Japan Spring Flowers cruise Apr 20-28th quick thoughts and pictures

[OceanPrince]

Here are some random thoughts and observations.

• The ship was in decent shape. Seem slightly better than my previous ship, her twin sister, Sapphire Princess.
  
• The Diamond is more geared for Japanese. Thus, the bath house took up valuable space.
  
• No International Cafe, wish it was there but not a huge deal. Dinning room menu more limited to make room for Japanese items.
  
• No BOGO for $1 happy hour, thus I spent $0 on bar.
  
• Excursions for English speakers are expensive but it's supply and demand. There are limited licensed English speaking guides and therefore they would charge 30% more for the same tour in English vs in Japanese.
  
• First cruise with no stated Anytime Dining. However, 4 of the 8 nights was late port days and it was effectively anytime dinning for everyone.
  
• There were buses/Shuttles at every port taking us to city center/main station. Mostly $10, Aomori was $5 since it was very close.
  
• The spring flowers cruises draws more international mix vs the other Japan cruises. Passenger count for the ~2700 capacity: Japanese: ~700s, American ~600s, Aussies ~500s, Brits/Canadian/Russians/Israelis were the next biggest groups.
  
• Peak Cherry blossom were up to 2 weeks earlier than normal. The cruise before our's didn't see much blossoms but we were lucky that we hit peak bloom at Aomori (as seen in last picture).
  

Bottom line: All 4 Japan port were terrific despite gloomy/wet weather at the first 3. Aomori was the highlight as it was sunny and had peak bloom. Again, cruises in Japan are geared toward the Japanese and we are along for the ride. I hear too many westerners nitpicking about every little thing that they are not use to. So you like to complain about lack of International Cafe, higher excursions costs, difference in dinning menus, crowed buses/trains, taking off your shoes at certain places, etc etc.. then this is not for you. If you want to humbly explore one of the most fascinating cultures with rich history and experience the dazzling display of peak Sakura bloom, this is a must do.

 

Here are some pictures. Click on my photo album linked via my signature to see the rest. Or follow me on Instagram @waynstapix for live port by port posts from my British Isles on Royal Princess next month

 

 

Precruise: daytrip to Matsumoto.

 

Port: Kanazawa

 

Port: Sakaiminato

 

Port: Hakodote

 

Port: Aomori

[msmoger]

Here are some random thoughts and observations.

• The ship was in decent shape. Seem slightly better than my previous ship, her twin sister, Sapphire Princess.
  
• The Diamond is more geared for Japanese. Thus, the bath house took up valuable space.
  
• No International Cafe, wish it was there but not a huge deal. Dinning room menu more limited to make room for Japanese items.
  
• No BOGO for $1 happy hour, thus I spent $0 on bar.
  
• Excursions for English speakers are expensive but it's supply and demand. There are limited licensed English speaking guides and therefore they would charge 30% more for the same tour in English vs in Japanese.
  
• First cruise with no stated Anytime Dining. However, 4 of the 8 nights was late port days and it was effectively anytime dinning for everyone.
  
• There were buses/Shuttles at every port taking us to city center/main station. Mostly $10, Aomori was $5 since it was very close.
  
• The spring flowers cruises draws more international mix vs the other Japan cruises. Passenger count for the ~2700 capacity: Japanese: ~700s, American ~600s, Aussies ~500s, Brits/Canadian/Russians/Israelis were the next biggest groups.
  
• Peak Cherry blossom were up to 2 weeks earlier than normal. The cruise before our's didn't see much blossoms but we were lucky that we hit peak bloom at Aomori (as seen in last picture).
  

Bottom line: All 4 Japan port were terrific despite gloomy/wet weather at the first 3. Aomori was the highlight as it was sunny and had peak bloom. Again, cruises in Japan are geared toward the Japanese and we are along for the ride. I hear too many westerners nitpicking about every little thing that they are not use to. So you like to complain about lack of International Cafe, higher excursions costs, difference in dinning menus, crowed buses/trains, taking off your shoes at certain places, etc etc.. then this is not for you. If you want to humbly explore one of the most fascinating cultures with rich history and experience the dazzling display of peak Sakura bloom, this is a must do.

 

Here are some pictures. Click on my photo album linked via my signature to see the rest. Or follow me on Instagram @waynstapix for live port by port posts from my British Isles on Royal Princess next month

 

 

Precruise: daytrip to Matsumoto.

 

Port: Kanazawa

 

Port: Sakaiminato

 

Port: Hakodote

 

Port: Aomori

 

It appears your photo links don't work unless you have the correct Photobucket account.

[OceanPrince]

(hopefuly this works, thanks msmoger for pointing out the pictures are not showing)

Here are some pictures. Click on my photo album linked via my signature to see the rest. Or follow me on Instagram @waynstapix for live port by port posts from my British Isles on Royal Princess next month

 

 

Precruise: daytrip to Matsumoto.

 

Port: Sakaiminato

 

Port: Kanazawa

 

Port: Hakodate

 

Port: Aomori

Edited May 8, 2018 by OceanPrince

[EleanorNoway]

Here are some pictures. Click on my photo album linked via my signature to see the rest. Or follow me on Instagram @waynstapix for live port by port posts from my British Isles on Royal Princess next month

It appears your photo links don't work unless you have the correct Photobucket account.

This is why I stopped using photobucket and switched to imgur. Too many restrictions or account requirement for photobucket. Not uncommon to see lots of photobucket error messages on old posts because users failed to keep their account current or changed the parameters of their account. I don't have that problem with imgur.

[sunsetbeachgal]

Beautiful pictures , thank you for sharing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[OceanPrince]

This is why I stopped using photobucket and switched to imgur. Too many restrictions or account requirement for photobucket. Not uncommon to see lots of photobucket error messages on old posts because users failed to keep their account current or changed the parameters of their account. I don't have that problem with imgur.

 

For now, seems Google Photos is working. Good to know imgur is another alternative. Guess I'll stop using photobucket also.

[loeb]

Thanks for your report and sharing your great pictures.

[Cruise2End]

Beautiful pics! And you are correct in that the Japanese culture is truly unique. My oldest son lives in Shibuya. He has lived in Japan for many years, and is currently filing for permanent residency and in the process of buying a condo there he loves it so much. Have been there several times and we are always amazed. We have never cruised there but this sounds like a wonderful itinerary. Did you use EZAir through Princess? If so, can you share your experience with it?

[msmoger]

For now, seems Google Photos is working. Good to know imgur is another alternative. Guess I'll stop using photobucket also.

 

Fantastic shots. I guess Japan will need to be in my future plans. :D

[Go-Bucks!]

So you like to complain about lack of International Cafe, higher excursions costs, difference in dinning menus, crowed buses/trains, taking off your shoes at certain places, etc etc.. then this is not for you. If you want to humbly explore one of the most fascinating cultures with rich history and experience the dazzling display of peak Sakura bloom, this is a must do.

 

I'm very excited to visit Asia, including Japan, next year to see this different culture and people. But, that doesn't mean that I need to have a "total immersion" experience....I'm happy to try some of their foods, but glad we'll have food I'm used to on the ship. I do eat at a Japanese Ramen Noodle restaurant around here and it's delicious. Hopefully the blooms will be out when I visit Asia (March 24-April 14), but I guess it depends on their weather.

Your pictures are beautiful....makes me excited to visit. :D

[OceanPrince]

Beautiful pics! And you are correct in that the Japanese culture is truly unique. My oldest son lives in Shibuya. He has lived in Japan for many years, and is currently filing for permanent residency and in the process of buying a condo there he loves it so much. Have been there several times and we are always amazed. We have never cruised there but this sounds like a wonderful itinerary. Did you use EZAir through Princess? If so, can you share your experience with it?

 

I've end up using EZ Air for most international flights for the following reasons.

 

1. Its usually cheaper for major airlines. EZ air gave me best price for my Japan cruise.

2. more options to buy one way flight - airlines like AA and United price 1-way flights more than round trip for many international destinations. I would like to, for example, fly into London and fly out of Paris. EZ is usually best bet when I buy two one-ways to different destinations. Their (airlines such as AA, united) one-way price is roughly half of roundtrip.

3. As long as you choose the flexible option, you can change flights before 45 days prior to departure. I booked my Brit Isles flights in Jan. Last week (just before 45 day mark) I rebooked at lower price and will get a refund of $20 (better than nothing).

4... and of course, They take care of you when your flight is late for boarding or if the ship returns is late for your flight out.

 

Sometimes seat selection is an issue. You can select seats for most airlines. Others, you would have to get the booking numbers and go into that Airline's website to pick your seats. For AA, you would be able to select seats around 24 - 12 hours before flights (same as if you book on your own).

 

Other than that, booking via EZ air has been same as booking thru Kayak or airline website.

[Coral]

Your Japanese pics turned out better than mine! Great pics! I was there a little early and caught some cherry blossoms but not as many as you.

[Love2cruise77]

Thanks for the great pictures. Looking forward to our trip to Japan next month. :D

[bedford5]

Thank you for your review! We’ll be on the diamond in October, do you have any pictures of the ship?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Cruise2End]

I've end up using EZ Air for most international flights for the following reasons.

 

1. Its usually cheaper for major airlines. EZ air gave me best price for my Japan cruise.

2. more options to buy one way flight - airlines like AA and United price 1-way flights more than round trip for many international destinations. I would like to, for example, fly into London and fly out of Paris. EZ is usually best bet when I buy two one-ways to different destinations. Their (airlines such as AA, united) one-way price is roughly half of roundtrip.

3. As long as you choose the flexible option, you can change flights before 45 days prior to departure. I booked my Brit Isles flights in Jan. Last week (just before 45 day mark) I rebooked at lower price and will get a refund of $20 (better than nothing).

4... and of course, They take care of you when your flight is late for boarding or if the ship returns is late for your flight out.

 

Sometimes seat selection is an issue. You can select seats for most airlines. Others, you would have to get the booking numbers and go into that Airline's website to pick your seats. For AA, you would be able to select seats around 24 - 12 hours before flights (same as if you book on your own).

 

Other than that, booking via EZ air has been same as booking thru Kayak or airline website.

Thanks for the info - haven’t previously used Ez Air but definitely plan to in the future.

[OceanPrince]

Thank you for your review! We’ll be on the diamond in October, do you have any pictures of the ship?

 

I see that you been on Ruby and Caribbean Princess. The Diamond is 90% the same ship as those. Just slightly older and they added two for-fee venues - Japanese bath house and Kai Sushi. They don't have International Cafe.

 

I don't have many pictures, here are a few..

 

Back of ship

 

Outside area of Japanese bath house

 

Japanese Bath house

 

Japanese bath house

 

Kai Sushi deck 7 aft

 

 

'Make your own Ramen' station at buffet