Princess makes push into Asia, signalling major bid to get Aussies to fly cruise

• Princess Cruises has revealed it will send two ships to Japan for 2027, marking its biggest season ever for Japan cruising.
• This follows designating two ships to Singapore.
• The line’s move appears to signal a major push into fly cruise for Australians, as both Singapore and Japan are popular destinations.

Princess Cruises has announced it’s biggest ever Japan season, with the line sending two ships to Japan for 2027.

Sister ships – Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – will sailing from the Tokyo region throughout the season.

Princess described the move as “marking a major milestone for the brand’s legacy in Asia”. For Australians it almost certainly signals a push to persuade cruisers here to fly to the vessels in Singapore and Japan.

The 2027 program includes 78 departures and 50 unique itineraries, with voyages ranging from seven to 28 days, making it Princess’ biggest Japan deployment to date

The March–December 2027 Japan season opens for sale August 20, 2025.

Princess has decreased its Australian presence in the coming seasons as it focuses on Asia. Many of its sailings here are already strongly selling or even sold out.

So Australian fans will need to consider fly-cruise options if they are to continue sailing with Princess.

2027 Deployment Overview:

• Two Japanese-built ships: 2,670-guest Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – both built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki
• 45 cruise destinations across 6 countries
• 78 total departures and 50 unique itineraries from the Tokyo region

Itinerary Highlights

• Cherry Blossom Voyages (9–24 days): Timed to follow the blooming season from south to north across all four of Japan’s main islands.
• Festival Cruises (8–24 days): Celebrate Japan’s most vibrant summer festivals including the Aomori Nebuta, Tokushima Awa Odori, and Kochi Yosakoi with late-night stays.
• Circle and Grand Japan Voyages (9–28 days): Circumnavigate the country with visits to Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and more.
• Okinawa & Taiwan Itineraries (9–18 days): Explore the subtropical beauty of Okinawa and the cultural richness of Taipei and Hualien.
• Japan Explorer Cruises (9–13 days): Discover iconic cities like Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Kobe (for Kyoto), and Kagoshima.

Guests booking by August 27, 2025, will enjoy Captain’s Circle Savings up to $300 AUD per stateroom.

The announcement that Princess are sending two ships to Japan shows a change in Princess’ strategy in the region.

Just two years ago there were four Princess ships sailing in Australia, and one each in Singapore and Japan. Now, there’s an even split of two ships for each of the three destinations.

It appears that Princess could be banking on the fact that with less capacity Down Under, Australians will opt to fly-cruise to Asia with Princess, rather than sailing with a different cruise line.

They might not be wrong. Data from Cruise Guru has shown a 996 per cent increase in searches for cruises that visit countries such as Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Chief Commercial Officer of Cruise Guru Michael Betteridge told Nine Travel: “Asia is an easy choice.

“It combines value, closer-to-home convenience and a sense of discovery as travellers seek new horizons beyond the traditional Mediterranean and South Pacific routes.”

A survey from the agency revealed that 22 per cent of Aussies want to go to Asia on their next holiday, even more than are looking to visit Europe or the United Kingdom.

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But will Aussies fly all the way to Asia?

Japan and Singapore could become new cruise hotspots for Aussies, but only time will tell if an offer of fly-cruise is enticing enough to get Aussies to travel all the way to Asia.

There will be challenges. Princess Cruises sometimes tend towards an older demographic, that could be a bit more resistant to flying and generally prefer the convenience of cruising out of their hometown.

Furthermore, travelling to Japan from an Australian city such as Adelaide isn’t exactly a breeze. For example, a flight from Adelaide to Tokyo will generally require a stopover in Sydney or Melbourne and at least 15 or 16 hours travel time just to arrive. Including a return leg this can often jump up to around 20 to 40 hours of travel time, which course could be a deterrent for many Aussies.

Flights are also not cheap, and Aussies will generally be looking at well over $1300-2000 extra per person.

Singapore is a much easier flight, even if you don’t live in Sydney or Melbourne, but it still adds a good chunk of time and an extra cost to a cruise holiday.

Another factor for Princess to consider is that there are other alternatives in Australia, which could lure some Princess cruisers who are struggling to find a cabin.

Cruise lines like Azamara and Oceania are definitely a tier up in price, but may not prove as expensive as some might think. Some Aussies could be tempted to opt for the convenience and an extra dose of luxury and rather opt for these premium lines.

Other cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises or Holland America also sail in Australia and other an experience comparable to a Princess cruise, and could provide an option more attractive for some cruisers than flying all the way to Asia.

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Japan sailings

The newly announced Japan sailings have plenty to recommend them, with a massive 78 sailings and 50 unique itineraries on offer for 2027.

Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will not only take guests all around the country, but there are also several cruises based on particular Japanese Festivals, such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival or the Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival.

Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises, said: “This upcoming 2027 season is more than an expansion – it’s a homecoming.

“Our story in Japan has deepened over time and experience, and in 2027, we return promising unforgettable experiences, including the renowned Cherry Blossoms, seven spectacular festivals and journeys that immerse you in the awe and wonder of this destination.”