with new unlimited offerings!) which add popular
amenities like WiFi, beverages, specialty dining, desserts, fitness
classes, crew appreciation and more at an even greater savings of
up 65% when the inclusive package amenities are purchased
separately.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available
through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess
(1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.
About Princess Cruises:
Princess Cruises is The Love
Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream
vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after
destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service
personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class
ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand
performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment,
luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities
blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create
meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most
incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera,
Europe, South America, Australia/New
Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia,
Canada/New
England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is
part of Carnival Corporation & plc
(NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).
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SOURCE Princess Cruises