Princess Cruises has announced its largest-ever Japan deployment, bringing two ships to homeport in Tokyo for the first time and offering 85 departures across 52 itineraries for the 2028 season. The program spans 41 destinations across three countries, with sailings ranging from 7 to 29 days and timed to align with Japan’s most celebrated seasonal events, from cherry blossom season to summer festivals and autumn foliage.
The announcement forms part of a broader Asia release covering 96 total departures across 61 itineraries, visiting 55 destinations in nine countries across both the 2027–2028 Southeast Asia program and the 2028 Japan season. All sailings are on sale now.
For the first time, both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will homeport in Tokyo for the full Japan season, offering passengers more convenient city-centre access. The two sister ships, each built in Japan and carrying roughly 2,700 guests, will visit all four of Japan’s main islands throughout the season.
Festival access is a central feature of the new program. Six ports will offer late-night stays timed to major summer events, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the Tokushima Awa Odori Festival, the Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, and the Hakodate Minato Festival. New for this season, both ships will make dedicated visits to the Osaka Bon Odori Festival, with late-night stays in Osaka also providing access to Kyoto.
“This is the most immersive Japan season we’ve ever introduced and one that reflects how our guests want to experience the destination today,” said Jim Berra, Chief Commercial Officer, Princess Cruises. “With Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess homeporting in Tokyo for the first time, late-night stays timed to Japan’s most celebrated summer festivals, and sailings that visit all four main islands during cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons, we’re delivering unprecedented access to the culture, cuisine and traditions that define Japan.”
The season’s signature offering is a 29-day Grand Circle Japan voyage, with fall foliage departures visiting up to 24 ports. Itineraries also provide access to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Mount Fuji from Shimizu, Himeji-jo Castle from Osaka, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the Sado Island Gold Mines from Niigata, and the Shirakawago Historic Village from Toyama.
Culinary programming plays a prominent role across both ships. Onboard specialty restaurant Makoto Ocean, led by chef Makoto Okuwa, serves Edomae-style sushi, while shore excursions take passengers to fresh seafood markets in Shimizu, sake breweries, izakayas and tea houses. Regional dishes including ramen, tempura and wagyu feature throughout the sailing program.
Alongside the Japan season, Princess Cruises’ Southeast Asia program offers 11 departures across nine itineraries operated by Diamond Princess, connecting Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia on longer voyages of up to 28 days. The program includes roundtrip Singapore sailings and Japan-to-Singapore repositioning cruises, visiting 29 destinations across nine countries. An overnight stay is scheduled in Laem Chabang for Bangkok access, with late-night calls in Hong Kong and Osaka.
Southeast Asia itineraries feature a range of cultural and natural experiences, from the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam and the Batu Caves in Malaysia to Mekong Delta sampan rides and Bangkok tuk-tuk tours. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the route include the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Iriomote Island, accessible from Ishigaki. A 14-day holiday Southeast Asia voyage visiting Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City is also included in the seasonal lineup.
Both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess offer regionally inspired onboard amenities, including the Izumi Japanese Bath aboard Diamond Princess, described by the cruise line as the largest of its kind at sea. Enrichment programming featuring lectures and traditional entertainment complements the shore-side cultural itinerary throughout the season.
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