natefish95

After my spa day, I went back to the hotel, showered and took the metro over to Osaka castle and walked around the grounds for a bit. I don’t know if you’d call this full bloom, but the cherry blossoms are definitely in bloom. 
 

I am such a great planner (not) that I totally knew I needed to be her at sunset. Perfect timing.

5 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Why can’t people with tattoos go to the spa?

From what I’ve read, and been told by some others, tattoos are associated with gangs I believe (like the yakuza), so they don’t want anyone with tattoos visiting. There are special onsens that do allow people with tattoos. 

Going to spa world today was a great choice! 1500 yen to enter and you get use of all the spas, saunas, and hot tubs you could imagine. I got a 30 minute body scrub for 3600 yen which was well worth it. I feel like a smooth baby dolphin. 
 

For those in DC, King Spa Chantilly is a great place to go for a body scrub and relaxation. 

No gangsters, please (or tattoos)

A fresh OJ vending machine for 500 yen (did not try it out)

One quick note: I used my Delta AmEx to buy the Shinkansen ticket and Japanese Advil with no issues. I’ve heard some credit cards don’t work well here, but that one has been doing just fine so far. 

Took the Osaka metro to Shin Osaka and came to the conclusion I’ll be taking a taxi instead of dealing with all of that with a 60 pound suitcase. 
 

Morning rush hour was so crowded but most signs were in English and the Apple Maps transit feature was helpful. 
 

Since I was at Shin-Osaka, I purchased my Shinkansen(bullet train( ticket for Sunday. I was able to buy a Green class (first class) ticket for $125 including a dedicated space to put my large suitcase. 
 

I’ve run into a bit of an issue with ATMs. I tried using the 7-11 ATMs but the transaction wouldn’t go through. I called Bank of America and they said my card is fine but they didn’t recognize the transaction type. Went to another bank in Namba and it wouldn’t read my card. I found a place to exchange money, so I’ll just go there even though I’m sure the rate won’t great. 
 

i also struggled to find a pharmacy to get something for my headache. That type of stuff isn’t at 7-11. Finally found an open pharmacy in Namba and got some “Eve” (there’s another product name called “Adam”. 
 

Despite language barriers, everyone has been super nice! 

ANA bento on a 50 minute flight 

the “oscillate” button was unexpected….

Morning folks! It’s about 6am here in Japan and I just woke up. Let’s catch up from where I left off. 
 

I flew ANA down to Osaka in priority class mostly because it included a free checked bag and I wanted to see if they really do serve a meal for a 50 minute flight. I’ve flown between NYC and DC a lot which is a similar difference and you’re lucky if you even get a drink. 
 

Happy to report I did in fact get a bento, a full sized water bottle, and some Coke Zero. 
 

I had no idea what anything was in the bento but ate most of it anyways and it was decent. Afterwards I checked one of the papers served with it, and it explained what each square was. Forever grateful I have no food allergies and can just dig in. 
 

Landed in Osaka-Itami on time. Grabbed my bag and headed to bus stop number 10 to get the HK airport limousine bus to Namba. This bus was 650 yen ($4) and I paid using my Suica card in my Apple Wallet. A taxi would have been $50-100 according to my Uber app. 
 

The bus’s second stop is the Namba station and it was then only a 5-10 minute walk to my hotel, the Fairfield Osaka-Namba. 
 

Lovely hotel with everything you need. I’ve heard Japanese business hotels are cheaper, but I’m a Marriott guy. The room even has a famous Japanese toilet. Y’all…all I’m going to say is that it was an EXPERIENCE. 
 

I passed out about 9pm and had a much needed 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. 
 

Today the plan is 7-11 breakfast, taking the metro to Shin-Osaka station and back (want to see what the trip is like and if it’s doable with a big suitcase or if I should get a taxi on Sunday), and then going to Spa World to relax and maybe get a massage or body scrub. Depending on when I’m done there, I’ll walk around and see Osaka castle and see what I see in that area. 

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

This is another itinerary on our bucket list ahead for 2025 or 26, thank you for sharing and taking your time to do this & post.  Can you share how WiFi networks in Japan are, local cellular & data services, and onboard, ship's WiFi and whether StarLink has rolled out ... in addition to dining, shows & other onboard activities.  Post these if and when you can. Wishing you a great cruise ahead, safe & healthy traveling abroad. 

 

👍 With thanks & much obliged 👏

While in Japan, I’m going to use my AT&T international plan, which is $10 a day for unlimited talk, text, and data. Working well so far!

5 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Thank you for taking us along on your journey. Have you ever been to Japan before? We cruised there last year and had a fantastic time. I hope you do, too!

This is my first time to Japan and first time in Asia! Loving it so far. 

I’ve landed in Osaka and I’m taking a bus to Namba. The bus was 650 yen (~$4) but a taxi would have been almost $50. My hotel is only a short walk from the Namba station…I think. 
 

I already had my Suica card loaded in my Apple wallet, so I was just able to tap that on the bus as I boarded. Super easy

3 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Where do you disembark?

I get kicked off in Seward. I booked an NCL transfer from Seward to the Anchorage airport. It was a bit difficult finding transportation options since it’s a bit early in the season, and the ones I did find, were the same price as NCL ($75)

1 minute ago, YVRteacher said:

Eagerly following! We don’t often see lives from this itinerary so thank you!

 

Have a wonderful time on the Jewel!

Thanks for following! That's mostly why I'm doing it since it's a unique itinerary (and you don't get many reviews on the Jewel in general). 

Hopefully this works

Arrived in Tokyo early and then spent about 45 minutes to an hour in line at Customs. There were several flights from China that landed ahead of our flight from Atlanta, so the line was pretty long. Before the flight the Delta app prompted me to fill out an online declaration form, which will then generate a QR code. I did not do that, but was able to pick up a declaration form before getting in line (don't forget to pack a pen!) 

Customs was extremely painless. International arrivals come into terminal 3. My connecting domestic flight is on ANA, so i took the free shuttle bus to terminal 2 (very easy to find with the signs in English). There is a domestic check-in area located in terminal 3, but it didn't open until 15:00. 

For my ANA flight, the app was not working for me at all. When I checked in (prompted via an email) I added my boarding pass to my Apple Wallet, which was a GREAT decision. The bag drop is a bit different than anything I've seen, so I had a staff member help me. You put it on a stand, scan your pass, and then a baggage tag prints out. Unlike US bag tags, where you pull a tab and stick it to the other side, these have a special material at the ends that you just have to press together. Once the bag is approved (by the machine) the door closes and the bag flips into the nether until I see it in Osaka. 

I'm flying ANA priority class since it included a free checked bag. There is a special security area for priority and there was no line. I didn't have to take my laptop out and brought through an entire bottle of water. I like Japanese TSA but that US TSA. 

I've heard there is a lounge with showers, but the lounge attendant said there isn't. I'll be at my hotel soon enough, so not the biggest deal. I'm having a beer (maybe Sapporo?) that was poured automatically and will see what food I can find. 

All is going well so far!

Made it to Tokyo! Taxiing to the gate now, then customs/immigration. I have about 4.5 hours until my ANA flight to Osaka. 

Good (time of day)

Just woke up over Alaska with about 7 hours to go. So far everything has been great. The Japanese food and the ice cream sundae were delicious. Trying to decide on what to watch now. We might lose wifi service once we exit Alaskan airspace, so I might catch back up with yall from the ground in Tokyo. 
 

zensai appetizers 

main dish (beef sukiyaki)

ice cream!

5 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

24 hours on a plane...doesn't sound fun.

Plane is about 17 hours in total (2 hours to ATL, 14 hours to Tokyo, and then 1 hour to Osaka). I had a 2 hour layover in Atlanta and have about 4 hours in Tokyo.

Let’s see how strong this in flight wifi is

My flight to Tokyo is about to push back. I’m spoiled in Delta One yall. This will be just fine. 

2 hours ago, lepidoptera said:

I am super excited to read this review! I booked this cruise in January of 2022 and had been day dreaming and planning. Ended up having to cancel since my niece was due during the trip (she ended up being born a week early so is already here). I was hoping someone would do a live review! So excited can’t wait to read all about it!

I remember seeing your screen name in the roll call. Hope you enjoy the review and that mom and new baby are both happy and healthy!

The guy in front of me ordered a mimosa, so I felt compelled to join him. 
 

I am, however, judging the person behind me who asked for whiskey neat at 5:30am.

Next stop: Atlanta! 

Sustenance secured

Welp, that's enough talking to myself on a public forum. I'll continue this review from my phone (maybe). Chick Fil-A opens in 5 minutes (I think) and I board in 20 minutes (I know that for sure). Sayonara! 

Itinerary

So today is April 2nd and I'm flying to Japan (duh). The plan is travel over land for about a week and then board the ship in Tokyo on April 10th. As fas as Delta Air Lines is concerned, my final destination is Tokyo, but I'm actually hopping on a quick ANA flight down to Osaka, where I'll be spending four nights. The first full day is going to be a "wake up when I wake up" day, walk around Osaka and check out a Japanese onsen (or sento-I forget the difference). The next full day is a day trip to Kyoto with the next day being a day trip to Nara and a food tour. 

Then I'm taking the shinkansen (bullet train) up to Tokyo where I'll spend 3 nights. 1 full day is a Mt Fuji trip and the next full day is a "take the subway to different places and get lost" day. I have another food tour booked in Tokyo too, but I just love food.

The Japanese ports on this sailing are Sendai (maybe docking in Ishinomaki?), Hakodate, Aomori, and Kushiro (late addition). We then have FIVE sea days in a row, stop in Dutch Harbor (I hear docking there can be dicey), sea day, and then our final day is in Kodiak, AK. We get back to Seward on April 22nd where I have an NCL transfer booked to the Anchorage airport ($75). The plan is to store my luggage at ANC and go to the Alaskan aviation museum or head into downtown. I was in Anchorage last summer, but got there 27 hours later than planned after Delta cancelled my flights, so I didn't see much of the city. I have a big love/hate relationship with Delta. 

For shore excursions, I didn't book any through NCL because I didn't want to sell my kidneys on the black market. Seriously, $300 for a 4 hour sightseeing excursion? Absof***inglutely not. Something in the water down in Miami y'all. I'm a big wanderer and have a general list of things I want to see in each port, so that's the plan. It's so difficult to find things to do in Dutch Harbor this early in the season, so I'll just see what comes up. For Kodiak, I booked a half day off-roading/sightseeing excursion through a local guide. Again, it's still early in the season, so if the weather isn't great, that may not happen. 

My pre-cruise tours were all booked through Viator. After each one I will (maybe) give a quick rundown of the tour and will (maybe) provide links (if that's even allowed on this site). 

To introduce myself, I'm Nate and I'm from Washington DC (I actually live in Arlington but claiming DC is easiest), but I'm originally from Georgia and will always claim Atlanta as my hometown. I'm in my late 20s and love to cruise and travel solo. I keep all my cruises in my signature, so I can remember which ones I take. Ever since I graduated college in 2018 (Go Jackets!!) I've been trying to cruise as often as I can. Thankfully Uncle Sam lets me escape my cubicle pretty often. 

There's a bit of a backstory as to how this trip came about that y'all probably don't care about, but I'll share anyway because this cruise was definitely not on my wish list or on my radar...until it was. Last summer I got a hefty flight credit after volunteering to take a later flight back to DC. The number had a comma and I only got back DC 2ish hours later than originally planned. I could have used that to book all my flights the rest of the year...or I can do something I wouldn't have done otherwise. The gate agent in Montana said someone last week used their credit to go to Chile. South America could be cool... Or... I could go to Asia. I debated between Seoul and Tokyo, but then I was searching cruises and found this cruise. I could fly into Tokyo using my flight credit...and I could use 2 CruiseNext certificates for a very reasonably priced interior stateroom (including Free at Sea because obviously). So long story short, I booked this cruise about 7 months ago and I've been planning (off and on) ever since.