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Princess Cruises to resume Japan homeporting in March

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Diamond Princess will return to Japan service March 15, three years after the ship had been quarantined in Yokohama at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
Princess Cruises plans to resume homeporting in Japan starting March 15, following the country's recent decision to allow international cruise ships.

Non-domestic cruise vessels have not been able to operate in Japan since the COVID-19 outbreak aboard Diamond Princess, which was quarantined at the Port of Yokohama at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Diamond Princess will be operating the upcoming season.

'The reopening of Japanese ports to the international cruise industry is an important and welcome development that not only vastly expands the vacation opportunities available to guests but also helps to significantly strengthen the Japanese tourism economy,' Princess President John Padgett said.

57 departures of 43 itineraries

Diamond Princess will be marking the 10th anniversary of sailing from Yokohama, the port for Tokyo, and Kobe with a nine-day round-trip from Yokohama. During the season, the ship will call at scores of destinations across several countries on 43 unique itineraries with 57 departures. Cruises range from five to 19 days.

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Japanese hot tub on Diamond Princess

Japanese features onboard

Diamond Princess was built in Japan and later refitted to provide the largest open-air Japanese bath at sea. This 8,800-square-foot bath and garden complex offers indoor and outdoor Japanese bathing experiences including steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs with ocean vistas. Dining options onboard include Kai Sushi.

Princess destinations in Japan include access to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Mount Fuji, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Passengers will have the opportunity to visit temples, shrines and castles such as the 16th century Osaka Castle and Seiryu-ji Temple, home of Japan’s largest bronze seated Buddha.

Festivals and cherry blossoms

The ship will be in place for seven festivals, including Japan’s world-famous Kyoto Gion Festival, featuring massive, hand-crafted floats that are constructed every year without the use of nails, and the Kumano Fireworks Festival. And spring cruises afford the chance to see cherry blossoms

Princess also offers 13- or 14-day 'Highlights of Japan' cruise-tours, pairing a multiple-night land tour with a cruise, for more time on land to experience Tokyo and Kyoto.