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Princess Cruises Unveils 2018 Japan Cruise and Cruisetour Program

Cruise Line's Fifth Japan Deployment Offers More Departures and Ports than Ever Before

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (Feb 24, 2017) – PrincessCruises,the top North American cruise line in Japan, today announced its longest Japan cruise season yetwith an array of voyages from Tokyo and Kobe in 2018 that circumnavigate thecountry, visiting top-rated cultural ports.

With Japanese maiden port calls toIshinomaki, Iwakuni, Niigata, Sakata, Toba and Yokkaichi, along with visits toSouth Korea, Taiwan, China, Russia, Hong Kong and Vietnam, the voyages aredesigned to offer opportunities to explore the wonders of UNESCO World Heritagesites and to participate in some of Japan's largest and most celebratedcultural festivals and special events. In addition, cruisetour itineraries willtake travelers into the heart of Japanese culture in Kyoto and Tokyo, andinclude visits to Togendai, Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World HeritageSite.

A total of 63 voyages are open for sale onJapanese-built DiamondPrincess,ranging from four to 23 nights, with 38 destinations in seven countries. The2018 season runs from April through December 2018.

"We are honored to bring guests more departures and visits totop-rated ports in 2018 than ever before," said Jan Swartz, president ofPrincess Cruises. "Through local cultural entertainment and culinaryexperiences to our purpose-made ship specific to Japan; our guests are sure toenjoy the most of this storied country at sea with Princess."

2018Japan program highlights include:

Festivals and Special Events

Three Spring Flowers voyages depart in April,providing guests access to Japan's largest Tulip Fair and some of Japan's topcherry blossom viewing sites, such as Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa.

Guests enjoy the best of summer festival timein Japan as Princess Cruises offers five 8- to 19-day voyages visiting theAomori Nebuta and Akita Kanto festivals, with late night stays in both citiesto allow for even more exploration of these incredible events. The AomoriNebuta Festival features Nebuta float figures, music and many vibrant dancers.The Akita Kanto features a procession of 200 bamboo poles with lanternsweighing over 100 pounds all carried on the palms, foreheads, shoulders orbacks of the celebrants.

Six Fall Foliage voyages depart in earlyOctober and November, bringing guests to regions of Japan that showcase thebrilliant changing colors of the Japanese maple and Ginkgo trees as summermakes way for fall.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The 2018 Japan season features access to 12UNESCO World Cruise Heritage Sites, including the historic temples and shrinesof Kyoto and Nara, the majestic Mt. Fuji, and the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.

More Ashore

In 2018 Diamond Princess itineraries willvisit 12 ports with late night calls, featuring longer stays on every call toHakodate for breath-taking views of the city at night – nationally known as oneof Japan's top three night views.

Getaway Cruises

For a shorter journey, there are five-nightvoyages throughout the season sailing roundtrip from Tokyo, visiting Busan,South Korea and Yokkaichi, a new port of call that provides access to the IseGrand Shrine and is just a stone's throw away from Matsusaka, known for theexquisite Matsusaka Beef.

Japan Cruisetours

To further enhance the cruise line's Japanesevacations, Princess Cruises offers two cruisetour options, available withselect cruises, to explore Kyoto and Tokyo. The Highlights of Japan cruisetourincludes the main sights in Kyoto and Tokyo, sightseeing at Nijo-jo Castle, thefamed Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and popular Japanese gardens. Aftervisiting central Tokyo, guests will visit Togendai, Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji, aUNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Temples & Traditions of Japancruisetour is an extended version of the Highlights of Japan with twoadditional nights in the UNESCO Creative City of Kanazawa. This area is richwith Japanese culture and tradition where guests can roam Higashi Chaya, aniconic Geisha district, as well as Nomura Samurai House. Guests have theopportunity to participate in a Japanese Washi paper-making demonstration aswell as a sushi-making experience.

An experienced tour director and most mealsare included on both cruisetour options.

While Diamond Princess features thecruise line's signature innovations, such as the popular Movies Under the Starspoolside theater and The Sanctuary, an exclusive top-deck retreat, it alsooffers many unique features designed to enhance the Japanese culturalexperience onboard, including:

-IzumiJapanese Bath – the largest of its kind at sea and modeled after the popularJapanese onsen experience

-KaiSushi restaurant – boasting made-to-order sushi and a full selection ofJapanese sake

-Noodlestations – serving up a rotating selection of ramen, soba and udon noodles

-Tamagoyaki– a traditional Japanese omelet available daily for breakfast

-UniqueJapanese entertainment offerings such as "rakugo" storytelling performances andorigami classes

-Extensiveluxury brand duty-free shopping

In addition, dining room menus offer a widevariety of international cuisine, including Japanese options on all menus, andonboard collateral items and stateroom information are available in bothEnglish and Japanese.

Diamond Princess was built by MitsubishiHeavy Industries in Nagasaki, Japan – the first of two Princess ships built inJapan.

Additional information about Princess Cruisesis available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, orby visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising,Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of18 modern cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array ofchoices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided with theexperience of exceptional customer service. As the world's largestinternational premium cruise brand, Princess carries two million guests eachyear to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than 150itineraries ranging in length from three to 114 days. The company is part ofCarnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Newsroom:
Additionalmedia information is available at princess.com/news.

For further information contact:
Brea Burkholz,661-753-1542, bburkholz@princesscruises.com

Negin Kamali, 661-753-1539, nkamali@princesscruises.com

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