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HiMagicFan

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Posts posted by HiMagicFan

  1. I did both tours - for me the volcano, gardens and museum was more fun. We did the Chiran/Kamikazi museum and I was a little disappointed with Chiran but then I wasn't sure what I expected ~ however, the Kamizaki museum was interesting.

     

    The volcano is no big deal because I have one on Hawaii island but the gardens was interesting and had shops and a museum of Kagoshima/area as well all included in our tour stop. The museum was interesting because it was on the way back to the ship in a small area - you had hands on activity, ice cream and local shops nearby, koi in the pond in the front and the area was more residentialish.

     

    If I had to pay to do one again, my choice would be the volcano, gardens and museum. I didn't get enough time to do the gardens area.

  2. Thank you!

     

    Appreciate both responses - I try not to ask questions that may have been asked but was getting confused.

     

    I also appreciate the confirmation that we can use the OBC now to reserve the excursions and will let the others traveling with us know.

     

    Just one last question - confirming that we can reserve separate but that we will need to coordinate to be sure we are on the same excursion (in case they offer more than one time?) and then on ship when we check in we should be sure to be together to get on the same bus.

     

    Thank you all!

  3. not sure, but why would anyone intentionally wait to book an excursion on board when they can book and confirm it online before...?

     

    now last, very last bookings, maybe...:halo:

     

    Because each of us have $500 in OBC to use.

     

    I read one thread that said you cant use OBC to book the excursion ahead of time.

    Then I read another that said you could

    so I was gonna wait cuz I was confused.....

    but I am really having second thoughts

    but since I can't figure out how to work it out where I use the OBC rather than a credit card to reserve,

    I decided to wait....hoping that they may add if the tour was popular enough.

  4. we will only be in port from 2:30pm - 8:30pm. Would that be enough time to go visit all the sites you mentioned and enough time to get back into the ship? How was immigration, was it hassle-free?

     

    I would definitely message rodim to get more details because those places to visit sound great but when we were there this past April from 2p to 8p, it didn't seem like a lot of time so we didn't go on a tour.

     

    We used the ship shuttle ($5-10) and got dropped in town near Gukje Intl Market and Yongdusan Park and wandered around BIFF and the Ja-Gal-Chi Fish Market area. The last shuttle was at 7p back to the ship and this totally felt like we didn't have enough time to wander, eat and shop.

     

     

    a) guestimate about an 1/2 hour to an hour for immigration (at least) unless you are going on a ship tour (lines were somewhat fast though). This would bring you to 3:30p.

     

    b) then consider that the ship wants you on board about at least 1/2 hour before departure so that would be 8:00p.

     

    This gives you 4.5 hours to get to where you want to go and return plus time there. So enough time to visit all those sites - probably not unless he went on a tour and can share that with you.

     

    As Busan is a stop almost always done by Princess - I may consider messaging rodim as well because after a while there is only so much you can see in the drop off area.

  5. Thank you for your information.

     

    I was told by some friend traveled in Japan before you can rent pocket wifi in the airport its relatively inexpensive and it works pretty much everywhere and was wondering if that will work on the ship or not because basically it just use cellular signal through some Japan cell phone service provider.

     

     

    We flew into Narita Airport - there are a lot of wifi locations that you can pick up that are relatively inexpensive (even better if you are able to reserve online) and yes works everywhere. The one we had also provided a customer service contact number if we had any problems. We used it mostly for data and txt not phone calls. Sorry don't remember how much we paid. Picked up our first day there and dropped off before we checked in for our flight. No problems.

  6. I flew on Delta once and left my jewelry on the plane, was crying because it was from my Grandmother who had recently passed. They not only let me back on but everyone helped me find it. Very generous of them.

    I also once forgot an umbrella in the overhead bin, but didn't realize it until I was finally home.

    And then I also forgot my prescription sunglasses on the plane - different airline - never got it. Even after filing a claim with Lost and Found.

     

    So Now, if I am at my final destination I just wait until the last to get off so I can calmly get organized and check the area.

     

    Also if you are flying to or from another country you may need to fill out customs forms and stuff (sometimes using your passport) and could easily put the passport in the seat pocket and forget it.

  7. I usually exchange $200 before I leave so I have ready cash.

    Easier for me than trying to find my way through the airport terminals after I have just landed - one less thing I have to stress over when I just arrive.

     

    I do exchange at the ports and/or train stations money exchanges. Most of the large stations have one, however, I tried to use a Visa Debit card at an atm that had english capability and it would not let me get yen. I was able to find an exchange window and change money in that manner. This was all at the train station in Kanazawa.

  8. Internet and Phone

    We use verizon and when I tried to use it even on land I got a $25 charge, even though I signed up for the international monthly plan at $40. So I gotta check with them what was happening.

     

    I am sorry I don't know the cost of the Princess Internet as we get minutes included now but I did purchase an additional amount at $40 and used it my almost 400 minutes on the last two days of the cruise - evening of Aomori, sea day and morning of Yokohama debarkation. I had about 16 minutes left.

     

    The internet service was very slow and in some cases didn't connect with some sites. We did get a WIFI at the airport but this was mostly for data and not for telephone calls and didn't use it on the ship

  9. Sorry I didn't finish the reply - was at the airport and then called our boarding in the middle of the response.

    But Yup - CubFan63 also summed up the rest of our cruise and I concur with most of what was said.

     

    I did ask for shrimp cocktail and caesar salad every night - no problem, but I had to ask.

     

    On our cruise there were a lot of Aussies and Brits, on my deck and dining were also a lot of Russians. Most of the Japanese passengers ate in the other dining room.

  10. Thanks for the report.

     

    In the past Internet access was not allowed when in Japanese waters. Was that true for your cruise?

     

    I used the princess internet and sometimes it seemed to work and sometimes not. British airways did nit work that sea day i posted and all the brits on the ship trying to print boarding passed were not happy. I didnt hv too many problems but it was slow.

     

    The princess ap is great on the ship as it saved internet minutes but allows u to txt other people. Bad thing was the stateroom account did not show the shore excursion charges only ship related charges in the stores or bar.

  11. It is our last day on the Diamond Princess Japan April Flowers cruise which departed Yokohama on 4/20.

    This cruise is from 7 nights going from Yokohama, Kanmon Strait, Busan (Korea), Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Aomori, sea day then back to Yokohama.

     

    Embarkation - was really fast. The line wasn't very long at about 11am and there were 13 positions to check you in. This was a transit cruise in that there were back to back people on the cruise but still impressive. Only drawback was the embarkation photographer who rushed us through. Make him take another picture (different pose) if you feel you are being rushed because you probably are.

     

    The weather at most of our ports was cold and wet -- Sakaiminato was not really rainy but Kanazawa and Hadokate was. Very foggy weather. Aomori was great as the weather cleared very nicely to end the ports.

     

    There were shuttles to the ports:

    Busan $10 lets you off near BIFF Square/Jagalchi Market/ Starbucks.

    Sakaiminato $5 lets you off at the Sakaiminato Station

    Kanazawa $10 lets you off at Kanazawa Station

    Hakodate $10 lets you off at Hakodate Station

    Aomori $5 lets you off at APSAM a short walk to Aomori Station

     

    As most of our departures were late - there was a lot of anytime anywhere dining.

     

    The immigration on board ship to go to Busan seemed unprepared and took long (about 1/2 hour wait) before they figured things out. On shore - then there were stations for immigration which was another wait of about 1/2 hour.

    The immigration on board ship to go to Sakaiminato was much better organized as they gave you a specific time to go to a station to wait to get off and then there were 13 stations for immigration.

    All in all both going and coming seemed to have gotten much better than our last cruise 2 years ago.

     

    The highlight was the Hirosaki Sakura Festival - OMG well worth all the horrible weather we had during the other ports of call. Made the trip worth while.

     

    Gotta consider doing it again in hopes that the weather is better, but the people were always friendly and helpful. Nice trip.

  12. I don't know where that is but be sure you have the information written down because it was shared with us that some taxi drivers do not know any english. Even in Japan we had this issue some time and actually got dropped off at a wrong location in town because I think we tried to say it wrong. It would be good if you have google translate to assist in communication.

     

    I am sorry I am not familiar with the skywalk - we were dropped off by a cruise shuttle to the BIFF area/jagalchi market and just walked around that area.

     

    Good luck.

  13. On board Diamond Princess - you must take your passport with you to get off the ship if you are not doing a ship's tour. There are inspectors on the ship and they periodically ask to see a person's passport.

     

    Note that if you are going from Yokohama to Aomori and not stopping off in Busan or any other country, you should not have too many issues. We went from hakodate to Aomori and got off the ship at 8am (ship docked and let people off at 7am). No problems - just showed cruise card getting off and again getting on.

     

    Ship shuttle goes to APSAM which is within walking distance of the Train station - most of the independents went to Hirosaki Castle for the Sakura Festival via the trail - JR station in Aomori and Hirosaki were extremely helpful.

  14. We will be there on a Sunday.

     

    We were thinking of taking the ship shuttle and wanted to confirm --- drop off is by Busan train station or closer to Jagalchi market and BIFF square?

     

    Did you do the park/tower as a DIY? Did you go via taxi from the drop off?

  15. I am doing research for my 2018 cruise in April and have a couple of hotel questions. Sorry if this has been discussed already but couldn't seem to find what I was looking for.

     

    Do the hotel sites block out and reflect hotels as sold out? I have tried booking.com and Travelocity to research hotels and prices in Yokohama for 4/17-4/20 in 2018 and both sites reflect sold out for almost all hotels that are in my budget range. I thought they open booking 365 days out? Should I be waiting for 6 months out?

     

    My parents are in their 80s and don't want to stay in Tokyo hence keeping to Yokohama. If the computer shows sold out, do you think calling makes a difference?

     

    For those who have been to the Shin-Yokohama area - time wise and transportation wise, how far is that from the Pier? On the map it looks close but then I am a poor judge of distance.

     

    Thank you.

  16. Thanks for the information! I have Verizon and thought I took the international plan but still ended up getting an additional charge and I am not sure where/how. I use airplane mode on the ship or the ship internet since I have minutes.

     

    Will keep looking ....thank you!

     

    NARITA AIRPORT QUESTION....we are thinking of purchasing our body wash and shampoo when we get to Japan rather than bringing it. Is there one of those drugstores in the airport? We may not get to the mall or shopping until late in the evening.

  17. If you Google something like "free WI-FI for tourists in Japan", you will find information on a free App from the Japanese government that overseas visitors can download. When you arrive in Japan, tourist information at the airport will give you a password that will allow you to use the app to receive free WI-FI anywhere in Japan for a few weeks.

     

     

    YES!!! this is even better cuz then I don't have to worry about losing the other device. I can put this right on my phone...will check it out! thanks.

  18. Ahhh now that is something I would be interested to hear more - your experience with your pocket wifi - what site? how much? when you return it, if you could please relay your experiences, that would be greatly appreciated.

     

    I am trying to decide if I should go that route, or just purchase through Verizon like I did last time, but something didn't gel and I got an extra charge. I was also using WIFI on land but that was hit or miss. I am able to use my mintues on board ship but I think my problem was when I was exploring on land and using internet apps and such.

     

    Thanks and enjoy!

  19. It is possible that some hotels haven't opened bookings that far in advance. I've struck this problem in the past. Try again within 12 months of your trip.

     

     

    Yup - I was panicking when I thought our first choice hotel was sold out.

     

    But as RAK noted here that it is golden week time for us and (b) more importantly it appears that it shows sold out because we are looking outside of the 12 month period.

     

    The hotel web site has one of those block out calendars and it is slowly inching towards being open so watching, watching and then will jump on it...next week!!! Also you may want to check a number of sources ie. booking.com, Travelocity type sites as well as the hotel site and if the hotel belongs to a corporate. All these sites were telling me sold out at first and I didn't know why. Then I hit the corporate site and found the calendar and am a little more at ease.

     

    Good luck....

  20. All went well. Good signage in English. Train office downstairs to exchange JR pass vouchers for Passes. Line ups. Easy to find way to Narita Expess. 2 forms and passports checked at long line for fingerprinting, customs but all went well thanks for help. Had a perfect view of Mt Fuiji on right side of train. Tokyo to Kyoto.

     

     

    Just wanted to thank you for coming back and relaying your experience after the advice that was given. It is always helpful to know how things went and what worked and didn't for a person. I appreciated it.

  21. I love the photo opportunities....but yes, not all the time.

     

    We do family cruising with my parents who are 80 and 85. As these are precious times, I always do the embarkation photo as that is the only one my parents are willing to take. The dining room is a definite polite "no" unless my parents are in a good mood and then we will request them to come back later.

     

    I like to do the silly port photos depending on where and what the costumed characters will look like and yes, sometimes I will buy them.

     

    I do not like the photographers at pool side or specialty restaurants (unless it is near the entrance just not at my table as their timing is usually just when I have a mouthful).

     

    I do agree that there should be a separate line for the embarkation photo as well as the port photos so that others who don't want it can go right by.

     

    One time our tour was late in getting off the ship and we needed to just skip by the port photo - was kinda hard as they stop people right in line to take photos and then when you say no and breeze by, they give you a look like "wow - how rude" but really you are just trying not to be the last one on your bus for the tour.

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