Deb0702 Posted August 30, 2017 #51 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Brava!! What a beautiful interesting and inspiring report. I want to go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtpoktz Posted August 30, 2017 #52 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Thank you for this post, honolulu traveler. Given that you rented the lowest amount of data, was there any issue keeping under 3GB? What a wonderfully detailed review. Thank you so much. My husband and I have traveled extensively in Japan pre or post cruises and agree that it's a fabulous experience. We haven't been to Hiroshima yet so that may be a future destination. Your info about the pocket wifi is much appreciated. We used one last year while staying in a Tokyo airbnb, and it was so helpful. I didn't realize that it is also usable onboard the ship. (We'll be on the Diamond Princess in October and am curious if it will work there, too.). For anyone interested, you can rent one at Osanbashi pier, the airport, or beforehand thru the Cruise Port Navigation app. Same thing: it can be delivered to your hotel before the cruise and returned via the prepaid postage envelope. I think the cost is $35 upfront + $1/day. Outside of the major cities like Tokyo, we found almost no hotspots (although we understand that Japan is installing new towers in anticipation of the 2020 Olympics). We have had the AT&T international phone/text plan for our Japan visits during the last 2 years, and it is touted as having lots of worldwide hot spots, but we never found any in Japan. That's why I'm going to get a mobile hot spot for our upcoming trip. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jldevlin Posted August 31, 2017 #53 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Going from Tokyo to Seattle next May and I have just started our research now ... this was a great start !!! Thanks so much for this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honolulu traveler Posted August 31, 2017 #54 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thank you for this post, honolulu traveler. Given that you rented the lowest amount of data, was there any issue keeping under 3GB? The one I used last year was gratis of our AirBNB host; I don't rent the one for this upcoming trip until October. I don't know how much data was included on last year's but my research indicates that if all I'll be using it for is Google Maps, Trip Advisor or Yelp, checking emails, and Facebook/Messenger for communication with my kids, 3GB should be fine. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldie888 Posted August 31, 2017 #55 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Saving to read through later. Sent from my SM-A520W using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtpoktz Posted September 2, 2017 #56 Share Posted September 2, 2017 The one I used last year was gratis of our AirBNB host; I don't rent the one for this upcoming trip until October. I don't know how much data was included on last year's but my research indicates that if all I'll be using it for is Google Maps, Trip Advisor or Yelp, checking emails, and Facebook/Messenger for communication with my kids, 3GB should be fine. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Thank you very much :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebell sparkle Posted September 3, 2017 #57 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Thanks for a brilliant report! We are also doing a bit of a tour of Japan before our cruise. I have a question about public transport, particularly in Kyoto and Tokyo, we also plan to diy our sightseeing, and want to know do you pay each fare as you go or can you get a day ticket? The Jr pass is no good to us, so we won't be getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loeb Posted September 3, 2017 #58 Share Posted September 3, 2017 for transportation, do a search on this forum for the Suica or Pasmo card, also see this https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/common-questions/difference-Pasmo-Suica also do a search on youtube on how to use the two cards on the trains (can also be used to make purchases at convenient stores or at the train station.) Not sure about Kyoto, we were on a tour so we didn't use local transportation. In Tokyo there is one line (Yamanote or Green Line) that circles Tokyo and stops at many of the train stations near major attractions, see Note that there are a number of videos on using the Yamanote line on youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kristal Blade Posted October 10, 2017 #59 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Hey Petra, We are home from our Japan trip now. We had a superb day in Kamakura. As you described it was really easy to get there from Yokohama. We only did 4 sites there, took advice from the really helpful tourist info centre by the railway and bus station. Thanks for your post, it gave us a terrific and memorable day trip. Happy travels, Libby Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacrimheather Posted October 11, 2017 #60 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Ssislandgirl, I used to spend July 4th vacations at SSI when I was growing up. Special place! Would you please email me directly at heather {at} ***** {dot} com? I'd like to get share you report with others if you give me permission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananavan Posted October 31, 2017 #61 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I definitely think it was worth having the pocket wifi! I really liked being able to access Hyperdia and Google Maps whenever I wanted too. We also enjoyed having Skype available all the time. We are using Skype as our home phone with a Skype number and were able to forward our cellphones to the Skype number. Therefore we could stay in touch with family back in the States and make phone calls for free whenever we needed to and felt like it. I can't really tell you anything about hotspots because I honestly wasn't paying attention. I noticed that the crew was using the free wifi in the ports, but it is usually slow and hard to access. The pocket wifi worked well on the ship as well as in the ports. I think this was mainly the case because we really did not go out to "sea" very far in Japan and could always see land. Compared to the rate of ship wifi ours was a bargain!Hope this answers your questions Regards Petra I have condensed your post links into one thread. I would like to ask permission to share the posts on my roll call for this year's World Cruise on Queen Elizabeth. Your information has been amazing. Your photos are so beautiful. Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssislandgirl Posted October 31, 2017 Author #62 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I have condensed your post links into one thread. I would like to ask permission to share the posts on my roll call for this year's World Cruise on Queen Elizabeth. Your information has been amazing. Your photos are so beautiful. Thank you so much. Hi there bananavan! Thank you very much for your kind words. Yes, please share all of the info. This is what Cruisecritic is all about... Happy travels Regards Petra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happytravel006 Posted March 14, 2018 #63 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi Petra, Thank you very, very much for your excellent report. We are leaving for Japan soon and get on board a cruiseship in Yokohama as well. Will use your information for our upcoming trip. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted March 14, 2018 #64 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I know this report is from last year but wanted to complement you on it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princess09 Posted March 14, 2018 #65 Share Posted March 14, 2018 (edited) Wonderful report and fantastic photos. Thank you for sharing your experience. Edited March 14, 2018 by princess09 Found answer on previous page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poconolady Posted March 14, 2018 #66 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks for the great report and photos. We are going to Japan in Sept and I found a lot of useful info! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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