Opinions please on NCL Japan cruise over Christmas

[jsn55]

We are booked on a cruise which begins in Tokyo and ends in Hong Kong over Christmas.  I have United air booked outbound and have been looking at fares for return HKG-SFO.  However, I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever take this cruise.  All the uncertainties ... is Japan 'open', the Ukraine/Russia war, the never-ending unrest in Hong Kong and China ... I don't want to book air on Cathay or another foreign airline yet.  If we do cancel, I don't want a credit that we may or may not ever be able to use.  The biz class fares are outta sight, so we're talking thousands of dollars.  Love to hear what other cruisers think about what might be happening at Christmastime in Asia and would we really want to be on a ship at all?  I'm thinking it might be just nuts.

[leaveitallbehind]

Sounds to me like you are pretty uncertain and if that is the case, IMO you likely won't enjoy yourself as you should. Perhaps you've already made up your mind?  If everything is booked via refundable deposits, then you have no financial risk until final payment.  And as that is still pretty far down the road, maybe wait and see how you feel then. (If it is with NRD, then you have that $ penalty either way).

 

Hard to predict what might be happening at that time in Asia.  Personally the situation with Russia and the Ukraine would not influence me for that specific itinerary.  And I try not to have my life influenced over fears and global unrest in general - in one form or another and to some uncomfortable degree, these types of things have always existed somewhere.  I try to just determine what factors would directly affect me at any given time and go from there with my decisions.

 

If it was my booking, I would at least wait until final payment to make my decision.  But that is something only you can decide.

Edited April 27, 2022 by leaveitallbehind

[jsn55]

2 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Sounds to me like you are pretty uncertain and if that is the case, IMO you likely won't enjoy yourself as you should. Perhaps you've already made up your mind?  If everything is booked via refundable deposits, then you have no financial risk until final payment.  And as that is still pretty far down the road, maybe wait and see how you feel then. (If it is with NRD, then you have that $ penalty either way).

 

Hard to predict what might be happening at that time in Asia.  Personally the situation with Russia and the Ukraine would not influence me for that specific itinerary.  And I try not to have my life influenced over fears and global unrest in general - in one form or another and to some uncomfortable degree, these types of things have always existed somewhere.  

 

If it was my booking, I would at least wait until final payment to make my decision.  But that is something only you can decide.

Yes, I am uncertain.  Hence the request for opinions.  Usually fearless, think I've been beaten down by the research/book/cancel culture over the last years.  I'm sick of having thousands of dollars tied up in credits from travel providers and/or awaiting refunds.  This Japan cruise is partially paid-for with credits from at least four cancelled cruises during the virus disaster.  Initially, we booked NCL because of the price; it's time to travel more frugally.  And we STILL haven't been on an NCL cruise since the early 80s.  I appreciate your input; we really do want to take this cruise.

 

 

[lissie]

2 hours ago, jsn55 said:

Yes, I am uncertain.  Hence the request for opinions.  Usually fearless, think I've been beaten down by the research/book/cancel culture over the last years.  I'm sick of having thousands of dollars tied up in credits from travel providers and/or awaiting refunds.  This Japan cruise is partially paid-for with credits from at least four cancelled cruises during the virus disaster.  Initially, we booked NCL because of the price; it's time to travel more frugally.  And we STILL haven't been on an NCL cruise since the early 80s.  I appreciate your input; we really do want to take this cruise.

 

 

 I totally hear you! 

 

I'm currently planning travel and cruises in Europe- but I'd like to do Japan and have kept an eye on it. Frankly I don't like your chances of cruising in that time frame. There's an election there in the summer so sentiment is that borders will be closed at least until then.  Cruise lines are already pulling out and rescheduling. for April 2023 HK has  just reopened though 

[desibee]

Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America have all pulled out of Asia until later in 2023.  I have strong doubts about NCL keeping this Christmas cruise when all of its competitors have declared it not worth the hassle, especially with the uncertainty surrounding China.

 

If you do purchase airline tickets I would make sure they are fully refundable, just in case.  Maybe try using Hopper app to book, as they often offer refundable tickets for less than the airline itself and their refund will be to your credit card and not airline vouchers.

[panoramaofthepast]

We have family in Okinawa; Japan is not yet open to tourism and it doesn't look like it will any time soon. I have a cruise booked from Tokyo to Seattle in April 2023, but have only put down a deposit. I am not optimistic, but have until January to decide! 

[Shorex]

Windstar does have numerous cruises focusing on Japan in 2023. Just click "Asia" on the "Find a cruise" link on the home page and they all appear. Just scroll past the cruises that spotlight other areas. We do have one booked for late 2023 but we are not committing any non-refundable funds until there is virtual certainty.

 

Opinions of a few posters on cruise critic will not mean anything. As to when Japan will open to tourism, everyone is guessing.

[BruceMuzz]

In an opinion poll last week, over 75% of Japanese Citizens do not want the government to open up to foreigners this year. With elections coming up, the Government is paying attention. 

Travel Agencies in Japan (I work for one) are pushing to open up more quickly.

 

Japanese domestic cruise lines are doing a brisk business in Japan and do not want the country to open up to visits by international cruise lines.

 

On June 1, Japanese Immigration will increase the cap on returning Japanese Residents from 10,000 per day to 20,000 per day.

Japanese Immigration is considering to test (in June) removing the Antigen Test and Quarantine requirements for returning Japanese Residents who are fully vaccinated, boosted, and are returning from Countries with low COVID numbers.

 

Japanese Government is considering testing “bubble tours” with small groups of foreigners (wearing masks) on very restricted itineraries. No official word yet on when this will actually start.

 

China, South Korea, and Taiwan remain closed as well. Japanese cabotage laws require foreign flag ships sailing in Japan to call at one of these countries as well. So long as they remain closed, foreign cruise companies will be unable to visit Japan.

Japan remains closed to foreign ships anyway, with no discussion on when this might change.

I visited Yokohama a few days ago, and watched Asuka II (ex- Crystal Harmony) boarding pax at Osanbashi Terminal. The ship appeared full.

Then I drove past the new Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on Tokyo Bay. 

Two Japanese cruise ships were there; both very busy.

[jsn55]

1 hour ago, BruceMuzz said:

In an opinion poll last week, over 75% of Japanese Citizens do not want the government to open up to foreigners this year. With elections coming up, the Government is paying attention. 

Travel Agencies in Japan (I work for one) are pushing to open up more quickly.

 

Japanese domestic cruise lines are doing a brisk business in Japan and do not want the country to open up to visits by international cruise lines.

 

On June 1, Japanese Immigration will increase the cap on returning Japanese Residents from 10,000 per day to 20,000 per day.

Japanese Immigration is considering to test (in June) removing the Antigen Test and Quarantine requirements for returning Japanese Residents who are fully vaccinated, boosted, and are returning from Countries with low COVID numbers.

 

Japanese Government is considering testing “bubble tours” with small groups of foreigners (wearing masks) on very restricted itineraries. No official word yet on when this will actually start.

 

China, South Korea, and Taiwan remain closed as well. Japanese cabotage laws require foreign flag ships sailing in Japan to call at one of these countries as well. So long as they remain closed, foreign cruise companies will be unable to visit Japan.

Japan remains closed to foreign ships anyway, with no discussion on when this might change.

I visited Yokohama a few days ago, and watched Asuka II (ex- Crystal Harmony) boarding pax at Osanbashi Terminal. The ship appeared full.

Then I drove past the new Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on Tokyo Bay. 

Two Japanese cruise ships were there; both very busy.

Bruce, I cannot thank you enough for all this intel.  I will continue to ponder it all until June 1, then either we're a Go or I'll pull the plug and bring on Plan B.  Oh, that's right, I don't have Plan B yet.  But researching and planning travel is what I do and what makes me happy.  Thanks again. 

[BruceMuzz]

Yesterday Windstar Cruises became the latest foreign Cruise Line to announce cancellation of their 2022/2023 Asian Cruise Season. 

 

Today (18 May) the Yomiuri Shinbun and the Japan Times have reported that the Japanese Government will allow around 50 foreign tourists to visit Japan before the end of this month as part of a test project.

They will be in 10-15 pre-selected small groups, from USA, Thailand, Australia, and Singapore. They will be taken together in “Bubble Tours” to pre-approved tourist destinations in Japan. They must have proof of a minimum 3 vaccinations and must pass PCR Tests before and after arrival in Japan. Masks must be worn always. They must also have private medical insurance that will cover any possible medical problems in Japan. Results of these visits will be used to develop a comprehensive plan for more foreign visitors in the future.

The government re-emphasized that the ban on foreign tourists using public transportation will continue until further notice. 

[jsn55]

Incredibly helpful to know these facts, Bruce.  I just booked Plan B today ... I would never travel anywhere under the demands that Japan is discussing now.  Be about as enjoyable as sleeping on a bed of nails.  What a shame, we were looking forward to the cruise very much. 

[desibee]

NCL has cancelled all Asian cruises until April 25, 2023.

[jsn55]

10 hours ago, desibee said:

NCL has cancelled all Asian cruises until April 25, 2023.

UGH, another trip down the drain.  Will it never end? 

[BruceMuzz]

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida announced yesterday (26 May), that small groups of foreign tourists will be allowed to visit Japan beginning 10 June.

These tourists must be on a package tour that will visit pre-arranged tourist destinations in Japan.

They will not be allowed to use public transportation; traveling all together with a Japanese escort to each location. They will all stay together in pre-arranged hotels.

All must have at least 3 COVID Injections, provide negative PCR test results before and after the flight to Japan. They will also be PCR tested during their visit to Japan.

They must be masked at all times.

They must have full medical coverage for any medical issues encountered in Japan.

They must sign a declaration agreeing to be deported if they violate any of the COVID requirements.

On 01 June the Japanese Government will raise the cap on arrivals to Japan from 10,000 to 20,000 per day. It is believed that most of the 20,000 allocations will be for returning Japanese Residents.