New Japan Cruise and tour package aboard Diamond Princess

Rising Popularity of Land of the Rising Sun Prompts New Japan Fly-Cruise Package

The rising popularity of Japan for Australian travellers has led to the release by Cruise Express of a new, fly-cruise package which includes the iconic attractions of Mt Fuji, Japan’s bullet trains and the neon lights of the world’s most populous city, Tokyo – home to 38 million people.

Cruise Express has seen a major spike in trips it has booked to Japan for customers, with the strong Australian dollar making Japan a good-value destination. Its new 39-night, in-depth ‘Diamonds of Japan’ package includes an escorted, six-night land tour in Japan and a 33-night voyage on the Japanese-built superliner, Diamond Princess, to five ports in Japan and then home to Australia via China, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.

Departing Australia on August 22, 2015, the all-inclusive itinerary begins with two nights in Tokyo, rides on three, 320 km/h bullet trains, a cruise on Lake Ashi at the foot of Mt Fuji and visits to the grand imperial palaces, temples and exotic gardens of Tokyo and Kyoto. After the six-night land tour, passengers will travel to Yokohama to board the 2670-passenger Princess Cruises ship, Diamond Princess, which underwent a $30 million refit last year and now boasts a large sushi bar and Japanese-themed spa sanctuary to appeal to the growing number of Japanese cruisers and visitors to the country.

The 33-night voyage from Japan back to Sydney begins with a cruise north to Japanese ports such as Aomori, Hakodate and Akita where giant fish markets, mountain hot springs and historic castles will greet passengers. Cruise Express is including a free, hosted shore tour at each of the three ports as well as in the remote Russian port of Vladivostok, which Diamond Princess will also visit.

The cruise then heads south to Osaka, Xiamen in China, the spectacular harbour city of Hong Kong. NhaTrang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Singapore, Bali and Darwin before arriving in Sydney.

Including the flight to Tokyo, six night land tour with 12 meals and the 33-night cruise with four shore tours, the ‘Diamonds of Japan’ package is available from $8990 per person, twin-share.

Call Cruise Express on 1300 764 509 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au.