Best of Japan - Millennium 5/2 - 5/15

[Northern Aurora]

3 hours ago, macaroni said:

All this information has been so appreciated as we will be on this itinerary next April 2025. Would be interested in the arrival procedure back to Tokyo….what time self disembarking begins, how long thru any Immigration or custom lines and what transportation options there are to Haneda Airport and how long it takes. Are there taxis readily available or should we prebook? There will be 6 adults traveling together. Thank you again.

 

At the end of our B2B we departed the ship in April at the Osanbashi terminal (we embarked on March 28th at a different terminal).  We were one of the last ones off the ship.  There was a line at  customs (and we did have to flash our passports once again).  There was probably a longer wait to get a taxi to go to Haneda then the wait to reach the head of the customs line.  Lots of taxis of various sizes, but a taxi for six may be an issue so you may want to pre-book a van.  Travel time to Haneda was about 35 minutes, and our taxi cost 10,000 yen.  Given the exchange rate at the time this was cheaper than the Celebrity motor coach transfer which, if my memory is correct, was about US$50 per person.  So many folks assume the motor coach transfers are cheaper and we find that it is often not true.

[monkey@cruise]

44 minutes ago, scorfman said:

Yes now inside the terminal. There we a lot of officers and stations and it went fast for us. New finger print, photo, and sticker also.

 

thank you so much for the transport info to Tokyo. Thanks to you we will try the metro!

Big improvement on Hakodate terminal 👍.

 

Shinjuku-sanchome Station is off from Shinjuku major drag, not as super crowded inside Shinjuku station. Ride in the last carriage on a train, won't obstruct anyone. If you prefer not hauling luggage too far, then taxi to Yokohama station and ride
Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Shinjuku Station, 37 min, ¥580, every 15 min.

 

Here is the metro timetable from Nihon-odori station
https://www.mm21railway.co.jp/station/timestable/nihonodori/pdf/nihonodori_timeschedule.pdf
Red is the limit express train (16 stops), orange is commuter express (11 stops), black is regular (27 stops). 

[monkey@cruise]

4 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

At the end of our B2B we departed the ship in April at the Osanbashi terminal (we embarked on March 28th at a different terminal).  We were one of the last ones off the ship.  There was a line at  customs (and we did have to flash our passports once again).  There was probably a longer wait to get a taxi to go to Haneda then the wait to reach the head of the customs line.  Lots of taxis of various sizes, but a taxi for six may be an issue so you may want to pre-book a van.  Travel time to Haneda was about 35 minutes, and our taxi cost 10,000 yen.  Given the exchange rate at the time this was cheaper than the Celebrity motor coach transfer which, if my memory is correct, was about US$50 per person.  So many folks assume the motor coach transfers are cheaper and we find that it is often not true.

It depends how many ships in port. If a mega cruise also dock at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal, will be a constraint on transport resources. Also your disembark timing,  later is less crowd. If travel solo, sometimes is cheaper to use the ship transfer. For two person, taxi fare to YCAT + Airport Bus to Haneda Airport is 3,500 yen (bus runs every 20 min, 30 min bus time), an hour travel time.

[monkey@cruise]

1 hour ago, scorfman said:

Yes very interesting? There is even a video inside showing them moving it!

Himeji Castle, an hour train from Kobe.

[monkey@cruise]

36 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 This post will be too late for @scorfman but in 2018 when left the Millennium we spent five very busy days in Tokyo.  Our Shinjuku hotel (the Hilton) arranged a private driver who picked us up from Osanbashi and drove us to the hotel.  I don't remember the price, but it wasn't anywhere as high as we had been led to expect.  There are other hotels in the world that when I contact them for a price for a private driver/transfer the price is actually very reasonable.

After COVID, many services are no longer available. If you pay 10,000 yen from Osanbashi to Haneda, then to Shinjuku will near 20,000 yen.

[Pushka]

So maybe a weird question. We arrived into Kobe at 12 noon and plan to make our own way to Himeji Castle by train. I'm just wondering what time it will be dark in Japan in late April? It's an overnight in Kobe so no risk in getting back late. We are staying in Kyoto a few days prior to cruise so no need to try to get to Osaka/kyoto on the cruise and we also don't have a port call in Osaka which was a little disappointing. But a land trip will make up for it. 

Edited May 14 by Pushka

[monkey@cruise]

3 hours ago, Pushka said:

So maybe a weird question. We arrived into Kobe at 12 noon and plan to make our own way to Himeji Castle by train. I'm just wondering what time it will be dark in Japan in late April? It's an overnight in Kobe so no risk in getting back late. We are staying in Kyoto a few days prior to cruise so no need to try to get to Osaka/kyoto on the cruise and we also don't have a port call in Osaka which was a little disappointing. But a land trip will make up for it. 

April Sun Set Time is around 6:30pm   Kaesong time: From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (gate closes at 4:00 p.m.) https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/castle/index.htm
Note:
Daitenshu (Main donjon) and in the building in Nishinomaru (Square)Hyakken roka are prohibited of wearing shoes. Be environmental friendly, bring your own plastic bag / shoe bag for your shoes. Wear non-slip socks because wood floorings are polished.

 

Kobe Cruise Terminal to Himeji castle:

Cruise ship will dock at Kobe Port terminal, Metro Line Portliner Port Terminal is next to the cruise terminal, 7 min ride to Sannomiya Station, fare ¥210. 

From JR Sannomiya Station, take Tokaido Sanyo Line to Himeji Station. fare ¥990, 40 min travel, runs  every 15 min

 

Turn right after exit the metro station:

 

Turn right down to JR station lobby

 

Platform 3-4  train to Himeji direction

 

Timetable between noon and 2pm: Limited Express to Himeji,  Blue color minute time, leave :07, :22, :37, :52.    5 stops only

 

Himeji transport Guide:

https://www.himeji-kanko.jp/files_foreign/pdf/transportation_guide.pdf

Either walk 20 min or pay 100 yen bus fare for 1 stop to Himeji Castle

 

Timetable between 4-7pm depart from Himeji station to Sannomiya Station

Any limited express with blue color minutes, also 5 stops

 

I can read some Japanese, so I can ride public transport without problem.

 

Have Fun !

 

 

Edited May 14 by monkey@cruise

[DaKahuna]

I apologize for slacking off, but I took full advantage of yesterday‘s sea day to catch up on my naps that I have been missing.  

 

After the weather aborted the feeble attempt to get folks together at the Sunset Bar, I went down to the Rendevous Lounge and attended @petite fleur sake presentation.  It was very informative and covered some things that were not covered during our sake tasting experience.  She’s very knowledgeable and you can tell she is passionate about what she does.  

 

After that event, I went to bed for a nice nap and slept until dinner time.  

 

Dinner in Luminae was our second lobster night.  

 

For her starter my DW had — no surprises here — French Onion Soup

 

 

And I had, again no surprise, the Caesar salad

 

 

For her main course my wife went with the seared scallops - 

 

 

And I had the scallops with a lobster tail on the side.. no sauce 

 

 

Then came some palate cleansers - I got the chocolate, the DW got the non-chocolate items

 

 

And then we had our desserts — hers was an orange something 

 

 

and I had the baked Alaska 

 

 

After dinner it was a stop in the casino to take some OBC out of our account before retiring for the night. 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

The seas calmed quite a bit yesterday afternoon and by last night it was not as rough as it had been leaving Aomori.  We arrived in Shimizu bright and early this morning and we were amazed to step out on our balcony to this view. 

 

 

 

 

Passengers who booked this cruise to see Mt Fuji can certainly check that block.  Some of the best weather we have had so far, although it is very windy, the skies are nice and clear.  

 

We had a leisurely breakfast in Luminae and then went ashore to do some shopping. 

 

 

Here is basically where we started. 

 

 

 

The wife decided she wanted a sandwich from 7-11 so Google Maps found us one .7 miles away so we took a leisurely stroll there.  Picked up some sandwiches, no egg salad for those that are curious, also picked up some other snacks she wanted as well as a little gift for our Retrat Bartender.

 

Then we returned to the Food Terrace at the S-Plus mall

 

 

On the recommendation of my son, I ordered a shrimp ‘burger’ from the McDonalds.  Not something I would go out of my way to have again. 

 

 

AFter finishing lunch we decided to head back to the ship. We went down to the 1st floor and found a grocery mall and so of course shopping was in order. 

 

 

 

Then we proceeded back to the ship .. 

 

 

 

 

 

And that brings us up to date.  

 

My DW is in the room starting to organize our things and beginning the packing the processs and I am being a dutiful husband and am sitting in the in the Lounge having a diet soda and staying out of her way. 

 

Oh - the sandwich choices as 7-11.  I had the BLT, my DW had the ham and cheese. 

 

 

 

Edited May 14 by DaKahuna

[Pushka]

I can see myself reading this thread many times over in the next few months and Thankyou to everyone who has contributed to it. 
 

Our first experience in Aqua Sky suite but have been in Aqua and regular balcony. Just wondering if kettles are provided in the sky rooms. Also curious to see how celebrity merges the Aqua experience with sky suites. 
 

[DaKahuna]

 

2 minutes ago, Pushka said:

Just wondering if kettles are provided in the sky rooms. Also curious to see how celebrity merges the Aqua experience with sky suites. 

 

Provided No — Available upon request YES.  

 

We always ask for one as we enjoy green tea that we bring with us as well as my favorite instant coffee.  

 

Wish I could help with the Aqua experience but we did not take advance of any of that.  My understanding is that you get all the amenities you receive had you book an Aqua room in addition to all the benefits of being in the Retreat in a Sky Class suite. 

 

 

[monkey@cruise]

41 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 

 

Tamiya Headquarters is in Shizuoka, 8 miles from Shimizu cruise terminal.

When I was teen, mostly bought Tamiya model kits, not Revell.

 

I like the strawberry fruit sandwich from Japan convenience stores.

 

[DaKahuna]

@Jim_Iain Look at what I found when I went by Cafe al Bacio earlier this afternoon. 

 

 

 Interestingly enough, they had the chocolate ones also - But a shot while later both the Lemon and Chocolate made an appearance in the Retreat Lounge — life is good. 

 

[DaKahuna]

This after noon, the clouds moved in for a short while and our view of Mt Fuji was somewhat deteriorated.  

 

 

 

Thankfully, the clouds cleared out and Mt Fuji is resplendent in all her glory once again.

 

 

I have been under the impression that all of the Viking Cruises cruise ships were red. 

This appearnetly is not the case — here is one that is all white sailing out of Shimizu. 

 

 

 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

 This is the saddest part of the cruise.  This paperwork arrived last night and we have just completed packing two of our three bags.  We’ll finish the 3rd one and set it outside after dinner this evening.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made a new discovery today.  In the past we had always received envelops to use for providing additional gratuities to crew members, should we choose to do so.  It now seems that feedback Celebrity received from guest that it was like they were “begging” for additional gratuities so, if you want to use an envelop to give extra gratuities to a crew member or a team, you either bring your own envelopes or you can request them from Guest Services or the Retreat Concierge.  I was not aware of this until I went an asked earlier today.  

 

Between this practice and the lack of pre-paid gratuities included with Retreat bookings, I feel that only the crew will suffer.  We’ve always made it a practice to pre-pay gratuities if they are not included in our bookings. 

 

 

[Pushka]

40 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

This after noon, the clouds moved in for a short while and our view of Mt Fuji was somewhat deteriorated.  

 

 

 

Thankfully, the clouds cleared out and Mt Fuji is resplendent in all her glory once again.

 

 

I have been under the impression that all of the Viking Cruises cruise ships were red. 

This appearnetly is not the case — here is one that is all white sailing out of Shimizu. 

 

 

 

 

 

There used to be another line called Viking something but Viking Cruises are white. We've been on three now. They are excellent. But expensive. 

[Honolulu Blue]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I made a new discovery today.  In the past we had always received envelops to use for providing additional gratuities to crew members, should we choose to do so.  It now seems that feedback Celebrity received from guest that it was like they were “begging” for additional gratuities so, if you want to use an envelop to give extra gratuities to a crew member or a team, you either bring your own envelopes or you can request them from Guest Services or the Retreat Concierge.  I was not aware of this until I went an asked earlier today.  

 

Between this practice and the lack of pre-paid gratuities included with Retreat bookings, I feel that only the crew will suffer.  We’ve always made it a practice to pre-pay gratuities if they are not included in our bookings. 

I've done almost 30 cruises on several cruise lines over the past decade, including several on Celebrity.  The one and only time I received an envelope in the cabin was this year on Royal Caribbean.  It was a charter cruise, with slightly different "mandatory" gratuity rules, but still...

 

 

To me it was a reminder of the not-so-good old days of the cruising when the gratuity rules were much murkier - part of the reason why I wasn't cruising then.

 

Sorry for the distraction.  I'm sure you have some more stories to tell about this trip.  Please tell them!  I've found it all to be a very fun ride.

[monkey@cruise]

15 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

We did Hakodate immigration on one of our cruises this spring, and it was done in a long rectangular room in the cruise terminal.  Very quick and smooth, but I will admit that we are Zenith loyalty members who cruise in Suites so we were escorted off the ship and directly into the terminal.  Another photo, finger prints and another stamp in the passport.  Their country, their rules.  We just go with the flow.

The Hakodate cruise terminal and Wakamatsu Wharf Quay were built during COVID, the building wasn't ready last year, that's why we have to process onboard. From the gangway, you through the enclosed walkway into the building for the immigration and customs? Can you recall how many counters they have?  In Kagoshima, there are 5 counters and was able to clear the ship in a reasonable time.

 

[StopTheWorld]

Thank you to all the contributors on this live. I’m sailing on a similar itinerary on October and all of the information provided has been most useful 😊 I hope everyone has a safe onwards journey. 

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

Can you recall how many counters they have? 

 

I did not count but I would say there had to be at least 10 to 12 positions open and processing people. 

[DaKahuna]

I wish there was something more interesting that what we had for dinner but unfortunately there is not.   We packed up 90% of our clothes and gifts before heading down for dinner.  We had a nice final night dinner in Luminae and both of us were so full neither of us finished our food.  

 

My wife had her usual French Onion Soup and also had the Grilled Asparagas starter and I ordered the spinach salad from the Blu menu.  It was delicious.

 

 

For her main course my DW ordered the chicken 

 

 

And I had the barramundi 

 

 

And because I thought it would be a good idea, ordered the fettuccine for us to share 

 

 

A very typical case of letting our minds order vs our stomach’s.  In any case, other than the starters, nothing was finished.  We hate to waste good food but there is a limit. 

 

After dinner we went for a final drink at the Martini Bar  

 

A basil for my wife and a Mexicali for me (her’s is on the right).

 

 

I finished before her and then ended the night with an espresso.  

 

 

We’ve just gone under the Yokohama Bay bridge and made the swing around and are presently backing into the Osanbashi pier and terminal.  

 

It’s off to a final breakfast, here in half an hour before vacating our room and heading to the Retreat Lounge to hang out until we can’t delay departure any longer.  

 

We’ll be spending the next three days at the Westin in Yokohama before flying home on Saturday.  

 

Thanks to all my fellow cruisers whose contributions to this journey have help immensely.  

As no one can see and do everything that this cruise has to offer, there is just so much interesting culture, events, food, activities, etc.  I foresee a multi day/week land trip in our future visits to Japan. 

 

 

[monkey@cruise]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I did not count but I would say there had to be at least 10 to 12 positions open and processing people. 

Thanks, This will be quick, can clear the whole ship in 2 hours. Hakodate is not a wealthy but conservative city, very few shopping malls and department stores. If the city want to earn tourist $$$, act fast!

 

 

They can tell I am a tourist because I am not in kimono outfit. 

[DaKahuna]

We’ve been sitting in the Retreat Lounge since around 0650.  The ship was cleared and suit passengers were told their bags were ready around 0722.

 

it’s going pretty fast and they are up to bags number 11 and 12 which are airport transfers. 
 

So it seems things are progressing smoothly.  We are going to try and wait it out until around 0900-0915 and then grab a taxi to our hotel. 
 

[hcat]

14 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

This after noon, the clouds moved in for a short while and our view of Mt Fuji was somewhat deteriorated.  

 

 

 

Thankfully, the clouds cleared out and Mt Fuji is resplendent in all her glory once again.

 

 

I have been under the impression that all of the Viking Cruises cruise ships were red. 

This appearnetly is not the case — here is one that is all white sailing out of Shimizu. 

 

 

 

 

you lucked out with amazing views!  great pics!

 

[debfed65]

5 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

We’ve been sitting in the Retreat Lounge since around 0650.  The ship was cleared and suit passengers were told their bags were ready around 0722.

 

it’s going pretty fast and they are up to bags number 11 and 12 which are airport transfers. 
 

So it seems things are progressing smoothly.  We are going to try and wait it out until around 0900-0915 and then grab a taxi to our hotel. 
 

Is your hotel in Yokohama or Tokyo ?  I’m still undecided where to stay pre-cruise….