Celebrity Millennium Japan - 10/24/2023 - Live(ish) Report

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, Miaminice said:

The cost for the guide in Okinawa was roughly $70 pp and the van JPY 6500.

 

 

 I notice the exchange rate is around 151 yen to the dollar.  Are you finding that beneficial on your trips ashore?  My DW and I have been discussing how much to change into yen for expenses on shore (eats, drinks, transportation, etc.) 

 

[Miaminice]

58 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I notice the exchange rate is around 151 yen to the dollar.  Are you finding that beneficial on your trips ashore?  My DW and I have been discussing how much to change into yen for expenses on shore (eats, drinks, transportation, etc.) 

 

I get JPY at ATM in the omnipresent 7eleven, Lawson or Familymart store as we go. The charge is just 110 JPY and my credit card doesn’t charge foreign currency fees. I mostly get 10,000 JPY at a time.

[micruiser2002]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I notice the exchange rate is around 151 yen to the dollar.  Are you finding that beneficial on your trips ashore?  My DW and I have been discussing how much to change into yen for expenses on shore (eats, drinks, transportation, etc.) 

 

We have been using our credit card for the majority of purchases. Even the taxis take credit cards.  That will usually be the best exchange rate you will get.

[DaKahuna]

9 hours ago, Miaminice said:

I get JPY at ATM in the omnipresent 7eleven, Lawson or Familymart store as we go. The charge is just 110 JPY and my credit card doesn’t charge foreign currency fees. I mostly get 10,000 JPY at a time.

 

3 hours ago, micruiser2002 said:

We have been using our credit card for the majority of purchases. Even the taxis take credit cards.  That will usually be the best exchange rate you will get.

 

 I expect we will do the same if we need additional yen.  One of our first todo things the day after arrival is to go to the post office/bank and exchange dollars for yen.   We have more than enough yen to get us through the first couple of days but if these exchange rates continue, or even get better, we'll get more. 

 

 It is good to know that the taxi's take CC's.  I wonder if my Apple Wallet will work just as well.  I know a lot of Japanese pay for items with their smart phones and hoping I can do the same. 

 

 

[Miaminice]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

One of our first todo things the day after arrival is to go to the post office/bank and exchange dollars for yen.   …

 

I wonder if my Apple Wallet will work just as well.  I know a lot of Japanese pay for items with their smart phones and hoping I can do the same. 

 

 

Really no need to go to a bank! The mentioned markets are literally on every corner.

 

Unfortunately ApplePay doesn’t work as good and often as I would like. But some places you can use contactless with the card. Most places you stick the card in.

[Miaminice]

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 9 – At Sea

Another day at sea as it should be. Roaming around the ship to take some photos and then chatting the day away with friends at the Sunset Bar. So just a few pics today…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 1, 2023 by Miaminice

[DaKahuna]

5 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

Really no need to go to a bank! The mentioned markets are literally on every corner.

 

Unfortunately ApplePay doesn’t work as good and often as I would like. But some places you can use contactless with the card. Most places you stick the card in.

 

 Thanks.  Will keep that in mind.  I can't speak for my DW but I look forward to the streetside vending machines.  I was stationed at the Navy Base in Yokosuka and lived in military housing in Yokohama so my commute was route 16, which in the summer time would be a continuous traffic jam.  It was not uncommon to be stopped long enough to hop out of the car, run to a vending machine, buy a beverage or snack and hop by in the car without blocking traffic.  Gave new meaning to the term "road beers." 

 

[DaKahuna]

@Miaminice  If you get the chance, would you describe the Customs & Immigration process at the first port of call in Japan after visiting Korea?  

 

[Miaminice]

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 10 – Nagasaki

I just woke up when we sailed under the Megami Bridge into the bay of Nagasaki and the sun peeked over the hills.

 

 

We had breakfast and then left the ship for our visit. We planned on taking the tram to the Atomic Bomb Museum first… just like every body else. So there was quite a run for the first streetcars. Together with friends we decided to skip the line and took a taxi to the Museum for 2000 JPY.

 

It was our third visit to the museum. However, it was just as unsettling and sobering as the first times. We all know the images of the mushroom cloud. In this museum you are quite graphically reminded of the gruesome fact that in this split second on August 9, 1945 over 60,000 lives literally evaporated. All that was left of some of them was a shadow on the wall. And you get the feeling that the ones who instantly died were the lucky ones… it is a very emotional experience. Again, two words emerged out of my own personal turmoil of feelings: NEVER AGAIN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still in thoughts we walked to the Peace Park, home to the famous statue pointing at the sky and many small monuments donated by different nations and cities from all around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the park lies the hypocenter of the explosion.

 

 

 

We then took a tram from the nearby stop to Nagasaki Chinatown where I couldn’t resist the delicious pork buns and sesame balls.

 

 

=

 

 

 

We walked up the Dutch Slope where western, notably Dutch merchants settled in the 19th century.

 

 

From there we strolled to the Nagasaki Koshibyo Confucius Shrine. The beautiful shrine and the 72 statues in its courtyard provided endless photo opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the shrine it wasn’t far to the Champon Museum and Restaurant. Nagasaki Champon is the city’s most famous regional dish. Very yummy!

 

 

A short walk up the street lined with shops took us to Glover Garden and Residence, built for a Scottish merchant who contributed to the modernization of Japan. The gardens are directly above the pier, so for us they marked the end of our visit to Nagasaki.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, almost - of course we were sent off again with a performance. This time by a band of young musicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

@Miaminice  If you get the chance, would you describe the Customs & Immigration process at the first port of call in Japan after visiting Korea?  

 

That would be in Kagoshima today. A day before you find customs and entry forms on your bed. Plus a letter informing you of the group # and time.

This is ours. Ship arrives at 10am, our slot is 11:30am

Edited November 2, 2023 by Miaminice

[Miaminice]

We also received an invitation for a sail in event on the helipad for 8:30am.

I am sure we’ll be enjoying our breakfast at that time 😁

[schagpal]

Thanks so much for your "almost live review".  We are on Millie in March so this is just adding to our excitement.  Looks like your weather has been perfect.

[Jim_Iain]

On 11/1/2023 at 7:28 AM, DaKahuna said:

 

 

 I expect we will do the same if we need additional yen.  One of our first todo things the day after arrival is to go to the post office/bank and exchange dollars for yen.   We have more than enough yen to get us through the first couple of days but if these exchange rates continue, or even get better, we'll get more. 

 

 It is good to know that the taxi's take CC's.  I wonder if my Apple Wallet will work just as well.  I know a lot of Japanese pay for items with their smart phones and hoping I can do the same. 

 

 

 

We picked up some Yen in advance.   We bank with Wells Fargo and in Silicon Valley most banks have it on hand as well as Pounds and Euros so just stop in and pick them up.  

 

We used Apple Pay with no problem at most location but used Yen for tipping guides, incidentals etc.  We used Apple Pay in Cabs, Train Tickets and gift shops.    I of course carry my chip card if needed.

 

Going back 3 years ago many eating places are like McDonalds and you order in advance from a machine and then get a number.    I was a bit perplexed the first time and a couple school girls came up and volunteered to help us.   They say they love to help out tourists so they can practice their English 

[Jim_Iain]

It is incredible how welcoming the Japanese are.   Every port had some type of welcome and farewell event.    I wish I could remember which port but on put on a Firework Display for our Departure.   Really impressive and heart felt.   Hope they do that on your cruise.

[theopup]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Every port had some type of welcome and farewell event.

That is such a welcoming tradition.

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, Miaminice said:

That would be in Kagoshima today. A day before you find customs and entry forms on your bed. Plus a letter informing you of the group # and time.

This is ours. Ship arrives at 10am, our slot is 11:30am

Thank you very much.  We have a ship sponsored tour scheduled for our first port of call so this really helps us prepare. 
 

[lasekeye]

Did Celebrity provide the required forms? 

[LouChamp]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We picked up some Yen in advance.   We bank with Wells Fargo and in Silicon Valley most banks have it on hand as well as Pounds and Euros so just stop in and pick them up.  

 

We used Apple Pay with no problem at most location but used Yen for tipping guides, incidentals etc.  We used Apple Pay in Cabs, Train Tickets and gift shops.    I of course carry my chip card if needed.

 

Going back 3 years ago many eating places are like McDonalds and you order in advance from a machine and then get a number.    I was a bit perplexed the first time and a couple school girls came up and volunteered to help us.   They say they love to help out tourists so they can practice their English 

Aloha. I generally find Wells Fargo to have a competitive exchange rate and order currency with them.

[micruiser2002]

5 hours ago, lasekeye said:

Did Celebrity provide the required forms? 

Yes the forms were left in our cabin with the instructions.

[micruiser2002]

11 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Thank you very much.  We have a ship sponsored tour scheduled for our first port of call so this really helps us prepare. 
 

We actually docked and were cleared early.  They started letting guests off around 9:15am.  The immigration and customs took place in the cruise terminal and they had about 20 stations open.  We got off around 9:45 and were in the shuttle bus and headed to town in about 30 minutes.

[DaKahuna]

4 hours ago, micruiser2002 said:

We actually docked and were cleared early.  They started letting guests off around 9:15am.  The immigration and customs took place in the cruise terminal and they had about 20 stations open.  We got off around 9:45 and were in the shuttle bus and headed to town in about 30 minutes.

 

 That's great timing.  The Japanese are very efficient when they want to be. Was this on your own or were you on a ship sponsored tour? 

 

Edited November 3, 2023 by DaKahuna

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha. I generally find Wells Fargo to have a competitive exchange rate and order currency with them.

 

They do have pretty good exchange rates.   I sometime also use my Schwab Platinum Debit Card.  They don't charge out of network fees and reimburse for ATM fees.

[Jim_Iain]

23 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 That's great timing.  The Japanese are very efficient when they want to be. Was this on your own or were you on a ship sponsored tour? 

 

 We mostly took private tours with guides we found on Tours by Locals.   Almost all tours are via train/bus/tram.    The first guide taught us how to buy tickets on the rail system.  Little confusing as they have separate rail lines and often you have to use different terminals. 

 

We bought multi day passes that really made it much easier.

[DaKahuna]

11 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 We mostly took private tours with guides we found on Tours by Locals.   Almost all tours are via train/bus/tram.    The first guide taught us how to buy tickets on the rail system.  Little confusing as they have separate rail lines and often you have to use different terminals. 

 

We bought multi day passes that really made it much easier.

 

 I agree 100%.  We are only taking a number of ship sponsored tours as we have a lot of OBC to go through. 

 

 I was stationed in Japan for 10 years while in the Navy.  Me, dated, fell in love with, and married a wonderful Japanese lady almost 51 years ago.  She is wonderful at helping make purchases and get around on the trains, buses, and taxi's.  🙂   

 

 

[LouChamp]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

They do have pretty good exchange rates.   I sometime also use my Schwab Platinum Debit Card.  They don't charge out of network fees and reimburse for ATM fees.

Aloha. Schwab is good as well I agree. In Hawaii we do not have mainland banks so I use Bank of Hawaii which handles a lot of foreign transactions But Morgan Stanley Private Bank is my go to in NY.