Any options for Japan cruise other than Millie?

[billc23]

On 2/28/2024 at 3:41 AM, ggo85 said:

SS dining beats X hands down.  More options.  Better food.  Far, far fewer people competing at each venue.  No extra cost for any venue for lunch and most dinner options have no added cost.

 

The reasons to book Celebrity vs. SS for Japan include:  (1) better, more and more varied entertainment, (2) more options for shore excursions (but also more people), (3) many more activities on board, and (4) probably the cost, depending on which cabin you would book.  Also (may or may not apply), better for kids b/c there is more to do, probably a "younger" crowd, and less formal dress code (newer SS ships have a more relaxed dress code, "older" ones are still pretty formal as compared to X.)

 

It really depends on what's important to you.  

 

Yes, it really depends on what's important to you. (1) Celebrity entertainment is more high tech/spectacular and Silversea has to rely on the talent of the performer. (2) Silversea's included shore excursions are superior to Celebrity's. The bus that can transport 48 passengers usually has fewer than 24 - often 12 to 16. I'm currently on a Silversea sailing, Singapore to Hong Kong, to be directly followed by a Celebrity sailing, Hong Kong to Singapore. No difference in the variety or number of shore excursions between these 2 sailings. 

I do not feel the need to arrange independent tours when traveling on Silversea and I greatly prefer independent arrangements when traveling on Celebrity. (3) Celebrity has many more activities while Silversea has something going on all the time but not the variety that Celebrity has. (4) The cost... very similar to Retreat pricing without considering the included alcohol or shore excursions. More formal dress for sure - but many dining options that are casual too. Definitely an older crowd by about 10 years and fewer kids. No specific kids club. 

 

Celebrity has a class system that is very apparent - Silversea does not, but if you sail in an upper suite there is a small difference in service. The amount of public space on Silversea is much greater relative to the number of passengers. No lines to wait in, easy to get a seat by the pool, and the restaurant choices I listed in a prior post are to accommodate about the same number of passengers as Luminae does on an E class ship. Luminae on E class is more banquet style cooking while on Silversea the food is individually prepared. The logistics of  food preparation in the allotted time that Luminae is open for dinner on an E class ship dictate banquet cooking. 

 

If the reason to cruise around Japan is to see Japan, then I think it is important to look at how long the ship is in port, is it docked or tendered, and which port relative to the visited sites the ship is at to minimize the transit time to the sites (ie. long bus rides). Again, It really depends on what's important to you. If you want a large casino, to shop for used designer handbags and/or used watches onboard, or to buy artwork at the Park West art auction - then Celebrity is your ticket.

 

 

 

[Staci0615]

4 hours ago, billc23 said:

Yes, it really depends on what's important to you. (1) Celebrity entertainment is more high tech/spectacular and Silversea has to rely on the talent of the performer. (2) Silversea's included shore excursions are superior to Celebrity's. The bus that can transport 48 passengers usually has fewer than 24 - often 12 to 16. I'm currently on a Silversea sailing, Singapore to Hong Kong, to be directly followed by a Celebrity sailing, Hong Kong to Singapore. No difference in the variety or number of shore excursions between these 2 sailings. 

I do not feel the need to arrange independent tours when traveling on Silversea and I greatly prefer independent arrangements when traveling on Celebrity. (3) Celebrity has many more activities while Silversea has something going on all the time but not the variety that Celebrity has. (4) The cost... very similar to Retreat pricing without considering the included alcohol or shore excursions. More formal dress for sure - but many dining options that are casual too. Definitely an older crowd by about 10 years and fewer kids. No specific kids club. 

 

Celebrity has a class system that is very apparent - Silversea does not, but if you sail in an upper suite there is a small difference in service. The amount of public space on Silversea is much greater relative to the number of passengers. No lines to wait in, easy to get a seat by the pool, and the restaurant choices I listed in a prior post are to accommodate about the same number of passengers as Luminae does on an E class ship. Luminae on E class is more banquet style cooking while on Silversea the food is individually prepared. The logistics of  food preparation in the allotted time that Luminae is open for dinner on an E class ship dictate banquet cooking. 

 

If the reason to cruise around Japan is to see Japan, then I think it is important to look at how long the ship is in port, is it docked or tendered, and which port relative to the visited sites the ship is at to minimize the transit time to the sites (ie. long bus rides). Again, It really depends on what's important to you. If you want a large casino, to shop for used designer handbags and/or used watches onboard, or to buy artwork at the Park West art auction - then Celebrity is your ticket.

 

 

 

One other thing to consider is price point, while princess and celebrity are more class based it gives the opportunity for the lower classes to at least get the opportunity to see Japan.

[billc23]

16 minutes ago, Staci0615 said:

One other thing to consider is price point, while princess and celebrity are more class based it gives the opportunity for the lower classes to at least get the opportunity to see Japan.

I was referring to sailing in the Retreat. Silversea is often cheaper. The class system I do not like is aqua, concierge, retreat, etc. limits where you’re allowed to go on the ship and all that. If you’re not selling in the retreat, celebrity does a great job as does princess and others. My point is that if you plan on sailing in the retreat, there are a lot of options that should be considered at a similar or often lower price.

[zitsky]

I like the “class system” on Celebrity.  Everyone chooses what they can afford.  

I like kids.  I usually give them a nickel to get my drinks for me.  You wouldn’t believe what kids will do for a nickel these days!

 

I appreciate the advice about Silver Sea.  If you put a lot of older, richer people on a boat, how is that not a class system?  

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, Staci0615 said:

One other thing to consider is price point, while princess and celebrity are more class based it gives the opportunity for the lower classes to at least get the opportunity to see Japan.

Uh we don’t say “lower classes” anymore.   We just say “non-suite pax”.  Are there any trailer park reunions on board?  I could tell stories.

Edited February 29 by zitsky

[ggo85]

The OP asked for options for Japan.  If the goal is to get there in the cheapest way possible, lots of options make that possible.  No question X and others will be cheaper than a luxury line at probably all levels below Retreat.  Thus, if cost is the primary motivator, X is the better option.

 

If you're looking at the Retreat level (even the entry Sky Suites), some luxury lines will be priced competitively given their "all inclusive" approach.  At that point, one needs to decide whether they want the "large ship" mainstream line experience or the small ship, luxury line experience.  There are pros and cons to each; the decision really depends on the experience an individual cruiser is seeking.

[zitsky]

You’ve all given me a lot to think about. I will research options.  We’ll decide in January after our next cruise.

[DaKahuna]

12 hours ago, zitsky said:

I like kids.  I usually give them a nickel to get my drinks for me.  You wouldn’t believe what kids will do for a nickel these days!

 

 Can you loan me a couple of yours?  Our grandkids don't do anything for less than $5.00.  🙂

 

 

[NMTraveller]

13 hours ago, zitsky said:

Uh we don’t say “lower classes” anymore.   We just say “non-suite pax”.  Are there any trailer park reunions on board?  I could tell stories.

Tell stories...

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, NMTraveller said:

Tell stories...

You know what happens when you mix flood waters with a trailer park full of propane and oil tanks?  Things go boom.  You really can mix Fire and Water.  Look up “Johnstown Flood 1977” on Wikipedia.  

[billc23]

23 hours ago, zitsky said:

I like the “class system” on Celebrity.  Everyone chooses what they can afford.  

I like kids.  I usually give them a nickel to get my drinks for me.  You wouldn’t believe what kids will do for a nickel these days!

 

I appreciate the advice about Silver Sea.  If you put a lot of older, richer people on a boat, how is that not a class system?  

I hope that my comments were of some value to you and will give insight into what other cruise lines offer.

 

The class system I am referring to is when people are treated differently depending on how much money they spend. Big time on Celebrity. Not true on most lux lines. When I read comments on the Celebrity board it comes across that big spenders on Celebrity like to be noticed. 

[zitsky]

2 hours ago, billc23 said:

I hope that my comments were of some value to you and will give insight into what other cruise lines offer.

 

The class system I am referring to is when people are treated differently depending on how much money they spend. Big time on Celebrity. Not true on most lux lines. When I read comments on the Celebrity board it comes across that big spenders on Celebrity like to be noticed. 

If you want everyone to pay the same price and pay the same thing maybe try Viking?

 

Not true on lux lines?  How many of my relatives from the trailer park can afford those lux lines?

[zitsky]

How far ahead would you suggest booking a Japan cruise on the Millie?  Since prices go up and down.  It probably wouldn’t be the popular cherry blossom cruises, too cold.  But would you book now and/or when the schedule is published or wait to see if prices go down?  We would probably book Aqua class.  It depends how our next cruise on Millie goes in the Retreat.

 

Am I right if you book through Celebrity and the price changes before final payment that you can get a price adjustment?

[DaKahuna]

57 minutes ago, zitsky said:

How far ahead would you suggest booking a Japan cruise on the Millie?  Since prices go up and down.  It probably wouldn’t be the popular cherry blossom cruises, too cold.  But would you book now and/or when the schedule is published or wait to see if prices go down?  We would probably book Aqua class.  It depends how our next cruise on Millie goes in the Retreat.

 

 I would recommend booking as soon as booking become available.  I would also recommend doing an onboard booking if at all possible.  It seems the better prices are usually with earlier bookings.   Then you can monitor for price drops -- they do not always happen but you get lucky occasionally. 

 

57 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

Am I right if you book through Celebrity and the price changes before final payment that you can get a price adjustment?

 

That has been our experience, though I have not seen very many price drops lately.  Increases seem more prevalent. 

 

[zitsky]

28 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I would recommend booking as soon as booking become available.  I would also recommend doing an onboard booking if at all possible.  It seems the better prices are usually with earlier bookings.   Then you can monitor for price drops -- they do not always happen but you get lucky occasionally. 

 

 

That has been our experience, though I have not seen very many price drops lately.  Increases seem more prevalent. 

 

Thanks.  Since we will be on the Millie in January it will be the perfect time to see if we like the ship.  The only thing I may miss is Murano.  But if they offer the Daniel Boulud dinner maybe that will make it up for it.

[krobb1053]

On 2/29/2024 at 10:27 PM, zitsky said:

You know what happens when you mix flood waters with a trailer park full of propane and oil tanks?  Things go boom.  You really can mix Fire and Water.  Look up “Johnstown Flood 1977” on Wikipedia.  

I lived through that flood. Watched propane tanks hitting a bridge and blowing up.

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

Thanks.  Since we will be on the Millie in January it will be the perfect time to see if we like the ship.  The only thing I may miss is Murano.  But if they offer the Daniel Boulud dinner maybe that will make it up for it.

 

 We did 15-days on Millennium last year and did miss Murano as Tuscan was nothing to write home about.  Had a better steak in Luminae to be honest.  Best thing was I found a wine that I had not seen in Luminae that was recommended by our Tuscan waiter and I liked it.  Started ordering it in Luminae as well.  

 

 I plan to challenge the Luminae Sommelier again this upcoming cruise -- red wines each day with no repeats unless I specifically ask.  Did that on a B2B and it was fun.  The Sommelier, Shiraz, was up to the challenge and I was not displeased with any of his selections.  That was on Reflection in 2021 just after she started sailing again. 

 

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, krobb1053 said:

I lived through that flood. Watched propane tanks hitting a bridge and blowing up.

 

I was 10 years old and got out when the water was up to my waist.  I didn't see it, but I heard the story from someone that a neighbor went back and saw all the tanks exploding and the trailers on fire.  I got poison ivy a few days before this happened and in all the excitement I lost whatever medicine I had for it, and we couldn't see a doctor right away.  It was irritating to say the least.