WESTEAST

Disappointing as we are those that enjoy the libraries (best still on the R ships IMO).

It is well worth it as Japan has many beautiful sights. People and culture are great.

Yes of course it is always the country rules that apply however, we were surprised that Japan was stricter than when we visited Russia in the pre-war era.

We took a ship excursion which was interesting to a Buddhist Temple which is nestled on a mountainside surrounded by wisteria woods, Beomosa Temple and then to the Gukje Market and Jagalchi Fish Market. The fish market was the highlight - we saw a dry market and then a wet market which was largest fish market we have seen.

We have cruised twice since Covid and have stored our passports in our stateroom safes with no issues to ports of call in UK and Ireland. However, Japan is indeed different and every port of call in Japan, the Cruise Director would announce daily for everyone to remember to have their original passports with them and in every port; Japan had officials after we disembarked to check our passports but was quick. We did not dock at Osaka but at Kobe (for Kyoto and Osaka tours), but in Kobe there was no problem. As mentioned, returning from Busan to Japan, our first port was Hiroshima and it took approx. 2 hours to clear Japanese Immigration and Customs onboard but all tour operators were waiting whether independent or with the cruise line as they understood the timing to clear authorities but may impact your time in Kyoto unless you ship has a late or overnight departure. Also, we arrived at Haneda airport and that process was lengthy as well despite the fact that we had our QR codes from the Visit Japan website. Pack your patience.

We recently returned from a cruise of Japan with a stop in Busan, South Korea (not Celebrity). Can't answer your question about visas. However, for your information, Japan is very security conscious: photo recognition, fingerprinting plus passports were checked numerous times. You are told to carry your original passport with you at all ports of call and Japanese authorities check your passports exiting and sometimes re-entering the ship after a day touring. When leaving Japan to South Korea, Japanese authorities require a face-to-face and presentation of original passports (immigration and customs) onboard as well as re-entering Japan. South Korea, we had to show passports etc. but did not encounter long queues.

Agree with @ladychater as just returned from Japan and lots of walking, stairs, some very steep to see sights. Many passengers on our cruise with canes or walkers had difficulty. Our cruise line did have some excursions identified as Accessible Tour but they were limited. Suggest calling the Cruise line to inquire if they offer Accessible Tours or Private Car hires. Good luck.

Check Post #9 may be helpful re early disembarkation information. Not sure what time your ship plans to arrive but in the past (not our Japan cruise) we walked off the ship with our luggage shortly after the ship docked.

You best check your itinerary as Rouen is inland and suspect you are docking at either Le Havre or Honfleur. You should also look at the Oceania offered excursions to have an idea what they are offering. We've been to Rouen, Paris and the Normandy beaches by land never by cruise and all places are splendid to visit if you have time. We are booked on an Oceania cruise that stops in Honfleur and checked the offered O excursions by bus to give you an idea: tours to Rouen are approximately 5 hours, tours to Paris are approximately 9 1/2 hours and to Normandy beaches are 8-9 1/2 hours. If you are ok with long bus rides to Paris or Normandy, would recommend going with Oceania for peace of mind getting back to the ship for all aboard time.

Cruise Critic does not permit names and all ok as all fees have been waived.

Thanks very much for your feedback. We will be definitely changing TAs.

Thank you for your feedback. The airline bookings were previously booked through the TA's Consolidator where we would get a better rate (and would still be booked that way had we stayed with this TA). The hotel refers to calling Oceania to add an Oceania hotel or transfer to our booking (otherwise, we do in fact book directly our own hotels). TA may well waive for this first booking with new agency as this was not told to us when TA moved to another agency and only saw in reading the details in the invoice from the agency. That said, we will be moving to a new TA.

Methinks we will - already in the works and thanks for feedback.

Our TA changed agencies and reviewing the 'new' agency invoice for a recent onboard booking, it now states service fees will apply over and above the main component of cruise booking. Service fees include: booking domestic - international air $50-$100.00 pp; changes to booking - $25.00 pp for hotels, transfers, shore excursions, etc. File cancellations are $100 pp. Very surprised as have been with this TA for many years and did not receive any notice that this would apply when switching agencies. Always was an advantage to have TA book non-cruise line air, transfers but now the advantage is diminishing. No doubt 'new agency' is trying to recoup lost Covid revenue. Would like to know if anyone pays such fees as news to us?

Our TA changed agencies and reviewing the 'new' agency invoice for a recent onboard booking, it now states service fees will apply over and above the main component of cruise booking. Service fees include: booking domestic - international air $50-$100.00 pp; changes to booking - $25.00 pp for hotels, transfers, shore excursions, etc. File cancellations are $100 pp. Kinda shocked as have been with this TA for many years. Always was an advantage to have TA book non-O air, transfers but now the advantage is diminishing. No doubt 'new agency' is trying to recoup lost Covid revenue. Would like to know if anyone pays such fees as news to us? Will shop around or, transfer booking back to Oceania.