monkey@cruise

I was on Celebrity Millennium, the ship mostly dock on starboard side, where we could see the welcome and farewell performance by the locals.

If Sakura season, travel to Hirosaki, the famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Hirosaki Park. Aomori city is small, city center is 15 min walking distance from cruise terminal. Aomori also known for Nebuta floats and archeological site Sannai Maruyama.

Also American Express. mobile Suica on Apple watch is more convenient, No Need to Carry Your iPhone All the Time.

I found local port authority websites provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. Port official has the sole authority to assign a dock location. November 2023, Yokohama cruise ship schedule:

"Welcome Suica card" is a Japanese IC card, a rechargeable prepaid travel card that can be loaded with funds and used for public transportation at train stations, metro stations, bus depots, and on ferries, and cable cars across Japan, where Metro card is a special ticket that allows travel on all train and tram lines that are members of a designated company (restricted by location and designated company). If you have been in London, "Welcome Suica Card" is similar to "Oyster Card".

Japan had more base stations than in US. The widespread coverage provide more bandwidth for data transmission. You phone works better in Japan and other Asian countries than at home.

I found phone roaming consumes more battery, because my phone is spending more time trying to obtain a signal and switching between cell towers compared to when I am at home using my home provider.

I could use the roaming data on my phone and only have to deal with having that one device... But what if I have a computer, or a many devices that need connecting..? Then Pocket WiFi will certainly provide me more value for my dollar! Sure there may be troublesome to carry around an extra device with me everywhere I go, but the benefits I gain from this little device far outweigh that trouble. Lightning fast speeds (4G/LTE), huge data limit or unlimited, multi-device connectivity (up to 10 devices). I paid 8,000 yen (included insurance) for 9 days, unlimited data, 4G speed, 2 cell phones and 2 tablets connectivity.

ANA service is excellent.👍 I used award points for an ANA flight back to Vancouver, Canada. They waived my luggage fees (US $75 x 2), free advance seat assignment, flight meals and entertainment are much better than our Canadian carriers. Boarding for a Boeing 787 aircraft took 25 min !

Check your airline the time at Haneda airport before your flight. Each carrier has its own rule. After luggage check-in, you go through self serve primary security and exit immigration, then regular security screening. Your departure gate can be far away or nearby. For large aircraft, boarding time can be 45 min before departure. If you are a slow mover, give yourself more time. The Keikyu Main Line Airport Express from Keikyu-Tsurumi station to Haneda Airport 3 (Keikyu) station runs every 21 min, travel time 19 min. Give yourself 40 min on train, in case you missed one. Also make sure you board the right train to the airport because the tracks also use by other lines and other destination. Japan train platform display and announcement are bi-lingual: Japanese and English, sometimes are quad bi-lingual: Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Buying a train ticket https://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/ride/get-train.html

You're very welcome. If having luggage to pick up, there is no big advantage on time saving. Narita is 50km from Tokyo city, and most cruise terminals are in Yokohama. You should aim for Haneda Airport (HND) 16 km to Tokyo or Yokohama. Transportation cost will be much lesser than to/from Narita.

You hasn't factor in the Disembark time, unless you do a self-disembark; you taxi queue time and your navigation time from Daikoku to Haneda Airport. You must clear custom when disembark. Lucky your Disembark Day is on Saturday, no morning rush hour. Taking 1 A$ = 95 yen, Option 3 will cost you A$34, for under A$18, you must opt for the free shuttle and airport bus. Japan taxi fare is expensive starts at 500 yen. Do you know where the Haneda Luggage lockers locate? What if no empty one? Japan International flight is minimal 2 - 2.5hr check-in. Once you settled all your belongings in Haneda, then plan your quick Japan tour - 30 min monorail ride to Hamamatsucho station (Tokyo tower), if time limited, Haneda Airport Garden (shopping mall) in Haneda T3.

Any ship over 100,000 tons will dock at Daikoku Pier - RCCL Spectrum OTS, Queen Mary, MSC, etc. Only Diamond Princess and Celebrity Millennium dock at Osanbashi because Yokohama bridge clearance. Next year, when Yokohama port authority release 2024 cruise schedule, will show you Royal Princess will dock at Daikoku Pier. In Princess App port information will show which port the ship will dock. I travelled with a 29" case, no problem if you know where the elevators are and the route. For Osanbashi, everyone taking taxi from Yokohama station, but I through Sakuragichō train station, taxi fare was 1,100 yen compare 2,100 yen from Yokohama station. From train platform to taxi stand is 300 feet compare 1200 feet in Yokohama station. My case was full of Japan candies and snack to bring home. Be prepare long Japan immigration clearance in Kagoshima, Japan (Japan first port of call). In Kochi, I used the Goodwill Guide services, Volunteer Guide Junko is fantastic. The service is FREE, just a monetary donation to the club, guide's transport and meal expense. I brought her Canadian Maple as a gift.

I was on Celebrity Millennium 30th Sept sailing and disembark from Osanbashi Terminal, a convenient location to airport via public transportation. I recalled you will sail on Royal Princess from Brisbane to Yokohama? Royal Princess will disembark from Daikoku Pier (a remote area) because she cannot sail under the Yokohama Bridge. Disembark with luggage, your options are limited. Option 1: Taxi from Daikoku Pier to YCAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal) locate in Sky building, 1500 feet east of Yokohama station. Taxi fare < 7,000 yen. From YCAT to Haneda airprort T3 is 650 yen, 30 min travel. Option 2: Taxi from Daikoku Pier to Keikyu-Tsurumi train station. < 2,700 yen. Take the Keikyu Main Line Airport Express from Keikyu-tsurumi station to Haneda Airport 3 (Keikyu) station (KK29 - KK16), direct no transfer, 22 min, 330 yen. Option 3: If Yokohama port authority offer free shuttle from Daikoku Pier to Yamashita Park, haul luggage 1000 - 1500 feet to a Keikyu airport bus, fare is 800 yen, runs every 30 min. You have to crossed your fingers for the shuttle bus and airport bus not full. https://hnd-bus.com/airport/h-yamashita/ Option 4: Taxi from Daikoku Pier to Haneda airport T3, fare 9,000 yen + toll fee. Japanese are very heartfelt helping foreigners, I don't have to speak much Japanese with 5 days pre-cruise stay in Kyoto and 12 days Japan cruise, most ports are DIY. I will sail on the Celebrity Millennium again from Singapore to Japan in early March. Michael

My personal experience when arrived Osaka (KIX) airport in late September: No separate immigration queue for VJW and non-VJW passengers. If using VJW, you must have internet connected (I used KIX free WiFi) and login VJW with "LIVE" immigration QR code before allow queuing immigration. I saw some VJW passengers struggled because unable to connect or some other reasons, eventually settled for paper forms. Using VJW at the immigration counter: scan your immigration QR code (Immigration officers not happy if you need to unlock phone or phone screen is turn off), Then fingerprint both index fingers and face photo, if process is OK, your passport will stamp a "temporary visitor" sticker. If your travel party all has own phone; internet access in airport immigration area; separate VJW passengers queue; no mishap during fingerprint and photo, the whole immigration process will be 2-3 min. Cross your fingers on luggage arrival, I used Apple AirTag to track and very useful. The custom process: separate queuing for VJW passengers, scan your custom QR code and passport simultaneously on a self serve kiosk. If all travel members registered under one VJW account, just scan the applicant passport. You then go through a barrier check and you are in the arrival hall! The custom paper form queue wasn't long and moved very quick. In addition to VJW, I also filled the paper forms as backup. For me using the VJW, immigration process was under 2 min, but waited 25 min for my luggage, and 2 min for custom process. The main show stopper was picked up luggage from baggage carousel. It also depend your arrival time and the airport. The VJW is not a scan and go process, just replace the paper immigration arrival and custom forms. As far I know Haneda and Narita airport do separate queue for VJW passengers.

You are very welcome. If you have further questions on Japan travel feel free to post the question in CC forum. I will cruise from Singapore to Japan in March.

I was in YCAT terminal around 9:30am on disembark day, no queue nor crowd inside the terminal. I took the bus to Haneda airport, only 10 passengers.. Yokohama to Narita isn't a high ridership route.

To pre-book : https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/en/Top.aspx Select "Narita Airport" and "TO AP", then click the "Select Filter" Click "Select Departure Location" Click on the down triangle at the end of the "The 23 wards of Tokyo" which will show more location" and select "Kanagawa Prefecture" Click on YCAT and select "YCAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal) Detail" Select "Narita Airport terminal 1" in ARR box. Select the departure date, time and # of passengers. the above screen will appear. Select the time slot which suit you. Select the fare plan and click "CONTINUE" Hit CONTINUE again and select "RESERVE WITHOUT REGISTERING MEMBER" Scroll down and select "AGREE" the terms and agreement. Enter your contact information and make your payment. Hope that help. Michael

Everyone is equal, no fast track for Business Class passengers. All handwritten information that was previously required, such as immigration information and customs declaration forms, can be filled out in advance through VJW. Your immigration process time will be shorter but not significantly. After receiving instruction from the Immigration Officer, place the index finger of both hands on the fingerprint reader as a general rule, while your fingerprint information is read electromagnetically The camera above the fingerprint reader will take your photograph. Your passport will have a "temporary visitor" sticker if admitted into Japan. You will go through Japan immigration exit process at the last Japan port before sailing to South Korea, when return to Japan, all passengers must go through immigration process again (finger print and photo), you cannot use the VJW (only for airport arrival) and receive a new "temporary visitor" sticker. We re-entry through Hakodate and took 4-5 hours for everyone to process onboard.

Janie, you're welcome. I was on 30th Sept sailing, Using Japan public transportation is not necessary a subpar travel. Under certain conditions, I will use taxi like visiting Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto, because no public transport nearby and temple locates on a steep hill slope. If you plan taking a taxi from Tokyo station to cruise terminal, expecting >17,000 yen on fare, travel time is 40 min if no traffic congestion. Bon Voyage.

BruceMuzz had suggested Narita Express from Yokohama station. Pros and Cons taking bus or train to Narita. Bus is slower and a risk of traffic congestion, Train is quicker and runs hourly. All Japan stations and platforms had anti-slip titles, a luggage hauling roadblock 😡. Both train and bus offer FREE WiFi. Luggage carts are available in YCAT and Narita Bus stop, moving your luggage is easier.

I disembarked at 8:50am, the ship was 2/3 empty already. Taxi stand is at left side of the terminal building exit, taxi queue was short - 5 min wait, there was a dispatcher and two port workers assisting passenger luggage load onto taxi. Most taxi are sedan but saw a few large taxi vans. Be flexible, if the dispatcher cannot get you a taxi van, then settle with 2 sedan taxi. Show the taxi driver the following YCAT address, without lost in translation YCAT Yokohama City Air Terminal (横浜シティ・エア・ターミナル) 220-0011 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Nishi Ward, Takashima, 2 Chome−19−12, Sky Building, 1階 〒220-0011 神奈川県横浜市西区高島2丁目−19−12 スカイビル1階 Floor map (webpage left side language option: select English) - how to access the bus terminal from taxi stand with luggage cart: https://www.ycat.co.jp/guide/floormap/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XPARAM=s,&XCHARSET=UTF-8&XPORG=,&XJSID=0 Everyone is pay as you go. For Narita bus ticket, purchase through ticket counter, the vending machines are for Haneda buses. Michael

VJW isn't a Japan entry fast track. With or without VJW passengers all queue together for immigration process - finger print and photo.

Google Map lookup if GION walk suit you. 1. Kinkaku-ji 2. Kiyomizu-dera 3. Ninenzaka

You are right. If you selected a random train in "Select Train/Facilities" screen, then If you reserve a non-reserved seat, you can board any train on the boarding date that you made a reservation for. Non-reserved seats cars are 1 - 3 only. Short haul travel between Osaka/Kobe and Kyoto is OK (30 min), but not pleasant if standing on long haul.