Princess Cruises Expands 2014 Japan Cruise Program

Diamond Princess - Princess Cruises - Japan Cruises in 2014

Underscoring its commitment to the growing Japanese cruise market, Carnival Corporation & plc today detailed a substantially expanded 2014 Japan cruise program for the Princess Cruises brand, which brings a second ship to the market, features sailings from three homeports and plans to significantly expand the size of the cruise market in Japan to approximately 100,000 passengers.

The Japan-built Diamond Princess will join Sun Princess for a cruise program from three homeports – Tokyo (Yokohama), Kobe, and an industry first, Otaru near Sapporo on Hokkaido. Sailing between April and October in 2014, the two ships will offer 42 departures featuring nine unique itineraries ranging from seven to nine days. The two ships will visit more than 20 ports in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Russia.

“We were the first international cruise line brand to offer a full season of cruises designed specifically for passengers from Japan, and we continue to believe there is substantial untapped demand for cruise vacations here,” said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises. “With a second, larger ship and our ground-breaking itineraries in 2014 we look forward to continuing to help develop the full potential of the cruise market in Japan.”

Buckelew added that the economic impact from this deployment will be notable, with a total contribution for the 2014 season estimated to be in excess of 11 billion yen. This includes passenger and crew spending in each port, plus the port and other local costs Princess Cruises pays to bring its ships to Japan.

Diamond Princess will homeport in Tokyo (Yokohama) for an extended season of 9-day cruises that include visits to Taiwan, South Korea, Hokkaido, Russia and 15 Japanese ports, including five new itineraries created especially for the ship. During the popular holiday period of Golden Week, Diamond Princess will feature a special 10-day itinerary that includes opportunities to visit several festivals plus enjoy a special call to Nagasaki, home to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries where the ship was built, to celebrate Diamond Princess’ 10-year anniversary.

Sun Princess will debut several industry firsts for the Japanese market – including innovative 7-day cruises from the northern coastal town of Otaru, located outside of Sapporo, as well as two new 8-day itineraries from Kobe. These itineraries will offer cruise options to appeal to passengers looking for a week-long cruise vacation, and the northern Hokkaido itinerary will offer a refreshing summer destination. The ship will also make maiden calls in the Japanese islands of Ishigaki, and Amami Oshima, as well as Abashiri and Hualien, Taiwan.

On these sailings, passengers will find the cruise experience substantially the same as that offered by Princess Cruises around the world, providing an impressive array of dining and entertainment options in addition to the line’s signature innovations such as its popular Movies Under the Stars poolside theater and The Sanctuary, an exclusive top-deck retreat.

However some changes and enhancements are being made to appeal to the local market such as Japanese-speaking crew members in key passenger-facing positions. Dining room menus will offer international Princess cuisine while additional offerings will cater to Japanese tastes, such as an a la carte sushi bar, Japanese breakfast, noodle bar, regional tea tastings, and special sake menu. A traditional kagamiwari ceremony will be held during the captain’s welcome. Specially designed enrichment programs will include an expert lecture series on art, culture and history. Other amenities such as the shopping selection and spa treatments will also be tailored to Japanese preferences, and onboard collateral items and stateroom information will be translated into Japanese.

An extensive array of shore excursions will be available to complement the itineraries so passengers can experience all the ports have to offer.

The 2,670-passenger Diamond Princess was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, Japan – the first of two Princess ships built in Japan. Diamond Princess and the 2,022-passenger Sun Princess offer passengers a wealth of amenities including Movies Under the Stars and The Sanctuary. The ships feature multiple dining rooms and entertainment venues, many staterooms with private balconies, Lotus Spa, boutiques, and an internet café among other amenities.

The 2014 Japan cruise program opens for sale today.

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Princess Cruises Adds 2 New Asia Cruises in 2013

Princess Cruises Add 2 Additional Asia Cruises Due to Delayed Drydocking

  Princess Cruises has just announced two special new Asia cruise opportunities, offering unique itineraries that explore some of the most alluring ports in the region.

Departing in October and November 2013 aboard Diamond Princess, these 10- and 11-day Asia cruises sail roundtrip from Singapore, taking in some of the best of Southeast Asia’s ports of call, including Bangkok, Bali, Nha Trang and Phuket, as well as two ports not usually visited on Diamond Princess itineraries – Penang, Malaysia and Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

“Because we’ve rescheduled Diamond Princess’ drydock during this time, it has opened up a great opportunity for us to present travelers with some intriguing new Asia options,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “These sailings offer a memorable travel opportunity for those who have always wanted to explore Southeast Asia.”

The new cruises are:

Southeast Asia – 11 Days (Departing October 24, 2013)
Sailing roundtrip from Singapore, Diamond Princess will call at Brunei, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Bangkok, and Ko Samui in Thailand.

Malaysia Peninsula & Indonesia – 10 days (Departing November 4, 2013)
Also cruising roundtrip from Singapore, passengers will explore exotic Bali, Malaysia’s Capital of Kuala Lumpur, Penang (Malaysia), and Thailand’s beach resort of Phuket.

For those with more time, both sailings can be combined into a 21-day Southeast Asia Grand Adventure.

Passengers on these sailings can enjoy shore excursion options that include some of Asia’s most intriguing sights and experiences, including the stunningly beautiful Grand Palace in Bangkok, Long Son Pagoda with its bird’s-eye view of Nha Trang, the skilled artisans of Mas Village in Bali, and Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple at Wat Chalong. An overland excursion offers visitors the opportunity to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Fares for Diamond Princess’ new Asia cruises begin at $1,449 per person, based on double occupancy.

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Princess Cruises Offere Extensive Australia / New Zealand Cruises in 2012/13

Featuring the largest Australia deployment of any North American line in the region, Princess Cruises’ 2012-13 season of “Down Under” cruising offers intriguing new routes, a special solar eclipse cruise, a new cruisetour to the Outback, and more sailings to New Zealand than any other line.

In total, four ships – Diamond Princess, Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess – will sail on 40 voyages of eight different itineraries in the region. Among them are a longer 14-day Australia & New Zealand itinerary that adds two ports, Wellington and Picton, compared to previous seasons; as well as an extensive 33-day Round Australia & New Zealand route, featuring the best of the lands of kangaroos and kiwis.

Additionally, a special sailing will offer the unique opportunity to view the November 14 solar eclipse in its area of totality around northern Australia. This 11-day Queensland cruise aboard Dawn Princess includes a day at sea especially for the opportunity to view the solar eclipse.

Passengers who want to see more of Australia can opt for one of four complete land and sea cruisetours, that seamlessly combine a land itinerary with an Australia/New Zealand cruise. A new seven-night tour option debuts this season, featuring a train ride into the Outback from Adelaide aboard the historic Ghan Railway.

The Princess program includes three ships based locally for Aussie-style cruising. Featuring dining and entertainment options geared to Australian tastes, plus using Australian dollars as the onboard currency, these sailings offer a true local experience to passengers from all over.

“Australia and New Zealand are home to some of the world’s great cruise destinations,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Whether someone wants to explore the Great Barrier Reef, sail to scenic spots in New Zealand such as the dramatic Fiordland National Park, or even circumnavigate the entire Australian continent, we offer unforgettable vacation experiences.”

Princess’ 2012-13 Australia/New Zealand cruise season includes:

Australia & New Zealand – Expanded Itinerary – This 14-day journey between Sydney and Auckland adds two ports – Picton and Wellington – to a favorite Princess route – and all departures feature Fiordland National Park. Diamond Princess will offer six sailings between December 14, 2012 and February 22, 2013 on an itinerary to Melbourne, Hobart (Tasmania), Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Christchurch (Lyttelton), Picton (or Marlborough Sounds scenic cruising on select departures), Wellington, and Tauranga.

Aussie Experience Sailings
Locally based ships Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess offer “Aussie-style” cruising to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Queensland (Solar Eclipse Cruise) – A special cruise itinerary especially for viewing the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012. This roundtrip voyage from Sydney sails north to Brisbane, Willis Island (scenic cruising), Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and then heads off the coast for a day at sea for the opportunity to view the eclipse. Dawn Princess departs on November 6, 2012.

Round Australia & New Zealand – A 33-day grand tour sailing roundtrip from Sydney features both Australia and the North & South Islands of New Zealand. Sea Princess will call at Brisbane, Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef & Cairns), Darwin, Lombok, Geraldton, Perth (Fremantle), Adelaide, Melbourne, Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, and Auckland. The sailing departs on October 18, 2012.

Round Australia – A chance to circle the continent in 28 days aboard Dawn Princess. The roundtrip voyages from Sydney sailing visits Brisbane, Airlie Beach (for the Whitsundays), Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef & Cairns), Darwin, Lombok, Perth (Fremantle), Bunbury, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Burnie (Tasmania), and Hobart (Tasmania overnight). The sailing departs on March 31, 2013.

Northern Australia Explorer – Sailing between Sydney and Perth (Fremantle), passengers can explore Airlie Beach (for the Whitsundays), Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef & Cairns), Darwin, Kimberly Coast (scenic cruising), Broome, Lombok, and Geraldton. The 17-day sailings depart aboard Sun Princess and Dawn Princess on April 12, 29 and June 10, 2012; plus April 26 and May 13, 2013.

New Zealand – Three different itineraries sail from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane aboard Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Sun Princess. These 13- or 14-day sailings include opportunities to explore ports such as Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Sailings depart between October 24, 2012 and March 16, 2013.

Cruisetours
Four guided land tours of Australia can be added to a cruise to create a full land and sea vacation, covering some of the continent’s undisputed wonders. All cruisetours include the 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruise seamlessly combined with a four- to seven-night land adventure.

Classic Australia and Ghan Rail **NEW** – This overnight rail adventure between Adelaide and Alice Springs offers a great way to explore the country’s extensive Outback and visit the inland landmark, Uluru, or Ayers Rock. The seven-night tour features two nights in Adelaide, one night aboard the historic Ghan Railway, one night in Alice Springs, a night at Ayers Rock and two nights in Sydney. This unique tour offers an opportunity to explore the South Australia capital of Adelaide as well as the chance to enjoy one of the great train journeys of the world, named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed this route.

Australian Outback Adventure – This six-night tour visits the country’s renowned Great Barrier Reef and ventures into the vast Australian Outback with two nights in Sydney, one night at Ayers Rock, one night in Alice Springs and two nights in Cairns. In the Outback, travelers will visit the famed Uluru (Ayers Rock), and will experience Aboriginal cultural.

Ultimate Australia – This seven-night tour features the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock plus visits to Darwin and the majestic Kakadu National Park. This land itinerary offers two nights in Sydney, one night at Ayers Rock, one night at Kakadu, one night in Darwin and two nights at Port Douglas for the Great Barrier Reef.

Tropical Highlights – Those who want to explore the extensive Great Barrier Reef will enjoy this four-night tour, featuring two nights in Sydney and two nights in Cairns. Travelers will spend a day at the Great Barrier Reef, plus nearby nature parks and cultural attractions.

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Princess Cruises Unveils 2011 Alaska Cruises

Princess Cruises’ 2011 Alaska program offers travelers a full range of cruise and cruisetour options whether they want to explore Denali in depth, plan independently, enjoy the attention of an expert guide, or venture off the beaten path. The season opens for sale May 13 with special rates that include adding three days at Denali to a cruise for just $299.

The 2011 lineup will offer passengers the company’s hallmark Alaska experience, whether at sea on board amenity-filled ships or on land with Princess’ signature wilderness lodges and exclusive Direct to the Wilderness program, where guests step right from their ship onto luxury railcars that transport them directly to the Denali area.

The season includes a total of 104 Alaska departures aboard six ships sailing on three itinerary options during the May to September season. The lineup includes Diamond Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess traveling on the line’s popular “Voyage of the Glaciers” route through the scenic Gulf of Alaska; Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle, and Sea Princess cruising on 10-day journeys from San Francisco.

The cruisetour program combines a seven-day “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruise with three to eight additional nights on land exploring Alaska’s interior. For 2011, travelers can choose from four types of land and sea packages – Denali Explorer, On Your Own, Off the Beaten Path and Connoisseur. All Princess cruisetours include the company’s exclusive wilderness lodges, rail or motorcoach travel, plus the top two attractions in the state – Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, where visitors spend at least two nights exploring the wonders of this area.

“Our 2011 program retains all of the classic Princess signatures that make us the clear leader in Alaska, plus some new options,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “And visiting the heart of Alaska has never been so affordable with three days at Denali beginning at just $299 more than a cruise alone.”

Cruises – Princess offers three itineraries to the majestic glaciers, historic towns and scenic waters of Alaska with sailings from seven to 10 days.

• Voyage of the Glaciers – The line’s famed Gulf of Alaska route between Vancouver and Whittier (for Anchorage) features calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord (or Hubbard Glacier on southbound sailings). Diamond Princess and Coral Princess sail on Saturdays and Island Princess offers new Wednesday departures for a total of 54 sailing choices between May 18 and September 17, 2011.

• Inside Passage from Seattle – Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess offer convenient weekend departures on seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle along the scenic Inside Passage with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C. Passengers will enjoy dramatic glacier viewing in either Glacier Bay National Park (Golden Princess) or Tracy Arm (Sapphire Princess). The two ships will sail on 37 departures between May 14 and September 17, 2011.

• Inside Passage from San Francisco – Sea Princess again sails from the “City by the Bay” on 10-day roundtrip cruises. The ship offers 13 voyages from San Francisco featuring the scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, stops at Victoria and Juneau, plus two other calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka or Icy Strait Point. Departures sail between May 10 and September 7, 2011.

Cruisetours – Princess cruisetours offer passengers a complete land and sea Alaska experience with vacations ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruisetour options include at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays at Princess’ own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing including Glacier Bay National Park.

• Denali Explorer – Featuring multiple nights at the line’s own Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, these tours also offer the exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between the Whittier cruise terminal and the dramatic Denali National Park area. Most also offer the opportunity to explore Fairbanks or Anchorage.

• On Your Own – A new option for independent-minded travelers, these tours offer a more affordable and flexible way to see the Heart of Alaska. Tours do not include any pre-planned excursions, giving travelers time to create their own experience.

• Off the Beaten Path – For those who want to explore Denali and beyond, these tours offer options to the Kenai Peninsula with stays at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with stays at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Passengers can even choose to venture to the state’s far north into the Arctic Circle and Prudhoe Bay.

• Connoisseur – These cruisetour options offer the services of a professional tour director and additional time for passengers to experience the Great Land. Travelers can choose from more of these extended itineraries in 2011, with most meals and enhanced sightseeing options included as well.

Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruisetours for 2011 are available for reservations on May 13, 2010. Launch Fares begin at $649 for seven-day voyages, and $948 for cruisetours.