Underscoring its commitment to the growing Japanese cruise market, Carnival Corporation & plc detailed a substantially expanded 2014 Japan cruise program for the Princess Cruisesbrand, which brings a second ship to the market, features sailings from three homeports and plans to significantly expand the size of the cruise market in Japan to approximately 100,000 passengers.
The
Japan-built Diamond
Princess will
join Sun
Princess for
a cruise program from three homeports – Tokyo (Yokohama), Kobe, and
an industry first, Otaru near Sapporo on Hokkaido. Sailing between
April and October in 2014, the two ships will offer 42 departures
featuring nine unique itineraries ranging from seven to nine days.
The two ships will visit more than 20 ports in Japan, South Korea,
Taiwan and Russia.
Diamond
Princess will
homeport in Tokyo (Yokohama) for an extended season of 9-day cruises
that include visits to Taiwan, South Korea, Hokkaido, Russia and 15
Japanese ports, including five new itineraries created especially for
the ship. During the popular holiday period of Golden Week,Diamond
Princess will
feature a special 10-day itinerary that includes opportunities to
visit several festivals plus enjoy a special call to Nagasaki, home
to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries where the ship was built, to
celebrate Diamond
Princess’ 10-year
anniversary.
Sun
Princess will
debut several industry firsts for the Japanese market – including
innovative 7-day cruises from the northern coastal town of Otaru,
located outside of Sapporo, as well as two new 8-day itineraries from
Kobe. These itineraries will offer cruise options to appeal to
passengers looking for a week-long cruise vacation, and the northern
Hokkaido itinerary will offer a refreshing summer destination. The
ship will also make maiden calls in the Japanese islands of Ishigaki,
and Amami Oshima, as well as Abashiri and Hualien, Taiwan.
However
some changes and enhancements are being made to appeal to the local
market such as Japanese-speaking crew members in key passenger-facing
positions. Dining room menus will offer international Princess
cuisine while additional offerings will cater to Japanese tastes,
such as an a la carte sushi bar, Japanese breakfast, noodle bar,
regional tea tastings, and special sake menu. A traditional
kagamiwari ceremony will be held during the captain’s welcome.
Specially designed enrichment programs will include an expert lecture
series on art, culture and history. Other amenities such as the
shopping selection and spa treatments will also be tailored to
Japanese preferences, and onboard collateral items and stateroom
information will be translated into Japanese.
The
2,670-passenger Diamond
Princess was
built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, Japan – the first
of two Princess ships built in Japan. Diamond
Princess and
the 2,022-passengerSun
Princess offer
passengers a wealth of amenities including Movies Under the Stars and
The Sanctuary. The ships feature multiple dining rooms and
entertainment venues, many staterooms with private balconies, Lotus
Spa, boutiques, and an internet café among other amenities.
The
2014 Japan cruise program opens for sale .