This Diamond Sparkles

Typhoon Vong Fong caused our ship to delay boarding by a day. However, on Thursday, October 16th we embarked onto the beautiful Diamond Princess in Yokohama, Japan and set sail on our 32-day voyage to new and exciting places.

  

We set a course south through the Pacific Ocean with temperatures near mid-70 F, a sky full of white cotton balls and slight wavelets caused by the caress of a breeze. Our first port of call would be Osaka, Japan the following day.

Our first day at sea was spent scurrying around the ship, taking pictures of the new additions and enhancements on the ship and getting used to our hotel at sea. Six months prior to our sailing, the Diamond Princess had been in dry dock in Sembawang, Singapore. During that time, enticing new features were added to the 10 year old ship at a cost of $30 million. The ship was entering its second season in Japan and it needed updates that would appeal to the Japanese market. One change made was adding the largest Japanese bath area at sea exclusive to the Diamond Princess and called the "Izumi Japanese Bath". 

It is important to know that in Japan, the bath is a very traditional, unique cultural experience designed around rejuvenation and serenity. There are several types of bath: Sento, a communal bath house; Ofuro, a type of tub commonly used; Onsen, a hot spring bath that can be done in a public or private setting. Very specific customs and etiquette are involved in the Japanese bath so it is a must to be familiar with the guidelines prior to experiencing a Sento or public Onsen bath. Indoor bathing involves removing all clothing with no bathing suits permitted of any kind.

Visitors to the ship's "Izumi Japanese Bath" were briefed on the rules of the bath prior to entering the spa-like atmosphere. The cost was $20.00 US per person for 90 minutes or $80.00 US per person for five sessions. Inside baths were alternated daily, enabling men and women to experience both types of baths. I was offered a free tour of the gorgeous 8,800 square foot facility so that I could take pictures for this blog:

Men and women locker rooms with towels, robes and slippers 

  

Washing area (with wood bucket) prior to entering any of the Onsen bathing pools (beautiful floor to ceiling view of the ocean from the windows)  

  

IWA Stone Bath with Utaseyu (cascade of hot water) to relieve tension in back and shoulders

 

Outdoor hydrotherapy pool was unisex with bathing suits required

  

Another addition to the ship was a sushi restaurant called "Kai Sushi" featuring both table and sushi bar seating with ala carte menu charges. The 66-person capacity restaurant served miso shire, nigiri sushi, maki sushi, sashimi, seafood cocktails and for dessert, matcha ice cream made with red bean paste. Sake lovers were able to try a variety of regional sakes for a taste of the ports of call featured during the cruise. 

  

  

Some of the many other new features on board were the Pacific Moon main dining room with its distinctive eastern Asian theme...

the Santa Fe main dining room with an obvious western flair...

  

and the classic elegance of the elevator waiting areas and stairwells done in light woods, neutral tones, gleaming brass and glass.

  

As we sailed towards Osaka, the weather could not have been better that day...

or that evening as we watched the sun set over the Pacific.

Lights glowed on deck. 

Excitement grew as we ended our first day aboard looking forward to arriving in Osaka the following afternoon.