kirin

Yes, the ATM machines at 7-11 stores and the post offices will allow you to use foreign ATM cards. I cannot speak from personal experience, but I've read several posts on this board about people using their ATM cards at branches of Citibank in Japan, also.

I've never heard of dandelion tea...I will check Amazon. If that doesn't work, I'll check the health food store. Certainly worth a try!

Dandelion tea is made from the dried leaves and stalks of the plant and is available at GNC and other health food stores.

Dandelion coffee is made from the roots (dried and ground). It is harder to find, but an on-line store selling macrobiotic food is a good bet.

I have been drinking the tea/coffee for over 40 years and both are healthful. Dandelion has a cleansing beneficial effect on the liver and being natural, there are no side effects.

For those with any water retention problems, I would recommend burdock root. It is a vegetable readily available in the Orient and used in salads, as a side dish and simmered as a tea. I have seldom seen it available fresh in the U.S., but burdock root supplements (capsules) are available in some health food stores. As it is a vegetable, it is all-natural with no side effects of any kind.

Personally, ten years running, I have found all of the hot soups I ordered on HAL to be overly salty and now just avoid them altogether.

Kate

I will continue to sail Hal with the current smoking policy. Where I live, business owners (restaurants, bars, coffee houses, cafes and clubs) are free to set their own smoking policies. It runs the gamut from "no smoking" to "smoke anywhere, anytime" and of course there are options in between with segregated smoking/no smoking sections and places that ban smoking during certain times of the day.

We all have choices. For now with cruising, I will continue to choose HAL which is my favorite cruise line, for the itineraries and the crew.

I smoke a cigarette 4 or 5 times a year. I don't know if that makes me a smoker or not, but I have never smoked on a cruise ship balcony.

Kate

Since you are there overnight, how about leaving the night before and getting a taxi to a hotel in Mestre. The Courtyard by Marriott ar the airport is very nice and you will be right there. You could probably get one of the staff to help you with you luggage the night before without any difficulty.

I doubt Guest Relations would object to that.

Terri

I was thinking along the same lines and this is what I would do. Moving the party and luggage to a hotel nearer to the airport on arrival day in Venice means they will be able to enjoy the city that evening without stress over whether they will make the flight the following morning.

Best of luck to the OP and hope you enjoy Venice.

Kate

I would suggest you select the ship that is going where you want to go, when you want to go there.

I too vote for itinerary. Some HAL ships are larger than others, but none are truly huge. Last summer, I sailed the Nieuw Amsterdam with my mother and while it was larger than any HAL ship she had been on in her decades of sailing HAL, she was very happy with the size and service.

Just a thought.......if you think your mother might enjoy a pass to the thermal suite, the larger ships are better. The smaller ships have the thermal suite with the heated tile loungers and the saunas, but the thermal pool is just a hot tub. The larger ships have a lovely, large thermal pool with loungers at one end of the room.

Kate

We will be in Japan and China and are wondering if the weather is hot can you wear shorts most places? Never? Temples?

 

Thanks

I cannot answer with accuracy about China, but shorts are fine in Japan for touring shrines/temples/sightseeing spots. As the Japanese generally only wear shorts when hiking or at the beach, you may stand out a bit, but the important thing is to be cool and comfortable, especially if you are not used to the heat.

Kate

We are on Diamond Princess in September. My DH and I often do different shore excursions and prefer to do 'ship's tours' in those circumstances. We have been looking at the tours and find that many that interest my DH (mostly wild life and countryside visits) are guided in Japanese only. I was wondering if any non-Japanese speakers have done any of these tours and how difficult it was to understand meeting times etc.

It is a shame that your husband will not be able to follow all of the tour guide's narration during the tour, however I don't think you have any worries about simple conversation regarding meeting time, where is the toilet (the Japanese understand "toilet" better than "gent"s or "restroom").

English language study is compulsory in Japan through high school, but the emphasis is on reading and writing, so many are shy about speaking for fear of making a mistake and bringing shame to themselves.

As this a tour through Princess, it is highly likely the guide will speak some English and others (Japanese) on the tour probably will also.

I think it is wonderful that your husband is willing to join a tour in Japanese. This is the type of cross-cultural interaction that I hope the Diamond cruises in Japan will foster.

Best wishes for a wonderful time in Japan,

Kate

The gifts ("goodies") they gave to the passengers were lovely. I used the gray leather luggage tags for years until I finally had to replace them. I still have one of the small pocket notebooks, bound in gray leather. The pen doesn't write after all these years, but the notebook is still usable. Whenever I come across it in my desk drawer, I feel a wave of nostalgia.

Different time, different era.......

The city government building observatories are open on the weekends. You can google "tokyo metropolitan government buildings, access" and find information in english regarding opening/closing times, which elevator to use, operating hours for the cafe/bar, etc.

Shops and restaurants are all open on weekends. It is the busiest time for them, so some places may be quite crowded, especially in Shinjuku.

If you are planning to do souvenir shopping at Oriental Bazaar in Harajuku, they do close promptly at 7 p.m., so plan your shopping schedule there accordingly.

Kate

A couple of the other boards (Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, I think) have had this type of format (ads on the right) for a while now. I worried that eventually all boards would get this type of layout and now here it is.

I checked my usual boards (HAL, Solo and Asia) and they all have the ads. If anyone knows how to get rid of them, I would love to know. They are ugly and annoying.

No' date=' you're not - I suggested it too. But for some reason you are the target. I see absolutely nothing wrong with hoping the smoker moves to the other side of the balcony. And if there is someone on [i']that[/i] balcony, perhaps they will extinguish the cigarette. Or maybe we are expected to be a martyr and take the smoke for everyone.....

I have read a lot of smoking threads over the years, but this is the first time I have ever seen enduring second-hand smoke from an adjacent balcony equated with martyrdom.

Very interesting thread.....

Kate

I can't believe people still flock there. It is probably the biggest tourist trap in Venice! 16 Euro or 22 USD for a small tasteless Bellini in a dingy tavern style establishment with rude waiters in tuxedos :eek:

Regarding Harry's Bar in Venice.......

I have never had a Bellini there (or anywhere, for that matter). I have had excellent food and service in the upstairs dining room over the past 30 years. On my last visit, the risotto primavera was outstanding.

Obviously, not every restaurant is to everyone's taste.......(no pun intended!).

Regards,

Kate

In Venice.......

HARRY'S BAR. :) What wonderful times we had there.

Another vote for Harry's Bar in Venice. I was there 8 months ago and it was excellent, as always.

In Rome, everyone in my family loves Corsetti's in Trastevere. Everything is wonderful, but when scampi is on the menu, that is really the thing to order.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy,

Kate

One thing my Mom (who came from Japan) told me was that you go to a tempura restaurant if you want tempura, a noodle house if you want udon, or a sushi restaurant if you want sushi. In other words, best to have what the restaurant specializes in.

I second the suggestion for unagi, one of my favorite foods.

I've heard how good the pastry shops in tokyo are, looking forward to having an eclair that hasn't needed to be defrosted first.

I don't know if you have started your eclair research yet, but the best in Tokyo are from Cozy Corner. They are not an upscale pastry shop, but rather a chain with several branches. They have the best choux pastry in the city.

If you google "cozy corner pastry, tokyo" you will find some food blogs and a "trip advice" site where people rave about the cream puffs. In my opinion, the eclairs are even better as you get the great pastry, wonderful filling AND chocolate icing on top.

Kate

We are looking at a HA cruise, 28 days from Singapore to Hong Kong.

 

It is unusual (at least for us) in that it includes 3 overnight stopovers in 3 ports, 1 night in Port Klang (for Kuala Lumpur), 1 night in Laem Chabang (for Bangkok) and 2 nights in Rangoon/Yangon (Burma/Myanmar)

 

We have already been to Kuala Lumpur and did a full day trip by coach as a shore tour, same thing for Bangkok. We are aware of the long road trip into these places and also that there is very little to see/do at the ports. At this time, we know very little about Rangoon - and are especially surprised that there is a 2 night stop there.

 

We have had overnights in some ports before- for example, 2 nights in St Petersburg, Russia. We can definitely see the purpose for this as there is so much to see and do in SPB -- although expensive as basically some kind of 2 day tour is necessary because the port is isolated.

 

So - I am wondering why the cruiseline has chosen to have these stopovers in these Asian ports ie what is the purpose. It is still too early to see what shore tours will be offered - so we would hate to book the cruise, only to find that the shore tours are not very good, too expensive, etc.

 

Any thoughts or advice please?

 

Barry

I have seen a growing trend among cruise lines to overnight for Bangkok and HAL is following suit. There is a lot to see for first time (and perhaps "one time only") visitors to Bangkok and they probably appreciate the extra time for touring and shopping.

I am not sure why they would make Port Klang an overnight. Personally, I have happy memories of working in K.L., but I have never thought of it as a very interesting city in terms of things to see and do for tourists.

For Rangoon, a double overnight will allow passengers to fly to Bagan to see the magnificent temple complex there. With 2 days, passengers have the option of flying up and back in one day to Bagan and using the second day to tour Rangoon or doing an overnight in Bagan.

I am not sure which itinerary you are viewing, but the December 22, 2014 itinerary for the Volendam has shore excursions posted on the HAL website. Bangkok is not on that itinerary, but you can see what is offered for Port Klang and Rangoon. I am assuming that shorex options for those ports on HAL will be (more or less) the same for subsequent cruises.

Best of luck with your decision and happy cruising,

Kate

I am in the city, but always prefer to fly in and out of Narita for the reasons outlined by BruceMuzz.

Kate

I just booked a Princess Cruise on Diamond Princess for August 30, 2015. The single supplement was only about 50%. I checked a few other of their Japan itinerary and none of them appear to be the full 100% single supplement we usually see.

 

Thought I would pass that along...

Thank you for your post. I was looking at booking for June or July of this year, but seeing the full 100% single supplement. Your post jogged my memory about the Diamond cruises and I just checked again and found the ss down to 60% on some categories.

Thanks so much for sharing the info.....

Kate

Thank you to Lanwood and Sayaguru for posting about the Diamond "Japan" cruises. Very informative and interesting.

I would like to ask how table assignments in the MDR were handled for large tables. Were the large tables a mix of Westerners and Japanese or (on the other hand) were tables "all Western" and "all Japanese"?

I will be sailing in June or July, so doing research now to know what to expect. Many thanks.

My condolences to Sail and her family. I am sending up prayers for strength and the healing of their hearts.

Kate

It's my humble opinion -- which I'm sure others will not agree with -- that HAL's job is to keep passengers safe, based on current knowledge. This would include taking into consideration any higher-level travel warnings from relevant government state departments or other gov't directives.

 

Absent such warnings or directives prohibiting or strongly discouraging travel, it should be an individual decision as to whether to spend one's travel dollars in Russia or elsewhere.

 

Other countries have abysmal human rights records and are indulging in land grabs via misguided imperialistic tendencies (China, I'm looking at YOU), etc. In fact, if I were to travel only to countries where I agree with most of their government's actions, my choices would be very limited indeed.

 

As I posted on another board here recently:

 

"I travel to learn about the world -- to learn things you cannot just learn by reading about them in books or seeing them on television. I have found, in the course of visiting various countries, that most people in those countries are just ordinary people like anyone else -- trying to make a living, worried about the future, perhaps proud of their business or their children....

 

I've also found that when I have visited a country, I care more about that country, read more about it, and follow it more in the news. Thus I am better able to formulate and express an opinion about its current events.

 

Finally, I am what I guess could be called an "armchair archaeologist and historian". I live in constant fear that many of the places/things I want to visit will either be closed to me (as has happened in Libya) or will get destroyed (like the Bamayan Buddhas in Afghanistan). If I get the chance to travel somewhere, I will. I'm so glad I followed that philosophy and visited Syria a few years ago.... Did I agree with what their government was doing at the time? Not at all. Did I get to see areas that have now been destroyed by their civil war? You bet. "

Yet again, you are the warm, kind, thoughtful voice of reason. Thank you for this post.

Kate

Thank you shadowrider for the very useful and informative information, especially how to get back and forth from the airport. I really appreciate it! It sounds like the itinerary is right up our alley! Looking for something a little more relaxing.. Thanks again and have a great time on your cruise!:)

Lots of good information by shadowrider.

To the OP:

I agree that that ship's shore excursions are probably best for this itinerary. There is not a strong tourist infrastructure in the ports visited which means it would be hard going to find an independent licensed English-speaking tour operator pre-cruise on the internet. The ship's shorex would be "the best of the best" in terms of local places of interest and you would have a competant English speaking guide.

The "express bus" referred to is known as the Airport Limousine Bus and you can goggle it to find routes/times/fares in English.

For anyone interested, there is a thread on the first page of the Princess Board, "Pictures: Diamond Princess New Features for Japanese Market." These photos were taken by a CC member in Hong Kong, who got a tour of the ship after her re-fit for the Japan cruises.

Kate

I so wanted to be on this cruise, but the dates just didn't work out. The Volendam was my first HAL ship and holds a special place in my heart.

I cannot be on board, but will go down to the pier (or as close as they will let me get) to watch the sailaway.

Bon Voyage and best wishes to all of the lucky ones on board,

Kate

I know this thread specified vaccinations but something else travellers may want to consider depending where you will be is protection from mosquito bites. Dengue Fever and Chikungunya are both diseases caused by day biting mosquitos (as opposed to the sort that bite at dawn and dusk), and the Australian health authorities are reporting quite a significant increase in the number of cases of these in people returning from Bali.

 

Obviously there will be areas in Asia where the risk will be low, but it's still something to consider depending where you are travelling to. There is no preventative medication for either of these unpleasant diseases other than not getting bitten in the first place. A good travel medico will be able to give you the relevant facts and advice.

Bronte2, yes, this is a thread about vaccinations originally, but I think it is a good place to exchange information about health issues for cruisers in Asia. Thank you for the info about Bali.

Apparently, there is also a risk of Dengue Fever in Taiwan. An on-board lecturer for upcoming Princess cruises in Asia has posted about this on a few roll calls for upcoming cruises that call in Taiwan. She recommends that cruisers bring strong insect repellant containing DEET.

Happy, healthy cruising to all.....

Kate

Thank you all for your responses, we managed to speak to someone in Carnival and have on an email a step by step to what we should do, basically they admit their system is not set up for Non US citizens who live in the USA and are not on greencards. We also called my husbands company visa compliance lawyers who contacted Homeland Security for advice and they said it will be OK. I guess its just the difference between American English and real English as we would never say some one is resident in a place they dont live.... but at least I have it in writting from Carnival and Homeland Security so should be ok

Mrs. H, I am glad to hear all is sorted and you can now enjoy preparing for your cruise with no worries.

I am smiling at your comment about the difference between "American English and real English." Honestly, American English is not so different from British English. In American English, you are a resident of the country where you legally live. You cannot be a resident of a country you do not live in. This is why on U.S. Customs forms, there are two separate questions: a) nationality and b) country of residence. It was clear from your first post that you and your husband know that you are non-permanent residents of the U.S. and I am puzzled as to why anyone would question your country of residence in the first place.

I am a U.S. citizen with Permanent Residence in a foreign country and therefore a resident of that country and a non-resident of the U.S.

There is a lot of good information on CC regarding cruising, but obviously a lot of murkiness when Immigration issues/terminology come up.

Cheers,

Kate

my wife has this issue -- bottom line is -- you are residing in the USA-- but you are NOT Residents of the USA.

 

you are residents of the UK even though you do not reside there.

 

see the difference?

The OP has permission in the form of L-1/L-2 visas to reside in the U.S and is residing there. That is her legal residence for the duration of her visa, as long as she chooses to stay there. Issues of residence are quite different from issues of nationality. There are many people working at the U.N. who do not have (nor want) a U.S. Green Card, but are legal residents of the U.S. as it is their principle domicile, for the duration of their duties there.

To the OP, I hope you will not follow the Carnival phone rep's advice to supply misinformation for the on-line check-in, simply to expediate matters. This most likely would not, but could, come back to haunt you with the INS. I think your best bet is to deal with check-in at the terminal, before you board, as others have suggested.

Best of luck for a happy cruise,

Kate