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DINING FIT FOR A PRINCESS
Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess has added two new specialty dining venues, Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill. Makoto Ocean, which premiered aboard the Sun Princess and Star Princess, highlights sushi master chef Makoto Okuwa’ s Edomae-style sushi, a traditional style that originated in Tokyo in the early 19th century. Other menu highlights include toro tartare and truffle salmon. Cocktails incorporate Japanese ingredients and flavours, such as the kodai no hana, which pairs sake with fresh citrus. The beverage list also includes shochu and Japanese whisky.
The Crown Grill is a longtime Princess Cruises favourite. Located in the former Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5, the steakhouse has mahogany wood decor and a menu that features the likes of aged beef, chops and seafood. Guests can even season their meal with a selection of gourmet salts from around the globe, as well as choose from a varied wine list.
One of the signature dishes available at Crown Grill, on board the Diamond Princess
Princess Cruises celebrates its long connection to Asia with new Eastern dining options and an upcoming Japan season
The Diamond Princess will be sailing throughout Asia in 2026, with itineraries originating in Singapore and the Tokyo region. In 2027, the Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will be sailing from the Tokyo region for the entire season— a historic first for the cruise line and its most extensive Japanese season to date. Voyages range from seven to 28 days, with 50 unique itineraries on offer.
“ With Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill now onboard Diamond Princess, and also recently added to its sister ship Sapphire Princess, we’ re proud to enhance the guest experience as Diamond Princess sails across Asia and we look ahead to our dual-ship Japan season in 2027,” says Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises Vice President of Food and Beverage.
Both the Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess were built in Japan, so the upcoming Japan season represents a homecoming as well as a celebration of Princess Cruises’ long connection to the Asian cruise market.
Caesars Palace villa redesign The iconic Las Vegas resort has added luxurious new villas to mark its 60th anniversary. Two rooftop Colosseum Presidential Villas boast over 8,000 square feet of living space and outdoor terraces. The 29 Sky Villas, on the 68th and 69th floors of the Octavius Towers, feature modern design and curated art.
New North American hotel openings for 2026 According to commercial real estate data firm CoStar, New York and Phoenix are the U. S.’ s top cities for hotel room openings in 2026, with 4,852 and 3,650, respectively. Other hotspots include Dallas, Orlando and Miami. Meanwhile, a Lodging Econometrics trend report found that Toronto and Vancouver are the leading cities for new hotel construction in Canada.
Holland America Line unveils Legendary Voyages The cruise line’ s 2027-28 lineup of Legendary Voyages features cruises in Alaska, the South Pacific, Caribbean and Europe. The 28- 47-day itineraries offer overnight stays, regional cuisine and cultural programing. Some sailings feature unique experiences, such as viewing the 2027 solar eclipse from off the coast of Gibraltar. A 100th anniversary Pan Am voyage follows the airline’ s historic Caribbean route. images: R Kachatorian; Lewis Phan / Caesars Entertainment
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