Sarah Bretz, ContributorPrincess Cruises has announced its 2026 cruising season in Japan, which will take place aboard Diamond Princess from February through November 2026. With 50 departures ranging in length from seven to 28 days, the ship will offer 35 unique itineraries visiting 38 destinations.
Itinerary highlights include:
- 10- and 11-day Spring Flowers cruises in March and April to all four main islands, following the predicted blooming season as it moves from south to north
- 9- to 14-day Circle Japan Voyages circumnavigate the island of Japan, with stops including Nagasaki, Kanazawa and Maizuru (for Kyoto)
- 9-day Southern Islands itineraries call to Okinawa, Ishigaki in Japan, along with Taipei (Keelung) and Hualien on the island of Taiwan
- 7- to 11-day Japan Explorer voyages visit some of the country’s most iconic destinations, such as Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Osaka (for Kyoto) and Hiroshima
- Longer voyages from 15 to 28 days, allowing for a deeper exploration of the region
- More Ashore late-night stays in six ports including Aomori (for Nebuta Festival), Hakodate (for Minato Festival), Kochi (for Yosaki Festival), Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji) and Tokushima (for Awa Odori Festival)
Before Diamond Princess arrives for the Japan season, it will sail to exotic locations in southeast Asia, with opportunities to explore Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand in January 2026, including:
- 10-day Vietnam with Halong Bay sailing roundtrip from Singapore and visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Halong Bay/Hanoi with scenic cruising and Da Nang
- 11-day Malaysia & Thailand from Singapore with stops in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Phuket, Penang, Ko Samui and Bangkok
These two itineraries can be combined for a 21-day Southeast Asia Grand Adventure with Halong Bay, roundtrip from Singapore.
Built by Mitsubishi in Nagasaki, Diamond Princess features uniquely designed, Japanese-inspired experiences including an Izumi Bath modeled after a traditional onsen, regional dishes from the Noodle Bar or freshly prepared sushi at Kai Sushi, fine Japanese whiskeys, sake and shochu, 400-year-old traditional “rakugo” storytelling, karaoke-filled evenings, and folkloric dancers showcasing the arts.
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