BruceMuzz

15 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

It really does not matter especially if we recognize everyone is different in their interests.   And you are absolutely right.  I would fondly remember someone who was only able to identify their ship as "the big white one".   😃

 

 

 

 

It only matters when you work on a cruise line and your salary, bonus, and continued employment are all in the hands of an idiot who gives a bad review to the wrong ship.

I manage a cruise ship that is part of a fleet of 12.

I frequently see cruise ship reviews of my ship on this website and others.

When reading the reviews, I often notice that they are talking about itineraries and other details that are not my ship.

I used to try to get the error corrected on the websites, but it is happening so often that I have given up.

Aside from 2 International Airports, Metro Tokyo has 6 International Cruise Terminals; 4 in Tokyo and 2 in Yokohama.

Once you have determined which airport you are flying into and which Cruise Terminal you are sailing out of, come back and ask your questions again. 

Antique Shopping

“Where would we be without salt?” - James Beard 

There are several Mass Market cruise lines that offer meatloaf in their onboard restaurants.

"Comfort food".

The answer to your question partly depends on what port you left before Yokohama.

Assuming that it was a port in Japan, and assuming that your ship arrives on time, it will probably be cleared by 07:00.

The answer also partly depends on where you bought the transfer; cruise line or independent?

If the cruise line is operating the transfer, they will decide when you and 50 of your best friends will leave the terminal on the bus.

If you have an independent transfer, you will decide when your car or van will pick you up. 

Bus transfers from Osanbashi Terminal at Yokohama to Haneda Airport take about 45 minutes.

Cars and vans take about 30 minutes.

Osanbashi Cruise Terminal had coin lockers on the 2nd floor the last time I was there.

They also have one or two Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) counters.

Yokohama Station also has many coin lockers for bags.

If you do not want to look silly, then don't take rain pants to Japan.

Tipping is an insult in Japan - no matter who is doing what for you.

Mysteriously disappearing luggage due to disgruntled Union Baggage Handlers is a North American thing.

The Japanese are too honest to let this sort of thing happen in their country.

The Honor system in Japan is still incredibly strong.

There are still many Japanese people who would be compelled to commit suicide for such an error.

You can leave your American Culture ideas behind when you visit Japan.

Beppu is a small city of hot springs, thermal pools, spas, and ceramic producers.

If you are not interested in the water-related aspects, the only thing really left is the ceramics.

Very few Japanese Ports are tender ports.

Some people have just too much time on their hands.

A new hobby is always a good alternative.

Most cruise ships do not even have libraries anymore.

1 minute ago, Joebucks said:

I'm not sure I understand the sanitation argument. Is it because people touch it and then slide it around? Do plates hover?

 

Make no mistake, it is a food waste measure. People are more likely to grab more food when they can carry it more easily.

The United States Public Health Service (USPH) determined quite some time ago that most ship-based dishwash machines were not able to properly / completely sanitize these trays due to their size. This contributed to increased numbers of mass market cruise passengers infected with Norovirus and Coronavirus due to cross contamination.

On Santorini you will pay the highest prices in Greece - but you will not get the best Olive Oil.

12 hours ago, grimpil said:

Do you recommend purchasing train tickets ahead of time or just buy them on site (considering language barrier)

Every train ticket vending machine in Japan has a button at the top of the screen for English.

Pushing that button converts the entire screen to English.

There is no language barrier.

I would never choose to sail on a cruise ship where trays were needed.

Problem solved.

The fastest, easiest, most comfortable, and possibly one of the least expensive ways to go from Yokohama to Narita Airport is Narita Express.

A taxi from Osanbashi Cruise Terminal to Yokohama Station takes about 15 minutes and is not expensive.

Narita Express takes you from Yokohama Station to Narita Airport in 84 minutes for 4400 yen (about US$30) per person. The train has great luggage storage at each end of each car and also has free WIFI.

From the Narita Terminals you can get a taxi or hotel shuttle to any of the local nearby hotels.

For all practical purposes, electric power in Japan is identical to that in the USA. The prongs on the plug and the outlets are identical.

The only real differences are a slightly lower voltage (100 volts in Japan vs 120 in America) and 50 Hertz in East Japan, vs 60 Hertz in America and West Japan.

It really depends on which part of the pier the ship docks at.

The pier is over 400 meters long.

Bigger ships tend to tie up at the far end of the pier.

You could ask Celebrity for assistance to the Terminal if that is what is worrying you.

21 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

Not sure if you are joking, but the inside area is almost 7k sq ft., with the remainder being the private outdoor space of approx 3k sq ft..  There are three very distinct, separate bedrooms, and 3.5 bathrooms.  Formal dining area, separate LR area, grand piano (player, I think?), and the huge outdoor private area includes a large hot tub and more seating and outside dining area as well.

 

We were on one of those ships once with our grands and met the couple (just 2 of 'em!) staying in one, and they gave us a tour.  (Back then, the decor was... garish.)

For a large family, amazing, and at that point, the per-person isn't so stratospheric.  Some larger groups/families combine both (each ship has two of these, mostly mirror-images).

 

And for some reason, they seem to have limited the headcount to 7 instead of 8.  No idea if they are flexible with that, but one could get an inside for not much else.  Guests are welcome (but not into the special private "Haven" facilities).

 

GC

These Garden Suites also have a small stream running through the garden and a private steam room in the garden. There is also an outdoor dining area with a teak table that seats 12. There are 2 master bedrooms with walk in closets and 2 regular bedrooms. All the big TVs are B&O. If you pick up the remote control, the television rotates to follow you around the suite. There is also a beautiful telescope in the living room. The roof of the suite is a private sun deck.

The master bathrooms have giant plexiglas domes that close over your body. The shower has 16 programmable heads to wash you.

I was on the Star when it was new and stayed in this suite a few times. There was also a private elevator to the suite.

You could rent the pocket WIFI, which works very well in Japan.

You could also just rent an eSIM for your mobile telephone, which would essentially accomplish the same thing.

There are 5 International Cruise Terminals that serve Tokyo.

A taxi is your best bet.

The distance is not far and the fare is affordable.