By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation has expanded its 2014 cruise programme in Japan with the introduction of a second ship, nine unique itineraries, 42 departures and sailings from three homeports. The corporation hopes the extended cruise season will significantly increase the size of the Japanese cruise market to approximately 100,000 passengers.
“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.”
The expansion is expected to create considerable economic impact, with a total contribution for the 2014 season estimated to be over 11 billion yen, including passenger and crew spending in each port, plus other costs Princess Cruises pays to bring ships to Japan.
The 2,670-passenger vessel Diamond Princess will join the 2,022-passenger Sun Princess for the 2014 cruise season, which will see the two ships operating from April to October and visiting over 20 ports in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Russia.
Diamond Princess, which was the first of two Princess vessels to be built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, will homeport in Tokyo (Yokohama) during 2014. It will offer a series of nine-day cruises including visits to Taiwan, South Korea, Hokkaido, Russia and 15 Japanese ports. Five new itineraries have been created for the cruise season and during the Golden Week, it will offer a 10-day itinerary including visits to special festivals. It will also include a call to Nagasaki to celebrate the ship’s 10-year anniversary.
In an industry first, Sun Princess will offer 7-day summer cruises from the northern coastal town of Otaru, located outside of Sapporo on Hokkaido. It will also provide eight-day itineraries from Kobe. Sun Princess will also make maiden calls in the Japanese islands of Ishigaki, and Amami Oshima, as well as Abashiri and Hualien, Taiwan.
Enhancements will be made on both vessels to appeal to the local market, such as Japanese-speaking crew members, and onboard collateral items and stateroom information will be translated into Japanese.
A specially designed enrichment programme including an expert lecture series on art, culture and history will be provided, while other amenities will be tailored to Japanese preferences.
A traditional kagamiwari ceremony will also be held during the captain’s welcome, while the dining menus will offer the usual international Princess cuisine, alongside Japanese culinary options. This will include an à la carte sushi bar, noodle bar, regional tea tasting, sake menu and a Japanese breakfast.