Princess Cruises will return the Diamond Princess to service in Japan for the first time since the pandemic began on March 15, with a nine-day, roundtrip cruise out of Tokyo.

The Diamond returns to celebrate the 10th anniversary of sailing from Tokyo (using the port city of Yokohama) and Kobe. The Diamond and Sapphire Princess ships are unique in that they were constructed in Japan and the Diamond  has often sailed in the region.

During this first season back since the pandemic, the Diamond will sail five- to 19-day cruises. The ship will call at 38 destinations in four countries.

Princess will sail 43 different itineraries in the region, including those that visit seven festivals next year, including the Kyoto Gion Festival and the Kumano Fireworks Festival. The line will also offer 13- and 14-day voyages that feature multiple-night land tours in Tokyo and Kyoto.

The ship was the last in the Princess fleet to resume service. It is perhaps best remembered for having one of the first major Covid outbreaks, in February 2020; the ship was quarantined in Japan.

The ship is fresh off a refurbishment and is currently sailing a range of five- to 16-day voyages out of Sand Diego to the Mexican Riviera, California Coast and the Hawaiian Islands.

Princess joins Holland America Line in returning to Asia next year. Japan last month reopened to international visitors without Covid-era restrictions. 

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