Mtngirl2

It was a private tour booked by someone in our Cruise Critic group.  Looking back at emails, the name "diedericksxmtours" comes up.  I did a Google search with that info and found the company in St Maarten.  That is all I know!

Bring your own coffee and a French press.  Order a pot of hot water from room service then make your own coffee.  Pack your French press in your carryon.

Look under Holland America's "Know before you go section" on its website.  It highly recommends that your passport is valid for at least 6 months and then outlines the reasons why.  I have had friends traveling outside the US who could not enter some countries because their passports were valid for less than 6 months.  Do your research!  I personally would not travel outside the US with a passport close to expiring.  If your trip is coming up soon, you can get your passport renewed through expediation--see your travel agent for more info or look it up on the US passport website.

In the past, once home after the cruise, I had to cancel 2 cruises I had booked on board with a future cruise consultant.  Those deposits went into what I called my "Holland America bank"--not a real bank, but HA kept the deposits, and I used them both later for a downpayment on another cruise that I completed with HA through my travel agent.  Not the same scenario as yours, but with knowing!

Thank you, but we will be on a different cruise.  I have been doing further research and have found some performances in Tokyo (classical dance, erc).  

Thanks, Fletcher, for all your info and pictures!  I guess my next trip will be to go to Vanuatu and see Bali H'ai!

Thanks so much for your information!

Before we decided to stay in Yokohama, we were going to take a taxi from Tokyo hotel to Tokyo train station, then train to Yokohama train station, and from there a taxi (3 miles) to the port.  That seemed as the least expensive option and doable with our luggage.  Then we had a brainstorm and felt it was an easier option to go from Narita on the bus to the hotel in Yokohama (next to train station), and not have to deal with luggage on the train.  We are planning one day in Tokyo and two days in Yokohama and environs before cruise. Good luck and hope you find a good alternative for you!

True, but if changing planes in HK, take advantage!  If not changing planes and doing a direct flight home, then save HK for another trip!

Host Bonjour, good advice!  I always get a little local currency at the airport in the US before I fly out.  A good security blanket!!  Sometimes flying into a new airport can be confusing with luggage, people everywhere,  and trying to find a taxi or the sign for a ride you have prearranged.  I figure having a bit of cash beforehand is one less thing to worry about, and the next day I can find an atm and get what I need.  Whatever makes you feel comfortable!

I personally enjoy Hong Kong very much!  I have traveled all over Asia and lived and worked there, and I find Hong Kong to be a beautiful city on the water.  It is different than other Asian cities, with its own character.  You could spend at least 2 days there, one day taking the ferries in the harbor, and another day doing an easy city tour.  Don't go all that way without experiencing Hong Kong!  The dim sum alone is worth the visit!!!

I am researching this for my own trip this summer and from what I have read, the limousine bus, like Nakita Express, arrives and departs from the Yokohama train station to Narita.  The Yokohama train station is about 3 miles from the Osanbashi cruise terminal.  We are planning to take a taxi from the Yokohama train station to the cruise terminal.  Look up Nakita Express bus on Google and you will find this info.  Narita to Yokohama train station is about $40 per person.  I have taken this bus before and it is a very comfortable ride.

We will be in Yokohama this summer before a cruise.  Are there any cultural shows in the city (traditional dance, puppets, etc) that anyone has attended, or venues that I might look into?  Thanks!

I was in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in April 2018.  I did a river cruise from Saigon up the Mekong, then Siem Reap, then flew up to Hanoi, then Halong Bay, then to Luang Prang, Laos.  It was warm the whole time, especially in the south.  You get used to it if you plan wisely.  With the river cruise, we were usually out and about early and often back to the boat for lunch, then either cruised or did something later in the afternoon.  When on my own, I tried to get out early, find a cool place for lunch, back to the hotel in the heat of the day, then out late afternoon and evening.  Wear light, breathable clothing, drink lots of water, mosquito protection, and enjoy!  I also kept a paper folding fan in my pack, also one of those little towels that absorb and dry quickly, as well as hand sanitizers, sunscreen, and lysol wipes.  If I had access to a freezer, I would freeze a bottle of water at night and use that during the day, to cool off or drink.  I've traveled the world over, in tropical heat, and have found to take the pace slowly, drink lots of water, wear a hat with a wide brim, and enjoy the adventure!!!😎

Hello!  We will be on a cruise this summer beginning in Yokohama.  We would like to spend one day in Tokyo before the cruise.  We will be staying in Yokohama and plan to take a train into Tokyo for the day.  My other half is 83 and likes to take things slowly, but walks well and loves history.  His first time to Asia, but I have worked and lived in Asia and have been to Japan many times, but not that much to Tokyo.  What should we do for an enjoyable day in Tokyo?? Would love to hear your ideas!  Thanks!!!

I, too, lived in the Gulf for 3 years, and agree with the previous comments.  It is best to err on the conservative side when out and about.  Knee length shorts or long pants, covered shoulders, and bring a headscarf for mosques.  Some mosques may have long robes women can borrow.  You are guests in a different culture and it is best to show respect.  If you are in a private community or private resort, then you can dress for whatever you are doing.  

Love, love, love the Prisendam!!!!  We just spent a month with her going up the Amazon!!!  Elegant ship, great captain, and fantastic crew!!!!  We will miss you!😘♥️😎

As someone told me on my recent month long HA cruise, they bring cases of soda with them on embarkation day, all carry on, and "no one counts how many carry-ons you have"!  Whatever makes folks happy!😁

It is incredible how much you can stuff in a laundry bag!!  We just spent a month on Holland America's Prinsendam, and we honed our stuffing skills!  We stuffed the little things first deep down in the corners and bottom of the bag, then like JeanieCM, we rolled everything else very tightly and stuffed, stuffed, stuffed!!!  The laundry services were excellent and everything came back either folded or on hangars (whatever you specify), all with laundry tags with your specific number--neatly in a basket with tissue paper or on hangars in a HA garment bag.  One day I had someone's pink t-shirt on a hangar (all my items had been returned), so I brought it to the front desk.  That evening, our room steward came to us, with a message from the laundry manager, wanting to make sure all of my items were returned!!  And they asked the next day, too!  Excellent service!  

Hi!  I lived and worked in Shanghai for three years and greatly enjoyed it!  I would agree with one of the replies--with the help of your hotel, hire a taxi for the day and plan out a day to see sites you want to see.  We always hired taxis for the day when I lived there, and the drivers would stay with you and the cost for the day was very reasonable.  I would recommend Yu Gardens, but do take a walk on the Bund, do visit the Shanghai Museum, go up the Pearl Tower, and wander around Shanghai and take in the sites and sounds!  It will be a busy city, but it will be a memorable introduction to Asia (and every country in Asia is different from the others).  Your hotel can recommend a good local restaurant as well.  Both sides of the Bund--the Puxi side and the Pudong side--are amazing!  Enjoy every moment and make memories!  

Hello!  We will be on Holland America's Legends of the Pacific cruise in August 2019, which will be focusing on WWII stops from Japan to Australia.  Besides several ports in Japan (Nagasaki, etc.), we will be stopping at Guam, Saipan, Jayapura Indonesia, several stops in Papua New Guinea, Ghizo Island and Honiara in Soloman Islands, Noumea and Ile des Pines in New Caledonia, and ending in Sydney.  Other than the ports in Japan, has anyone toured any of these islands/places?  We are waiting to see what HA will offer as shore excursions, and we are open to suggestions on what to see.  Many thanks!

We were there in December, but not with Carnival.  On our cruise, we took an island tour of the whole island and enjoyed it very much.  It will be an eye-opening experience for you.  The island is slowly rebuilding after the hurricanes, and I am sure by the time you are there, there will be much more rebuilt.  Overall the island seems to be bouncing back and certainly depends on tourism.  You still might see some structures gone or not yet rebuilt, but there is new construction in many areas.  We took the island tour as we wanted to see the two different sides and it was a great experience.  People were lovely and appreciative of tourists for their business.  We enjoyed the town of Marigot--a wonderful market area and places to eat.  I hope you enjoy this island as much as we did!

I agree with the other replies.  I did an evisa last fall and my only problem was that the photo I uploaded was sideways!  Tried as I might, I could not move it or change it.   I sent it in anyway.  I received several lovely emails from the Brazil embassy/consulate, explaining to me that they could not accept the photo and please contact them if I need more help.  To make a long story short, I retook the photo, uploaded it from my computer and not my cell phone, and it finally "took".  Don't ask me why!  My travel agent and I had done this same thing for another visa using my cell phone for another country and no problem.  Anyway, when the embassy received the photo, I again received a very friendly email thanking me and that my visa was being processed.  I received a second email the next day with a similar message, and the third day I received my email visa.  Very impressed with the courtesy and helpfulness on the other end!  

4 hours ago, anirban2travel said:

Hi. To begin with you need to station yourself in New Delhi & begin the tour from there. For a detailed tour of New Delhi, The Taj Mahal in Agra & other surrounding sites you will be able to find lot of packaged deals from any regional travel website, else you can also talk to the hotel concierge, and they will be happy to make arrangements for your travel. You can also get in touch with the Tourism Office in Delhi, and they offer customized tours for individuals. I once travelled in that area, as I got quite a good 2N/3D package from a travel forum & they were quite good at it. If you face any difficulty, Google will provide you options at times. I wish you have a great trip.

Thanks so much for your good suggestions!

Enjoy your travels, Terry in Ohio!  You are a wonderful writer and I have enjoyed your postings! We are headed to an Amazon River cruise on November 9 for 28 days! Have fun on your trip!