Japan sailings

[Cwilpa]

I would love to see Japan and other parts of Asia but until Princess uses a better ship I will not. The Diamond princess is a rusted old ship and is horrible. I would NEVER take another cruise on this ship.

They need to offer alternative ships for ASIA cruises. Until they do, count me out.

[3Sisters]

@Cwilpa I'm surprised that you are writing this! I was most excited about these new Diamond Princess itineraries, but I have yet to cruise with Princess Cruises. From what I gathered, the itineraries are great but you believe the ship is not. I was under the impression Diamond Princess wasn't half bad. If you wouldn't cruise Asia onboard Diamond Princess, what cruise line would you recommend instead? 

[PaulB]

I would love to visit Japan and experience the Asian atmosphere myself. I'm surprised to hear about the Diamond Princess, was it that bad? I can understand it being off putting if it looks old, however surely it wasn't that bad to ruin your vacation?

[3Sisters]

I was also surprised to hear about the Diamond Princess! @Cwilpa's experience may have been unique. Usually. I hear great comments Princess Cruises! Sometimes lines have to skip ports of call, like this Princess cruise, in order to put guests' safety first. https://www.cruisehive.com/princess-ship-skips-scenic-cruising-for-safer-route/111406 

 

[LukeJ]

As disappointed you may have felt about the amenities of the ship, and maybe the way the customer service was handled, the visits to the Asian locations surely must have been worthwhile. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ I happen to agree with you! This is a dream destination of mine so even if Diamond Princess wasn't chalked up to what it's supposed to be, I still would hop on board to get to these destinations. Have you taken an Asian cruise before? If I book an Asian cruise, I want it to be at least 9 days long. I honestly think I would need at least a month of at-sea and on-land exploring. Asia is in fact the largest continent in the world! 

 It's hard to say, but I beleive I would want my first Asian cruise to be out of Hong Kong!

https://www.cruisehive.com/hong-kong-sees-major-rebound-with-18-cruise-lines/108403

[LukeJ]

I have yet to go to Japan, but it is certainly something I very much would like to do in the future. The images of the country looks mesmerising and even when I read about the culture and it's food, it is 100,% something I long to do.

[3Sisters]

@LukeJ I understand @Cwilpa's perspective but after I just looked into Diamond Princess' 2024 Tokyo itineraries I about sold myself on booking one! The ship really looks pretty nice and the destinations are incredible. Asia took such a long time to get back to cruising after the shutdown. I'm just thankful everything is up and running again. 

@Cwilpa What were some of the major issues you encountered with the ship other than it being "rusted?"