Diamond vs Sapphire Princess: Izumi, Dining, Cabins and Deck Plans
Compare Diamond and Sapphire Princess: Izumi on Diamond, 2026 dining changes, balcony privacy, cabin routes and official deck plans.
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Diamond and Sapphire Princess share a Japanese-built design within Princess’s Grand-class family. Diamond’s Izumi Japanese Bath is the clearest onboard distinction. Both ships now offer Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill following their recent dining changes.
For a Japan cruise, compare the ports, overnight calls and travel to the embarkation terminal alongside those onboard choices. Ship construction in Japan does not determine the language or cultural program of every sailing.
Princess’s own fleet taxonomy places Diamond and Sapphire in Grand class. “Diamond subgroup” here is a practical distinction for these two sister ships.
What matters for your decision
- Both ships now have Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill.
- Izumi on Diamond is a paid bath facility for adults aged 18 and older.
- Diamond has Izumi; Sapphire does not. Both need current dining plans rather than older restaurant descriptions.
A distinct subgroup within Princess's Grand family
The sisters divide main dining among several rooms and have their own public-space arrangement. Use their individual deck plans for cabin selection: the layouts differ from Grand, Crown and the other ships in the broader family.
Diamond’s Izumi and the sisters’ updated restaurants
| Ship | What distinguishes the choice |
|---|---|
| Diamond Princess | Izumi Japanese Bath is a paid adults-only wellness option. Makoto Ocean occupies Deck 7, and Crown Grill replaced Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5. |
| Sapphire Princess | Has Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill following its dining updates, but no Izumi Japanese Bath. Compare its actual itinerary and room with Diamond. |
Izumi access, pool time and evenings between ports
Izumi is exclusive to Diamond and requires a reservation and separate admission fee. Princess’s dedicated Japan-market page specifies ages 18 and over. Indoor facilities are separated for men and women, while the shared outdoor spa pool requires swimwear. The bathing format varies by itinerary; outside Japan departures, the operator says swimwear is also required indoors except during designated periods.
Theater productions, lounge music, Movies Under the Stars and pools provide familiar sea-day choices. These ships do not need an elaborate thrill deck to work well on a port-intensive itinerary, but a family expecting one should compare a different design.
Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill after the 2026 changes
Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill are now on both ships. On Diamond, Makoto Ocean is on Deck 7 and Crown Grill occupies the former Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5. These changes, confirmed in Princess’s January 26, 2026 announcement, make older Kai Sushi and steakhouse descriptions unreliable for planning dinner.
Both venues require paid reservations unless covered by an eligible package. Check your booking’s current rate and Premier inclusion; the price quoted in a launch announcement is not a guarantee for a later departure.
The main dining and buffet routine remains a practical base. On a Japan trip, leave room in both the budget and appetite for meals ashore if that is part of the appeal. Paying for specialty dining every evening can work against the reason you chose the itinerary.
Balcony cover and the route to your dining room
Study the exact room’s balcony coverage and the neighboring decks. The category name does not tell you whether people above can see part of the balcony or whether the room is close to a busy public area. Compare the usable space with your own habits: reading outdoors for an hour is different from hosting several family members there.
The arrangement of dining rooms also affects routes. Trace the walk from the cabin to the assigned or preferred dining venue, including which elevators reach the entrance most conveniently. This is especially useful for anyone limiting stairs.
Choose Diamond for Izumi or Sapphire for the better sailing
Shortlist Diamond when Izumi and the available itinerary both appeal. Shortlist Sapphire when its sailing, cabin or departure logistics are better; shared ancestry does not make Diamond automatically the stronger choice.
Compare a newer ship if you want a contemporary suite environment or a wider spread of headline venues. Compare Coral if lower overall scale matters more than the extra public-space choice here.
Pros and cons
| Advantages | Compromises |
|---|---|
| Both ships now have Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill. | Older Kai Sushi and steakhouse descriptions may no longer match the current plan. |
| Diamond’s Izumi gives wellness-focused travelers a specific feature to evaluate. | Diamond-specific amenities cannot be assumed on Sapphire. |
| The 2026 specialty dining additions broaden the current restaurant comparison. | Balcony privacy and routing require individual cabin checks. |
Other ships to consider
The other Grand-family ships are the closest architectural comparison. Royal class offers a larger-generation Princess experience; Coral and Island are useful alternatives when a smaller footprint matters most.
Official deck plans
| Ship | Features and current information | Official deck-plan destination |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Princess | Diamond Princess: official overview | Deck plans for Diamond Princess |
| Sapphire Princess | Sapphire Princess: official overview | Deck plans for Sapphire Princess |
Photograph and further reading
The photograph shows Diamond Princess at the date recorded in its credit. It illustrates the vessel, not a guarantee of its current paintwork, cabins or latest refit. Original photograph and attribution.
Your decision checklist
- Choose Diamond if the paid adults-only Izumi bath is a priority.
- Use the current Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill lineup when planning meals.
- Check the balcony and room layout separately on each sister.
Questions travelers ask
Which ships does this guide cover?
Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess. This operating roster was checked for September 23, 2026; future additions are not counted.
Does Sapphire Princess have the Izumi Japanese Bath?
No. Izumi is exclusive to Diamond Princess. Princess’s dedicated Izumi page lists reserved, paid admission for adults 18 and over; confirm the bathing schedule for your itinerary.
Do Diamond and Sapphire both have Crown Grill and Makoto Ocean?
Yes. Princess confirmed both venues on Diamond and Sapphire in January 2026. On Diamond, Crown Grill is in the former Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5 and Makoto Ocean is on Deck 7.
Official sources and further reading
Sources checked September 23, 2026. Explore the original policies, destination guidance and provider information behind this article. Each description explains what you will find at the source.
- Princess Cruises fleetFleet context; future bookable ships are excluded from this operating roster.
- Diamond Princess official ship informationShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Sapphire Princess official ship informationShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Diamond Princess official deck plansUse the version applicable to your sailing; linked operator resource, not a reproduced or independently surveyed plan.
- Sapphire Princess official deck plansUse the version applicable to your sailing; linked operator resource, not a reproduced or independently surveyed plan.
- Princess 2026–2028 fleet and deck-plan brochurePrincess groups Diamond and Sapphire with Grand class; this collection separates those two as a useful design subgroup.
- Diamond and Sapphire specialty dining update, January 2026Dated operator announcement takes precedence over older restaurant descriptions.
- Photograph: Diamond PrincessDiamond Princess · 2009 · Barrylb · Public domain (author dedication); Wikimedia thumbnail, displayed to fit the page.
- Additional photograph: Sapphire PrincessSapphire Princess · 2008 · Barrylb · Public domain (author dedication); displayed to fit the page.
- Izumi Japanese Bath admission and bathing rulesDedicated facility page: reservation, admission charge, age 18 and over, and itinerary-specific swimwear rules.