After sailing on over fifty cruises worldwide, we recently embarked on a Japan cruise aboard the Diamond Princess, and let me tell you—it was unlike any other cruise we’ve taken. This ship, rich with history and deeply rooted in Japanese culture, offered us a one-of-a-kind experience that was both odd and memorable. From the passenger demographics to the dining and entertainment, and even some unexpected hiccups along the way, this journey was truly special.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll share everything you need to know about cruising on the Diamond Princess in Japan. We’ll cover the ship’s unique design and amenities, the Japanese-influenced dining options, what it’s like sailing during Golden Week with predominantly Japanese guests, some surprising policies like the infamous “Soda Gate,” and our honest thoughts on the overall experience. Whether you’re planning a Japan cruise or just curious about what makes this ship stand out, this article will give you the inside scoop.
The Diamond Princess: A Ship with a Fascinating History
The Diamond Princess was built in 2004, alongside its sister ship, the Sapphire Princess. Interestingly, the Diamond Princess was originally supposed to be the Sapphire Princess. However, a fire during construction changed those plans, giving the ship an intriguing backstory right from its inception.
Currently, the ship operates mainly in Asia, with a heavy focus on Japan and Australia. Consequently, it caters primarily to Japanese passengers. This makes the cruising experience quite different from what you might expect on a typical Western cruise. With a capacity of about 2,700 passengers, we found ourselves sailing with around 2,800 guests during Golden Week, a major Japanese holiday. This overcapacity was possible because many cabins were occupied by three or four people—mostly Japanese families taking advantage of the holiday.
A Unique Passenger Demographic: About 75% Japanese Guests
One of the most striking aspects of this Japan Cruise was the passenger demographic. Approximately 75% of the guests were Japanese. That cultural makeup shaped almost every aspect of the voyage—from signage and language to entertainment and dining.
All the signage onboard was bilingual, featuring Japanese and English. Menus, announcements, and even the bars catered to both languages, but the emphasis was clearly on Japanese culture. For example, there were two cruise directors: one speaking Japanese and the other English. Many events were tailored specifically for Japanese guests, such as bingo and quizzes. Others were more Western-focused, including country and western nights, 80s music shows, disco, and silent discos.
The atmosphere was noticeably quieter and more reserved than what you might experience on a Caribbean cruise. The Japanese passengers were incredibly polite and friendly. They often exchanged smiles or helped one another, even if there wasn’t a lot of direct interaction between the Japanese and Western guests.
Dining Experience on the Diamond Princess: A Culinary Delight with a Japanese Twist
Food is a huge part of any cruise experience. On the Diamond Princess, it was especially fascinating because of the blend of Western and Japanese cuisine. The ship offers a full Western menu alongside authentic Japanese specialties, giving guests more choices than usual.
At breakfast, for example, you’ll find the typical Western offerings—eggs, pancakes, bagels, and other beloved carbs—but also traditional Japanese items such as fish and miso soup. This dual approach to dining meant that both Japanese and Western passengers could enjoy familiar dishes. Adventurous eaters like us got to sample a wider variety of flavors.
Dinner menus were equally diverse, featuring a complete Western menu, Japanese specialties, and Princess classics. The quality of fresh seafood was outstanding, especially the sushi, which was included in our Princess Plus package at no extra cost. Even if you paid for it separately, the sushi dinner was only about $15 per person. This was an incredible value considering the quality.
Specialty Restaurants: Limited but Quality Options
Unlike many newer cruise ships that boast a multitude of specialty dining venues, the Diamond Princess has only two specialty restaurants. The main one is Sabatini’s, an Italian restaurant that we tried one evening. Prepaid reservations cost $45 per person, while booking onboard was $55.
The second specialty venue was a Brazilian steakhouse. It is unique because it’s located in half of the buffet area that was closed off for this purpose. Interestingly, the ship doesn’t have a traditional steakhouse like many other cruise lines.
In addition to these specialty restaurants, the ship has five dining rooms. Two of these require reservations, one has set dining times, and two are open seating where you can walk in anytime. This is quite a departure from newer ships where specialty dining often overshadows the included dining options, which are treated as an afterthought. On the Diamond Princess, you get a lot of choices without feeling pressured to upgrade.
Our Princess Plus package included two casual dining meals: one at the sushi restaurant and another specialty Italian lunch in a regular dining room, both of which were excellent.
Ship Amenities and Decor: A Classic, Dated Charm
The decor of the Diamond Princess is classic but a bit dated. The color scheme leans heavily on pine and neutral tones, which are tasteful but don’t feel modern. We noticed decorations celebrating Golden Week, adding a festive touch to the ship’s ambiance.
Walking through the bars and public areas felt like stepping back in time. The huge pillars, interesting ceiling lighting, and overall design gave off a nostalgic vibe, making it a fun experience for seasoned cruisers who have sailed on newer ships like Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, or Oceania vessels.
It’s definitely not the ship for those who crave ultra-modern luxury, but it has its own charm as a time capsule of early 2000s cruising.
Stateroom Review: Comfortable but with Some Quirks
Our stateroom was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. The bed was especially great, making for restful nights. Storage space was excellent, with one of the largest hanging closets we’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship.
However, there were some downsides. The air conditioning wasn’t very efficient, which is understandable given the ship’s age. The blow dryer was a relic, snapping into the wall and looking like it belonged in the 1970s. It worked fine, though, and blew hot air.
One quirky feature was a motion-activated light in the hallway between the stateroom and bathroom. While it was state-of-the-art technology back in 2004, it was a bit annoying when it turned on brightly in the middle of the night. Some of our followers have commented that they even tape or cover it up!
Medallion Technology and Entertainment: Modern Convenience Meets Classic Shows
One of the highlights of our cruise was the Princess Medallion technology. This small wearable device opens your cabin door, lets you order drinks from anywhere on the ship, and provides information on screens throughout the vessel using location-based tech.
This was our first time using the medallion system on Princess, and it worked almost perfectly, making the cruise experience smoother and more enjoyable.
As for entertainment, the ship offered a variety of shows that were fun, though a bit dated in style and costume design. There was a great energy from the crew, with live musicians performing both during shows and around the ship. The decks never felt crowded, and there were always plenty of chairs available.
Port Changes and Issues: When Plans Change After Final Payment
Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly. Just 24 hours after making our final payment, Princess Cruises sent us an email announcing the cancellation of two ports on our itinerary.
The first canceled port was Waolin in Taiwan, which was understandable due to an earthquake causing logistical issues. Princess replaced this stop with Kaohsiung, which actually turned out to be a fantastic port, especially since we had friends onboard who had visited before and provided excellent tour guidance.
The second cancellation was more frustrating. The port of Ishigaki was canceled due to “port congestion,” despite other ships from different lines docking there without issue. No replacement port was offered, resulting in an unexpected sea day.
These last-minute changes, especially after final payment, left a bad taste. We had no recourse and were only offered a $50 onboard credit, which felt inadequate considering the disruption. It also caused us to lose valuable time in Taipei, as we had to depart earlier than planned due to the new itinerary.
While cancellations and changes can happen on any cruise, the timing and handling in this case were disappointing.
Norovirus Outbreak and Health Protocols
Another challenge was a norovirus outbreak that apparently occurred before our boarding. Upon arrival, strict health protocols were in place: we could not serve ourselves at buffets and had to be served by staff, and self-service coffee and drink stations were suspended.
This slowed down meal times but was necessary to prevent further spread. After several days, the restrictions were lifted, and normal buffet service resumed.
Our tip for buffet dining during such times: always use your left hand to handle serving utensils and your right hand to eat. This simple trick helps minimize cross-contamination and keeps you safer.
We were impressed with how well the crew managed the situation. They performed extensive cleaning and maintained a high level of hygiene despite the extra workload.
“Soda Gate”: The Bizarre Beverage Package Policy
One of the strangest experiences we encountered was what we dubbed “Soda Gate.” Our Princess Plus beverage package included up to 15 drinks per day, which was fantastic. However, mid-cruise, we discovered that canned sodas—like Sprite, Coke, or Diet Coke—were no longer included in the package and required additional payment.
This was perplexing because you could order a $15 cocktail containing a canned soda mixer and have it included, but ordering the soda alone meant paying extra. The ship did have soda fountains dispensing Diet Coke and Sprite, but the selection was very limited, and no flavored waters were available.
The app and medallion system still showed the beverage package as including sodas, which caused confusion among guests and frustration among the crew, who had to explain the policy repeatedly. The package limit of 15 drinks per day made it even more puzzling why canned sodas were excluded.
Our workaround was to order beers and cocktails instead of sodas, but the whole situation felt illogical and poorly communicated.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Overall, our Japan cruise on the Diamond Princess was an incredible experience that we won’t forget anytime soon. The ship’s unique focus on Japanese culture and guests makes it stand out from typical cruise experiences. The food was excellent, especially the sushi and fresh seafood, and the Medallion technology enhanced the convenience onboard.
That said, the ship is dated in decor and some amenities, and the air conditioning and stateroom features reflect its 2004 origins. The port cancellations and the soda policy were significant downsides but didn’t completely overshadow the journey.
If you’re interested in a Japan cruise or cruising in Asia more broadly, the Diamond Princess offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s cruising culture. We recommend adding the Princess Plus package for convenience and value, despite its quirks.
We paid about $4,500 for a 10-day cruise, which we felt was a good deal considering the itinerary and onboard experience. However, we’d likely try different ships in the region next time, such as the Celebrity Millennium, which offers a more modern experience with similar itineraries.
For those curious about cruising in Japan or Asia, this ship is a great choice if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy a different cruising vibe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes the Diamond Princess unique compared to other cruise ships?
The Diamond Princess is unique because it primarily caters to Japanese passengers, with bilingual signage, menus, and entertainment tailored to Japanese culture. It offers a blend of Western and authentic Japanese dining options and has a classic, somewhat dated design that feels like a time capsule from the early 2000s.
Is the food good on the Diamond Princess?
Yes, the food is excellent, especially the fresh seafood and sushi. The ship offers a wide variety of Western and Japanese dishes, giving passengers a broad range of choices. Specialty dining options are limited but high quality.
What is the “Soda Gate” issue on the Diamond Princess?
“Soda Gate” refers to a confusing beverage policy where canned sodas are not included in the beverage package, even though cocktails containing canned soda mixers are. This policy was enforced halfway through the cruise, causing frustration among guests and crew.
How does the ship handle health outbreaks like norovirus?
During a norovirus outbreak, the ship implements strict health protocols such as staff-served buffets and suspension of self-service drink stations to prevent spread. The crew performs extensive cleaning to maintain hygiene until the outbreak is contained.
Would you recommend taking a Japan Cruise on the Diamond Princess?
If you’re interested in experiencing Japanese culture onboard and exploring Japan and nearby Asian ports, yes. It’s a fascinating and unique cruise experience, though the ship is dated and some policies may be confusing. For a more modern experience, consider other ships in the region.
What is the Princess Plus package, and is it worth it?
The Princess Plus package includes gratuities, Wi-Fi, and a beverage package offering up to 15 drinks per day. Despite some quirks like the soda policy, it’s highly recommended for convenience and value, currently priced at about $60 per person per day.
How did the ship handle port cancellations?
Two ports were canceled after final payment—one due to an earthquake and the other due to alleged port congestion. The first was replaced with a better port, but the second was not, resulting in a lost port day. The timing and communication of these cancellations were frustrating, as the cancellations came the day after the final payment was due.
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