In anticipation of the ship’s second season of cruising in Japan, Princess Cruises has just begun an extensive redesign of the Diamond Princess. The $30 million-dollar makeover will introduce new features to appeal to Japanese guests during a dry-dock period scheduled for completion on April 2, 2014.
The existing youth area will be converted into an expansive 8,800-square-foot indoor/outdoor bath and garden facility, the largest ever of its kind at sea. Stone and other natural materials will be highlighted to create a classic Japanese bathing experience. Features will include an open-air hydrotherapy pool, shaded lounge chairs, footbaths, skylight-topped sauna and bath, dry sauna, gentle mist sauna, and stone bath.
The current internet cafe will also make way for a new sushi restaurant. Kai Sushi will be a larger 66-person version of the one onboard Sun Princess and feature table seating and a sushi bar. Fare will include miso shiro, nigiri sushi, maki sushi, sashimi and seafood cocktails, plus a variety of sake.
Shopping will also be enhanced with the former wedding chapel being converted into the new Calypso Cove shop among a new luxury watch store and first fragrance bar at sea with Essence. The new Limelight will also sell designer leather and accessories.
Rounding out the improvements will be new decor, food service areas, action stations, pastry shop and expanded seating at the Horizon Court buffet; 14 new cabins; a sports court atop Skywalker’s Nightclub; a refreshed photo gallery and Platinum Portrait Studio; updated art gallery; new decor at Sabatini’s Italian restaurant; remodeled casino; and relocated internet cafe and wedding chapel.
Diamond Princess is then scheduled for its Japan cruise season on April 17, 2014 including the ship’s 10-year anniversary with a call at Nagasaki where the ship was originally built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
To follow Diamond Princess‘ exciting dry-dock progress, visit Princess Cruises‘ website here.
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HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: PRINCESS CRUISES
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