I’ve known Princess sails to Japan for years, it took a session at my travel conference to actually get me excited about it. A few reasons why:
- There are only two ships sailing today, Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess (both built at Mitsubishi, a fun detail if you’re into that kind of thing). That’s not a market Princess is mass-producing capacity for, it’s one they’ve clearly invested in getting right.
- Japanese travelers themselves voted Princess the #1 cruise line in Japan. That’s not a marketing claim Princess makes about itself, that’s the actual market weighing in, which carries a lot more weight with me.
- The onboard experience leans into the destination instead of just sailing past it: a real Japanese bathhouse, a sake barrel-breaking ceremony, kimono experiences, and volunteer Japanese cultural hosts on board. The itineraries are often tied to festivals too, cherry blossom season being the big one, so you’re not just seeing Japan, you’re there for something.
- Because there are only two ships, availability is genuinely tight. Princess is adding two more for 2027, but that’s not here yet.
If Japan has ever been a “someday” trip in the back of your mind, I’d move it up the list. This isn’t a destination where you decide in March and sail in September.
Thinking about Japan (or just curious what a cherry blossom sailing actually looks like)? Message me, I’d love to help plan the trip I’m now dreaming about myself.