Diamond Princess Review: Reputation, Features, and What It's Actually Like Onboard

💬 Expert insight

If you're trying your first cruise, the Diamond Princess. For anyone considering a first cruise or debating between options, I recommend her first — because she's the one ship where the glamour people imagine, the breadth of facilities of a large ship, and a reasonable price band (¥10,000s per night and up) all coexist. There's a second reason too: she's a ship you'll want to return to, that becomes your "home at sea." Among the many ships out there, your first one sets your baseline, and that shapes how you feel about every cruise afterward. The most painful thing I hear, in my many years selling cruises, is when someone's first sailing was "not what I imagined" or "I'll never cruise again." To keep that from happening, I recommend the Diamond Princess — by general consensus the standard reference cruise ship. The polish that only comes from 10+ years of Japan-departing service and growing with passengers is here on board.

— Ken Funaki | Princess Cruises Japan, Sales Director, 19 years of experience, 300,000+ guests handled

Diamond Princess at a Glance

The basic specs and characteristics.

Ship specs

The Diamond Princess is a Princess Cruises ship specialized for the Japanese market, running Japan-departing cruises year-round.

On the crew ratio: ~1:2.5 is a good level for premium-class cruise ships. Fewer passengers per crew member typically means more attentive service.

Key characteristics

1. Pioneer of Japan-departing cruises

She entered the Japan market in earnest from 2014, basing out of Yokohama and Kobe and running cruises throughout the year. Japanese passengers make up the vast majority.

2. Thorough Japanese-language support

• Many Japanese staff on board (around 80–100)
• Announcements, signage, and menus all in Japanese
• Japanese-language guest support

3. Japan-oriented service

• Japanese food (breakfast options like rice, miso soup, and natto)
• A grand bath (not a hot spring, but a large communal bath)
• Menus and services tuned to Japanese tastes

4. Refined, elegant atmosphere

Princess Cruises sits in the "premium" class — not too casual, not stiff — a refined feel.

5. Diverse ports and itineraries

From near-Japan itineraries (Korea, Taiwan, Okinawa) to Southeast Asia, Australia, and Alaska, the range is broad.

Reputation in Aggregate

What's the consensus? Pulled from cruise review sites and passenger comments.

General sentiment

Consistently praised:

• Japanese-language support (reassuring for Japanese guests)
• Japanese food and the grand bath
• Attentive staff
• Well-balanced on-board facilities
• Easy Japan embarkation

Mixed reviews:

• Age of the ship (2004)
• Some facilities feel dated
• Passenger mix is heavily Japanese — less international feel
• Pricing leans high

Ratings on major sites

CruiseCritic:

• About 4.0–4.3 out of 5
• "Best cruise ship for Japanese travelers" and "wonderful service" are recurring themes

Japanese cruise sites:

• About 4.3–4.5 out of 5
• "Safe for a first cruise" and "want to sail again" are common

Google Reviews:

• About 4.4–4.6 out of 5
• "Perfect Japanese support" and "kind staff" are typical comments

Positive Reviews

What past passengers say.

💬 Expert insight

Though she's a foreign-flagged ship, the Diamond Princess was actually born in Japan. So when she became the first foreign cruise line to run regular Japan-departing cruises in 2014, she was in a sense coming home. The renovations that came with that — the "Izumi" grand bath, the sushi restaurant, the first true Japanese-language service on a foreign cruise ship — were genuinely groundbreaking at the time, and guests have told us so. Add to that the many restaurants and bar lounges, the pools, the outdoor cinema, and the facilities are wide and deep. The depth keeps satisfaction and repeat rates high. Over more than a decade of operation we've kept listening to passengers and evolving with the times. The non-contact MedallionClass service is one example of innovation, and the increasingly mixed passenger atmosphere — overseas guests and Japanese guests together — is something genuinely unique to the Diamond Princess. The friendly crew operates by "guest happiness is our happiness," and beyond the staff-guest connection there's also a guest-to-guest exchange across generations and borders that's part of the on-board experience.

— Ken Funaki | Princess Cruises Japan, Sales Director, 19 years of experience, 300,000+ guests handled

1. Perfect Japanese support, total peace of mind

"My first cruise, and I was nervous, but nearly all staff understood Japanese, and announcements were all in Japanese. It felt like sailing on a Japanese ship — language was never a worry." (Female, 60s)

"Menus and the daily program were entirely in Japanese. I brought my mother, who doesn't speak English, and she had no trouble at all. With so many Japanese staff, we could just walk up and ask whenever something came up." (Female, 40s)

2. Outstanding staff service

"The cabin steward cleaned thoroughly every day and left towel animals on the bed. Restaurant waiters remembered our faces and suggested dishes to our tastes. The attention to detail was lovely." (Female, 50s)

"Even non-Japanese staff were learning Japanese and would greet us with 'Konnichiwa' or 'Arigatou gozaimasu.' You really felt the hospitality." (Male, 60s)

Why the service feels good: At ~1:2.5 crew-to-passenger, each crew member covers fewer passengers, so attentive service is structurally easier to deliver.

3. Japanese food

"I was moved to find rice, miso soup, natto, and grilled fish at the breakfast buffet. The Western food is great too, but Japanese guests start missing Japanese food, so this was deeply appreciated." (Male, 50s)

"There's also a sushi bar with fresh sushi, and udon and ramen stations. It really takes care of Japanese palates." (Female, 40s)

4. The grand bath is fantastic

"The on-board grand bath 'Izumi' feels like a hot-spring inn. There are wash stations, and you can take a Japanese-style bath. After a port day, soaking in the grand bath melts the fatigue away." (Female, 60s)

"The ocean view from the grand bath is unbeatable, especially at sunset." (Male, 50s)

5. Well-balanced facilities

"Pools, theater, casino, library — the facilities are extensive and never get boring. The theater shows are professionally produced and worth attending every night." (Female, 40s)

"My daily walk on deck became a ritual. Walking with the ocean alongside you is incredibly relaxing." (Male, 60s)

6. Many itinerary options

"We sailed a 7-day cruise to Okinawa, Taiwan, and Korea. Every port had enough time, and traveling by ship meant no luggage hassle." (Couple, 50s)

Concerns and Criticism

The other side. Real concerns from passengers.

💬 Expert insight

When the MedallionClass non-contact service launched on board in 2023, we heard feedback that the app registration and usage were hard to understand and the experience was buggy. The service had just launched and the app was updating frequently, so plenty of guests dealt with friction. We took that seriously — set up a call center, kept fixing issues, and gradually moved past the rough patch. Now guests use the app to order food and drinks poolside, use on-board location services and chat to stay in touch with family and friends — adoption spans all generations. From the start of Japan-departing service, the Diamond Princess has been a ship that grew alongside passengers. That's not something brochures or websites can convey, but I'm convinced it's exactly the trust that connects us with our guests. We hope to keep evolving and have many more people enjoy her.

— Ken Funaki | Princess Cruises Japan, Sales Director, 19 years of experience, 300,000+ guests handled

1. Ship age — some facilities feel dated

"As a 2004 ship, you do notice the age compared to newer ones. Cabins and interiors are fine, but parts of the public areas feel older." (Male, 40s)

"Pools and decks are adequate, but no water slides or the kind of attractions you find on the latest large ships. I was a little worried our kids might get bored." (Female, 30s)

2. Heavily Japanese passenger mix

"80–90% of passengers were Japanese, which felt a little flat for someone expecting a more international atmosphere. Felt more like an extension of Japan than an overseas trip." (Male, 30s)

"It's reassuring to have lots of Japanese people, but I would have liked a bit more cross-cultural exchange." (Female, 40s)

3. Pricing leans high

"Compared with other casual-class ships (MSC, Costa), pricing is on the higher side. When you factor in Japanese support and service quality it's reasonable, but value-first travelers may feel it's pricey." (Male, 50s)

4. Crowded at peak times

"With this many passengers, lunch buffet peak and pre-show times get busy. Shifting your schedule helps." (Female, 60s)

5. Wi-Fi is slow and expensive

"Ship Wi-Fi runs $20–30 per day and the speed is slow. Email and SNS are fine, but streaming video is a no." (Male, 40s)

On-Board Facilities

A look at the main facilities.

Restaurants and dining

Complimentary

1. Main dining rooms (3 venues)

• Savoy Dining Room
• Beverly Dining Room
• Pacific Moon
• Multi-course; dinner runs two seatings or open seating

2. Horizon Court (buffet)

• Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• International with a Japanese corner
• Ocean views while you eat

3. Izumi Japanese restaurant

• Sushi and sashimi
• Udon and soba
• Some items complimentary, others priced

Specialty (extra cost)

• Sabatini's: serious Italian
• Sterling Steakhouse: premium grilled meats
• Chef's Table: special chef's tasting

Entertainment

Princess Theater

• ~750 seats
• Different show every night
• Broadway-style musicals, magic, comedy
• Professional productions

Explorers Lounge

• Live music
• Dance floor
• Bar

Movies Under the Stars

• Big-screen films on the open deck
• Blankets available — enjoy a film in the night air

Casino

• Slot machines and table games
• Poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.

Pools and relaxation

• Neptune's Reef & Pool: main pool
• Calypso Reef & Pool: aft pool
• Hot tubs: multiple locations
• Izumi grand bath: Japanese-style bath

Spa and fitness

Lotus Spa:

• Massages, facials, body treatments
• Sauna, steam room
• Thalassotherapy pool

Fitness center:

• Latest machines
• Yoga, pilates, aerobics classes
• Jogging track on deck

Other facilities

• Library — calm space for reading
• Internet cafe
• Card room — cards and board games
• Photo gallery
• Shops — boutiques, duty-free, souvenirs

Cabin Categories

A range of cabin types to fit different budgets and styles.

Inside cabin

• No window
• ~15–17㎡
• Most affordable
• Twin beds, bathroom

Oceanview cabin

• Window (fixed)
• ~16–18㎡
• Ocean view

Balcony cabin

• Private balcony
• ~22–25㎡ plus balcony
• The most popular category
• Relax with an ocean view

Mini-suite

• Larger balcony
• ~30㎡ plus balcony
• Sofa area

Suite

• Largest cabin (45㎡+)
• Spacious balcony
• Walk-in closet, bathtub
• Dedicated concierge and priority services

Comparisons with Other Ships

How does the Diamond Princess compare with other popular Japan-departing ships?

Diamond Princess vs MSC Bellissima

Diamond Princess vs Asuka II (Japanese ship)

Who She's a Good Fit For

Based on the reviews, here's who tends to enjoy the Diamond Princess — and who might want to look elsewhere.

A great fit

1. First-timers who want reassurance

• Perfect Japanese support — no language worries
• Many Japanese staff to talk to when something comes up
• All signage and announcements in Japanese

2. Travelers who don't trust their English, and older travelers

• No English required at all
• Japanese food, grand bath, and other Japan-oriented services

3. People who want a Japan-departing cruise without flying

• Embarkation in Yokohama or Kobe
• No flights needed; feels like a domestic trip

4. Service-quality minded travelers

• Attentive staff with a sense of hospitality
• Premium-class service consistently delivered

5. Couples and three-generation trips

• Calm enough for any age group to enjoy
• Grand bath, Japanese food, and other facilities that work for older guests

Worth thinking twice

1. Travelers wanting the newest hardware

• The 2004 build shows in places compared to newer ships
• For the latest tech and attractions, look at newer ships

2. Travelers who want an international atmosphere

• Most passengers are Japanese
• For more cultural exchange, another ship may fit better

3. Maximum-value travelers

• Pricier than MSC or Costa
• Reasonable once you factor in support and service, but pure-value buyers may find others cheaper

4. Families who need to keep kids constantly entertained

• Kids' programs exist but aren't as extensive as on the largest modern ships
• Few active attractions like water slides

Practical Tips for Sailing

A few useful notes if you do book her.

1. Book early for the cabin you want

Balcony cabins go fast. Early booking discounts are also worth using.

2. Use the grand bath off-peak

The Izumi grand bath is popular — early mornings or early evenings are quieter.

3. Get to the show early

The Princess Theater fills up. Aim for 30 minutes before showtime.

4. Avoid buffet peak

Lunch (12:00–13:30) gets crowded. 11:30 or after 14:00 is much better.

5. Read the daily

The daily program ("Princess Patter") delivered to your cabin keeps you on top of the day's events.

6. Try a specialty restaurant

At least once. Sabatini's is especially popular.

7. Walk the deck

It's easy to under-exercise on a ship. A daily deck walk solves it.

8. Lean into formal nights

Dress up and join in. Souvenir portraits are also part of the night.

Summary

A summary of how to weigh the Diamond Princess:

What she is:

• Pioneer of Japan-departing cruises
• Comprehensive Japanese support and Japan-oriented service
• Refined, elegant atmosphere
• Premium-class service

Praised for:

• Perfect Japanese support — total peace of mind
• Attentive staff service
• Japanese food and the grand bath
• Well-balanced facilities
• Diverse itinerary options

Concerns:

• Age (2004 build)
• Mostly Japanese passenger mix
• Pricing leans high
• Few cutting-edge facilities

A good fit if:

• It's your first cruise and you want reassurance
• You don't trust your English, or you're an older traveler
• You want a Japan-departing trip
• You care about service quality
• You're traveling as a couple or across three generations

Consider alternatives if:

• You want the newest ship
• You want a strong international atmosphere
• Pure value is your top priority
• Kids' facilities are paramount

The Diamond Princess is widely seen as "the most reassuring cruise ship for Japanese travelers." The depth of Japanese support, Japan-oriented services, and staff quality are advantages no other ship matches.

For first-timers who feel uncertain or travelers who want to skip language friction entirely, she's a particularly strong choice. The age and price may put off some, but overall satisfaction is high and she's loved by many repeat passengers.

Decide based on what matters most to you — reassurance, Japanese support, latest facilities, or price — and see whether she fits.

Information in this article is current as of October 2024. Specifications and services may change — confirm with the cruise line or your travel agent.