Californian

11 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

On our B2B, we pre-booked most of our excursions online before the cruise because we had Princess-provided OBC to use, such as SOBC, MOBC, and Princess promotional OBC. However, we did just book an excursion onboard for Kobe. However, most of the excursions (in English) were sold out on both legs before we boarded the ship, so I highly recommend you prebook the ones you really want as far out as possible prior to the cruise.
 

As far as waiting to disembark at a port and then hope to find someone offering local excursions at a cheap price, like you see in the Caribbean and other high cruise traffic ports, I wouldn’t think so. But other folks following this thread who have choose that option might have a better insight on those possibilities.

 

I have shore excursion OBC and wasn't able to precook an excursion using the OBC.  I had to use my credit card.  Did you experience the same thing?  Or were you somehow able to book your excursions using your OBC?

Thanks again for your help.

When on ship excursions, are tips/gifts expected?

19 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We started down the steps together, but we were optionally allowed to roam around the temple area on our own. You just had to make sure we were back at the bus at a certain time. We pretty much keep our tour guide in sight or knew where she would be if we wanted to check something out, like climb the stairs to the upper level. And yes, the hour we were given was plenty of time to explore.

 

The outdoor market was fun to walk through, but we didn’t buy anything as we’re not shoppers, just lookers. As far as finding our way back, it was relatively easy as long as you didn’t stray off the beaten path too far. Our guide mentioned CCs were accepted in stores, but probably not by the local street vendors. There were also a variety of places there where you could exchange money, but that would cut into the limited time you have to explore unless you chose to leave the tour and take the shuttle bus back to the ship. As far as eating anything at the market, that’s not are thing either. I met Mr Montezuma quite a few years back and have no desire to feel his wrath again. 😂

Thanks again for providing helpful information.  It's good to know that we could stay at the market a little longer if we wanted to wander around more.  

18 minutes ago, matymil said:

I think it was 2408 on the magic

Thank you.  I’ll be sure to avoid that cabin!

8 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

If you have issues going up and down stairs, our tour guide did say there was a longer, more gradual path without stairs you could take. However, no one on our tour took it, so that’s all I know. But the temple visit was the highlight of the tour for us. Going to the 2005 APEC House involved a 20 minute walk each way, but with only a gradual incline as you can see from the above picture. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the information.  Did your tour group just stick together at the temple or were you able to wander around on your own and then back at the bus?   Did you feel it was sufficient time at the temple?  

Also, how about at Gekje Market?  Was it difficult to find your way back to the bus?  Did you buy anything at the market?  Were you able to use a credit card?  If you ate anything at the market, is there anything you would recommend?

Thanks again for taking us along on your journey... 

20 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

@Californian I acquired Korean Wun from friends in Hawaii.  They came in handy while visiting the local market place in Jeju.  There was an exchange machine at the port with long lines (at every port).

 

I had bilateral knee replacement several years ago.  The steps to castles and other tourist attractions can sometimes be very challenging.  These "steps" are made from blocks of large "rocks" and are uneven.  Sometimes, it was a large step up/down.  Bring a walking stick or cane.  It will help you with your balance since there are no railings.

Thanks for your input.  I like your idea of a cane, so I will packing my folding cane.

I'm wondering if I should stop at a bank while I'm in Japan to exchange for some Korean currency.  I don't a friend whom I can get the wun.  LOL 

5 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Here’s the Busan excursion we’ll be going on.

 

This excursion has peaked my interest, so I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how strenuous this excursion really is.  I had hip replacement surgery and I'm doing better on walking up and down steps.  I'm hoping I can just take my time and maybe not go all the way down....just enjoy the scenery?  

Did you get some Korean currency for this port?  If so, where did you do your money exchange?

Thanks for taking us along on your journey.

14 hours ago, matymil said:

We liked it because of the reasons everyone else was saying. One thing you need to be careful about is whats above you. We were towards the back (last available cove and now i know why) and located under what i think was a dishwasher or some big machine for the MDR. All night we would hear constant thuds, it was so bad that i thought a piece of the ship was broken because the banging sounded like it was coming from the outside. Our first morning i said something to guest services. To their credit they were extremely honest and told us "Im not going to lie, you have one of the worst rooms on the ship for noise". And they totally made it right even though i told them they didnt have to. Just double check what your under before you book.

matymil, do you remember the cabin number?

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Here’s what we found out this morning about the Japanese Bath up on the Sun Deck Forward which should answer your initial questions.
 

  
Interesting note, they only mention the Cruise Pass option on their actual Sign In sheet (above picture) and not their advertisement posted on the desk at the entrance.

 

  
The two hot tubs in the Men’s area. There are four in the Women’s area.

 

 

The waterfall showers

 

 

 
and there is also a steam room.

What are the hours when bathing suits are required and what hours when it’s nude?

OK.  Some just popped up.

Can't find any Princess gift cards on the Rewards site today.  Wonder if there will be more to come....

Thank you PrincessDano and LeeW.

Anyone else with the shore excursion credit?  Did you have to book the excursion with your credit card beforehand, too?  And then got it transferred to OBC once onboard?

I want to book an excursion using the Shore Excursion Credit I received on a promotion.  When I go to pay, it does not allow me to use onboard credit.  I only have a choice of credit card or paypal.  Has anyone been successful in using this credit prior to sailing?  My travel agent says I can only use it when I get onboard.  However, by that time, the excursion could be sold out.  Any suggestions??

Anyone have the current lunch menu for Mongolian Wok/JiJi’s??

I was on the Panorama in late March and they had a different lunch menu at JiJi's/Mongolian Wok than those currently posted on several websites.  Instead of choosing the various ingredients for your lunch, you had the option to pick which type of protein you wanted (beef, chicken, shrimp, etc) and they would prepare it for you.   I ordered the combo and it was delicious.  I found out later that the shrimp dish was prepared differently than what I got.  The beef dish was also prepared differently.  Does anyone have a copy of that menu that they can share with us?  Or if there is someone currently on the Panorama who can post the menu here, it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

12 minutes ago, Californian said:

Wow.  Did you get that on the ship?  If so, where?  I live those egg tarts.

I figured it out.  You had your egg tart on a plate picture before showing your pictures of Lisbon.  

On 6/2/2023 at 7:08 AM, BlerkOne said:

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am really into fitness. Fitness this whole pastry into my mouth.

 

 

Wow.  Did you get that on the ship?  If so, where?  I live those egg tarts.

I have enjoyed reading about your trip in France and Barcelona.  Eze and St. Paul de Vence were some of my favorites.  Will have to try Rao if I ever get back to Barcelona.  

Would love to hear what you did in Lisbon.  Keep the posts coming!

4 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

 

That place is the best.  I still dream about them.  Glad you were able to try them.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share all that information.  Love it!

On 4/24/2023 at 8:09 PM, rheathslc said:

Since this has already been answered I will only add that the only distinction I've ever encountered is that a "Shore Excursion Credit" CAN be used in Cruise Personalizer PRIOR to embarkation to book excursions but can't be use for anything else. Once onboard though it is applied to your folio and can then effectively be used for anything. 🙂

I want to use my credit for an excursion.  LOL.  

Does anyone know how to use the "Shore Excursion Credit" for an excursion before getting on the ship.  My personalizer asks for credit card or paypal information.  It does not let me use the "Shore Excursion Credit"

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

So glad you got to enjoy Hirosaki castle and park, with improved weather!  
@cruisemom42 those floats looked amazing.  
 A third option is to take a taxi to Hirosaki for the approximately one hour trip.  We split it with another couple so it was quite reasonable and very convenient as the driver waited for us as we toured the park for a couple of hours.  
love those cherry blossoms, we had some pink snow when we visited as well 

 

 

I will be traveling to Aomori in the fall.  Did you arrange for the taxi ahead of time?  Which company did you use?  Thanks in advance….

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I believe the all day bus pass must be purchased at a counter inside the train station.  But since we did not buy the pass, I cannot be 100% certain.  The shuttle drops at the Kanazawa Train Station, which is also a major bus station.  We simply paid the exact 200 yen fare to the driver.  Our SUICA card would have worked, but we only had 170 yen on the cards and did not want to go back into the station to replenish.

 

We do not know the exact location of the location of the local bus.  Once a Japanese tourist official showed us the schedule, we lost all interest.

 

Hank

 

 

Thank you!

I am thoroughly enjoying your trip report.  Keep it up!

We will be in Kanazawa on a Princess cruise later in the year.  A couple of questions that I hope you would not mind answering.  We will be there on a Saturday.  Can you buy the all day pass on board the bus?  Where is the local bus by the port terminal?  Did you use yen to buy the passes?  If we take the ship shuttle, at which station do they drop you off and pick up?

Thanks very much for your help!

23 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

 At 9:30, we decided to head off the ship.  Inside the cruise terminal,we asked about taking the local bus into town (about $3.00 round trip) but since it was Sunday it only ran once an hour.  So we opted for the HAL bargain $25 round trip shuttle to the local station.  At the station we took the local Loop Bus ($1.70 or about $4.50 for the entire day) over to the popular Kenrokuen Gardens.  Admission to the gardens (one of the best in Japan) was free for we seniors.  
 

After spending more than an hour in the gardens (and seeing HAL tour groups that paid hundreds to be at the same place) we walked over to the nearby Castle Park to do some exterior explorations.  We have had enough of climbing castle steps so did not go inside.  We then walked about 15 minutes to the local Omicho Market (also on some HAL excursions) where we browsed for about a half hour.  We then continued walking through the city, browsing some shopping areas, until we returned to the station.  All that walking was about 3 1/2 miles.  We decided not to spend more time in the city, and caught a shuttle back to the ship.  A very enjoyable morning when we duplicated a HAL Excursion that would have cost the two of us $210.00.  Our DIY cost was about $58 because we used the HAL shuttle.  If we had waited for the local bus our cost would have been about $8.