Diamond Princess delivered

The latest addition to Princess Cruise?s fleet, Diamond Princess, was named and delivered yesterday by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The 116,000gt vessel with a 2,670 passenger capacity launches a new ship design for Princess and makes history as the first large cruise ship built in Japan in more than a decade. The vessel incorporates Princess’ trademark design philosophy which includes an abundance of balcony cabins, flexibility in dining and entertainment options and a variety of intimate public areas. The ship offers passengers a unique dining program with four themed dining rooms, complimenting the main dining room and Sabatini?s trattoria.

Diamond Princess sailed from Nagasaki on a positioning voyage to Los Angeles for its inaugural season of cruises to Mexico which begin on 13 March. The ship will be based in Seattle this summer for seven-day round-trip Inside Passage cruises to Alaska.