Cruise lines are gearing up to resume service in Japan, as the country has finally lifted its coronavirus ban on international cruise ships last Tuesday. . The relaxation of the travel ban will allow foreign-flagged cruise ships to operate itineraries to and from the ports in Japan. Cruise lines that have announced plans to return to Japan include Royal Caribbean International, Azamara, and Celebrity Cruises.
The Japanese Government is about to welcome back international cruise ships, but only for domestic travel.
The Japanese Government has announced that it will soon allow international cruise ships to operate in Japan. Associated Press was told that after "ship operators and port authorities' associations have implemented anti-virus guidelines," the island nation is prepared to resume its international cruise operations. The timing for the return trips has not yet been determined, but the first ship scheduled to set out on a foreign cruise will leave Yokohama in December and travel to Mauritius before returning in January.
The relaxation of the travel ban will allow foreign-flagged cruise ships to operate itineraries from the ports in Japan.
The relaxation of the travel ban will allow foreign-flagged cruise ships to operate itineraries from and to the ports in Japan again. Tetsuo Saito, minister of tourism and transportation, declared that Japan was now prepared to resume receiving foreign cruise ships. “We will create an environment that allows tourists to enjoy their cruise without worry while in Japan.” Japan is one of the largest and favorite cruise destinations for many North American and European cruisers. Japan is a popular cruise destination because it has a rich history, culture, and cuisine. The people are very friendly and welcoming to visitors from other countries. There are also many scenic destinations that make it an attractive destination for tourists who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or sightseeing.
Cruise lines that have announced plans to return to Japan include:
Royal Caribbean International
Azamara
Celebrity Cruises
Before the epidemic halted travel, Japan saw more than 2.15 million cruise ship visitors in 2019, according to the nation's Transport Ministry. Following an epidemic on the Diamond Princess in March 2020, which placed 3,711 passengers and crew members into a two-week quarantine and resulted in 13 fatalities and more than 700 infections, the country banned cruising.
The staff must have had three doses of the coronavirus vaccination, while the majority of passengers must have gotten at least two doses as part of the prerequisites for the cruise industry's reinstatement to the Japanese market. The government's ventilation, separation, and sanitation requirements must also be met by ships.
In the upcoming weeks, local government officials and cruise ship operators are anticipated to further discuss their port entry plans.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared in September that the nation will relax its tight border controls and make it simpler for tourists to travel there for pleasure. The prior restrictions on passenger numbers, which were put in place because of the coronavirus outbreak, would be lifted, according to Kishida.
Japan is a popular cruise destination for many cruisers, and there’s no doubt that the relaxing of the travel ban will be welcomed by both Japanese residents and foreign tourists alike. We can expect more announcements from cruise lines soon as they finalize their plans to return to Japan with new itineraries.