BruceMuzz

The Ruins of Miami are always interesting - but dangerous.

19 hours ago, gwesq said:

Is there a link to this announcement?  I tried searching & most recent I found was March 1.

 

Still holding out hope for a circumnavigation of Japan in September.

 

Thanks

Japan Times - Japanese language edition.

On 4/8/2022 at 9:40 PM, iuki said:

Do all cruise lines require proctored testing?  Two days for vaccinated cruisers and three days for non-vaccinated prior to sail date?

Only the good cruise lines.

Visible?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Mobile telephone reception from land-based providers will be better on the Starboard side.

08 April 2022

US Military bases in Japan are still locked down with massive outbreaks.

The Japanese cities around those bases are still suffering large COVID Numbers.

Next week the Japanese Government will increase the daily number of Japanese Residents allowed to re-enter Japan from 7,000 per day to 10,000 per day.

Japanese Health authorities announced yesterday that there is no plan to allow foreign tourists to enter Japan anytime soon.

I return to Japan next week.

Most of the quarantine procedures are still in place for me:

No public transit allowed

Home quarantine

Frequent testing

Tracking Apps on my mobile telephone

Daily voice and video calls to determine my condition and location

Daily GPS checks to determine my location

Daily entries of my vitals on my tracking APP

Home visit by medial authorities

PCR Test at the end of my quarantine

As of 01 April 2022, Japan remains closed to all foreigners.

The 6th COVID wave is just now subsiding in most of the country.

The US Military Bases in Japan still have big COVID numbers and remain locked down.

I return home to Japan next week.

I still must complete many pieces of paperwork, show all my vaccination and booster certificates, show my Japanese Vaccination App on my mobile telephone, have negative test results before and after arrival, and have home quarantine for 5 days.

This time I will be allowed to use a special public transit train to get home from the airport.

I still must activate 2 Apps on my mobile telephone, allowing the medical people to track me every day.

I must also enter my temperature, blood pressure, and heart beat into the App every morning, receive a video call every day to prove that I am in my house, answer a voice call every day to report my condition, press a GPS button on my mobile telephone every day to report my location, and have a weekly home visit from Government Medical Staff to ensure I am OK. 

At this point, no foreigners are allowed to enter Japan for any reason.

Japanese cruise ships are sailing around Japan with Japanese passengers only.

The government has increased the number of Japanese Nationals allowed into Japan; 10,000 per day.

It does not appear that foreigners will be allowed to visit Japan anytime soon.

Most interactive television systems on cruise ships disable the inputs on the smart TVs to avoid passengers uploading computer viruses into the system and crashing it.

The Marine Internet Satellites used by most cruise ships were designed and launched into space before we even thought of streaming and 5G. Most cannot handle the bandwidth required to make all the new Apps and toys work properly.

Cruise ships cannot legally re-broadcast television programming to paying customers without paying royalties directly to the broadcaster, or through a very costly satellite decoding license.

The decoding license this year to show the superbowl game on my ship was $40,000. This was just for the 3-hour game, and did not include the half-time show or those great commercials.

For several years RCCL's biggest onboard revenue stream - and highest profit - was renting adult movies via a video on demand system.

3 hours ago, Billish said:

But if ships can handle hundreds of kettles being used when sailing from Southampton,  I assume there is no reason why the same ships could not also handle hundreds of kettles when sailing from Miami? 

Some ships can - but others cannot.

Just like automobiles, different ships are built in different countries, to different specifications, with different voltages.

Some are built for the American Market; some are not.

I am currently working on a ship that is almost entirely 110 volts, 60 cycles, which is quite rare.

Many other ships are mainly 220 volts, 50 cycles.

If the heat producing machines onboard those ships are 220 volts, there is not so much of a problem. But if many people try to use high wattage machines on them at 110 volts, the step-down transformers that supply the lower voltage will overheat and cause problems.

3 hours ago, dolittle said:

Most (I think all )cruise lines will give you a kettle. I once was seated with a women who asked about having hot water in her room. I told her to call housekeeping put on a British accent and ask for a ''kettle'' she did and they did . This a cultural thing with Brits all hotel rooms have them and they expect them in the cabin.

Not quite correct.

There are many ships whose electrical systems cannot handle the additional wattage required by several cabins in close proximity using kettles, irons, hair dryers, and hair curlers at the same time.

The breakers trip, and one section of cabins has no electricity for a few hours until the electricians find the cause.

I have worked on ships where cabin fires were started from clothing irons, hair curlers, water boilers, kettles, and candles. There have not been that many, compared to other causes.

But it is well worth watching the facial expressions when we inform the responsible parties that we are adding a $60,000 charge to their bill for fire damage. The response is always the same; "Gosh, we have never done something like this before". It is always a good idea to read the passage contract terms before you engage in risky behaviour on a ship.

The US Public Health Service has very strong views about Deck BBQs on Foreign Flag ships. If the ship is calling at a US Port during the itinerary, there must be handwashing stations with hot water, soap, towels, and proper signage within 25 feet of all food preparation staff and all diners - and there cannot be a door between them and the handwashing station. Further, all food at the BBQ must be under cover. Windstar's sailing ships cannot meet these regulations on the open decks.

Windstar's Star Class ships all have new approved handwashing stations and new approved BBQ equipment installed after their stretch.

Japan is VERY, VERY slowly opening back up.

As of 01 April, the Japanese Government will increase the number of people allowed to enter Japan to 10,000 per day (300,000 per month). Residents Only.

Foreign Students might begin to enter Japan on a very limited basis next month as well.

Pre-COVID we were seeing between 2.5 and 3 million visitors per month.

Numbers for the 6th COVID wave in Japan are dropping rapidly.

There is still a small chance for tourism in Japan before the end of the year.

On 6/29/2021 at 1:34 AM, latebuyer said:

The only cruise i've been on is an alaskan cruise. There was only one night where it was quite rough and i didn't enjoy it. I'm wondering if the pacific coastal is rough all the time? I think i may not enjoy it.

Pacific Coastal seas are smoother on alternate Tuesdays  - but only in months that have an "r" in them.

Windstar Ships have more sun loungers than they have beds.

Never a problem.

Japan is still experiencing the 6th COVID wave.

The US Military bases are still locked down with huge outbreaks.

Japanese Government will begin allowing foreign students into Japan to study - on a very limited basis - next week.

Foreign businessmen are still not allowed to visit Japan.

Foreign tourists are still not allowed to visit Japan.

On Monday 14 March, the Japanese Government will raise the cap on people entering Japan from 5,000 per day to 7,000 per day. These are mostly Japanese Residents returning home.

Japanese cruise ships are currently sailing around Japan - with Japanese passengers only.

I will be returning to Japan next month.

I am already filling out the multitude of papers required for my re-entry.

Only 4 Airports in Japan are allowed to accept passengers from abroad.

When I fly into Narita Airport, with my negative PCD test results, and paperwork, I will be met at the jetway by a Government Health Nurse and personally escorted through the entire process of entering the country:

- Antigen Test

- 2 tracking Apps on my telephone

- QR Code set up before the flight 

- Sign a pledge not to violate any of the current quarantine rules

- Show proof that I have private transportation to my home or to a government quarantine hospital (no public transit allowed)

- My escort walks me to my private transport and witnesses my departure from the airport

This process takes about 5 hours

At home: I cannot leave the house for 14 days

- Each morning I must enter my temperature and blood pressure into one of the tracking Apps

- One of the tracking Apps records my foot steps and transmits it to the Health Department

- Every day I will receive one or more prompts to register my location on a GPS tracking APP

- Every day I will receive a Video call from the Japanese Health department, recording my location

- Every day I will receive a Voice call from the Japanese Health Department, checking my condition

- Once per week I will be visited by a Japanese Health Department Nurse, checking my condition 

If I fail to comply with any of the requirements, I can be deported.

Although Japan is very slowly opening up to foreigners, it does not appear likely that foreign cruise ships will be allowed into the country anytime soon.

On 3/4/2022 at 9:53 AM, GulfShoresCruiser said:

Check the cruise ship air and see what time they will allow for a departure flight and use that time as your safe guide. 

 

Also, check into cruise ship transport.....We find sometimes it is a deal, sometimes not....No experience with Japan. 

 

We are sailing to Japan in September.....first time....looking forward to it!

You may want to make a Plan B for your upcoming Japan cruise. It is looking less and less likely that foreigners will be allowed to visit Japan for tourism in 2022.

On 3/4/2022 at 6:27 PM, helenkpa said:

Has anyone, pre covid,  gone to Disney prior to their Cruise?  I am currently booked on the 12 night Japan Cruise in October.  Fingers crossed that we will be able to enter Japan by then.  I love Disney as much as I love cruising and Toyko is the only park I have not visited and I planning on staying 3 nights prior to the cruise.  How far is Disney from the port?  I am trying to decide if I can leave directly from Disney or leave the night before and book a pre-cruise hotel with Celebrity. 

First we need to know which Tokyo Cruise Terminal your cruise is calling at.

Harumi Cruise Terminal is right downtown. Taxi / bus  / subway to Disneyland is about 15 minutes.

The new Tokyo International Cruise Terminal just opened near the Rainbow Bridge and Haneda Airport. Taxi / bus / train / subway to Disneyland is about 40 minutes.

Osanbashi Cruise Terminal in Yokohama is about one hour away by taxi, train, subway, or bus.

Getting into Japan will be your biggest challenge. We are just recovering from our 6th COVID wave. This one was imported by the US Military. As a result, Japan is very reluctant to allow any more foreigners into the country.

This month a few foreign businessmen and a few foreign students will be allowed in on a trial basis. If they do not push the infection numbers up, the Government may ease the entry rules a bit more.

Why go to the Caribbean at all?

Just about everything there is overpriced rip-offs for gullible tourists.

Cheap rum, expensive marijuana, dirty beaches, overcrowded tourist traps.

A dirty version of Disney World.

3 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

 

Thanks for the list......I'll take a look.....Would you say that all of those places are doable for day trips taking the bullet train from Yokohama?

Hokkaido and Beppu are the most distant from Yokohama, but still do-able in one day.

3 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

I hope you are wrong........we do the planning until we are cancelled...and then cash in on the FCC!

 

 

I also hope I am wrong.

I just noticed that you are planning to visit Japan in September. That is an excellent time to visit.

Weather is not too hot and not too cold.

Bear in mind that Japan has been closed to all foreigners for most of the past 2 years.

They tried letting in a limited number for the Olympics - and that did not go very well.

Next they were ready to allow limited businessmen and students into the country.

But then the US Military got caught flying COVID-infected troops into and out of the country on commercial flights. The door slammed shut very quickly.

Now there are huge COVID outbreaks around all the US Military bases in Japan.

US military personnel are confined to the bases and Japanese are not allowed to go inside the bases.

Japanese residents can fly out of and into Japan, but only after jumping through many hoops, avoiding all public transit, quarantining at home or in a Government Hospital for 14 days, being tracked by multiple apps on our Mobile telephones, being Antigen and PCR tested several times, accepting video calls every day from a doctor, using GPS to let authorities track our movements every day, entering our vital signs on an App every morning, and having medical staff visit our home every week during quarantine. Refusing or failing to follow any these requirements results in deportation. 

Japan remains closed to all foreigners. There is little chance of that changing very much anytime soon.

Japanese Cruise Lines are sailing around Japan - with Japanese passengers only.

It does not look as if foreign flag cruise ships or foreigners will be allowed to visit Japan in 2022 - unless there is dramatic improvement in the situation.

Korea, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong also remain closed.

Depending on the time of year, I would like to visit Hokkaido, Nagano in the Japanese Alps, Hiroshima and/or Nagasaki, Kanazawa, and Beppu.

If your departing flight is out of Haneda Airport, Yokohama is a great choice. If your departing flight is out of Narita Airport, Tokyo is a better choice.

Yokohama has a Chinatown; Tokyo does not.

Hotel Rates in Yokohama can be slightly lower than in Tokyo - but not always.

Train commute to Tokyo is about one hour each direction, and not expensive.

Note that in Japan, all trains and subways stop running before midnight.

There are far more things to see and do in Tokyo than in Yokohama.

If you buy a Japan Railpass before you go to Japan, you will have unlimited access to all Japan Railways local trains, ferries, buses, airport express trains, and Bullet Trains for an incredibly low price. From Yokohama or Tokyo, you can board a bullet train in the morning and visit nearly anywhere in Japan by noon; then catch the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) back to your hotel in the evening.

You might be surprised to learn that cruise lines do no recommend scopolamine patches to anyone.

If you wonder why - they cause far too many side effects for too many people..

Scopolamine is a poison,

On 1/22/2022 at 9:10 AM, edinburgher said:

The Japanese National Tourist Organisation used to offer the services of GOODWILL GUIDES, registered volunteers who offered to accompany tourists around. I think the organisation tried to match language skills and interests wherever possible.

 

I seem to remember that they were not allowed to accept cash payment, but you would obviously pay for things like their transport, snacks, lunch, entrance fees etc and bring a gift from your country as a "thank you".

 

Try searching GOODWILL GUIDES or similar and maybe add the word Tokyo

 

Sorry this is all a bit vague but could  be worth a try..

JNTO still offers this service - and it is wonderful.

But since Japan remains closed to outside visitors, you will not be able to use this service for the time being.

Hopefully by 2023 Japan will be open to tourism again.

Pat,

Difficult to predict what will be happening with all the COVID drama going on.

Pre-COVID, you would have no problem with a 1pm flight.

There are numerous Bus Transfers, Trains, Subways, and Taxis that can get you quickly and affordably from the Osanbashi Cruise Terminal in Yokohama to Haneda Airport.

You didn't mention the ship you will be disembarking from.

A bigger ship will take longer to clear - but even a big ship would have little problem with that schedule - PRE-COVID.

Currently there are no non-Japanese cruise ships allowed to visit Japan.

In fact, no foreigners are allowed to visit Japan for any reason at this point in time.

Only Japanese residents are allowed to leave the country and return. But even for us, the process is very difficult. I travel overseas frequently. When I return (by air) to Japan, there are only 3 airports in the country that will allow me in.

I must jump through many hoops even before flying into Japan; lots of paperwork, frequent PCR tests. I must have a smartphone loaded with 2 tracking Apps to follow my every move for 14 days after my arrival. 

When I arrive at Haneda or Narita, I must have an immediate Antigen test. 

After testing negative, I spend an hour filling out paperwork and answering questions.

I am not allowed to take any public transportation, and must have proof of a private vehicle to take me to my home.

The past three times (in 2021) I have re-entered Japan, the process of getting back into the country at the airport took over 4 hours. 

When I arrive at home, I must not leave my house for 14 days.

Each day, I receive a random video call from Japanese Health Officials, checking on my health status.

Each morning I must enter my body temperature, heartbeat, and blood pressure into my tracking APP.

Every day, my tracking App will beep a various times. I am legally required to push a button on my smartphone each time, signaling my location via GPS.

Every day or so, I receive random voice telephone calls from Public Health Officials to determine my health status and location.

In recent weeks, Japan was trying to loosen restrictions and allow visitors to enter Japan.

Then the US Government was caught flying infected troops in and out of the country on commercial flights. The door quickly slammed shut.

Now there are several large COVID outbreaks at US Military bases in Southern Japan.

It is highly unlikely that any more foreigners will be allowed to visit Japan for any reason in 2022. 

I really hope you get to cruise to Japan at some point, but it does not appear possible in 2022.