When will Silversea cancel the Muse Japan cruises???

[silkismom]

Just got an email from SS; via our TA that our medical info on My Silversea needed something else, was showing green for everything several days ago, now they want type of vax and date of last--encouraging for Mar 25???????? 

[phillipahain]

On 12/29/2021 at 6:34 PM, silkismom said:

We're on the Mar 25 Japan RT. I actually got excited when they wanted me to upload/download my vax card, thinking it was a good sign.  ARRRGG 

So are we ...but do not see it happening and as we want to see all the Japanese gardens under our own steam not ships tours fear this cruise is yet another Covid casualty ....in past 2 years have had to cancel or rollover rather too many long planned for trips none of which is helped by immense restraints and mega cists on getting travel insurance after age 80 .....grrr 

[seaquay]

Following the recent increase in omicron cases in Japan it is looking increasingly unlikely that Japan will open up for tourism any time soon.

 

Hopefully Silversea will make a decision on the 4 round Japan cruises in and the Tokyo to Seaward repositioning soon so the passengers booked on these can make alternative arrangements if needed.

[phillipahain]

I think the cancellation terms in the UK are very different to those in USA 

 

Have just asked our TA to see if they can find out situation because we booked this cruise precisely to do our own unescorted tours of the Special Japanese Gardens ......already done other bits of Japan on our own and the Bullet Train too

[silkismom]

Please let us know what your TA finds out.

[Yosemitephil]

Hi fellow cruisers, we have for two years have been booked with Silversea for the Japan cruise Yokohama/Tokyo - 22nd April 2022 (2021 did not sail). With virtually all of the cruise lines calling off to visit Japan it is unlikely that Japan will be fully open to tourists in April (now I could be wrong). When last November 2021 Japan was open to business visitors both a visa and quarantine period was required. I do believe that Japan will open up but more likely May/June if numbers stay low on the virus. Ran out of patience on the ho/hum will they wont they sail to this destination so have switched to a European cruise  with Silversea and hope that 2023 will be a better year. On a positive note as always Silversea are  good cruise line to sail with, just needed earlier in these difficult circumstances a decisive action. If you do go to Japan, enjoy.

[phillipahain]

Since there seems no chance of Japan opening up in time woukd they stop messing about 

 

I need to see if " cruise with confidance" applies to UK bookings too because i dont want kast minute let downs when theres other cruises i can book now 

[seaquay]

I like many other passengers would really like Silversea to make a decision on the cruises that are scheduled to go to Japan so we can make alternative bookings if needed.

Guess all we can do is look at the location of the ships  and see if they move in this direction.

 

[phillipahain]

Since i can see no way Japan will open up to Cruising in time and BA are cancelling flights in and out of Japan Silversea needs to get its act together ...my TA cannot see anyway the cruise can go ahead and i agree we need clarity so we can book a replacement .

[FlyerTalker]

1 hour ago, phillipahain said:

Since i can see no way Japan will open up to Cruising in time and BA are cancelling flights in and out of Japan Silversea needs to get its act together ...my TA cannot see anyway the cruise can go ahead and i agree we need clarity so we can book a replacement .

 

OTOH, both JAL and ANA are opening up more routes to travel between the USA and Japan.  Perhaps that BA policy is a result of poor demand for LHR-TYO flights.

 

You can easily fly from the UK to Japan with one-stop in the USA.  And since both BA and JAL are in OneWorld, you can easily book a through ticket using those two carriers.

[lucky0518]

Even if Japan begins to open the true Japan experience is likely to be lost with limited operating hours and a Semi-state of emergency in most of the country.

Muse has moved from San Diego to Long Beach once again. Let’s see what they decide to do next.

japan is supposed to update the restrictions by the beginning of next week….. We shall see 

[drron29]

At present we have arranged to visit Japan in mid April. Only a slight chance that will happen.

Hopefully Japanese cases peaked on Jan31st at ~ 85000 cases. On Feb 1st the number was ~ 61000.

Fingers crossed.

Here is a reasonable article on the border.

When Will Japan Reopen for Travel? (January 2022 Update) - Travel Caffeine

 

Personally I really doubt Japan will reopen for tourists in March.

[les37b]

2 hours ago, drron29 said:

Personally I really doubt Japan will reopen for tourists in March.

 

I unfortunately agree. What makes my particular Muse Japan cruise unlikely is the fact it's the last one and is a re-positioning cruise for Alaska. If the previous ones don't happen, it's pretty obvious it won't be repositioned to Japan and simply return.

 

Hopefully things do improve to make it viable, but all the uncertainty is playing into the hands of cautious guests simply cancelling.

 

Of course for my particular one, tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine may further crush it's chances.

 

Personally, the more annoying factor, is the bargain 8 night Viking Med cruise I just let go because I can't be in 2 places at once and would have been an ideal easy to travel to replacement. After my adventures in South America, I know only too well how quickly plans can be changed. 

[phillipahain]

2 Travel Agents on both sides of Atlantic i have spoken to cannot see how Silver Muse Japan cruise will happen  several Asia cruises are being cancelled by other lines 

[carefreecruise]

We are also on the voyage from Japan to Alaska, continuing down to Vancouver. We checked today and was told to hang in for a while longer. They will not penalize anyone who decides to get their money back up to even 30 days before sailing date. 

 

So we are doing something different this time and not purchasing any airfare until it's 100 percent. 

[les37b]

4 hours ago, carefreecruise said:

We are also on the voyage from Japan to Alaska, continuing down to Vancouver. We checked today and was told to hang in for a while longer. They will not penalize anyone who decides to get their money back up to even 30 days before sailing date. 

 

So we are doing something different this time and not purchasing any airfare until it's 100 percent. 

 

Thats why at this moment in time, I'd only book with air included. Having just got back from South America, the original return was from Lima Peru, then Guayaquil Ecuador and ended up from Santiago Chile. Too many late changes and non recoverable costs for my liking.

 

[Yosemitephil]

14 hours ago, phillipahain said:

2 Travel Agents on both sides of Atlantic i have spoken to cannot see how Silver Muse Japan cruise will happen  several Asia cruises are being cancelled by other lines 

I sympathize with this state of affairs for fellow cruisers,  Silversea appears not yet to have cancelled the Japan cruises for spring this year and I have changed our bookings to sail with them in Europe instead (Covid providing). Japan appears to be in the grip of rising numbers in the last few days and can be read on the internet that it is possible they will strengthen already tough rules for the Japanese people and thereby probably excluding tourists for a further period of time. This leads me to believe that the Silversea cruises are unlikely to sail in March and probably April.  The plus side is that we should hopefully get to sail on the brand new Silver Dawn in one of it's opening sailings. Maybe see you in Japan in 2023!

[carefreecruise]

8 hours ago, les37b said:

 

Thats why at this moment in time, I'd only book with air included. Having just got back from South America, the original return was from Lima Peru, then Guayaquil Ecuador and ended up from Santiago Chile. Too many late changes and non recoverable costs for my liking.

 

Cruises can be so different for each guest. I know your last cruise did not go well with testing positive. I used your experience to the US main Florida office for why I am more afraid of cruising that catching Covid. They said; that what happen to you is not the new protocol for infected guests.  They reassured me that if one person in your party, tests positive, you are asked to stay in your own room for five days. All meals will be served hot from the dining rooms and sometimes you could order from other restaurants. (your to be treated as a guest with a mild flu or cold)

 

Also you will NOT be taken off the ship prior to your listed departure port. And only than if your still positive, Silversea will put you up in a hotel and pay or arrange to fly you home in whatever class you previously had.    

 

I know when traveling, you need to be prepared for the unexpected but having my wife separated from me while out of the country is not expectable. 

 

Hopefully these unexpected bad experiences, in time can be perceived as minor war wounds that give you something to talk about later...  

[Shorex]

Some news from Bloomberg:

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-04/japan-government-eyes-relaxing-border-controls-tbs-reports

 

One way or another, the situation for cruise ship Japan itineraries should be clarified soon.

[PaulMCO]

"Essential foreigners" does not mean tourists.  Meaning they go back to the November rule.  Enter with a business Visa

 

This link does not need a subscription.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/japan-government-eyes-relaxing-border-controls-tbs-reports-1.1718275#:~:text=(Bloomberg) -- Japan will unveil relaxed border control,on how or when measures would be relaxed.

Edited February 4, 2022 by PaulMCO

[phillipahain]

Since the Silver Muse cruise around Japan this year seems very unlikely or very restricted it seems best solution is to transfer to next year where one also has the benefit of included tours at pretty much same price 

[worldtraveller99]

I recently attended a live talk from a UK Asia specialist re traveling to Japan (not on a cruise). They said they have been invited with a small group of UK tour operators to visit Japan in the early summer, with a view to the country reopening for the autumn colour season (further COVID variants permitting).  So yes I would definitely recommend postponing your trip to next year.

[les37b]

On 2/3/2022 at 4:15 PM, carefreecruise said:

Hopefully these unexpected bad experiences, in time can be perceived as minor war wounds that give you something to talk about later...  

 

I had done a longish reply to your other comments, but the CC gremlins didn't upload. This is the other site I ever get any problems like this and so frequently. I've got into the habit of copying the text before sending, but forgot this time! grrrr

 

Time certainly heals and by the time we were leaving we were already speaking about the option we had open for Mar 24 on a booking still to be completed because the quote was incorrect, but is being sorted and booking will be made..... though the next comment might be significant and throw a spanner in the works!

 

1 hour ago, worldtraveller99 said:

I recently attended a live talk from a UK Asia specialist re traveling to Japan (not on a cruise). They said they have been invited with a small group of UK tour operators to visit Japan in the early summer, with a view to the country reopening for the autumn colour season (further COVID variants permitting).  So yes I would definitely recommend postponing your trip to next year.

 

Indeed a good call. I looked into this with the pricing I had paid for my 5 May Tokyo to Seward - which had a starting price of £4400 less the 10% EBB (so £3960 was the price) and numerous other discounts for VS and On board booking.

 

I've just looked at the 2023 price 12 months on and that's increased to £6500. And yes it does include a "tour in port" - which is clearly paid at a premium, (and when you cant dock - no refund given.)

 

So it looks like its now or never for this trip. I'm certainly not coughing up another £5K for a cruise booked and paid for 3.5 years ago and money held in Monaco.

 

I will make enquiries on this. If it is as it sounds, the new booking won't be happening for Apr 2024 and I will be seeking a full refund for Tokyo when its cancelled again. Fingers crossed it goes ahead. I also am not sure why for this new booking, the £3000+ FCC I have on file cant be used as a deposit and told I have to pay the 20% in new cash. Not sure I'm keen on that either!

 

 

Edited February 7, 2022 by les37b

[ronrick1943]

On 2/1/2022 at 1:08 PM, FlyerTalker said:

 

OTOH, both JAL and ANA are opening up more routes to travel between the USA and Japan.  Perhaps that BA policy is a result of poor demand for LHR-TYO flights.

 

You can easily fly from the UK to Japan with one-stop in the USA.  And since both BA and JAL are in OneWorld, you can easily book a through ticket using those two carriers.

I also see that JL is booking flights, in fact we just booked a flight to Singapore on JL withn an overnight in Japan.

[Stickman1990]

32 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

I also see that JL is booking flights, in fact we just booked a flight to Singapore on JL withn an overnight in Japan.

Being able to book a flight and it actually happening is a completely different issue I’m afraid. There have been many cases where scheduled flights are cancelled closer to the expected date of departure. Not saying that’s the case for your flight transiting through Japan - but it’s possible