On our last post, we had just returned from the last shore excursion of our 11 night Diamond Princess Cruise. Initially we were disappointed we didn’t get to see Mt. Fuji on the tour, or the cruise for that matter, but it was finally sighted as we rode back on the tour bus. Once on the ship, the evening skies suddenly cleared up, and lo and behold, we could see Mt. Fuji clear as day from the rear pool deck! Here this post continues as we set sail and prepare for dinner and the last evening aboard ship. Here is yet another pic as we are starting to sail away from Mt. Fuji at nearly 6:30pm, but without the beautiful pink sunset as in the previous post’s photos.
By this time, we had taken heaps of photos of Mt. Fuji, and we headed to our cabin to put our previously packed bags outside our room for debarkation collection, and then shower, get dressed and head to dinner. Ok, so I did take one last selfie on our balcony, and one more of Mt. Fuji which is way in the background as it’s getting dark.
After showering and dressing for dinner, Steve DOS and I headed to the Crown Grille Specialty Dining Restaurant once again, for our last night aboard. We had the Premier unlimited Specialty Dining and Drink package on this cruise, and we had been to Crown Grille about half the nights, while going to the other specialty restaurant, Sabatini’s on the other nights. We did not go to the other Sushi Specialty Restaurant as we do not care for Sushi, but it seemed quite popular when we walked by it, as it was adjacent to Sabatini’s Italian Restaurant on deck Five.
As it was the last night of the cruise, we wanted to head to bed a bit earlier, and declined going to the 9:30pm Theater show. Instead we headed to Explorer’s Lounge for a quick drink, before heading to the nearby central hub of the ship, the multi-level Piazza area, for the farewell music and festivities.
We didn’t realize that Princess actually had a nice Farewell Show planned in the Piazza, complete with representation from each major department aboard the ship. Princess, like many cruise lines have something similar to the Farewell Celebration, but usually in the Main theater or Main Dining Room, neither of which we went to this last night of the cruise.
The bands played music in the Piazza, while people danced, and lived-it-up on the last night of the cruise. Some time during the festivities, the Cruise Director announced the farewell wishes from the different departments, and everyone cheered on their favorite waiter, bartender, room steward, chef etc, as they paraded around the crowded Piazza. It was quite a nice send-off for everyone on this 11 night Japan cruise, and along with Mt. Fuji sightings a bit earlier in the evening, it truly made for a remarkable end to the cruise!
Here are a few photos from the Farewell Evening aboard the Diamond Princess Japan Cruise, followed by a couple videos of the event. Enjoy!
And here are a few videos of the above with some lively action that’s taking place in the Princess Piazza!
Finally, Good Night from the Diamond Princess. From all of us to all of you, thanks for reading and watching, and safe travels to you! God Bless!
