Princess Cruises' Biggest Asia Deployment Puts Two Ships in Tokyo

Princess Cruises has rolled out its largest Asia deployment to date, combining its 2027-2028 Southeast Asia program with its 2028 Japan season into a single lineup of 96 departures across 61 itineraries.

Across the combined deployment, the cruise line is offering sailings that call at 55 destinations in nine countries. Princess said both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will homeport in Tokyo for the first time, positioning Japan as the centerpiece of the season.

How the combined Asia deployment is structured

Princess’ combined schedule brings multiple regional programs into one season plan, mixing shorter cruises with longer voyages that run close to a month. The season includes a blend of roundtrip sailings and repositioning routes, with Japan-focused itineraries designed around peak seasonal travel windows and a separate set of longer, multi-country voyages in Southeast Asia.

Tokyo homeporting anchors the 2028 Japan season

Princess’ 2028 Japan season is scheduled to include 85 departures across 52 itineraries, visiting 41 destinations across three countries. Cruise lengths range from seven to 29 days, including 29-day Grand Circle Japan voyages that can feature up to 24 ports and are timed with Japan’s fall foliage.

Jim Berra, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer, said the season is being built around extended time in port and seasonal timing. “This is the most immersive Japan season we’ve ever introduced,” Berra said, citing Tokyo homeporting, late-night port stays designed around summer festivals, and itineraries that reach all four of Japan’s main islands during cherry blossom and fall foliage periods.

Late-night port stays and festival-timed sailings

Princess’ Japan lineup includes expanded late-night stays tied to major summer festivals, with six late-night calls highlighted in the program. The schedule is designed to align with seasonal events including cherry blossom timing from south to north and autumn foliage periods.

Festival-focused itineraries are timed around events including the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hakodate Minato Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, Tokushima Awa Odori Festival, Osaka Bon Odori Festival, and the Kumano Fireworks Festival. Princess also highlighted Osaka’s Bon Odori festival as a new addition for the season, with dedicated visits planned by both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess.

Ports, landmarks, and shore experiences highlighted in Japan

The Japan itinerary mix combines major cities, historic areas, and natural scenery. Princess’ season materials cite calls to destinations including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Sapporo, as well as places such as Kochi Castle, the Sannai-Maruyama ruins, the Oga Peninsula, and Lake Towada, alongside calls positioned for views of Mount Fuji.

Princess is promoting access to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the Japan program, including Mount Fuji, Himeji-jo Castle, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. The line is also emphasizing destination-linked cultural activities such as tea ceremonies, Kabuki performances, Zen gardens, visits to Shinto shrines, and culinary-focused outings that include izakayas.

Southeast Asia: longer Diamond Princess itineraries from Singapore and repositioning routes

Complementing the Japan season, Princess’ Southeast Asia program is built around longer, destination-heavy itineraries operated by Diamond Princess. Princess said the Southeast Asia portion includes 11 departures across nine itineraries, with sailings of up to 28 days.

These routes are designed to connect Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, collectively calling at 29 destinations across nine countries. The season plan includes roundtrip voyages from Singapore as well as Japan-to-Singapore repositioning sailings.

Port time is a notable element of the Southeast Asia schedule, including an overnight stay in Laem Chabang (the main cruise gateway for Bangkok) and late-night calls in Hong Kong and Osaka. Princess also highlighted UNESCO-related visits in Southeast Asia, including the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Iriomote Island.

Shore excursions and culinary stops referenced in the Southeast Asia materials include visits to the Giant Buddha of Hong Kong, Batu Caves in Malaysia, and Thailand’s Emerald Buddha, as well as food experiences tied to items such as Pad Thai and Banh Mi, plus street food tours in cities such as Bangkok and Hanoi. Princess also cited visits to places such as Hong Kong’s Temple Street Night Market and Bangkok’s floating markets.

Examples of Southeast Asia and regional sailings with dates

• 12-day Malaysia and Thailand roundtrip from Singapore (Dec. 11-23, 2027), positioned as a multi-stop itinerary across two countries.
• 14-day Southeast Asia roundtrip from Singapore visiting Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam (Jan. 6-20, 2028), extending the itinerary to include multiple regional ports.
• 7-day Japan and Korea roundtrip from Tokyo (April 28-May 5, 2028), pairing calls in Japan with a Korea visit in a one-week format.
• 10-day Japan Explorer sailing timed to summer festivals and the Kumano Fireworks, roundtrip from Tokyo (Aug. 14-24, 2028), aligning port calls with seasonal events.

Onboard programming tied to the region

Princess is positioning onboard features and programming to match the destinations. Diamond Princess features the Izumi Japanese Bath, which the cruise line describes as the largest of its kind at sea.

Both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will offer the Makoto Ocean specialty restaurant, featuring Edomae-style sushi created by Chef Makoto Okuwa. Princess also plans enrichment programming, including lectures on local culture and traditions and entertainment linked to Japan and Southeast Asia, along with culinary workshops and shore-side food experiences such as visits to seafood markets in Shimizu and cooking classes in Vietnam and Thailand.

Booking and early-purchase offers

Princess said the 2027-2028 Asia cruises are now open for booking. The cruise line is advertising up to $800 in instant savings, a complimentary room upgrade, and up to $200 in bonus savings per stateroom for Captain’s Circle members.

Princess’ combined deployment sets up two ships operating from Tokyo during the 2028 Japan season, alongside a separate set of longer Southeast Asia itineraries built around Singapore roundtrips and Japan-to-Singapore repositioning routes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Princess ships will homeport in Tokyo during the 2028 Japan season?

Princess said Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will both homeport in Tokyo for the full 2028 Japan season, marking the first time the line will base both ships there.

How long are the cruises in Princess Cruises’ 2028 Japan program?

Princess said the Japan season will include itineraries ranging from seven to 29 days, including 29-day Grand Circle Japan voyages that can feature up to 24 ports and are timed with fall foliage departures.

Which festivals are highlighted in the 2028 Japan schedule?

The program includes sailings timed around events such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hakodate Minato Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, Tokushima Awa Odori Festival, Osaka Bon Odori Festival, and the Kumano Fireworks Festival. Princess also said Osaka’s Bon Odori festival is a new addition for the season, with dedicated visits planned by both ships.

What is included in Princess’ 2027-2028 Southeast Asia program?

Princess said the Southeast Asia program will be operated by Diamond Princess and will include 11 departures across nine itineraries, with sailings of up to 28 days. The itineraries include roundtrip cruises from Singapore as well as Japan-to-Singapore repositioning routes linking Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

What early booking promotions are being offered for the 2027-2028 Asia deployment?

Princess said the sailings are on sale with an advertised offer that includes up to $800 in instant savings, a free room upgrade, and up to $200 in bonus savings per stateroom for Captain’s Circle members.