Tokyo & Japan Princess Cruise review Aug 2016

We are a couple in our 60's who have cruised many time now, thought you would like to read our review.

Generally a lovely holiday, weather was very hot and humid so made things tougher to do, but drunk plenty of water and stayed out of the sun as much as possible. This was our first time on any Princess ship and I am sure it won't be the last, we felt their food was better than on Royal Caribbean ships although less choice. The cabin was a good size just the noise from the pool area above sometimes got annoying, mostly we were too tired to care! Embarkation and Disembarkation were excellent, quicker than other cruise lines we have been with. Nagoya had the worst immigration check we have ever had and that really needs sorting, taking one and a half hours, it only took about half an hour when we boarded the ship in Yokahama! We only used ships tours as we didn't speak Japanese and were unsure how we would have coped, glad we did when it came to Nagoya as if booked independently may have missed tour, we did feel rushed on many of our tours but whether that was because it was so hot and we were slow or if it's just the way the Japanese do things we are unsure. All the shows we saw on board were very good and we felt the dancers and singers were slightly better than on other cruise lines. Not so much to do on sea days for us but we were happy just to relax and enjoy the scenery. Loved Japan, the people are ultra polite and helpful and some of the scenery was amazing, although it was more modern than I had imagined! Tokyo is a wonderful city, very safe & clean, easy to get around after doing a bit of homework before we went, so as not to waste time. Would love to go back again someday.

Thursday 11th / Friday 12th August-UK to Tokyo

Plane delayed at first by half hour but by the time we took off we were over an hour late. Flight was good slept a little and after eleven and 1/2 hours landed in Tokyo Japan. We arrived on Friday the 12th Aug around 11.30 AM then cleared immigration and customs which all went smoothly, our transfer was waiting for us with a minibus and drove us to town (should take about 1/2 hour), but we got stuck in traffic on the way so it took longer than expected, we also have to drop two other groups off at different hotels, we were the last. Booked in to our hotel New Otani then a quick freshen up before heading out. Our room was great, large with a fantastic view of the beautiful gardens below (part of the hotel) and the city skyline. We decided to walk to nearby Toyokawa Inari Temple, Akasaka, Tokyo (the fox shrine) and still had plenty of time to go to the larger shrine a couple of streets across, Hie Shrine Chiyoda Tokyo, there were lots of steps and it was very hot, but both temples were well worth a visit. Afterwards we wandered the nearby streets to find somewhere to eat about 5.00 PM, many of the restaurants and bars don't seem to open till later in the evening. Had a wander around the hotel Japanese gardens, with the large waterfall and immaculate layout, there was a swimming pool there as well, but there was a very long queue to get in for some reason!

Saturday 13th Aug-Tokyo

First stop was Tsukiji fish market, bit late to see any fish really need to be there around 5.00AM! Ended up around the back streets checking out the queues for the sushi restaurants for which the area is famous, sushi for breakfast, not us! Then we headed back to the metro and up to Sensoji Temple, it was a nice temple famous for being the oldest in Tokyo and for the giant lanterns that hang in the gates, but there were lots of people and it felt very cramped at first, lovely temple and fantastic decoration, then we headed on to Ueno Park. We wandered around the lake area looking at lotus flowers covering the whole of the lake, so after a stroll and watching the hundreds of Pokémon hunters running around the park, we had lunch from one of the many food stalls. Back to the metro to find the Imperial Palace, it was still a good walk from the station to the palace, we took a few photos in the searing heat before heading back to the metro and off to Shibuya, the famous shopping district, famous for the largest crossing/intersection just outside Shibuya station, we watched hundreds of people crossing back and forth and took some photos before heading down to the crossing ourselves and walking across, then it back to the metro. Next stop Roppongi Hills, we were hoping to go up Mori Tower to view the city, but the 40 minute wait was too long for us and we were tired after such a busy, very hot day, so we headed back to our hotel. We found the metro very easy to get around and as long as you use the colours and numbers for each station it was fairly clear, we managed very well and made no mistakes, we also felt very safe and there was no over-crowding on any of the lines we used, although we did see some long queues around some stations but were not sure what they were queuing for, there were lots of steps though but most station had escalators and a lift, each stop was clearly announced and shown on a screen over the exit doors.

Sunday 14th Aug-Day Trip to Fuji

First stop Mount Fuji, it was a long bus ride with a service stop on the way, about 2 1/2 hours altogether. When we arrived at Mount Fuji it was cloudy and damp and sadly we could not see anything because of the low cloud, but we did see many people preparing to climb to the summit of Mount Fuji as part of a pilgrimage, managed to take a few misty photos before returning to the coach. We stopped at Hakone Lake Hotel for lunch before boarding the Hakone ropeway to Owakudani sulphur mines to see black eggs that had been cooked in the hot springs, next the coach took us down to Lake Ashi to board the pirate ship. The ship sailed across the lake, we should have been able see Mount Fuji but sadly the view was masked by the low cloud, but it was fun, also on the lake was Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine. Next we were taken to Odawara train station to board the bullet train back to Tokyo, it would only take 40 minutes, the coach would take 3 hours to return to Tokyo! The train was a great experience you could feel the force/speed when the train hit high speeds, it was very smooth and quiet, we arrived at the very busy Tokyo station and negotiated from the railway to the metro and back to near our hotel, we found a nearby restaurant and had our first proper Japanese meal, the waitress did not speak any English but she was very patient and we got everything we asked for, only food we didn't like was the fish sauce that you put on the rice, just left that! We left a tip and the waitress came running out to us to give us the money back, but we persuaded her to keep it, we had heard that you don't tip but she was so patient with us we felt she deserved it. The hotel breakfast looked good but was expensive.

Monday 15th Aug-Transfer to Yokahama Cruise Port

Did not need to book out of our room until noon, went to wait for 12.30 PM pick up, transfer was good it took about an hour to Yokahama port we were dropped close to the boarding area and there were many helpers to take luggage and point us in the right direction. Embarkation was very quick and we were soon on board Diamond Princess, went straight to our cabin as it was ready, our luggage arrived within the hour very prompt. Muster at 4.00 PM, it took almost an hour for muster not out on deck just in bar area with the captain doing lots of talking before we had to put on our life-jackets and make sure they fitted. Connected our phones to Princess app info, looks like you can text each other while on board the ship as well as seeing all the activities. Our pre-ordered water package and beer package were delivered, then we checked our pre-booked tour tickets before heading off for dinner in the Horizon buffet. We wandered the ship getting our bearings and taking a few photos, happy hour at 9.00 PM in the Wheelhouse bar.

Tuesday 16th Aug-Shimizu

A bit of noise from other cabins and above (pool area) earplugs worked after that, we were on deck 12 room 511. After breakfast went out on to the back deck of the ship and saw Mount Fuji with very little cloud around her, it was lovely to finally see Mount Fuji after the slight disappointment the other day. Our ships tour drove up into the hills overlooking Shimizu to Nihondaira plateau and we managed to stop for a quick photo with views over Suruga Bay before heading on to Nihondaira Ropeway, there were spectacular views while going over to the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine and walking up many steps to the top, it was extremely hot and humid so it was hard work climbing up, but well worth it, there were a large number of bright red buildings decorated with gold accents and colourful carvings and paintings. Took many photos before returning back on the ropeway and then it was onto a nearby tea farm, to see tea growing and taste green tea. Sail away was with Japanese dancing girls and band on the dock, they were very good. Our dinner time should be 5.30 PM in the Santa Fe dining room but we found this too early and so we ate in the Horizon buffet instead every night. Went to the Wheelhouse bar at 9.00 PM for happy hour again and watched the late theatre show at 9.45 PM it was good. 35 degrees today getting hotter.

Wednesday 17th Aug-At sea & Kumano Fireworks

A little busy in Horizon buffet but not too bad, still found a seat. After breakfast went to the library and picked up crossword and soduko before heading out on to deck seven and into a deckchair! Too hot for top deck, we stayed out of the direct sunlight as much as possible. We wandered the ship finding places on the map we had not been to, stopped to speak to people we knew before going to lunch in the Horizon again. Went down for the trivia quiz for about 3/4 hour before preparing for the Kumano fireworks, at first our balcony faced the beach at Kumano so we settled down to watch the fireworks but suddenly things changed and the ship turned with the tide, the captain said there was nothing he could do and we had to go up to the top deck to watch the fireworks, lots of people were either returning to cabins if they were on the other side of the ship or rushing up to the top deck, bit chaotic really. We found a spot on top deck to watch the fireworks from 7.15 PM to 9.00 PM it was a long show, standing all the time, but the fireworks were very good and loud.

Thursday 18th Aug-Japan Inland Sea

We passed under the first bridge fairly early in the day at the start of the Japanese inland sea, then visited the atrium and watch the kids dancing, cookie decorating and face painting, then there was a Martini demonstration afterwards and it was great fun watching the crew members juggling cocktail shakers and stacking glasses, they really looked like they were enjoying themselves. We relaxed in the shade of our balcony as it was very, very hot today, no clouds the weather channel on the TV said it was 42°! Passed many islands throughout the whole day and under three bridges taking photos each time, we were kept informed over the tannoy out on the decks of where we were and what we were passing. Went to the theatre in the evening to watch "Do You Wanna Dance" show done by the Princess singers/dancers it was very good. Then a walk out on deck seven before happy hour in the Wheelhouse bar.

Friday 19th Aug-Beppu

Ships tour left 15 minutes late and there were lots of buses going. Our first stop was Umi Jigoku "Sea Hell" it was very interesting and strange seeing steam coming from the vivid blue water, we had time to soak our feet in cooled volcanic water before heading off to Chinoike Jigoku "Bloody Hell" another onsen which was red in colour hence the name, time to browse the shops and have another foot soak but didn't really need an hour at this stop. Very, very hot again and humid 33°, next on to the Takasakiyama Nature Zoo to see the monkeys, caught the small monorail up as the path was very steep and it was very hot (cost extra). Saw lots of monkeys from "B" group especially when the food appeared, then returned to the ship sail away was 4.00 PM, then went to the trivia quiz at 4.15 PM. Watched Steve Carte a juggler and comedian, he was very good. Wheelhouse bar for happy hour again!

Saturday 20th Aug-Kagoshima

Ships tour started at 8.00AM first we caught the ferry across the bay to Sakurajima one of Japan's most active volcanoes and the symbol of Kagoshima. We drove to Yunohira Observation Point an outdoor observatory with lovely views of the Sakurajima volcano and surrounding area, it is also the closet to Sakurajima's crater, about 2.5 kilometers away, and has the highest elevation at 350 meters, it was extremely hot outside and when you walk the sweat just ran down. Back on the ferry to Kagoshima and to Senganen Gardens, the Japanese samurai gardens, very pretty but very hot! we walked around for just under 2 hours before returning to the ship. Once onboard we went up to immigration on deck seven (Club Fusion) everyone had to go to immigration before we could set sail to South Korea and Busan, this was very quick straight in and out. Went to the trivia quiz and sail away. Looks like more immigration tomorrow in Busan.

Sunday 21st Aug-Busan

Our ships tour was at 10.00 AM but we sat in the theatre a long while waiting for ship to clear immigration, then we went through immigration and boarded our coach. Off to Haedong Yonggung Temple, the temple by the sea, very, very busy and it was a bit of a fight to get down the many steps and back again in the 40 minutes given! This magnificent temple is also called “The Water Temple”, for its location and the breathtaking views it offers. The temple was beautiful but it was spoilt by the amount of people and the short time we had, took many photos and enjoyed the view. Then on to Nurimaru APEC House, the name "Nurimaru" is the combination of two purely Korean words: "nuri" meaning the world and "maru" meaning summit, it was the house where the world leaders gathered together for an APEC meeting, there was a 20 minute walk through the park to the building, it was flat but as it was so hot it was not easy, we wandered inside the 3-storey building and out to the lighthouse before returning to the bus. Next stop was downtown Busan to the shops, very busy and manic, close to Jagalchi Market the world famous market for fresh fish & seafood but we only had 40 minutes so not long enough to see both the town and the market. Back to the ship around 4.00 PM. Went to the theatre and watched a show about famous singers done by the Princess singers/dancers it was good. Then to the Wheelhouse bar for happy hour yet again.

Monday 22nd Aug-Day at sea

We wandered decks five and seven looking in the shops, sleeping on the loungers, having a coffee. British lunch in Savoy dining room so we decided to give it a go, had fish and chips and a ploughman's lunch, guess what! bread and butter pudding for afters, this was on offer every day as one of the deserts in Horizon. Trivia quiz at 4.15 PM. Formal night but again didn't go the whole hog. We went to the theatre and watch the violin show it was pretty good. Back to cabin to sort out immigration paperwork for tomorrow.

Tuesday 23rd Aug-Nagoya

Had breakfast then had to wait for immigration, we were given the time of 10:20 AM, but when we got there, there was a long queue, it took one and a half hours to get through immigration, what a waste of a morning! Japanese passport holders just had to drop their passports off in another queue, this was the worst immigration check we have ever had. Luckily we had a ship's tour booked and we were told they would wait for us. Once immigration done headed to the theatre for our tour of Nagoya, by now it was 12.00 PM and we finally set off. Our first stop was the Toyota museum, it was a very interesting museum but I felt we were rushed through and had no time to enjoy the exhibits, next stop Nagoya Castle, again time was short and we were rushed around, I managed to get to the top of the castle and took a few quick photos before rushing back to the coach. Our next stop was the Atsuta Shrine it is one of Shinto's most important shrines, it enshrines the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and stores the sacred sword Kusanagi, which is one of the three imperial regalia. Atsuta Shrine stands in a pleasant, wooded park with a giant camphor tree around 1,000 years old in the grounds, we had half an hour here which was plenty of time, it was a serene quiet place with chickens in the trees! Back to the ship around 4.00 PM to find two more queues, back through passport control first then on to the ship, all in all a trying day and was spoilt by all the queuing and rushing around. Hubbie complained to shore excursions about the tour being rushed, especially when I found out bus five had an hour at the castle which was much longer than we had.

Wednesday 24th Aug-Yokahama and home

Ship had docked by 6.00AM, we picked up our suitcases and went through customs before meeting our driver in the terminal, disembarkation went very smoothly no long queues or to much waiting around. Transfer of 1 1/2 hours to Nagita airport from Yokahama port, we had a bit of a wait to check in our suitcases with BA and also found out the flight was delayed by 45 minutes, so we wandered around the shops and bought a few gifts for family before heading to terminal, just before takeoff heavy rain fell, the first of the holidays.

Thank you for the review.

Can you tell me the name of the transfer company you used from ship to airport?

Diamond Princess really needs to work out a better procedure with the Japan government on the immigration process when entering Japan. We had that done twice on our Japan sailing last year, after the Russian port and after Busan. Precious port time wasted as we were standing in that long line. That was our only complaint on that amazing cruise.

Can you tell me the name of the transfer company you used from ship to airport?

We used Green Tomato for our transfers.

I was on this same cruise and I think we were also on many of the same excursions! I agree with your review on most counts, and felt your pain when the ship turned for the fireworks display. We were all settled in on our balcony, too! I was disappointed in how the fireworks were handled in that we anchored too far away (other ships were much closer and one of them blocked our view of some of the ground displays) and they didn't turn down the lights on the public decks. Since this was advertised as a "fireworks festival" cruise, I think this could have been handled much better.

We usually don't use ship's excursions, but in this case we did because, like you, we weren't comfortable striking out on our own and we didn't have any luck finding private tour operators. Some of the stops were a little rushed, and I always hate the big bus loading and unloading and waiting for stragglers. But other than that, and the oppressive heat, I thought it was a great cruise!

Thanks for the great review!

For future reference, we have actually found the food excellent in the main dining rooms on our Princess cruises -- better than that available in Horizon Court (though on our last cruise on the Grand, which ended just the other day, the food was great everywhere). Not to mention the great experience of having the same waitstaff for the entire cruise -- they get to know your preferences and give what I've found to be almost uniformly excellent recommendations.

If you get too early a time in traditional dining, you can see the maitre'd on the first day (or really any time) and request a change -- they have been flexible in my experience. Late seating tends to start between 7:45 and 8:15. My wife and I have gotten a table for two in late traditional seating on each of our last two cruises. Interestingly this time, we were seated in the "anytime" dining room but at tables that were reserved for us among a few other traditional dining tables, making the experience essentially the same as usual. We were able to bypass the long anytime dining line (they had signs on the doors that said

"<-- No Reservations

Reservations -->")

and simply go sit at our assigned table at the assigned time.

But it sounds like you had a lovely cruise in a wonderful country -- would love to go there someday.

Thank you for the thorough review - we appreciate hearing all about your cruise and port explorations - sounds like it was an excellent experience. Hope you do get to visit Japan again, it's a fascinating place!

Thanks again :)