drron29

Just a point of reference although a long time ago. We were booked on the Shadow Tokyo-Anchorage in May2011. The great tsunami intervened and we departed from Incheon instead of Tokyo. You were given the option of cancelling for a full refund or significant compensation with paying the airfare Tokyo Incheon, OBC and FCC each in the 4 figure range. Japan you could say is a far more dangerous place now than it was then. We had arranged a few days in Tokyo before the cruise and happily kept our bookings. The background radiation in Tokyo then was actually lower than Melbourne Australia. But there was fear.

And here is some advertising for Tasmania the southernmost State in Australia. This year they have been having a great run of the Southern aurora being visible. Fortunately I worked in Tasmania nearly full time for the first 2 years of the pandemic and so have seen the Southern as well as the Northern lights. Here are some pictures- unfortunately not mine. If you are visiting our Weather bureau does give predictions of when an Aurora may be seen. https://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora

September for Japan is now looking far too optimistic. Japan has held their election last weekend. The Government won easily. An update on travel restrictions was to have happened yesterday. At least they didn't go backwards. here is the reason for no progress. Yes a massive increase in cases despite the Japanese continuing to wear masks outdoors. However if you are not scheduled to cruise around Japan in September there is some good news. despite record infections there are only 129 serious cases in hospitals compared to over 2000 in previous waves. However I would expect SS is going to be forced into cancelling September cruises.

.

I am surprised no one mentions the difference when the chefs change. In our Explorer days we loved it when Pia was the chef and not too bad with the Australian grant. he lived in Thailand so i was able to get some nice spicy food.. I am sure it is not the ship that makes the food bland and flavourless but I suspect the chef has a big impact. I am sorry Daveywavey70 that it seems we will never meet.

They are not for cruising. It is however so we do not waste on unneccessary testing by doing it ourselves beforehand. Also after our cruise we are driving around the UK. Will tell us if we have to be even more vigilant with masks. don't want to spread it around.

Lois I am sorry I haven't liked any of your posts but for 2 days although it says I have signed in at the top of the page I could not like or comment and at the bottom of the page it said i had to sign in but of course that bit didn't work. At least I can now say thank goodness the damage wasn't as great as first feared. Loved the reports on the crew. Sounds good for when we board the Dawn in 4 weeks time. I do hope your next cruise is a much better experience.

Well the election is over and the Government has easily retained it's majority so if everything else was equal I would have expected some announcement from the Japanese Government in the next 2 weeks. Sadly everything is not equal and the assassination of Former PM Shinzo Abe must put any announcement on the back burner. And just because you can book flights to Japan and hotels there for next year means nothing. We had an amazing trip booked for March,April this year with first class award flights on JAL and very cheap opening specials for the Intercontinental Pier 8 Yokohama. About 20% of current prices, needless to say it all fell through. Although I still expect it to open later this year we have put off Japan travel until late next year.

Gee even in the colonies we can get them cheaper now. At our discount pharmacy a packet of 10 tests cost us $A20 or $2 a test just over half your cost and at current exchange rates about $US1.30. So we are bringing our own.

We are on the August 11th sailing. My weight loss was incorporating the tip in your previous post as a glass of wine every day is part of the diet. But also because I have stepped up to the plate and done some more cooking. Couldn't believe how much energy you expend.

This site is the easiest English guide to Japan visas. Updated regularly last one was today. https://www.japan-guide.com/news/alerts.html#blue The election is on July 10th. I wouldn't expect any change before then.

Getting into shape to get back cruising. We leave in one month and a few days driving Northern Spain before boarding the Dawn on 11/8. So I made a vow I would lose 35 pounds (see I am being kind to our American friends ) 16KG. I achieved that this morning. Even my dinner suit is a little loose. But a little advice to give a son or grandson a good start in life.