Japan Season offers nine ways to visit local festivals for timeless celebrations

On sale from December 15, the Princess Cruises 2022 Summer Japan programme will feature 35 departures on Diamond Princess during May through September 2022. Cruises range from five to 19 days, with 31 destinations, four countries and 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites included.

Diamond Princess will sail out of Tokyo (Yokohama) and Kobe on diverse itineraries spanning from the southern tropical islands of Okinawa to the northernmost island of Hokkaido.

The 2022 Summer Japan Programme highlights include:

·        Temples, Shrines & Palaces: 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites featuring temples and shrines, such as the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, Buddhist monuments of the Horyu-ji area and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.  

·        Festivals: With 9 opportunities to visit local festivals, guests can experience some of Japan's world-famous festivals such as Kyoto Gion Festival - featuring massive, hand-crafted “Yama” and “Hoko” floats that are constructed every year without the use of nails -, or watch a display of 10,000 fireworks during the Kumano Fireworks Festival. Other featured festivals include Osaka Tenjin Festival, Aomori Nebuta Festival, Akita Kanto Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival and Tokushima Awa Dance Festival.

·        Vibrant Cities, New Port of Call, Late-Night Stays: In Tokyo, guests can enjoy shopping in the Ginza district or exploring the Imperial Palace plaza. The 2022 season features a maiden port call to Hitachinaka, for access to the shrines and temples of Nikko. Ten ports offer 'More Ashore' late-night stays including Akita, Aomori, Kochi, Osaka and Tokushima on Summer Festival dates.

·        Natural Wonders, Gardens & Onsens: Serenity abounds in Kanazawa's Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. Guests can also choose to experience a traditional tea ceremony while overlooking Mt. Fuji or enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and health benefits of an “onsen” (hot spring bath).

·        Highlights of Japan Cruisetour: For guests with more time to explore Japan, the Highlights of Japan cruisetour combines an eight-, nine- or 10-day cruise with two nights in Kyoto and three nights in Tokyo.

Built in Japan, Diamond Princess offers a cruise experience connected to the local Japanese culture. Guests can enjoy authentic cuisine at Kai Sushi, soak in a traditional Izumi bath – the largest Japanese bath at sea – and enjoy folkloric shows and regional entertainment. And in 2022, the ship will feature the cruise line's exclusive Princess MedallionClass Experience, offering guest an effortless holiday experience by delivering a highly personalised service and touchless interactions and entertainment. Enhancements include expedited boarding; on demand food, beverage, retail and service delivery; keyless stateroom entry; contactless payment; friends and family locator; interactive games; and movies/live TV on the go along with the best Wi-Fi at sea with MedallionNet.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 0344 338 8663 or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

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Notes to Editors

Princess Cruises is currently enhancing health and safety protocols with input from global health leaders in response to COVID-19 and assessing how they may impact future itineraries. Click on the following links to stay updated on current Cruise Updates, Health & Safety protocols,and CDC Travel Advisories.

About Princess Cruises

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is an international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognised as “Best Cruise Line for Itineraries.”  In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass holidays enabled by the OceanMedallion, the travel industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalised holiday giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).  

Princess Cruises is currently enhancing health and safety protocols with input from global health leaders in light of COVID-19 and assessing how they may impact future itineraries. Actual offerings may vary from what is displayed in marketing materials. Click on the following links to stay updated on current Travel Advisories and Health & Safety protocols. 

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Charlotte Humphrey, charlotte.humphrey@princesscruises.co.uk