Princess Cruises has announced its lineup of 2016 Japan itineraries with a focus on UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural festivals.
The new itineraries, from Tokyo and Kobe, will circumnavigate the country and include two new ports of call on the island of Kyushu, along with visits to Korea, Taiwan and Russia. In addition, new Land and Sea Vacation packages will take travelers into Kyoto and Tokyo.
The voyages offered on Diamond Princess, ranging from four to 20 nights, include the whole of Japan on Circle Japan voyages; northern Japan on Circle Hokkaido Island voyages, with a visit to Korsakov, Russia; and southern Japan on Kyushu Island voyages, with maiden ports of call in the southern beach port of Miyazaki and the castle ruins of Yatushiro, and voyages to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. Grand Japan voyages ranging from 14- to 20- nights offer the greatest variety of ports and experiences; while four- and five-night getaway cruises provide a sampling of some of Japan’s highlights.
Princess Cruises’ 2016 Japan season runs from April to October, and bookings for the new itineraries open to the public on April 16, 2015.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The new Princess Cruises itineraries take guests to a wide variety of culturally significant sites listed by UNESCO, such as the 7th Century Bulguska Temple in the Korean capital of Gyeong-Ju and remote historic villages in central Japan. All Hokkaido Island cruises feature the Shiretoko Peninsula, one of the world’s richest eco-systems and one of the few places in the world where multiple species of whales, dolphins and porpoises can be spotted, among many more.
Festivals and Special Events
Summer festivals and fireworks displays are the highlight of many summer cruises ranging from seven- to 11-night itineraries. These sailings include late evening departures from ports to allow guests time to participate in lantern processionals, parades of giant floats, dance festivals and fireworks displays, like the famous Toyohashi Fire Festival in Nagoya and the Kagoshima Summer Night Fireworks with an active volcano as the backdrop.
Guests on the 2016 July 25 and August 4 voyages will experience the Nebuta Festival, a display of brilliantly-colored floats, musicians and dancers. Sailings on August 15, 24 and September 9 of 2016 feature some of Japan’s largest fireworks festivals.
Diamond Princess has some of Princess' signature amenities, such as the Movies Under the Stars poolside theater and The Sanctuary, a top-deck retreat, as well as those designed to enhance the Japanese cultural experience onboard, including:
- Traditional Izumi Japanese Bath – Modeled after the popular Japanese onsen experience
- Kai Sushi restaurant – Offering made-to-order sushi and a full selection of Japanese sake
- Noodle stations – Serving up a rotating selection of ramen, soba and udon noodles
- Tamagoyaki - A traditional Japanese omelet available daily for breakfast
- Japanese entertainment offerings, such as “rakugo” storytelling performances and origami classes
In addition, dining room menus offer a wide variety of international cuisine, including Japanese options on all menus, and onboard collateral items and stateroom information is available in both English and Japanese.
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