Japan Cruises 2028

Where Do Japan Cruises Go in 2028?

Japan is firmly at the heart of the 2028 programme, with sailings concentrating on the Japan region — by some distance the largest share of what is on sale. East Asia features too, broadening the picture beyond Japan itself, while a small selection of transpacific crossings and China sailings round out the mix. The median voyage runs to around 14 nights, though durations range from a short 2-night taster right up to an immersive 38-night journey. A number of itineraries are one-way, so if yours ends somewhere other than where it started, you will need a flight home — our team can book that alongside hotels and transfers so there is nothing left to sort independently.

Japan — The Heart of the Programme

Japan dominates the 2028 sailings, and it is easy to see why this country draws repeat visitors. Most itineraries sail in and out of Tokyo or Yokohama (Tokyo), the two dominant embarkation points, and those two ports between them serve the vast majority of departures. Both sit within easy reach of central Tokyo, so arriving a night early is straightforward — and worth doing. We can add that pre-cruise hotel as part of your package.

Beyond the gateway ports, itineraries regularly call at Kobe and Osaka, giving access to the Kansai heartland, while Shanghai and Keelung in Taiwan feature on wider East Asia programmes. The combination of cultural depth, varied coastline and year-round sailing makes Japan one of the most compelling destinations the 2028 cruise calendar offers.

East Asia — Wider Horizons

A number of sailings step beyond Japan into the broader East Asia region. These itineraries tend to be longer and are suited to travellers who want a more expansive voyage — one that might pair Japan with Shanghai, Seoul via Incheon, or further points across the region. Singapore and Hong Kong each serve as embarkation or disembarkation points on select sailings, both of which work well as a base for a few nights before or after your cruise. For those wanting the very longest voyages, a handful of transpacific itineraries extend as far as Vancouver — a remarkable way to bookend a Japan trip.

If your itinerary ends in Singapore, Hong Kong or Vancouver, a one-way fare is likely. That is not a complication — it is an opportunity to build a longer trip, and we can handle every element: onward flights, stopovers and transfers, booked as one holiday.

Curious about China sailings while you are planning? A small number of departures focus primarily on Chinese ports and pair well with a Japan extension.

Which Cruise Lines Sail Japan in 2028?

Princess Cruises leads the Japan 2028 programme by volume, with the broadest range of itineraries. Their two dedicated Japan ships — Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess — are specifically configured for the region, which shows in the dining, the wellness facilities and the cultural programming on board.

Celebrity Cruises is a strong presence too, with Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium both sailing the region. Azamara brings its boutique, immersive approach, spending more time in each port than larger ships typically do — a genuine advantage in Japan, where ports reward unhurried exploration.

Royal Caribbean sails Japan with Spectrum of the Seas, a ship purpose-built with Asian guests in mind that carries a wide range of on-board experiences. Regent Seven Seas Cruises rounds out the main lines with an all-inclusive luxury offering, where fares include shore excursions, premium beverages and gratuities as standard.

If you would like flights, hotels and transfers woven into your booking from the start, look at our Cruise1st Packages — these are ready-built fly-cruise packages that take the planning off your hands.

Which Ships Are Sailing Japan in 2028?

Below are the ships with the most sailings in the 2028 Japan programme, each chosen by its respective line for its suitability to the region.

Diamond Princess — Princess Cruises

Diamond Princess is arguably the most Japan-focused ship at sea. The Izumi Japanese Bath is the largest Japanese-style onsen bath afloat — a genuine rarity, and exactly the kind of on-board detail that makes sense on a Japan itinerary rather than anywhere else. Dining steps up to match: Crown Grill steakhouse, Kai Sushi and Makoto Ocean by Chef Makoto Okuwa give you premium Japanese and Western options without leaving the ship. MedallionClass technology means you can order food and drinks to anywhere on board via the Princess app, and Movies Under the Stars and Skywalkers Nightclub keep evenings lively.

When it comes to choosing your cabin, the range runs from practical to palatial. See the Diamond Princess cabin grades and deck plans for the full picture — or use the summary below:

• Inside cabin IA — 15.6 m²: a quiet mid-deck position with central lift access and a stable ride, sleeping up to 4.
• Premium Ocean-view cabin O5 — 18.3 m²: a panoramic window with a wide forward sea view, natural daylight and space for up to 4 guests.
• Balcony cabin B2 — 25.7 m²: your own outdoor space with seating, direct sea air and sea views that interior and ocean-view cabins cannot offer, sleeping up to 4.
• Grand Suite S1 — 123.5 m²: the largest suite on board at approximately 123.5 m², almost twice the space of the Owner’s Suite, sleeping up to 4.

Sapphire Princess — Princess Cruises

Sapphire Princess is a 2,670-guest Gem-class ship refreshed in a 2025 refurbishment. With over 700 balcony staterooms, the balcony ratio is one of the highest in the Princess fleet — a significant proportion of guests on a Japan cruise will be watching coastlines from their own private outdoor space. Crown Grill steakhouse and the new Makoto Ocean by Chef Makoto Okuwa deliver premium dining, and MedallionClass OceanNow delivery means your morning coffee can reach you wherever you happen to be on board. Cabin grades run the same range as Diamond Princess — see the Sapphire Princess cabin grades and deck plans for sizes and positions:

• Inside cabin IA — 15.6 m²: mid-deck, quiet, stable, sleeping up to 4.
• Premium Sea-view cabin O5 — 18.3 m²: large panoramic window with a forward bow view, sleeping up to 4.
• Balcony cabin B2 — 25.7 m²: private balcony with direct access to fresh sea air, sleeping up to 4.
• Grand Suite S1 — 123.5 m²: the largest suite on board, with a separate living room and dining area, sleeping up to 4.

Azamara Pursuit — Azamara

Azamara Pursuit carries just 777 guests — a boutique scale that shapes everything about the experience. Where larger ships dock and move on, Azamara Pursuit regularly overnights and stays late in port as standard, giving you the kind of unhurried time ashore that Japan genuinely rewards. AzAmazing Evenings — exclusive private cultural events held ashore — are included in the fare, as are Prime C and Aqualina specialty restaurants. That is a meaningful set of inclusions before you add anything else. Cabin choices run from a peaceful inside cabin to the spacious Owner’s Suite; see the Azamara Pursuit cabin grades and deck plans for detail:

• Inside cabin 09 — 14.7 m²: quiet and dark, ideal for sleeping well between excursions, sleeping up to 2.
• Ocean-view cabin 04 — 13.3 m²: a large window bringing natural daylight and sea views into the cabin, sleeping up to 3.
• Veranda Plus Ocean-view cabin P1 — 16.3 m²: a private balcony with direct access to sea air and views, sleeping up to 3.
• Club World Owner’s Suite CW — 52 m²: the largest cabin on board, 11 m² more than the Ocean Suite and over 3 times the size of standard veranda cabins, sleeping up to 3.

Celebrity Solstice — Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Solstice was comprehensively renewed in 2026 — new Trattoria Rossa and Fine Cut Steakhouse restaurants, a redesigned Sunset Park terrace, and refreshed Retreat suites. One of its most distinctive features remains the Lawn Club: a genuine half-acre of real grass on deck, where live Hot Glass Show demonstrations and outdoor cinema take place. Suite guests staying in The Retreat enjoy a private pool sundeck, Luminae restaurant with menus by Daniel Boulud, and butler service. See the Celebrity Solstice cabin grades and deck plans before you choose.

Seabourn Encore — Seabourn

Seabourn Encore is an all-suite, all-balcony ship — every guest has their own outdoor space and private sleeping area as standard. The design runs to the understated end of luxury: think five-star hotel rather than resort ship. An expansive spa and wellness centre with thermal suites is on board for days at sea. View the full Seabourn Encore cabin grades and deck plans to see what each suite grade offers.

What Do Japan 2028 Fares Include?

What your fare covers depends on which cruise line and which fare tier you choose. Here is how the main lines structure their pricing for 2028 sailings.

Princess Cruises Fare Tiers

Princess offers 2 main approaches. Princess Standard is the base cruise fare — the cruise itself, with beverages, Wi-Fi, dining credits and gratuities available to add on rather than included. Princess Plus steps up to include 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15 each (up to 15 drinks per day), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. If you want to know which tier suits your travel style, our team can walk through the differences before you book. More on Princess Japan and Southeast Asia sailings is worth a look too.

Celebrity Cruises Fare Tiers

Celebrity sails with 3 fare levels. The best-rate (cruise-only) tier gives you the lowest headline price, with add-ons chosen later. Best-value bundles in a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi. The Retreat is the suite tier, covering premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private Luminae dining and dedicated personal service — everything in one fare. Browse Celebrity Cruises 2028 sailings alongside the Japan options to compare programmes.

Royal Caribbean Fare Types

Royal Caribbean lists fare types such as last-minute offers and early-booking bonuses on its Japan sailings. A solo/single-occupancy fare is also available for guests travelling alone. The exact promotions in market at any time vary, so speak to our team for what is live when you call. You can also explore Royal Caribbean Japan cruises 2028 for the full selection.

Are There Any Discounts on Japan 2028 Cruises?

A number of sailings carry a reduced fare — measured as a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing. The headline figure reaches up to 46% on one departure, though that is a single outlier: across the sailings where a discount applies, the typical reduction is around 4%. If you are flexible on dates or cabin grade, there is often a saving to be found, and our team can flag what is on offer when you are ready to book.

Around half the sailings on sale carry some form of all-inclusive pricing, where drinks, gratuities or excursions are wrapped into the fare. That is worth factoring into any price comparison — an included drinks package changes the value equation significantly over a 14-night voyage.

How Do I Get to My Japan Cruise?

All Japan 2028 sailings depart from ports in Japan or elsewhere in Asia, which means every booking involves a flight from the UK. That is not a drawback — it is an opportunity to build the trip properly. We can arrange your flights, any pre- or post-cruise hotel nights, transfers between airport and port, and any tours you want to add, all on a single booking alongside the cruise itself. If your itinerary is one-way and ends in a different port from where it started, we will sort the return leg too.

The main embarkation ports are Tokyo and Yokohama, with Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai also serving as departure points on select sailings. Whichever port your cruise uses, arriving the night before is sensible — and we can add that hotel night as part of your package.

Planning a Different 2028 Cruise?

Japan is one corner of a wide 2028 cruises programme. If you are weighing up other destinations, the Mediterranean in 2028 is well stocked with options across multiple lines, and P&O 2028 cruises cover a broad range of regions from UK home ports. For Princess fans, there is a full Princess Cruises 2028 programme to browse — including Princess departures from Southampton if you prefer a no-fly start. Fly-cruise sailings with Princess in 2028 are another option if you want the cruise line but need the flights arranged too.

If you sailed Japan in 2027 and want to compare programmes, the Japan 2027 sailings page shows what that year looked like. Royal Caribbean’s Japan programme for 2027 is covered at Royal Caribbean Japan cruises 2027. Alternatively, the broader Japan cruises hub covers all years and lines in one place.

Rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews, and backed by ABTA and ATOL protection, Cruise1st has the experience and the cover to make a Japan cruise booking straightforward. Call our team for expert advice on cabin grades, fare inclusions and the right itinerary for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.