AKJonesy

Japan is extremely strict and for some medications, you have to fill out an official form, submit it, and get it approved before entering which is what we are finding out now. Plus, medication needs to show the name of the prescription, doctor's name, etc. This is what I am currently working on for our trip to Japan.

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/ships/deckbydeck.php?ship=Rotterdam&deck=1 https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/1095-koningsdam/

No need to further comment unless for benefit of others. I don't use debit cards and amazingly have gotten by all of these decades! My nephew also recently traveled to Japan and had some leftover Yen so I took that off his hands for a great exchange rate that he offered.

I ended up finding the email for the Ministry of Health and wow, both times they responded to email right away. Unfortunately, we have to fill out the official form and get that approved for an injectable. Oh well. I'm also submitting my husband's other prescription and will ask about that. From what I read, not every drug is listed on the site. I'm just going to be better safe than sorry.

We did 31 day in South America end of 2023. On day 28 I was ready to go home. On that trip, I was preparing for my pilot's license and used a lot of time studying. I took a different approach to Lido on that trip promising to try everything instead of sticking to entrees I would generally like. I'm not a Pinnacle fan because the food is too heavy for me personally, but my husband enjoyed the lunches there a few times. We also ate at Canaletto twice and of course, MDR. We had some pop up activities which was nice. I probably would not do anything over 30 days unless it was port heavy. I like to get out and take a look around.

@2inSETexas and @I like vacation nothing personal I am asking you to disclose, but are either of you taking prescription medication with you to Japan?. I'm trying to suss that out and not sure about the language and pre authorized form, if the doctors letter is required, etc. I did get an answer on supplements, but they didn't answer regarding bringing those in original containers or what. So I will have to write back. As far as supplements, they are fine.

Not to be confused with the Yokohama Cruise Terminals. Perhaps that is obvious to some.

Yes, I think officially, New Sagaya CITY MARKET; not to be confused with midtown. I think when I posted that, I did not have my coffee yet 🙂

Thanks to everyone that posted. I looked into all the suggestions and sadly found that CCs now have a new...well, new since using my card in ATM overseas, that has a hefty charging scheme as @Flatbush Flyermentioned and I confirmed. HND airport does have the machines to use US based cards like Seven Bank (7-11). But, in the end, we are getting a good exchange and have ordered some yen from our bank. I know what the fee is going to be versus wondering in the end, what the fees will be over there. Plus, we are getting mixed currency which will be nice. We decided to get more than enough and can always use the excess when paying off the hotel bill. This is going to be the first time in probably a decade or more having to use local currency even though we traveled outside many many times. Japan has a lot of mom and pops and getting by without yen would've been fairly easy, but then I would not have all of the options available to me in terms of getting around, etc. I see that chip cards like SUICA and PASMO are hard to get your hands on due to chip shortages. So, just another reason to have the Yen in the end. Thanks to all.

@cruiser man 60 As you've probably seen @Suzanne123 showed the excursions. This still leaves a lot of time at HND and I mentioned a few things earlier. Take a look at some you tubers vids. There are some really good and recent vids that give the lay of the land and what to do at airport. You are going to arrive from an excursion very early so I recommend the luggage storage and perhaps the Onsen at the Villa Fontaine. Or, leave your luggage at the cruise terminal. I believe Shinko Pier 8 has those, and the decide on some things to do around Tokyo after disembarkation returning to cruise terminal to collect luggage later in day and make your way to HND airport. I'm saying this not knowing your ability to get around. Also, you have a lot of time to figure it all out, so take a look at those vids. Also, there are going to be a number of us heading over next month and returning the ship to Seattle in May so we'll get a lay of the land. Feel free to reach out again, but make sure to tag me or re-post in a new thread down the line. I just ordered yen for our trip from our bank here as our CCs have a new fee structure that is stupid.

Save money if you choose Holland and go with an Oceanview Room. Holland has those big promenade decks that go around the entire ship and have chairs with blankets (if needed). To me, a balcony, which I have booked many times is a waste of money for Alaska. You are going to want to get out on the deck (s) and have a 360 degree look at things. I think some of the difference other than what has been mentioned from other CCers, is that Seattle is usually more convenient than Vancouver, but it is true about sailing outside of the island and that water can get a little rough.

Go to one of the highly rated discount cruise companies. I have found some cruises highly discounted in last days. Those are usually when kids are in school. I sat in LAX Delta Club once flying to Australia and made a booking not only for a NZ cruise but also for a Latam flight between Auckland and Sydney, booked car and hotel all in about 5 hours with everything confirmed. Obviously, not everyone is going to do that, but I already knew the ship had a lot of open cabins. It works sometimes; it doesn't others. No. You can't call the cruiseline directly and haggle; they don't have the authority. Go to a discount cruiser IMHO.

Have stayed twice at Hyatt Place. They have a bunch of foodie places within a couple hundred yards plus breakfast is included. When you walk in, they have a kiosk to sign up for the cruise shuttle to your berth. I can't recall how much but probably cheaper or on par with a cab. That's Hyatt Place, Fort Lauderdale South and it's right next to Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale.

We used ATT Cellular at Sea cruising from FLL around South America to Buenos Aires for 30 days and cost $100. I can't comment on a data package because we only wanted talk and text. It worked great...as it always has. It's not hard. There are no weird settings. Don't worry about it. ATT gives you all the info you need to make sure you are not roaming. If you want data, I can't tell you.

The last time I had to exchange money was years ago. On my upcoming cruise to Japan, I'm staying only a little more than 24 hours so was just thinking of not exchanging or withdrawing (ATM) any money. I know I could just catch the HAL shuttle from HND to Yokohama, but I'm re-thinking this because we will have 2 port stops in Japan and those mom and pops probably don't take CCs. First, my question is not HOW to exchange or withdraw money and which machines accept which cards, etc. Since I'm giving my CC notice that I'll be out of the country and don't want any hassle when I use the card, I also asked about ATM withdraws and that seems to have changed significantly. I looked into having our bank order some money for us and that seems to be a better way to go. Can any of you who have done either comment on your fees and which might be the better way? Not asking people to comment who haven't looked back at their fees or know what they were. Recent experiences would be more beneficial. Thanks for the info.

Yes, that is why I mentioned the Onsen and luggage storage at the airport. Just because the airport is open, doesn't mean the airline check in is open. At least at HND, there are places to rest and shop and eat on the unsecured side. I know the baggage storage is cheap.

I meant to mention that the HAL transfer to HND is $49 pp. A cab will probably cost you close to that if you don't want to hassle with the bus or rail.

Holland has transfers and excursions, but I don't know the time for the transfer. However, you might check out options for your day at HND airport if you don't want to do an excursion. Keep in mind their airports are not like American airports. At HND there is an Onsen attached to Hotel Villa Fontaine and you can purchase the Onsen without booking a hotel room. Also at HND airport, there are luggage lockers to store your stuff because you probably would not be able to do a check in at your airline. They also have quiet areas and sleeping rooms and more. I think when I was researching a hotel for our LATE arrival into HND, they also had rooms booked for hours vs entire day and that might be a good option. There are many shopping places on the non secured side. I don't know about you, but at the end of my cruise, I sometimes am not interested in another excursion, so I bring this up as an option. I have booked day rooms at hotels so I thought I would mention it.

Just opened up HA website and see on the banner "Free 3rd and 4th Guests", and something new. When you select "See eligible cruises", then it has 378 results. At the top of each eligible cruise and on the map, the "Free Guests 3 and 4 is highlighted". I haven't seen that before. I was kind of surprised on a few of them to see this: 51 day Tales of the South Pacific. I just checked my upcoming Japan Seattle cruise and I'm not in a Triple or Quad and I will be sure to book only a double room in future.

New Sagaya on 13th is .6 mi. Go straight out of the hotel on I Street and walk on I directly to New Sagaya.

What is the date of your disembarkation and departure.

@AliceS That stateroom is below the Bridge and I cannot comment on any sounds coming from that. I'm linking you to 7019 which is right next to 7015 here: https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/7019-rotterdam/ and 7023 which is two doors down. 7023 is on Nieuw Statendam but it's the same stateroom on Rotterdam. https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/7023-nieuw-statendam/

@Northern Aurora @AKStafford I did not consider if there was anyplace other than airport to rent. It looks like where the cruise ship docks and ADQ is quite far. Anything in town? I'm not finding anything. Thanks.

@Northern Aurora @AKStafford I don't mean to coop the thread, but do either of you know how far the rental car is at airport from cruise terminal? We will be crossing from Yokohama to Seattle in May and will be in Kodiak for a stop all day and we want to head out to Fossil Beach, etc. Thanks for any info.

ON ED, the World Stage is on levels 1,2 and 3. Stay away from staterooms on 4 forward of the elevators, and preferably quite a ways back from that first set of elevators. Above the library, shops, photo shop and meeting rooms would be great. I would tend to stay away from the open area on 4 between the 2nd and 3rd elevators because that is the kitchen area. Just about anything on 5, 6, 7 is great except those right next to the bump out elevators. You will hear the "ding" from those if you have a stateroom right next to. We had a stateroom 2 rooms away and heard them. Ouch. Prices are high. I often book last minute and usually nab a good Verandah room like I just did for our Japan trip next month, but that's how I roll. No guarantee.