By
Rebecca Gibson |
Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess has arrived in her Tokyo homeport after she was renovated at Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore
Carried out over a two-week period, the 2,670-guest ship has undergone and extensive US$30 million refurbishment to install a range of new features tailored to the Asian market.
The ship offers a new bathing complex, which has been modelled on the popular onsen Japanese bathing experience. The 8,800 sq ft bath and garden complex has both indoor and outdoor bathing areas, as well as an open-air Japanese unisex hydrotherapy pool and a shaded lounge area with footbaths. The vessel also features two indoor gender-segregated bath experiences, a dry sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, a mist sauna and the Stone Bath, which will feature an Utaseyu, a cascade of hot water.
In addition, passengers can enjoy a new, 66-person sushi restaurant, which offer both table seating and a sushi bar serving fresh seafood. Horizon Court, the ship’s buffet area has been upgraded to feature contemporary food service areas and action stations for live a la carte cooking, as well as a pastry shop, refreshed décor and an expanded seating area.
Diamond Princess’ duty-free boutiques have also been remodelled to include a new luxury watch boutique; The Meridian Bay boutique; Limelight boutique, which will offer designer leather goods; and The Essence boutique, which will introduce the first fragrance bar at sea where passengers can sample and learn about new scents.
Other changes include 14 new cabins, a sports court on the roof of Skywalker’s Nightclub, a revitalised photo gallery and Platinum Portrait Studio, new art gallery displays, renewed décor in Sabatini’s Italian specialty restaurant and a reconfigured casino, while the internet café and wedding chapel have been relocated.
“Having viewed these refurbishments for myself I’m pleased to say that Diamond Princess is a truly stunning ship,” said Paul Ludlow, Princess Cruises managing director UK and Europe, “It offers an authentic Far East experience, complete with unparalleled sea views, which will really appeal to UK passengers looking to immerse themselves in the culture.”
Ludlow added: “We’ve seen our sharpest bookings growth in Japan this year, with an increasing number of passengers telling us they are looking to travel to more far-flung, exotic cruise destinations. The changes on Diamond Princess will unquestionably enhance this experience.”
Diamond Princess will sail an extended season of nine-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 offer a ten-day itinerary, enabling guests to visit several festivals and a visit Nagasaki – home to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries where the ship was built – to celebrate Diamond Princess’ ten-year anniversary.