Japan To Reopen Its Ports To International Cruise Ships In March 2023
Following a COVID-19 outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, international cruises out of Japan are now set to restart next month. Moreover, the Asian country will reopen its ports to international cruises from March 2023.
Japan to reopen ports to international cruise ships
From March next year, Japan will reopen its ports to international cruise ships. While ports and travel businesses are pleased with the development, it does mean an additional burden on host cities. In fact, they will need to implement their own stringent infection control measures, along with those of the cruise lines.
Cruises from ports in Japan
On November 18, a doctor from the Nippon Maru revealed the strict measures being taken on cruise ships in Japan. Referring to a guest room converted into an examination room, he said, “Passengers who develop COVID-19 symptoms are examined in this room.”
Operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, Ltd., the Nippon Maru is one of the line’s most luxurious passenger ships. Meanwhile, the ship features around 200 guest rooms, a swimming pool, restaurants and a casino lounge. The ship is set to sail from Yokohama Port on December 15 to the Indian Ocean destination of Mauritius. Moreover, this will mark its first overseas cruise after ports reopened.
While people can book a cruise on the Nippon Maru, services won’t be the same as before the pandemic started. For one thing, capacity is to be limited at restaurants and the pool. Moreover, entertainment is to be changed to prevent COVID infections. However, these facts haven’t stopped people from booking, as the company says around 80 percent of the cruise ship is booked.
Onboard COVID testing
According to the Asia News Network, the Nippon Maru is equipped with PCR testing facilities and will be able to test passengers and crew as required. Anyone who tests positive will move to one of 17 isolation cabins on the ship. Moreover, they will likely disembark at the next port of call for treatment.
Meanwhile, should 10 percent of the crew and passengers test positive for the virus, the ship will return early to Yokohama port.
Speaking of the measures, the Nippon Maru general manager said:
We take tougher safety measures on board than they do in cities. We want our guests and those at our ports of call to feel safe.
Future of cruises in Japan
International cruises came to a halt at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. At that stage, the Japanese government also suspended operations for passenger ships heading through China and South Korea.
This request was lifted in October 2022 and the NYK Line ship Asuka II is set to sail on an international cruise in February 2023. Moreover, from March next year, 166 international cruise ships are set to call at Japanese ports.
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
Tokyo replaced the old Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal with the ¥39 billion Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. While the terminal opened in September 2020, the pandemic has halted any international cruise ships from calling at the port.
Meanwhile, prior to the pandemic, international cruises were booming in Japan with 2.52 million international visitors arriving in Japan on a cruise ship. The most popular destinations included Nagasaki, Naha and Hakata. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the economic benefits of port calls alone come to some ¥80 billion a year.