Ahead of its summer season in Japan, Princess Cruises is equipping one of its ships with a unique range of new facilities designed to appeal to Japanese passengers.
The US$30 million refurbishment of the Diamond Princess, which is being undertaken at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, will include a series of new onboard offerings catering specifically for the Japanese market, including a new sushi restaurant, more shopping areas and additional staterooms.
But the most eye-catching new addition will be a large new Japanese bathing area. Covering more than 800m², the bathing and garden complex will include indoor and outdoor pools made from stone and other natural materials, designed to replicate traditional Japanese onsens.
“Because bathing is an important part of the Japanese culture, we want to offer passengers an authentic experience onboard, complete with unparalleled ocean views,” said Farriek Tawfik, Princess Cruises’ Southeast Asia director, who is based in Singapore. “This is just one of several additions we’re making to the ship to give passengers an appealing Japanese experience.”
Accessed through what Princess Cruises’ calls a “peaceful entrance”, the outdoor onsen area will include a Japanese hydrotherapy pool for both male and female bathers, shaded deck chairs and a footbath. Indoors, Princess will offer separate male and female bathing areas with sea views, plus a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows and a stone bath.
As well as the onsen area, Japanese guests on the Diamond Princess will be able to dine at the Kai Sushi restaurant, which was initially introduced on Sun Princess. This 66-pax restaurant will serve a range of sushi, sashimi and other dishes, plus a selection of sakes.
The duty-free shops will be remodelled “to appeal to customers in Japan”, according to Princess, while 14 new cabins and a sports court will be added. The Italian restaurant, Horizon Court buffet restaurant, casino, internet café and wedding chapel will also be upgraded.
The drydock work started on 12 March and is scheduled to be completed on 2 April 2014. Following this, the Diamond Princess will sail to Yokohama to begin an extended season of Japanese cruises from 17 April onwards. These will include itineraries visiting 15 Japanese ports plus visits to Taiwan, Korea and Russia.
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