bonsai3s

You'll have access to your cabin on TAD...just be mindful that cabin stewards are cleaning cabins. Enjoy an empty ship.

7:30

Yes, absolutely...we've done it a few times.

Yes, it was. There were people that got their passport and flying the same day. * We watched a couple, openly crying and desperately explaining their travel situation to the State Department employee...to no avail...one passport was denied. Everyone sitting and waiting at the office were speculating an error was made or perhaps a wrong document was submitted...no one knew...it was sad. I was puckered up, legs shaking, heartbeat pounding, and waited until 4:15pm when my nunber was finally called...what a relief getting that new passport.

Yes, with restrictions. I knew I didn't have enough time between cruises to mail and renew my passport. You can call the State Department 14 days before an International travel. They will schedule an appointment for you to physically go to the nearest Department of State passport issuing office...in my case, it was San Francisco. My appointment was scheduled 2 days before our flight to Singapore...for the Spectrum. It was an easy, but extremely time consuming process...all day, and lots of waiting...submit all your completed documents, proof of travel, passport photos, and payment (extra $ for expedited service.) They tell all applicants to return in the afternoon and you get your new passport...same day.

And on sea days, lunch, the MDR serves the Royal Burger. * After all the different dishes, it's nice to just have a delicious cheeseburger and crispy fries.

Does this river cruise wih Scenic...start in Seam Reap? Reverse itinerary, with a few days in Seam Reap before the cruise? Thank you...just planning for our river cruise.

Dtaeg...thanks, got home safely. We'll be on Symphony next month. Sorry, we don't know the name of the mall...and genuinely hope your child gets better.

Ovation and Odyssey as well...but not the Spectrum.

Tendering the second time was still a problem...not as bad as the first time. * For example, Tender ticket #22 was called around 10am. The previous sailing, Tender ticket #17 was called at 12:15pm. Note: For DIY travelers, it is best to get on the early tenders. Taxis are limited at the dock. * Locals will accept U.S. dollars...but only "clean" bills, no writings or ink on bills and not torn. Be careful of the currency exchange rate. * JMHO, Vietnam is the cheapest country in Asia...great bargains everywhere...clothing, shoes, souvenirs, food, and as our dear friend discovered, even massages. If you haggle politely and with a smile, you can get that $100 tour for $50...in an air-conditioned taxi...small but can fit 2 adults and 2 children.

Not on the Spectrum.

There were no busses or coaches going to Disney. Taxis, this time around, were plenty...regrettably, we didn't see any large taxis for 6 people.

Hong Kong...after the fiasco/debacle on the previous sailing...the government learned, reacted, and truly made a brilliant correction. Our second Hong Kong experience was truly remarkable. * Inside the cruise terminal were many english speaking guides, seemingly everwhere...helping all passengers. * Buses, shuttles, and coaches were all FREE...yes, all of them. Free shuttles and large coaches were leaving constantly and taking passengers to various MTR stations and sights. (See attached photos) * No more long queues, no pandemonium, no chaos...all happy passengers. (News anchors/media were there reporting live) * Our goal today was to go up the tallest building in Hong Kong...Sky 100. Cost to enter, 198 HKD for seniors...views, priceless. Located near the Kowloon Station MTR, we had plans to take the bus from the cruise terminal to the Kai Tak MTR, Tuen Ma line to Nam Cheong MTR, transfer to the Tung Chung line, and end at the Kowloon Station MTR. (Think "Amazing Race"....it would've taken us about 2 hours, one way) ** We couldn't believe it!...there was a free bus (a large air-conditioned coach) that went directly from the cruise terminal and Kowloon Station MTR...and back! Simply incredible. Travel time : approx. 30 minutes. * The Kowloon Station MTR is massive...4 floors, hundreds of stores, restaurants, food courts...and even an ice rink. We enjoyed some delicious Dim Sum while waiting for the bus back. * Tip: When exiting any MTR station, kindly look for the "Exit Direction" on the wall...A, B, C, D exits...for example, our exit for the Sky 100 building was C1.

The Captain reminded us yesterday that the internet will be slow as soon as we approach/enter Chinese airspace.

Yes..."Dress to Impress"...twice, held on sea days for the 12N sailings. (If there was a third, we missed it )

Izumi was good, much like on other ships. You can order ala carte or pre-fix ($39.99/person) We did ala carte and ordered 2 large plates of sashimi (salmon and yellow tail), futomaki, and lobster roll...finished with mochi ice-cream. * Having stops in Kobe, Shimizu, Yokohama, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima...where you can readily find fresh sashimi and sushi...Izumi hasn't been crowded. JMHO, if we cruise to Japan again, we would skip Izumi.

We, along with many other passengers, started coughing and got concerned...we brought along a few covid test kits and self-tested...both negative...what a relief. Kagoshima...clear skies, but the usual heat and humidity. Note: Sorry, but I have very little information today. * Feeling a bit under the weather, we had no plans. We decided to walk down the terminal just to get some information. * The ship docked at Marine Port Kagoshima...approximately 30 minutes from the city center. * The relatively small cruise terminal had a nice (and cold) shopping area and there were several food trucks outside. (Great for the crew) * For those who DIY, there were only 2 ways to get to town...1. Taxis: very few after 10am...2. Tram: About 1.5 miles...walk or taxi. * Regrettably, no shuttles were provided. It would've been nice to have a shuttle to town or even the tram. Hopefully, they can correct this and will have shuttles for future sailings. * We wanted to buy some cough medication and heard there was a mall about a mile away...just follow the yellow line on the sidewalk. (Or follow many other passengers and crew members walking to the mall.) We got our cough medication...walked back to the ship...and soaked our exhausted bodies in the wonderful Solarium jacuzzi. I had a mudslide and DW had a Midori Mojito. We haven't taken the cough medication. The distance between Kumamto and Kagoshima is short...the ship literally went around in circles last night.

Our next stop is Hong Kong, and the rumor is...there will be free shuttles from the Kai Tak cruise terminal to the Kai Tak MTR because of the fiasco last sailing. I will let you know.

Hi LB, Yes, a bit of rocking and rolling...but Captain Wu (that's what everyone calls him), has been absolutely brilliant keeping us away from Typhoon Lan.

Kumamoto...Goal: DIY to the iconic Kumamoto Castle...built in 1607. * Docked in Kumamon Port in Yatsushiro. * Shuttles were available at the dock...one queue going to a mall, and one queue going to the train station. ($10/person roundtrip...you can charge it to your seapass card) * We got off the ship at 9:30am...and were told all shuttle tickets to the train station were already sold out. Some passengers took taxis to the train station. About $25 one-way. * A group of us waited a few minutes and were told additional buses are coming...wooweee...off to the Shin-Yatsushiro train Station. Travel time...about 25 minutes. * Two ways to get train tickets: vending machine or the window. (The machine wouldn't accept our Visa card, so we got our tickets at the window.) * We wanted to ride and experience the "Bullet Train"...Cost: ¥1530 per person each way...travel time: 10 minutes! *** While standing next to Track 11, waiting for our train, a "Bullet Train" literally flew by us and took our breath away...if you're wearing a wig, it's gone...a hat, it's off...everyone standing there were smiling...the train was so fast, no one managed to videotape it. * Kumamoto Train Station to the Kumamoto Castle...3 ways to get there...1. Walk...2. Bus...3. Tram...we opted for the tram. Cost: ¥1.80 per person each way...this time, the tram accepted our Visa. * The train station was Stop #3...Kumamoto Castle was Stop #10. Travel time about 15 minutes. * From the tram Stop #10, you immediately see the castle walls and moat...but it is another 400 meters to the entrance. Cost to enter: ¥800 per person.

Sichuan Red was the place to try how high (or how low) the Scoville Scale your mouth can handle. They will make the dishes as spicy as you want. We did order the Crispy Fried Sea Scallops ($25)...and since I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food, I asked for it to be mild...about a 6 from 1 to 10. The scallops and the rest of our dishes (all ala carte pricing) were cooked to perfection. I had sweat coming down my forehead, tears coming down my eyes...the "mild 6" was still a bit spicy for me. But I was still smiling...tears of joy...best scallops I've had in a long time.

Port stop: Shimizu Not sure if you can see Mt. Fuji...but it was the best we could do. Clouds covered the majestic mountain all day.

Echoing what ARandomTraveler stated, it was an extremely difficult process getting off the ship. Fortunately, the City of Kobe provided a free shuttle right into town...a block from "Kobe Motomachi"...a wonderful walking street full of shops and restaurants. * Our goal was to taste Kobe beef...we did...it was sublime. One of many Japanese vending machines.

ARandomTraveler...thanks for sharing some pretty accurate information and valuable tips...wishing you safe travels! * We're still onboard, heading back to Singapore...over 600 B2B passengers...the Manila port stop was cancelled even before this sailing started...then Shimizu was cancelled due to Typhoon Lan...it was replaced by an overnight stay in Osaka...which was then cancelled again because of bad weather...the ship is now sailing to Kumamoto, arriving tomorrow, Day 4.

Day 10, Pinnacle Lunch menu.