Miaminice

@wblotner66 We have stayed at the Metropolitan Marunouchi in Tokyo once and it was nice. On other occasions we stayed at the Gracery Shinjuku and like it for its fabulous location and good quality for a reasonable price. We have also stayed at APA hotels (one in Shinjuku) and they offer very low rates. However, the rooms are miniscule. A ship´s stateroom is huge compared to them 🙂 If you are interested in the report of our latest cruise to Japan, you can find it here: https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/

@catweazlecat Hello, also from Germany, try Koichi Wasa for the Kyoto area. We have toured with him on some of our cruises to Japan and he´s very good. You can also look into https://gowithguide.com/ for guides. If you are interested in the report of our latest cruise to Japan, you can find it here: https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/ Enjoy Japan!

🙄 You are free to think of it as you like! In my view the OP got what´s needed - eye wash, an appointment at the doctor - who certainly knows how to handle things better than me or you - and so on. If you think that´s not enough - well, let´s agree to disagree.

Funny 😉 the OP did not mention this at all while she was still on board and wrote about every detail elaborately. Only this small side mention at a time when they were already back home… and no downgrading or anything else you mentioned. Anyhow, to me there‘s too much panicking and drama in all of this. But yeah, I get that some people have health phobias…

Show me where! I could only read it in someone else’s post.

I wondered the same!

I don’t know who you are talking about! I am talking about the OP… and there’s no mention of a different room!

Nope, no machines. Ask at any bar and they’ll help you.

Don‘t be!!! She’s a fine ship! Technical issues happen and the problems with pipes occur on every ship. Mostly because people throw all kinds of things into the toilet. This issue might have been handled badly - on BOTH sides. The OP got what they wanted… an eye wash, a doctor (who certainly knew how to handle it better than them) etc. What Celebrity can’t do is turn back time and make it unhappen. My experience is that if you stay calm, don’t be pushy and express a know it all attitude they will help. More and better than expected! The few problems we ever had on our many cruises were handled better and more generously than we ever expected. However, I think we are low maintenance people. We tend to enjoy our cruises and don’t waste much time on looking for fault. I am sure that - with the right attitude - you’ll have a great cruise on a beautiful ship 👍

Seats can’t be reserved - and it’s not an issue on Celebrity. Concierge really has no benefits worth mentioning. Only to the cruise line… more $$$. Maybe if you chase the extra points… 🤷🏻

We rented cars in all ports of Iceland on two cruises. Always used holdur.is the representative of Europcar. We can HIGHLY recommend them. When you book on the Holdur website you can choose the port as pick up point.

Try Ubigi or Airalo e-Sims. Not even half the amount you mentioned... and they work great. I had Ubigi in Japan and an Airalo regional e-Sim for Southeast Asia.

Out of our 3 previous cruises plus the upcomming 4th cruise to Japan we only chose Cherry Blossom time once. And yes, it was absolutely fantastic and unforgettable! However, it also has it´s downsides and challenges: - Cost - the Cherry Blossom cruises are even more expensive - Time - You might hit the right time for Hanami... you might not. - Weather - weather in spring can be unstable and wet. For example, we had a nice but pretty wet day in Aomori, where the blossoms were the nicest. Friends are currently in Japan on Princess and the pics look pretty grey. Don´t get me wrong. I am not saying you shouldn´t go during the time. It´s nice - and if you are lucky it´s probably almost pleasantly overwhelming and unforgettable. BUT other seasons in Japan are also fabulous. The fall colors are very pretty as well. So I guess in a nutshell I´d answer your question with: Yes, other times would also be good!

That is a tough question... if you haven´t been to Tokyo before I´d do Tokyo pre cruise and Kyoto when in Kobe - best of both worlds.

It sure depends on when and where you sail. We have done 5 cruises on E class so far. The window was locked for a total of maybe 3 days of all these cruises combined. And then only a few hours when there was heavy rain or so.

Despite what the IT says, there are no assigned dining times on Ascent. Go whenever you like.

Enjoy Japan! Just be careful - for us it was love on first sight. The fourth cruise is already booked. Have a great time!

Hi, yes they do 👍 You can come and go any time or even stay off the ship at a hotel - all fine.

Apparently you did not think that Celebrity are a rip off when you booked for the original price. I understand your frustration - but that´s just what it is, YOUR frustration! Like many other you would not complain or offer to pay the difference if the prices went up. Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose. Get over it and enjoy your cruise. Best you can do.

@Essiesmom Hi, thanks for mentioning me/us and our travelogue. We have done 3 Japan cruises so far. Needless to say we fell in love with Japan after the first cruise 🙂 Our most recent one was in October 2023 on Millennium. And when we came back, we were already looking for another one. So we have a fourth booked for next year. So we do have some experience to contribute... and some travelogues for you al as teasers. Japan Millennium 2023 https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/ Japan Cherry Blossom Cruise HAL Westerdam 2019 https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/hal-westerdam-japan-01.html Japan Millennium 2017 https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html Bye for now Oliver

Hi, Hiroshima wasn´t on this itinererary. The last time we have been to Hiroshima was quite a while ago - in 2017. I remember we took a train to Hiroshima Station from the port. So I don´t know if there will be a shuttle offered or not - sorry! Hiroshima was part of this cruise: https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html

We have bee to Japan 3 times and already booked a fourth cruise for next year. Love Japan! BUT all the attractions involve walking a stairs !!! So I am nor sure about your handicap. The Geisha area is Gion and there are daily performances at the Gion Corner Theater. But yes, it is touristy 🤷🏻‍♂️ We do have some experience to contribute... and some travelogues for you as teasers. Japan Millennium 2023 https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/ Japan Cherry Blossom Cruise HAL Westerdam 2019 https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/hal-westerdam-japan-01.html Japan Millennium 2017 https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html

Taking a taxi was easy. Once you leave the pier there’s a taxi stand. At the stand there are English speaking helpers asking where you want to go. They will tell the driver. The taxi was JPY 3200 each way.

It sounds like another chapter in their “How to run the worst IT system ever” book. But honestly, why create a problem where there is none?!?! Shrug it off, do his check in later and go together.

Sure! But the dishes are not the whole picture 😉 It´s how and where they are served. And you can always get dishes from the MDR if they sound better. Like I said, we miss BLU every time we are in the big and hectic MDR. The exception is E class. The smaller MDRs are really nice. Not booking Aqua and having Blu on E class is OK for us.