We arrived at the Yokohama Cruise Terminal for a seamless embarkation process. Although the terminal was extremely busy, I was very impressed with the friendly and efficient check-in service from the Princess staff, and together with the Medallion experience, before we knew it, we were on board.
Our balcony cabin was spacious, with a large walk-in robe next to our ensuite, plenty of storage, and cupboard space. Our cabin was located on Baja Deck in a forward position. The cabin’s decor featured traditional colours, with extremely comfortable bedding and a desk area. The bedside lamps had USB charging ports, and there were power/ports on the desk area. The balcony is a very comfortable size with two deck chairs and a table. We had Princess bathrobes and slippers. We opted for the Princess Plus package, which is the best value beverage pack at the moment, with beverages and Wi-Fi included for the duration of the cruise. This represents fabulous value for AU$65 per person per day – the Wi-Fi alone on the ship is around US$25 per day.
You cannot book the Izumi bathhouse until you are on board, so I rang as soon as we arrived and was offered a package for the whole cruise, but decided to take a 3-day package for the days we were at sea. Izumi, or “Onsen,” features indoor and outdoor bathing experiences, including steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs with spectacular ocean views. There is a huge covered whirlpool which overlooks the aft. It was definitely a beautiful, relaxing experience on our days at sea and great value at US$25 per 90-minute session.
The Diamond also features specialty restaurants. We loved the Churrascaria Brazilian Grill, with its various choices of meats and delicious side dishes. The waiters present all these cuts on vertical skewers to your table. We also dined at Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, tasting a selection of Italian pastas and desserts.
Our Circle Japan Cruise itinerary included Nagoya, Busan, Akita, Aomori, and Hitachinaka. We booked the Princess Nagoya half-day tour and also the Princess Akita full-day tour to learn more about Samurai history and visit Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan. We arrived in Aomori in time for the Nebuta Festival, with the streets full of drums, parades, lanterns, and music. This cruise was a wonderful combination of city, mountains, and South Korea. Busan was a highlight for me. I would love to return one day to experience the cherry blossom season.
I would recommend this cruise for anyone looking to explore Japan. Diamond Princess, designed specifically for Japan, offers the perfect base from which to explore the country’s diverse city and landscapes. The traditional Izumi spa and Kai Sushi restaurant aboard are like an extension of the outside world, the perfect place to retreat to after a busy day of sightseeing. Princess consistently delivers wonderful food, entertainment and service and will ensure you have an unforgettable time in Japan, just like I did.
