Something for everyone on Diamond Princess

Whatever floats your boat, you're sure to find it aboard or in a port of call, says Jan Bromilow.

"I am now entitled to free on-board laundry,” says Brian proudly, gesturing to the laminated piece of card swinging from the lanyard around his neck. We are having breakfast aboard the Diamond Princess, seated at a table for 10, where, after the customary introductions, we all are discussing our individual cruising credentials.

All of our dining companions are almost midway through a 28-night circumnavigation of Australia from Sydney and back again.

My husband Dion and I, however, are taking just a short cruise from Adelaide to Fremantle, testing out what the Great Australian Bight might have to offer.

It transpires that two of the couples have just recently completed a 108-day around-the-world voyage and are now squeezing in another cruise before getting home in time for Christmas. Although both couples have sailed on identical cruises, amazingly this is the first time they have met.

Another of the diners is a first-time cruiser and her friend is on her fourth cruise. And, “free-laundry Brian” and his wife have completed more than 151 cruise days in order to gain his cherished reward.

What’s apparent from this casual conversation is that everyone gets something different out of a cruise.

Our preference is to treat the ship as a hotel and choose itineraries that feature few, if any, sea days. We get off at every opportunity to explore each new destination.

This is completely opposite to some others, who rarely get off the ship and just enjoy the myriad on-board activities and facilities the cruise ship has to offer. And, most certainly, Diamond Princess offers an exceptional number, as I discover on the two scheduled sea days across the bight.

Firstly, I check out the ship’s newly renovated areas and head straight to the boutiques with their tempting array of wares — they prove to be irresistible as new bags and cosmetics are purchased and crammed into already bulging suitcases.

This shopping spree is followed by lunch in the Japanese Kai Sushi restaurant where three chefs deftly create delicious morsels with seemingly little effort.

Diamond Princess sushi bar.

Then, in keeping with the Japanese theme, I decide to dip my toes in the water at the Izumi Japanese bathhouse. This is a big deal for me, who has not worn bathers in public for years.

Alternating from the relaxing heat of the sauna to the cooling, bubbling bath waters followed by a short spell in the mist room sees me scurrying for the outside spa and then ending my session by stretching out on a canopied sunbed overlooking the churning ocean at the back of the ship.

Izumi bathhouse area aft view

I feel relaxed and refreshed — so much so that Princess Cruises’ “come back new” slogan comes to mind. So I decide to cap off the “new me” with an anti-ageing facial in the Lotus Spa.

Diamond Princess is essentially a floating resort, offering many on-board activities at different venues throughout the day and night. Walking around the ship I happen across a “move it like Jagger” fitness class where enthusiastic 70 and 80-year-olds are bringing out their long-forgotten moves.

And, on deck, a fierce table-tennis battle is raging, as it appears to do so every day. There is a wedding chapel for couples wishing to renew their vows, many bars and lounges, casino, a library, fitness centre, internet cafe and the adults-only Sanctuary.

There is endless entertainment, from trivia competitions to music and dancing. Had the weather been kinder I would have loved to snuggle up with a cosy tartan rug on a sun lounger to watch night-time Movies Under the Stars outside on deck.

Diamond Princess also has numerous eating areas, all with staff who are attentive and friendly, serving exceptional food prepared in the spotless galleys below. The Horizon is a popular buffet area where food is readily available from 5am-11pm. There are three speciality restaurants — Sabatini’s Italian, the Sterling Steakhouse and Kai Sushi — plus four dining rooms, a hamburger grill, pizzeria and an ice-cream bar.

During this short cruise, we have only two ports of call, Albany and Busselton. Passengers can choose to book an organised excursion through Diamond Princess, thus ensuring that the cruise will not leave without them if they are late returning to the ship. Or guests can choose to do their own exploring of the port and surrounding areas. Others remain aboard to enjoy the ongoing activities.

Diamond Princess at Albany / Picture: Laurie Benson

We join a small group heading for the National Anzac Centre and the Princess Royal Fortress in Albany. I am particularly keen to see this new facility and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. This interactive experience is a must-see for any visitor.

The next port is Busselton. This is the first time a cruise ship has anchored off the coast here, although many more visits are planned for next year and 2016. Tenders take us on the 30-minute ride ashore, where we are enthusiastically met by a local band and lots of beaming volunteers.

Neil Macleod is waiting ashore to escort our small group on a trip to Margaret River, taking scenic detours through Dunsborough, Canal Rocks and Smiths Beach. We enjoy a day of tasting and sampling at Gabriel Chocolate, Vasse Virgin oils, Thompsons Estate, Colonial Brewery and the Margaret River Cheese Company plus lunch at Vasse Felix.

Back aboard, we watch the sunset from our balcony as we slowly make our way out to sea, bound for Fremantle. The following morning, before disembarking, we again have breakfast at a table of 10, but with different travellers this time, and discuss the various highlights of the cruise.

Everyone has a different answer, a different individual experience and a different treasured memory. Yes, cruising definitely offers something for everyone.

• Jan Bromilow was a guest of Princess Cruises.

Sparkling season ahead
Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess will offer a series of cruises from Sydney until March, returning in September for a six-month season of cruises from Sydney.

Capable of carrying 2700 passengers, the 116,000-tonne ship features the largest Japanese bath area at sea, an array of dining options, a child-free retreat, an outdoor movie screen, 13 bars and lounges, four swimming pools and eight whirlpool spas.

Diamond Princess will depart on a 28-night round-Australia cruise from Sydney on February 27, with fares from $4799 per person twin share. The ship will also offer a 33-night cruise around Australia and New Zealand departing Sydney on October 22, with fares from $5050 per person twin share. Shorter cruises include a 12-night round-trip cruise to New Zealand from Sydney, with fares from $1849 per person twin share.

Phone 13 24 88 or visit princess.com.