Cruise boom buoys Japan's post-pandemic tourism

When the Diamond Princess was quarantined off Yokohama in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Japan's cruise industry ground to a halt

More story about that

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_on_Diamond_Princess

The costs per passenger will be between 984,000 yen and around 4.80 million yen.

I have always enjoyed my cruises on the Asuka series of cruise ships.

However, those cruises are extremely expensive and not very English-friendly. The foreign crew (food servers) will generally speak some unpolished English (and very polished Japanese), but all the shows, games, events, announcements, and such are provided in Japanese only.

However, I did notice that Asuka II will be offering three cruises this year that they term “international,” indicating that onboard guidance will be provided in English. Nice to see.

Remember the Diamond Princess!

To mention the Diamond Princess disaster without addressing the issue of infectious diseases on cruises seems irresponsible, many infectious diseases end up causing rampant outbreaks in cruises, which is why it is so important to conduct periodic inspections and to have strict health controls on the ships, yet this is costly and tend to scare away costumers so the companies tend to do it only when strictly enforced. How does Japan regulates this? how many outbreaks happen in cruises every year? these questions are extremely important.

Being neither a social person nor a foodie, the appeal of being on a cruise remains a mystery to me personally, but I can appreciate that for certain types of people it is exactly how they want to spend their time. However, I'm surprised by the uptick in passengers despite the damage caused in those early days of the pandemic. And then I saw the price! Dang, who has that kind of money?

Cruise ships visiting ports do not greatly add to the local community and often are not charged for docking.

However, I did notice that Asuka II will be offering three cruises this year that they term “international,” indicating that onboard guidance will be provided in English. Nice to see.

Unfortunately "International" (国際) is just a appealing cute word in Japan, nothing to do with english or foreigners at all.

I've seen so many companies using this word its amusing, kokusai taxi, kokusai bus, kokusai bowling, etc..try going to one of those kokusai ski resorts in the alps and watch the shocked faces as you walk in.

Yokohama, Kobe, Fukuoka, Nagasaki ports welcome many tourists from cruise ships again. Boom for restaurant, cafes and omiyage shops in the cities.

Cruise ships visiting ports do not greatly add to the local community and often are not charged for docking.

Cruise ships significantly benefit local economies by bringing thousands of tourists who spend money on excursions, dining, shopping, and local attractions. This influx supports small businesses. While some ports may not charge docking fees directly, they often receive revenue through passenger taxes, port services, and tourism-related income. Additionally, cruise lines frequently collaborate with local tour operators, ensuring that economic benefits are shared. Dismissing their impact overlooks these meaningful contributions.

Hideyoshi.N

Yokohama, Kobe, Fukuoka, Nagasaki ports welcome many tourists from cruise ships again. Boom for restaurant, cafes and omiyage shops in the cities

Reports have shown most cruise liner passengers eat on board with the food they know.

Covid19 is not end in Japan. 

Domestic deaths are far more than 5 years before.

Makes sense, as Japan's become over-run with foreign tourists, so many locals looking for other options like cruise ships. Especially, increasing numbers of the older set, that tend to prefer the safety and ease of cruises.

Remember, ONLY Demographic Increasing in Japan, even with record immigration, approx. 1.1M in past 3yrs from beginning 2022 to end of 2024 is the +80 cohort, and they LOVE cruises, grew +700K in 2024 alone!

Passengers might go to a cafe but are likely to eat onboard because they've already paid for it. The problem is a load of time-poor folk all arriving at the same time at the port, not a place regular tourists go. You have a mad spike in demand for taxis, etc. You will need a critical mass of folk at the port for shops, cafes etc. to open up there.

Cruise ships are also hugely polluting.

Suspect far fewer Japanese tourists now going to Ishigaki now for example, because of these cruise ships, so it's not necessarily a simple tourism spend $calculation

Incidentally, well done to the author of the article on including the nautical terms. That kind of thing can easily be missed!