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Japan to allow international cruise shipsJapan to allow international cruise ships

Japan will begin allowing international cruise calls to resume, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito said Tuesday.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

November 15, 2022

1 Min Read
CRUISE Japan
Princess Cruises recently expressed optimism it will be able to return to Japan in March 2023PHOTO: PRINCESS CRUISES

According to news reports, the Japan International Cruise Council, an industry group, and the Japan Ocean Passenger Ship Association published guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships, while the Japan Port and Harbor Association published similar guidelines for passenger terminals.

Cruise operators are to hold discussions with the relevant parties of the ports they plan to visit for approvals and after obtaining an agreement, they will gradually resume operations, the Transport Ministry said.

No international cruise calls since March 2020

International cruises have not been allowed since the COVID-19 outbreak onboard Diamond Princess, which was quarantined at the Port of Yokohama at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

In a statement to Seatrade Cruise News last week, Princess Cruises expressed optimism that its continued discussions with Japanese authorities would allow it to return in March 2023.

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, recently told financial analysts demand for Japan was 'red hot.' 

Domestic cruises have been operating in Japan for some time.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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