Princess Cruises has completed a $30 million revamp of Diamond Princess to make the ship more appealing to passengers from Asia.
The 2,670-passenger vessel now features the largest Japanese bath area at sea, a new sushi restaurant and a wider choice of shops and boutiques.
The 8,800-square-foot bath area includes indoor and outdoor relaxation and pampering facilities, such as a hydrotherapy pool and gentle mist sauna. The area has sea views and provides a setting similar to the Japanese ‘onsen’ hot spring experience.
A new sushi restaurant serves fresh seafood and sake that offer an authentic taste of the ports visited.
Onboard shops now include brands such as Burberry, Fendi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Coach, Ralph Lauren and OMEGA.
Other changes during a two-week period in dry dock in Singapore include a renovated casino and a new sports court.
Diamond Princess is now based in Tokyo for a range of nine-day cruises, including visits to destinations such as Taiwan, South Korea, Russia and 15 Japanese ports.
Princess Cruises’ UK and Europe managing director Paul Ludlow said: “Having viewed these refurbishments for myself I’m pleased to say that Diamond Princess is a truly stunning ship.
“It offers an authentic Far East experience, complete with unparalleled sea views, which will really appeal to UK passengers looking to immerse themselves in the culture.
“We’ve seen our sharpest bookings growth in Japan this year, with an increasing number of passengers telling us they are looking to travel to more far-flung, exotic cruise destinations. The changes on Diamond Princess will unquestionably enhance this experience.