Carnival Corp. launched a Tokyo-based marketing unit, Carnival Japan, and will begin sourcing customers from Japan in spring 2013, when it deploys a Princess Cruises ship to operate from Kobe and Yokohama.
The Sun Princess will operate an 87-day program next April through July, with a series of nine- to 12-day itineraries. Carnival Japan will sell Princess and other Carnival Corp. brands in Japan, Carnival Corp. said.
Carnival Corp. said it expects the Princess Sun to carry 18,000 passengers during the 2013 deployment.
"It’s the very first time a global cruise line is offering a full season of cruises from April to July, designed specifically for passengers from Japan," said Princess CEO Alan Buckelew.
U.S. cruise lines increasingly have been sourcing passengers from Asia-Pacific markets.
Carnival Cruise Lines in October will deploy its first ship to Australia.
Royal Caribbean International will operate the 3,100-passenger Voyager of the Seas from mainland China this year, joining the 1,800-passenger Legend of the Seas, which has been cruising in China since 2010.
Follow Donna Tunney on Twitter @dttravelweekly.