Diamond Princess again . .. Inaugural questions?

[Theresa]

Has anyone heard if the Diamond Princess is going to do the "inaugural" around the world and down the horn similiar to what Star Princess did with passengers or if they are doing the "real inaugural" out of Seattle and skipping th 29 dayer.

Really looking at this inaugural (out of Seattle) just want to know if it will be the "real inaugural".

Also - what is Princess' record on inaugurals? It appears to me they have had good success lately in delivering ships on time.

theresa

[norm]

Theresa,

Since MV Diamond Princess is under construction in Japan rather than in Italy, she won't have so far to go to reach the left coast. IIRC, the first voyage of MV Diamond Princess with passengers was from either Bangcock or Singapore to Los Angeles -- which means that she went from Italy to either Bangcock or Singapore without passengers as a "shakedown" for the crew. The cruise from Japan to Seattle would provide a similar "shakedown" for the crew to work out the kinks.

In any case, Princess has not yet released an official announcement of a cruise from Japan to Seattle. We won't know for sure until either (1) there's an official announcement of such a cruise or (2) the ship arrives in Seattle without passengers.

Norm.

[Theresa]

Thanks Norm!

I forgot she was being built in Japan.