Anyone Gone Vancouver-Japan?

[daniTS]

Hi everybody!

I'm going to be going to Tokyo for six months this fall, and I just happened (:) ) to notice that HAL has an orient explorer cruise, the first portion of, goes from Vancover-Japan (so much better than flying!). It's in October, so I was just wondering if anyone has experiance with what the weather, seas etc might be like. Also, were the penal colony ports in Russia interesting? They sound neat, but its kind of a random port :)...

TIA

Dani

[Druke I]

We did cruise Tokyo (Osaka) to Vancouver, 4-97, on Sky Princess, and enjoyed it very much - although it certainly was a cold weather cruise (outside decks closed a couple of days due to ice build-up).

Bering Straits supposed to be rough often, but our passage only a little bumpy!

Enjoyed Vladivostock, Siberia - very interesting to see remnants of Soviet Navy Pacific fleet rusting away in harbor. City had a couple of interesting museums, and an aquarium that could be best described as a work in progress. People there very friendly, and very much interested in western culture.

I'm envious of your extended stay in Japan - I've had a soft spot for Japan and its citizens since my Army days.

[lipoppop]

I think it has been sold out since last June. However when final payments become due cabins might open up.

[sungoddess]

I sailed on the 2002 64 day Asia Pacific Cruise, and it was the roughest weather I have ever sailed in, and I have been sailing for 7 years! We left from Vancouver at the end of September and were at sea for a week before reaching Petropavlask, Russia. Once we reached Russia, it was smooth sailing to Tokyo.

[Pocoglow]

Sungoddess, we are going to take the HAL cruise Osaka-Vancouver on the Statendam in May 2006, and the ports are Osaka (Kyoto), Tokyo, Aomori (Japan), Petropavlovsk, Russia, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Kodiak and Sitka. I would be interested in any comments you have about the cruise in general, and especially any comments/recommendations re excursions you took in those ports. Thank you.

[daniTS]

Thanks everyone!

That's not so good about the rough seas, but I guess you wouldn't be able to predict it too well before you went. Can you describe a little bit how it actually was? Did a lot of people get sick? Everybody? Was it scary or just unpleasent? How much movement could you feel?

Thanks so much!

Dani

[sungoddess]

The weather we experienced was expected because of the time of year, but we also had the remains of a typhoon off the coast of Japan which didn't help much. Anyone who is on this board who was on that cruise with me can relate to how much my thighs hurt from balancing myself for a week! Yes, there were many people seasick, but after we got to Japan, it calmed down quite a bit. It was only scary on one night, the rest was just uncomfortable. However, it was an amazing sight for those who were not seasick. The waves and swells were crashing over the Sports Deck (this was on the Volendam) and made for a wild ride.
I will post more soon about the ports and info requested regarding excursions.

[wander]

I was on the same 64 day cruise as Sungodess in 2002 and I would not have described the seas the same way that she did. There were some rough times, but most of the time I did not find it that bad. Of course, "rough" can be somewhat subjective and varies with our other experiences. Oh, it was not smooth, but I did not find it that bad most of the time. However, this shows the differences in people. (For example - when we transferred that man to the tug off of Dutch Harbor he was able to get from ship to tug without much trouble. Well, he was in trouble, but it was not due to the condition of the sea.)

I loved every minute of the cruise. I would love to do it again, but so many other places to go as well!

[rkacruiser]

I, too, was on the same cruise as Sungoddess and Wander and would describe my reactions to the "rough" weather as being closer to Wander's than Sungoddess's. Yes, one had to "hang on" at times in walking about the ship. But, the views from the Crow's Nest of the ship plowing through the waves, with the water nearly reaching the Crow's Nest when the Volendam's bow went crashing down into a trough, were memorable and spectacular. Never did I feel afraid whatsoever. The only precaution I thought prudent was not using the elevators. One could hear noises coming from the elevator shafts as, I assumed, cables were banging against the sides of the shaft.

I thought the voyage to Petropavolvsk was simply another wonderful travel experience that helped to make the 2002 Asia Pacific cruise the best cruise I have ever had.

[daniTS]

Thanks for everyones replies! I guess it is such a personal and unpredictable thing - one would just have to take the plunge so to speak I suppose :)Unfourtunatly, this is probably no more than a dream for this year - it would have to be one heck of a summer job for me to get on there this fall with a chaperone (I'm only 18), if there were even cabins availible, but its great to hear your stories - i would love to do this somewhat unusual cruise (any more cruises actually - even better - the Residensea program sounds like my idea of perfection! Before i make my 5 million required to buy a place, maybe i'll work on a boat and live aboard that way - I'm lining up friends to do it as a summer job already)...


thanks everybody!
dani

[Pocoglow]

sungoddess and rkacruiser, I am interested in any comments you might have about this cruise, and the excursions. Did either of you take the ATV trip in Petropavlovsk, if it was offered then? I also am looking for info about the excursions you might have taken in Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo. Thank you.

[rkacruiser]

Hello Pocoglow,

Glad to help! Petropavlovsk: Ship had to anchor and we tendered ashore. At the pier, a small band was playing and a young woman, dressed in native clothes, offered bread and salt, a welcoming gift for visitors. A beautiful area, lots of volcanic mountains and forests along their sides. I took the city tour that provided a good overview of the city with a visit to a cultural museum and a Russian Orthodox Church. The city is very Soviet-style, as one would imagine. The museum was OK, not great. I know a couple that did a tour that went out into the wilds--maybe the ATV tour you are asking about. They were not on an ATV, but somekind of converted truck, I think. Lovely scenery, I remember them saying, but they experienced a very jarring ride. Had a good lunch and experienced the first--of many--very primitive and unusual restroom facilities(welcome to Asia!)

In Tokyo, we were welcomed at the pier by a Japanese Drum Ensemble as the Volendam was docking. (We actually docked near the heart of Tokyo.) My tour included views of the Imperial Palace, the Kannon Temple, a very long, but very good lunch at the New Otani Hotel, a visit to a pearl jewelry store, and being left off in the Ginza district for a period of time before being picked up and returned to the ship. Of all of the tours on my 2002 Asia Pacific cruise, this one was the most disappointing. Tokyo is a very crowded city. Mentally, be prepared for that. (15 minutes in the Ginza was enough for me, but we were there closer to an hour, I think.)

In Osaka, I took a tour to Hiroshima and the Miyajima Shrine. We rode the Bullet Train round-trip. A very full day, but this was an absolutely great trip. The experience visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum was a very emotional one for me. (Those who want to make war--no matter what country they are from, including the U.S.--should be made to go to this site! It will make one think!)

Any other questions? Hope this helps you!

[Druke I]

Completely slipped my mind when I posted before, but we also took a cruise, Kobe Japan to Vancouver BC via Honolulu, on the former Sea Princess (originally Kungsholm, then Sea Princess, then Victoria, now Mona Lisa), way back in 5-99, and a grand cruise it was. The Pacific was very calm all the way, and the weather was also with us.

[Pocoglow]

Thank you rkacruiser, and Druke I! I wish that a tour to Hiroshima was offered, but so far it is not listed. Your comments about Tokyo (the crowding, density) echo what I have read.

I appreciate all the info!

[jasl]

POCOGLOW: You have company, we too are booked on this cruise along with two other couples from Boston. Super itinerary!!! I have started a thread in the Roll Call column, please add your comments if you wish. Glad DaniTS started this thread, as it has already produced such good advice, thank you all who have contributed.
QUESTION: Can someone tell me if a VISA was required for Petropavlovsk?????
We did not require one for St. Petersburg as long as we took the tours offered by the ship, wondering whether this will be the case for this cruise as well.

[rkacruiser]

jasl,

Yes, a visa was required for Petropavlovsk if I remember correctly. The really odd thing I recall is that the Russian officials did not look for it when we disembarked. But, our passports were checked and they did look for it when we returned to the Volendam.

[mr green]

Sungoddess, we are going to take the HAL cruise Osaka-Vancouver on the Statendam in May 2006, and the ports are Osaka (Kyoto), Tokyo, Aomori (Japan), Petropavlovsk, Russia, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Kodiak and Sitka. I would be interested in any comments you have about the cruise in general, and especially any comments/recommendations re excursions you took in those ports. Thank you.

I am taking the same cruise, and started a thread in HAL ROLL CALL, its near the bottom of the first page. john

[jasl]

THANKS, RKAcruiser...... I'll start working on that. For our Baltic cruise in 2001, I faxed the Russian Embassy here in Canada and am still waiting for an answer!!!
Hopefully they have improved their services.

[Vic The Parrot]

That would be a nice cruise!

Makes one think of the old route P&O used to make in the 1950's and 1960's. But this cruise on Statendam (think it's Statendam)
seems too 'port intensive' for my tastes.

I'd like to do it the best way.......


Sail from HK or Yokohama, then hit Honolulu, then SoCal or Vancouver. Those sea days ...... HEAVEN!!


:)

[wander]

Jasl,

Regarding the Visa question - check with HAL. I remember the answer to this question differently than RKAcruiser (Hi RKAcruiser!), but could be wrong. As I recall, the ship had a blanket Visa for all in Petropovlovsk. Now, my memory could be wrong, but the only full Visa for Russia I could find in my passport was for the year we took the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Vladavoskof (excuse the spelling) to Moscow. I do know that in Petropovlovsk you could walk around on your own after the tour as the ship was in downtown, unlike some Russian ports where you can only walk around alone with a full Visa. (But then, the chances of one wanting to skip ship and stay in Petropovlovsk are quite low I would guess.)

In Petropovlovsk my husband took the "ATV" tour you mentioned. RKACruiser is correct, it was a truck, a military truck, and they sat in back on benches. However, it was a raised truck with big heavy duty wheels and a raised body, much like you see some young people (and some older ones) in their road trucks set-up for off-road driving. (It was more extrmem and looked even meaner.) As someone said, the ride was a rough one, but my husband found it to be a facinating trip with an excellent guide. He would go again in an instant.

On our trip, he also went on the tour to Hiroshoma, which was a day trip from our stop in Osaka. They went on the bullet train and visited a museum in Hiroshoma, among other things. I took the "Day with a Geisha" tour, a facinating day and one of the most unique tours I have gone on while on a ship.

Ginza - as RKAcruiser said, I agree that the stop in Ginza was too long, but I am NOT a shopper. Slinkie (of Slinkie and Grumpy fame) would probably say it was not long enough! So, it depends. I did find that walking around a huge department store where they let us off was interesting, many differences and many similarities to what we have in the States. Sad to say, but our highlight of the Ginza was having a Starbucks Latte. (Now that is a sad commentary on how we spent our time there.) I also agree with RKAcruisers comment on the lunch at the New Otani Hotel. It was a wonderful meal, an interesting setting and oh such beautiful gardens. It was a real haven within the frenzy of a very busy city.

Overall the 64 day cruise was one that I would gladly repeat when the time is right. For now, there are so many other trips (cruises and others) to take. I have wonderful photo albums from this trip and I kid that when I am too old to enjoy shore excursions I will go on the cruise again, taking my photo albums. Than in each port I will sit on the ship and look at the books.

[rkacruiser]

jasl,

I think my good friend wander(hello wander! Where are you going next?) has a better memory than me. Holland America did get a blanket visa for us at all ports, I think, not just in Russia. I don't remember having to send my passport away for visas to be entered prior to our 2002 cruise. (Things may now be different, however.) I have stamps in my passport from Petropovlovsk, however, so they must have been put there by the Russian officials. I just don't recall seeing that being done. I am 100% sure, however, that my passport was not examined when we left the ship, but mine most certainly was when I returned to the ship.

Wander's advice to contact HAL in Seattle is good advice. I remember that there was one woman("the Visa Lady", she was called) who was in charge of this aspect of cruise planning.

[Pocoglow]

Thanks, wander, for the info on the ATV tour. That one is now in the definite column!

[jasl]

Thank you so much Wander and RKAcruiser, your comments are very helpful to me in planning this cruise. I have called HAL and as of to-date, they do not have a Visa requirement for this voyage, but suggested to call again closer to sailing.
Wander: your travels have been varied and interesting, shore excursions can take their toll on our stamina and I like your idea of some day taking the photo albums along and "just stay on board". Wishing you good health and many more wanderings.

[wander]

Jasl -

Thank you. I have been fortunate to do a lot of facinating travel and hope to keep going for many more years. On your trip I hope that you meet folks as nice a RKAcruiser. He is a really nice and interesting person.

[rkacruiser]

Thank you, wander, for such a nice compliment!

jasl, one of the best things about a longer cruise is that one does have the opportunity to really get to know many of the people whom you meet. On the Asia Pacific cruise that wander and I shared, we were part of a roll call-type group. Among that group as well as meeting others aboard the ship, many friendships have developed and contact with many of these people have been maintained. It has been a most pleasant, and I must say unexpected, benefit of that long cruise. I hope you will have the same kind of experience that we had.

[jasl]

DH and I have also been fortunate to develop some nice friendships with fellow cruisers. We go back quite a few years with some couples and then there have been new ones. Each cruise we take there is at least one couple to be added to our circle we stay in touch with on a steady basis. I even have "met" a few on this board and as a matter of fact one of those couples is joining us on the Transpacific cruise, we met in person in September and really hit it off.
THANK YOU both for such nice remarks and Happy Sailings (May there be many more on your agenda) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jasl

[daryleann]

QUESTION: Can someone tell me if a VISA was required for Petropavlovsk?????
We are signed up for this trip. Talked to the HAL agent and we would need a visa if we weren't on a ship excursion -or if we wanted to leave it for any reason. Can attest to the high cost of getting a visa. Had one in 2001 and I'm sure the prices are up since then.