For the first time in Southeast Asia, two Princess Cruises’ ships, the Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess, have docked in several ports in Southeast Asia on the same day.

Both ships met in Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City) earlier this month, followed by Laem Chabang (Bangkok) and Koh Samui a day later. 

The ships were also under the command of two brothers, Captain Paolo Ravera at the helm of the Sapphire Princess and his older brother Captain Stefano Ravera on the Diamond Princess when both ships met in Phu My and Laem Chabang.

Both ships finally met in Singapore on January 19 where over 5,000 guests disembarked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre.

The Sapphire will continue sailing in the region until March when she will return to Southampton for her second European season, embarking from Singapore on a 37-night Indian Ocean and Europe Grand Adventure Cruise. Meanwhile, the Diamond is getting set for an upcoming drydock.

“This dual-ship homeporting marks our fifth year sailing out of Singapore, carrying over 200,000 guests during this time, marking a pivotal moment for Princess Cruises in Southeast Asia.  Princess Cruises also contributed economic benefit from each homeporting season estimated to be about S$250 million in the region over the last five years. We certainly look forward to sailing in the region for many years to come,” said Farriek Tawfik, Director Southeast Asia for Princess Cruises. 

After the Diamond’s drydock is completed in early February, she will embark on a 12-night sailing from Singapore to Phu My, Nha Trang, Hong Kong, Taipei, Osaka and Shimizu (Mount Fuji) before arriving in Yokohama on Valentine’s Day. She will then start her year-long program from Japan out of Yokohama and Kobe, featuring 60 departures on 40 unique itineraries, visiting 41 destinations in seven countries.