Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess current position

Diamond Princess current location is at East Australia (coordinates -39.28611 S / 146.75218 E) cruising at speed of 18.9 kn (35 km/h | 22 mph) en route to Auckland. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

All Itineraries Current Position

Current itinerary of Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess current cruise is 9 days, one-way from Sydney to Melbourne. The itinerary starts on 26 Sep, 2024 and ends on 05 Oct, 2024.

Date / TimePort
26 Sep 16:00    Departing from Sydney, NSW Australia hotels
28 Sep 07:00 - 22:00    Melbourne, Victoria Australia
29 Sep 08:00 - 23:00    Phillip Island, Victoria Australia
01 Oct 07:00 - 17:00    Kangaroo Island, Penneshaw, South Australia
02 Oct 08:00 - 18:00    Port Lincoln, South Australia
03 Oct 07:00 - 18:00    Adelaide, South Australia
05 Oct    Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria Australia hotels

Specifications of Diamond Princess

Year of build2004  /  Age: 20
Flag state United Kingdom
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries (Nagasaki, Japan)
ClassPRINCESS GRAND
Building costUSD 400 million
Speed23 kn / 43 km/h / 26 mph
Length (LOA)290 m / 951 ft
Beam (width)48 m / 157 ft
Gross Tonnage115906 gt
Passengers2706 - 3247
Crew1100
Passengers-to-space ratio36
Decks16
Cabins1353
Decks with cabins8
Last Refurbishment2020
Sister-shipsCaribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess (Pacific Adventure), Grand Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, Star Princess (Pacific Encounter)
Christened byYoshiko Tsukuda
OwnerCarnival Corporation & PLC
OperatorPrincess Cruise Lines Ltd (USA)

Diamond Princess Itineraries

DateItineraryDeparture PortPrice from
2024 Sep 04 29 days, one-way from Yokohama to Adelaide Yokohama
2024 Sep 26 7 days, one-way from Sydney to Adelaide Sydney
2024 Sep 26 9 days, one-way from Sydney to Melbourne Sydney
2024 Sep 28 5 days, one-way from Melbourne to Adelaide Melbourne
2024 Sep 28 7 days, round-trip Southern Australia Explorer Melbourne $839
2024 Oct 03 19 days, round-trip New Zealand Adelaide $1599
2024 Oct 05 14 days, round-trip New Zealand Melbourne
2024 Oct 19 7 days, round-trip Southern Australia Explorer Melbourne
2024 Oct 22 21 days, round-trip New Zealand Adelaide
2024 Oct 26 14 days, round-trip New Zealand Melbourne
2024 Nov 09 7 days, round-trip Southern Australia Explorer Melbourne
2024 Nov 12 21 days, round-trip New Zealand Adelaide
2024 Nov 16 14 days, round-trip New Zealand Melbourne
2024 Nov 30 7 days, round-trip Southern Australia Explorer Melbourne
2024 Dec 03 4 days, one-way from Adelaide to Melbourne Adelaide
2024 Dec 03 8 days, one-way from Adelaide to Brisbane Adelaide
2024 Dec 07 4 days, one-way from Melbourne to Brisbane Melbourne $268
2024 Dec 11 9 days, round-trip Tasmania Brisbane $979
2024 Dec 20 14 days, round-trip New Zealand Brisbane $1529
2025 Jan 03 10 days, round-trip Tasmania Brisbane
2025 Jan 13 14 days, round-trip New Zealand Brisbane $1249
2025 Jan 27 14 days, round-trip New Zealand Brisbane $1229
2025 Feb 10 7 days, round-trip Queensland Brisbane $719
2025 Feb 10 11 days, one-way from Brisbane to Sydney Brisbane $1049
2025 Feb 17 4 days, one-way from Brisbane to Sydney Brisbane $330
2025 Feb 17 26 days, one-way from Brisbane to Yokohama Brisbane
2025 Feb 21 22 days, one-way from Sydney to Yokohama Sydney
2025 Mar 15 10 days, round-trip Kyushu Spring Flowers Yokohama $2619
2025 Mar 15 21 days, round-trip Kyushu Explorer Spring Flowers Yokohama $5109
2025 Mar 25 11 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Spring Flowers Yokohama $3049
2025 Mar 25 22 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Explorer Spring Flowers Yokohama $5539
2025 Apr 05 11 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Spring Flowers Yokohama $2749
2025 Apr 05 21 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Hokkaido Spring Flowers Yokohama $6849
2025 Apr 16 10 days, round-trip Hokkaido Spring Flowers Yokohama $2159
2025 Apr 16 20 days, round-trip Hokkaido Spring Flowers Southern Islands Yokohama $3930
2025 Apr 26 10 days, round-trip Golden Week Southern Islands Yokohama $1679
2025 Apr 26 20 days, round-trip Golden Week Southern Islands Explorer Yokohama $5299
2025 May 06 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $2516
2025 May 06 19 days, round-trip Southern Islands Explorer Yokohama $3279
2025 May 16 9 days, round-trip Southern Islands Yokohama $1819
2025 May 16 19 days, round-trip Southern Islands Sea of Japan Yokohama $4044
2025 May 25 10 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Yokohama $2139
2025 May 25 20 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Hokkaido Yokohama $3539
2025 Jun 04 10 days, round-trip Hokkaido Yokohama $1809
2025 Jun 04 18 days, round-trip Hokkaido Circle Japan Yokohama $3019
2025 Jun 14 8 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1499
2025 Jun 14 17 days, round-trip Circle Japan Southern Islands Yokohama $2569
2025 Jun 22 9 days, round-trip Southern Islands Yokohama $1569
2025 Jun 22 18 days, round-trip Southern Islands Sea of Japan Yokohama $2809
2025 Jul 01 9 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Yokohama $1699
2025 Jul 01 19 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Hokkaido Yokohama $2989
2025 Jul 10 10 days, round-trip Hokkaido Yokohama $1809
2025 Jul 10 17 days, round-trip Hokkaido Kyushu Yokohama $2999
2025 Jul 20 7 days, round-trip Kyushu Korea Yokohama $2899
2025 Jul 20 16 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Nebuta Festival Yokohama $3049
2025 Jul 27 9 days, round-trip Circle Japan with Nebuta Festival Yokohama $1519
2025 Jul 27 19 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $2679
2025 Aug 05 10 days, round-trip Circle Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $1719
2025 Aug 05 20 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Nebuta, Kumano Fireworks Summer Festivals Yokohama $3169
2025 Aug 15 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer with Kumano Fireworks Yokohama $1689
2025 Aug 15 20 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Kumano Fireworks Yokohama $2889
2025 Aug 25 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1789
2025 Aug 25 19 days, round-trip Southern Islands Japan Explorer Yokohama $3374
2025 Sep 04 9 days, round-trip Southern Islands Yokohama $1799
2025 Sep 20 9 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1699
2025 Sep 20 18 days, round-trip Circle Japan Southern Islands Yokohama $3299
2025 Sep 29 19 days, round-trip Circle Japan Southern Islands Yokohama $3379
2025 Sep 29 9 days, round-trip Southern Islands Yokohama $1829
2025 Oct 08 10 days, round-trip Kyushu Korea Yokohama $1889
2025 Oct 25 9 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1739
2025 Nov 03 22 days, round-trip Circle Japan Fall Foliage, Kyushu Korea Yokohama $4059
2025 Nov 03 9 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1799
2025 Nov 12 25 days, one-way from Yokohama to Singapore Yokohama $4662
2025 Nov 12 13 days, round-trip Circle Japan Fall Foliage Yokohama $2459
2025 Nov 25 28 days, one-way from Yokohama to Singapore Yokohama $4489
2025 Nov 25 12 days, one-way from Yokohama to Singapore Yokohama $2209
2025 Dec 07 16 days, round-trip Malaysia, Thailand Vietnam with Halong Bay Singapore $2369
2025 Dec 23 14 days, round-trip Malaysia, Thailand Vietnam Singapore $2399
2026 Jan 06 14 days, round-trip Malaysia, Thailand Vietnam Singapore $2059
2026 Jan 20 21 days, round-trip Southeast Asia Grand Adventure with Halong Bay Singapore $2269
2026 Jan 20 10 days, round-trip Vietnam with Halong Bay Singapore $1089
2026 Jan 30 11 days, round-trip Malaysia Thailand Singapore $1229
2026 Feb 10 14 days, one-way from Singapore to Yokohama Singapore $2309
2026 Feb 24 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1469
2026 Mar 06 11 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1609
2026 Mar 17 11 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Spring Flowers Yokohama $1899
2026 Mar 28 22 days, round-trip Grand Japan Spring Flowers Yokohama $4309
2026 Mar 28 11 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Spring Flowers Yokohama $2149
2026 Apr 08 21 days, round-trip Hokkaido Circle Japan Spring Flowers Yokohama $3949
2026 Apr 08 11 days, round-trip Circle Japan Spring Flowers Yokohama $2179
2026 Apr 19 19 days, round-trip Golden Week Southern Islands Hokkaido Spring Flowers Yokohama $2899
2026 Apr 19 10 days, round-trip Hokkaido Spring Flowers Yokohama $1729
2026 Apr 29 19 days, round-trip Golden Week Southern Islands Japan Explorer Yokohama $2609
2026 Apr 29 9 days, round-trip Golden Week Southern Islands Yokohama $1189
2026 May 08 20 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2859
2026 May 08 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1429
2026 May 18 19 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2709
2026 May 18 10 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1439
2026 May 28 17 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Japan Explorer Yokohama $2399
2026 May 28 9 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1279
2026 Jun 06 17 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Japan Explorer Yokohama $2629
2026 Jun 06 8 days, round-trip Sea of Japan Yokohama $1129
2026 Jun 14 18 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Southern Islands Yokohama $2879
2026 Jun 14 9 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1509
2026 Jun 23 18 days, round-trip Southern Islands Circle Japan Yokohama $2789
2026 Jun 23 9 days, round-trip Southern Islands Yokohama $1389
2026 Jul 02 19 days, round-trip Circle Japan Japan Explorer Yokohama $2739
2026 Jul 02 9 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1409
2026 Jul 11 17 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $2509
2026 Jul 11 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1339
2026 Jul 21 15 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $2599
2026 Jul 21 7 days, round-trip Kyushu Korea Yokohama $1179
2026 Jul 28 19 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $3399
2026 Jul 28 8 days, round-trip Sea of Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $1439
2026 Aug 05 21 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $3789
2026 Aug 05 11 days, round-trip Circle Japan with Nebuta Summer Festivals Yokohama $1979
2026 Aug 16 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer with Kumano Fireworks Yokohama $1819
2026 Aug 26 20 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2869
2026 Aug 26 10 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1449
2026 Sep 05 17 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2599
2026 Sep 05 10 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1429
2026 Sep 15 16 days, round-trip Southern Islands, Kyushu Korea Yokohama $2559
2026 Sep 15 7 days, round-trip Kyushu Korea Yokohama $1179
2026 Sep 22 18 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2889
2026 Sep 22 9 days, round-trip Southern Islands Yokohama $1389
2026 Oct 01 18 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2899
2026 Oct 01 9 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1499
2026 Oct 10 18 days, round-trip Grand Japan Yokohama $2699
2026 Oct 10 9 days, round-trip Circle Japan Yokohama $1399
2026 Oct 19 23 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Fall Foliage Yokohama $3539
2026 Oct 19 9 days, round-trip Japan Explorer Yokohama $1299
2026 Oct 28 28 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Fall Foliage Yokohama $4469
2026 Oct 28 14 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Fall Foliage Yokohama $2239
2026 Nov 11 14 days, round-trip Grand Japan with Fall Foliage Yokohama $2239

Diamond Princess Review

Review of Diamond Princess

The 2004-built Diamond Princess cruise ship is the 4th Grand-class Princess Cruises liner, with sisterships Caribbean, Crown, Golden (Pacific Adventure), Grand, Emerald, Ruby, Star (Pacific Encounter) and Sapphire.

The vessel (IMO number 9228198) is currently UK-flagged (MMSI 235103359) and registered in Southampton.

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.

Diamond Princess cruise ship

The 2700-passenger ship Diamond Princess debuted in winter 2004 as the fleet's biggest vessel and also the first Japan-built cruise liner in more than a decade. The restaurants and diversity of lounges disperse the crowds and make tourists feel like they are on a much smaller ship.

There are times the Princess Diamond ship does feel big, especially at night when passengers find themselves at the wrong end of the hallway from their stateroom. Diamond Princess, with her 4 swimming pools, a children's splash pool, extensive kid's center and cutting-edge amusement and programs, is especially well suited to families, and that's likely why there were a good number of multigenerational groups onboard. Couples will find much to like on this cruise too, including the fact the dining venues have a decent number of tables for two.

Decks and Cabins

Most Diamond Princess staterooms (1353 total, in 33 grades) are 170-ft2 balcony cabins (522). Almost 75% of the ship's outside accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Grand Suite (615 ft2 / 57 m2, with terrace sized 115 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 16 decks, of which 13 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Nearly all dining options onboard Diamond Princess are complimentary, including the five main dining rooms: Vivaldi, Pacific Moon, International, Santa Fe and Savoy Dining Room. There is also a free-of-charge buffet, pizza place, ice cream counter and grill. All main dining rooms offer the same menu items, though each has a small selection of signature items, most of which can be made in appetizer size. Sailings that carry a majority of Japanese cruisers feature purposely small entree sizes. On cruises that are not full, certain main dining rooms will not be open. On some sea days, Savoy opens for a special British-style pub lunch featuring fish and chips, steak and kidney pie. Lunch in the International is especially popular with Japanese passengers, as it offers a variety of Asian dishes.

Follows the complete list of Diamond Princess restaurants and food bars.

  • Savoy Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; offers traditional dinner at 5:30 p.m., as well as “Anytime Dining” between 8-10 p.m., and British pub lunch)
  • Pacific Moon Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Lunch 12-1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features “Anytime Dining” for Dinner between 5:30-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m.)
  • Vivaldi Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; offers traditional dinner at 5:30 p.m., as well as “Anytime Dining” between 8-10 p.m.)
  • Santa Fe Restaurant (forward Dining Room, “Anytime Dining” dinner only)
  • International Restaurant (aft Dining Room, with 2 dinner seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m.)
  • Sabatini’s Restaurant (Italian specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
  • Trident Grill & Prego Pizzeria (self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
  • Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
  • Sterling Steakhouse (specialty restaurant for seafood, grills, steaks)

In April 2024 Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14th (2024) fleetwide would be introduced 3 distinct main dining/dinner table service options – Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. By the new program (introduced with Sun Princess) on each ship are allocated 3 separate dining rooms - one for Traditional dining (offering early and late dinner seating), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open-seating). The new options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime, and delivered anywhere onboard.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The 2-deck Princess Theater serves as the ship's main entertainment venue. There, guests can catch one of the traditional song-and-dance Princess Cruises' production shows. The theatre also offers a variety of other acts, including magicians and juggling comedians, doing shows that combine English and Japanese. Afternoon movies alternate daily between both languages.

At night, virtually every bar offers some kind of music and enough room for dancing: from Latin and ballroom music in Club Fusion and DJ dance music in the Skywalkers Nightclub to light piano at Crooners. Theme nights (50s rockabilly, Country & Western and Caribbean deck party) are also common.

Diamond Princess cruise ship

Follows the complete list of Diamond Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

  • The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
  • Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
  • La Patisserie (specialty coffee bar)
  • Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
  • Princess Diamond Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
  • Churchill Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
  • Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
  • Princess Diamond Grand Casino
  • Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars)
  • Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
  • Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
  • Club Fusion Lounge (hosts dance classes and quizzes, after 7:30 pm becomes Disco Nightclub)
  • Scoops Bar (Sundaes Ice Cream Bar, complimentary)
  • Outrigger Bar (poolside bar); Tradewinds Bar; Wake View Bar
  • Diamond’s Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
  • Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
  • Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
  • Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
  • The Conservatory (recreation area); The Oasis relaxation area
  • The Sanctuary (adults-only open-air area)
  • Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune’s Reef & Pool area
  • Jogging Track; Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Deck Chess, Shuffleboard; Princess Links mini-golf course, Cybergolf simulator
  • Skywalkers Disco & Nightclub.

Itineraries

Diamond Princess itinerary program is based on cruises leaving from Australia, New Zealand and Asia in the summer. During winter months, the ship offers Japan cruises departing from homeport Yokohama (Tokyo). Princess Cruises scheduled the company's ever-longest Japan season with Diamond Princess. Itineraries were from homeports Kobe-Osaka and Tokyo, circumnavigating the country. In season 2018, a total of 63 itineraries (ranging 4-23-days) offered visits to 38 destinations in 7 countries.

Ship's Japan 2020 cruise program was also based on homeports Kobe and Tokyo, with 50+ departures to 50+ destinations in 11 countries. The planned 2020 itineraries (ranging 5-28 days) included special onboard events and shore activities themed on Japan’s traditional cherry blossom celebrations and summer festivals. The program featured:

  • 8-day "Japan Explorer with Kumano Fireworks" (roundtrip from Tokyo) visits Wakayama, Kumano, Kochi, Kanmon Straits, Busan, Nagasaki, Gunkanjima, Kagoshima. The voyage departs on August 15 (2020), with prices starting from GBP 1450 pp.
  • 9-day "Japan Explorer Spring Flowers" (roundtrip from Tokyo) visits Gamagori, Osaka, Kochi, Hiroshima, Busan, Sasebo. The voyage departs on April 2 (2020) with prices starting from GBP 1400 pp.
  • 14-day "Borneo and Japan" (from Singapore to Tokyo) visits Bandar Seri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu, Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Okinawa, Osaka, Shimizu. The voyage departs on December 30 (2020), with prices starting from GBP 1770 pp.

In early-August 2020, Princess Cruises canceled all Diamond Princess itineraries in Asia for winter 2021-2022 season. The canceled voyages (out of homeport Yokohama Japan) were scheduled for the period October 24, 2021, through April 19, 2022.

On August 18, 2020, was officially announced the ship's inaugural South America and Antarctica season (2021-Fall through 2022-Spring). With the new deployment, Princess planned to replace in the region Sapphire Princess (December-March).

The new Diamond Princess itineraries during the maiden season included:

  • "Andes and South America" (departures December 1, 2021, March 19, 2022)
  • "Antarctica, Andes and Cape Horn Grand Adventure" (departures December 1, 2021, March 5, 2022)
  • "Antarctica and Cape Horn" (departures December 19, 2021, January 4 and January 20, 2022)
  • "Cape Horn and Strait of Magellan" (departures in 2022 February 5, February 19, March 5)
  • The ship also offers two repositioning cruises (North Pacific Ocean crossings) between Asia and South America (between Los Angeles USA and Singapore/Yokohama Japan via Honolulu Hawaii).

Princess Cruises South American itineraries feature coastline cruising and exploring exotic port cities like Santiago (from Port San Antonio Chile), Buenos Aires Argentina, Montevideo Uruguay, Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Lima (from Port Callao Peru), Pisco Peru, Punta Arenas (Chilean Patagonia's Fjords), Falkland Islands (UK), Cape Horn (scenic cruising), Magellan Strait (passage). On shore excursions/via flights are visited Iguazu Falls (Parana Brazil) and Machu Picchu (Peru's Andes Mountains).

However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship was paused for 2,5+ years (March 202 thru November 2022) and the South America 2021-2022 and Asia-Japan 2022 programs were canceled. Operations were scheduled to restart with California-Mexico itineraries (roundtrips from San Diego) starting on November 20, 2022.

In 2023 (March 13-November 9), Diamond Princess had a total of 57 voyages (43 itineraries) leaving from Japan (homeporting in Yokohama/Tokyo and Kobe/Osaka) and visiting 38 ports/destinations in Japan, China and Korea.

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Diamond Princess ship related cruise news

Diamond Princess Wiki

Princess Cruises Diamond ship is from company's Grand-class vessels, with sistership Sapphire. The other (similarly-designed) liners in this class are Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Golden (now Pacific Adventure), Grand, Ruby, Star (now Pacific Encounter). Diamond was the first Princess liner built by a Japanese company - MHI. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a subsidiary company of Mitsubishi Corporation. Unlike the other fleet mates, Diamond has no spoilers at the stern.

Ship's godmother is Yoshiko Tsukuda - the wife of MHI's President and Chairman Kazuo Tsukuda. The christening ceremony was on February 26, 2004. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on March 13, from Los Angeles to Mexico Riviera.

Fun fact is, that vessel's hull was first named "Sapphire Princess". A shipyard fire damaged the decks of another vessel under construction (already named "Diamond Princess"). Therefore, Sapphire was renamed to Diamond, and completed on time.

Cruise ship's engines can work either with HFO (heavy fuel oil) or with MGO (marine gas oil). MGO emissions are much lower, but it is also rather costly. However, some cruise destinations like Alaska for instance, have very high emission standards and MGO pays off.

In 2017 (April through November) the ship operated on Asian cruises with departures from Japan (homeports Yokohama-Tokyo and Kobe-Osaka). The itineraries visited South Korea, Taiwan, Russia, China (Hong Kong), Vietnam. Following the 2017 drydock refurbishment (Singapore, March 28 - April 5), Diamond Princess became fleet's 3rd liner (after Royal and Majestic) to feature the company's new livery design.

Ship's Captain is Stefano Ravera - brother of Sapphire Princess' Captain Paolo Ravera.

Diamond Princess refurbishment 2019 review

Ship's last drydock refurbishment in Singapore (14-day project, January 19 - February 2, 2019) was part of the company's USD 450 million fleet-wide renovation project "Come Back New Promise".

Major upgrades included Movies Under The Stars (outdoor theatre updated with 7.1 surround sound), pool deck (new dynamic LED lighting), Princess Casino (new carpeting, TVs, light fixtures), Lotus Spa and Fitness (upgraded treatment rooms and beauty salon, latest Precor fitness equipment). Also were upgraded the digital audio systems in Explorers Lounge, Club Fusion, Princess Theater (show lounge), new furnishings (Horizon Court buffet area). In all public restrooms and all Suites' WCs were added Japanese bidets.

Following the epidemic Coronavirus outbreak in February-March 2020, Diamond Princess completed a Level-3 deep cleaning project (conducted by Belfor USA - recovery and restoration services corporation, 1946-founded). The Yokohama-docked vessel was fully cleaned and disinfected, with the operation being constantly monitored by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Following the extensive cleaning, the ship was certified and cleared to leave the country. While in Japan, the liner also entered a wetdock (at a local shipyard) for interior refurbishment (all mattresses, pillows, linens, draperies and curtains were replaced) plus previously scheduled regular maintenance works.