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Princess Cruises has announced its most expansive Asia deployment to date, bringing together its 2027 and 2028 Southeast Asia sailings with its 2028 Japan programme in one major release. Now on sale, the season features 96 departures across 61 itineraries, visiting 55 destinations in nine countries.
A major highlight of the new programme is Princess Cruises’ largest-ever Japan season, with both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess set to homeport in Tokyo for the full season in 2028. For the first time, the two sister ships will sail from the Japanese capital throughout the season, offering guests easier access to one of the world’s most fascinating cruise destinations.
The Japan programme includes 85 departures across 52 itineraries ranging from seven to 29 nights, with sailings visiting all four of Japan’s main islands. Cruises have been timed to coincide with some of the country’s best-loved seasonal events, including cherry blossom and autumn foliage periods, as well as major summer festivals. New for the season is the Osaka Bon Odori Festival, with both ships making dedicated visits, while other featured events include the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hakodate Minato Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, Tokushima Awa Odori Festival and the Kumano Fireworks Festival.
Late-night stays in ports including Aomori, Hakodate, Hiroshima, Kochi, Osaka and Tokushima will give guests more time to experience Japan after dark and enjoy these celebrations in greater depth. Across the programme, travellers will also have the chance to visit 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Mount Fuji from Shimizu, Himeji-jo Castle from Osaka, Hiroshima Peace Memorial and the Sado Island Gold Mines from Niigata.
Alongside the Japan season, Princess Cruises has also revealed an extensive Southeast Asia programme aboard Diamond Princess. The collection includes 11 departures across nine itineraries, with voyages of up to 28 nights linking Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. Guests can choose from roundtrip Singapore cruises and Japan-to-Singapore repositioning voyages, visiting 29 destinations across nine countries.
These itineraries have been designed to offer deeper cultural immersion, with highlights including overnight stays in Laem Chabang for Bangkok and late-night calls in Hong Kong and Osaka. Guests will be able to explore some of the region’s best-known landmarks and experiences, from the Cu Chi Tunnels and Ayutthaya to the Giant Buddha, Batu Caves and the Emerald Buddha. Natural highlights include stops in Phuket and Ko Samui, while food-led experiences range from cooking classes in Thailand and Vietnam to street food adventures in Hanoi, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
On board, guests can expect destination-inspired touches designed to extend the experience beyond the ports themselves. Diamond Princess will continue to offer the Izumi Japanese Bath, the largest at sea, while both ships will feature Makoto Ocean, serving Chef Makoto Okuwa’s Edomae-style sushi. Regional lectures, performances and cultural enrichment will further complement time spent ashore.
With two ships homeporting in Tokyo, more late-night stays, festival-focused itineraries and a wide choice of Southeast Asia voyages, Princess Cruises’ new Asia deployment marks a significant expansion in one of the world’s most rewarding cruise regions.
Bookings for the Princess Cruises Asia 2028 programme are open now. Call our Cruise Experts on 01246 819 819 to find out more.
