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Happy to report that I’m on the Muse right now and my husband just enjoyed a fat, perfectly prepped fresh burger on the pool deck. All is well on 4/26 in Kanazawa.

To be fair, you're selling McDonald's short. They would never let anything sit out for an hour and half.

Ah, very helpful, thank you!

It's been a long time since we've been on SS - way before shore excursions were included in the cruise fare - and I'm wondering if there is any free time baked into the excursion schedules. Any time at all for some independent shopping/exploring or is it all follow the leader?

Maybe jgmc is asking because they are looking for advance warning as to what might be canceled on their own upcoming Japan cruise - perhaps to have a little extra time to make alternate arrangements?

Slightly off-topic for those of you in the UK as I'm in the U.S., but I just tried to book our Blacklane transfers and got a pop-up stating "We don't offer service in your area." Apparently Cleveland, Ohio is too far off the beaten track? Anyway, Silversea promptly refunded $200 (give or take £158), which "might" cover an Uber both ways, but certainly not a Town Car. Since we need a 4:30 am pickup we'll do as others have and park at the airport - I don't trust ANYONE to be here at 4:30 on a Sunday morning.

I'm not sure how much this helps, but we live in a non-hub, secondary market U.S. city which makes air travel challenging at best. Top that off with me being fairly particular about flights and wanting to get things locked down well in advance and I absolutely wanted to handle flight arrangements myself. Port to port was the only option for us - cost was not the deciding factor.

Thanks!

I'm not sure how much this helps, but we live in a non-hub, secondary market U.S. city which makes air travel challenging at best. Top that off with me being fairly particular about flights and wanting to get things locked down well in advance and I absolutely wanted to handle flight arrangements myself. Port to port was the only option for us - cost was not the deciding factor.

Hi - we're sailing on Silversea next month for the first time post-covid...just to confirm, this applies to all suite levels? I recall reading somewhere - although I can't for the life of me remember where - that it was complimentary only for the upper tiers. I honestly don't mind paying an extra fee, but I'd like to be clear going in. Thanks!

I'm aware that they'll do this when you're requesting tours. To your knowledge, will they do it for transportation only?

Hello all, We're going to be docked at Kobe, Japan in the spring and want to visit a site that's about a 3.5 hour drive from port. It's off the beaten path, so a driver (rather than public transportation) is going to be our best option given time constraints. Can anyone suggest the best way to book a driver? Guide not needed.

Yes, it seems that relations between the U.S. and China are deteriorating rapidly. It could get worse by the cruise date (early April) resulting in last minute disruptions. My husband and regret missing out on things we've wanted to see for years, but feel rather relieved by our decision

Hi again everyone, OP here. This topic has raised quite a bit of interest, so I thought I would give anyone who wants to dive a little deeper all of the info available. I'm providing the link that was provided by Pinnacle Travel Document Systems, the company that supports Silversea travelers. Once I got deep into the weeds I did a lot of research on the topic of Chinese visas, which is difficult to share here, but the short results are that I found absolutely nothing encouraging. It appears that all of the detail required here is very recent and inexplicable. Anyway, have fun poking around and feel free to share thoughts. If you missed my post from earlier this morning, we've canceled this cruise and are opting for something that doesn't involve a visit to China. https://pinnacle.gettraveldocs.com/expedited-visa-services/China-Tourist-Visa-Washington DC-visa-instructions46-566-1-3-FL-US#docRequirements

One more point, sorry, the system I've encountered requires the application to be submitted online, and then submitted in hard copy with a passport, either in person or by a designated representative. You can't skip the online submission.

When did you apply? I have been told that applicants as early as this past January had a much simpler form.

...and if I haven't mentioned it, they require proof of airline tickets, cruise itinerary, and hotel reservation at time of visa application.

...a little more info...this is not a consulate-specific site. It's sort of a "master" site maintained by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that allows people anywhere in the world, of any nationality to apply for a visa at any PRC consulate. It is not U.S.-only.

Hello - yes, we were using the correct form. For those interested, it's here: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/qzCoCommonController.do?show&pageId=278VcVmVnVPr1V8VKrIVSVlVYV8VYVlVSVcV8VcrkVSrjrjVmVaVSVYVlVmr1rjr1VlVmVPVPVPVYVlVa&DataSource=2&locale=en_US

Thanks again to all of you that have replied. My husband and I have talked it over and decided to pull the plug. We're re-booking for an itinerary that doesn't include China. I really appreciate everyone's input!

Hello all, and thank you for your replies. To those that have asked, yes, I am applying for an L tourist visa. And apparently I am experiencing what is required in order to secure one in today's political climate. To be honest, if I had known how insane the application is, I never would have selected this cruise. We did some research and it seemed like a fairly simple process - which it seemed to be up until some point fairly recently. Anyway, we are using the China Online Visa Application (COVA). You fill it out, submit it online, and also send in (or present in person) a hard copy, along with your passport and a few other paper forms. It consists of nine sections requiring extremely detailed information on work history, education, family, intended travel in China, past travel history, and multiple pages of personal information (criminal record, participation in paramilitary organizations, military service, employment by government organizations, experience with nuclear weapons (!), etc.). The most difficult thing about this application is that if every single detail asked for is not filled in, the application cannot be completed. So it is impossible to skip anything you can't provide. And they are literally asking me to provide things like the phone number of a supervisor who has been deceased for 20 years. I'm honestly at wit's end. To the person who suggested in-person application: It seems that abandoning our third party advisor/applicant representative is going to be the best route to take. Would you advise me to fill out the form as truthfully as possible, print it, and take it with me? Or simply make an appointment and go without a form? Also, if you don't mind my asking, how long after you visited the SF consulate were you advised of your status? Are do you know if applicants are given a chance to amend the application while they're at the consulate, or do they have to submit, wait for results, and reapply if necessary? Again, thanks to all who have replied and offered advice. I really appreciate that you've taken time from your day!!!! You've all been very helpful!!

Hi all, Looking for some specific advice on a Chinese visa application. Challenge #1: Application requests work history dating back to college graduation, including address of business, phone #, supervisor's name & phone #. In my case, work history dates back to 1979 - and the organizations I first worked for are now out out of business. This information is not available. Can I safely omit them from the application and start my work history in 1984? This is the first year for which I have a still-existing employer. Challenge #2: Application requests listing of all education received since high school. In my case I transferred after freshman year and studied abroad junior year. However, application is structured so that once an institution is listed, applicant MUST indicate what type of diploma was received at that institution (BA, MA, PhD) before the form can be completed/submitted. Obviously, I did not receive a diploma from the university I transferred from, or from the school where I studied abroad, making it impossible to list them AND continue with the application. Do I ignore the Catch-22 and fudge a full four years at the university I graduated from? Challenge #3: Application asks if "any member of your family has served in the military or for a government organization." My brother served in the U.S. Navy and was then employed by the FBI, but is now retired. Will it be a problem to include the FBI? If so, can I safely omit it and say simply that he is U.S. Navy (retired)? I have presented these questions to the firm that will process our applications and they have given us the following response: "answer as completely and honestly as possible." This response is NOT helpful. Any advice from fellow cruisers would be most appreciated.