mek

So communications at the airport are printed in English? I always assumed they were just in Japanese. If I decided to book a hotel on my own, rather than through Princess, which I realize would be overpriced - sigh, I could easily get to a hotel on my own?

Thanks - will probably just book the cruise now and then start seriously planning while I'm recovering from my knee surgery, but I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions.

Yes I'm aware of the language issues, but I've been to China and managed to get around - although I was with my husband so not quite the same as being alone somewhere like that. Contrary to how it possibly sounds, I'm not at all afraid to take this trip alone - I just want to make sure I'm totally prepared.

Thanks for the info. I also hope the cruise I'm on has an active roll call.

I've been looking at dates and now considering the end of May, 2026, rather than fall. The only reason I'm postponing until then is I have a bone on bone knee that is being replaced next year and I want to be up to speed for a lot of walking. Still lots of time to do research on excursions. Not going to try to catch the cherry blossom season as I figure that is probably a hit or miss prospect - better to just go to DC sometime to see them and I've been to Vancouver during their season, which was beautiful.

I was going to do a pre cruise pkg through Princess - again expecting a rep at the airport to meet and take care of transfers to the hotel. I may fly business class so time change might not be an issue and even if I don't, I can sleep easily on planes - even in steerage. LOL Fortunately, I have 2 years to figure all of this out.

Sounds like what we had to do in Beijing, but as I'm going to be by myself I will stick to Princess' tours, or private if that can be arranged in advance on the roll call.

It's been my experience that I have been given a choice of cabins, but that doesn't mean it always happens.

Too bad about the IC, I love that for a late night snack. Is there anything to take its place? I realize this ship caters to an Asian market.

Were you happy with the ship/itinerary/shore excursions offered? Were there many English speaking passengers onboard? Did you book your air through Princess or independently? Just wondering what happens if flights are delayed. I always buy insurance, so not concerned with that.

Anyone here been on Diamond in Japan? Since I will be traveling by myself I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into. I especially want to make sure there will be a greeter at the airport and transportation to my pre cruise hotel and then transfers to the ship. I've been to Asia before, but never by myself and have traveled all over the world, but always with my husband or friends. This is probably brave for my first solo venture. LOL. Normally I would do research before booking, but Princess is offering a $99 deposit so I'm going to jump on that and then plan.

Totally agree, but I can be OK with an inside since I'm solo and won't be spending much time in my cabin.

True, but still less than the $1000 difference in booking an OV right now.

In the past, I've almost always received upgrade offers, but they have pretty much been OV's to balconies. I know it's a crap shoot, but I thought maybe solo cabins,(especially insides), fall into the not ever upgraded category. I'm looking to sail in 2026, so a long way off. I'm not sure how much demand there is for insides for Japan cruises - especially as we get closer to the sail date. $1000 difference between an inside and OV for me, which I'd really rather use for shore excursions. I'll probably book the inside and take my chances.

Does Princess ever offer upgrades on single occupant cabins or are you pretty much stuck with what you book? I've never traveled solo, but I want to do Japan on Diamond and since the price will double for me I'm considering an inside but if upgrades are never offered for solos, then I might good an OV.

I've been gone the past 10 days - has NCL offered any kind of compensation to the passengers or a solution to the problem?

I just got off Joy this morning - 7 nts, Quebec City - NYC. It was my first NCL cruise in about 14 years - the last being on Epic during her inaugural year - which honestly turned out to be a disappointment. With the exception of Cagney's we thought the food on Epic was not very good and the unique entertainment venues were definitely strange and so we stayed with Royal, X, and Princess until this year. As far as the food on Joy I thought it was better than what I had on my last Allure cruise, but I love the Oasis class ships - especially all of the entertainment options. IMO, the entertainment this past week was just OK. I definitely do not like NCL's web site and the wifi onboard was fine on my iPad, but not so much on an iPhone. I'm not sure if I would rush out to book another NCL cruise again. My next big cruise is going to be Japan and although NCL has some great itineraries for Asia, after hearing about the Hong Kong/Manila switch, I would seriously hesitate to book one of those itineraries.

Wow - I had no idea NCL is doing this kind of thing. I'm on Joy next week - Quebec City to NYC and there have been a few minor changes with our itinerary, but nothing like this. I infrequently cruise on NCL and while they have some interesting, more exotic itineraries, I think this will be my last one with them, except for maybe the Caribbean, and will stick to other lines if planning those kind of cruises.

My husband never played trivia with me, so I was always solo. Usually a group would ask me to join or a few times I asked people if I could join them. I rarely played alone,

Thanks - will be on Joy the end of the month and it's good to know they have football available.

Thanks - I'll be sailing 9/25 on Joy.

I'm the OP and I probably will download the app but more than likely won't use it - I don't have any problem with having it on my phone, but my original question was if it was essential to be on the ship, which has been answered. I recall two years ago, right after ships started sailing agin, Royal was having us do muster on their app - that was the reason I asked.

I normally cruise on Royal, X, or Princess where I get free drinks because of my status on those lines, so I never have to buy a drink package. Because they are free, I always tip the bartenders in cash when ordering, but now I'm on Joy the end of this month with the included drink package. I know tips are included in the package, but do people still tip in cash when ordering their drinks? Thinking more of when you actually go up to a bar and order a drink and possibly build a rapport with a particular bartender.

We're in Halifax until 8pm - looking for a great place to have lobster after our morning tour - I believe we get back to the ship around 1pm, so we have lots of time.

Thanks - I sail on the 25th, so I should be able to check the web site and see if that's necessary for any shows.