Japan, Sept 2022

[cruisr]

23 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Silversea is not toying with you.  They may still able to cruise to and around Japan. They are still able to take their passengers on shore excursions.  As a passenger you are in a group.

 

However you are not allowed to remain travelling in Japan by yourself or with family after the cruise. You must fly out.  But that is not the fault or responsibility of SS.

Silversea is not on the approved list of tour operators to conduct (highly regimented) tours in Japan,  As such they are Not able to take anybody on shore excursions.  Again, you must be in an approved tour operator group and must be with them the entire time.

If you want me to post a listing of the approved tour operators I will.  
 

The only cruise lines still showing as visiting Japan are Oceania and Silversea.  The latest that pulled out (May 17) was Windstar.  Windstar joins just about every other cruise line that has pulled out.  So what do Silversea and Oceania know that none of the other cruiselines knew?  Do they have some top secret connection?  if so, Silversea should have shared it with its parent company as RCL pulled out also.

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, cruisr said:

Silversea is not on the approved list of tour operators to conduct (highly regimented) tours in Japan,  As such they are Not able to take anybody on shore excursions.  Again, you must be in an approved tour operator group and must be with them the entire time.

If you want me to post a listing of the approved tour operators I will.  
 

The only cruise lines still showing as visiting Japan are Oceania and Silversea.  The latest that pulled out (May 17) was Windstar.  Windstar joins just about every other cruise line that has pulled out.  So what do Silversea and Oceania know that none of the other cruiselines knew?  Do they have some top secret connection?  if so, Silversea should have shared it with its parent company as RCL pulled out also.

Thank you for the information. However, Silversea doesn’t conduct land tours themselves; they do use use local operators.  My intent was it is still theoretically possible for passengers to undertake shore excursions if the cruise goes ahead.

 

SS may well still totally amend their Japan itineraries to somewhere completely different.  I know I would like an answer this close to sailing!  It is not satisfactory and not fair on passengers.  If not heading to Japan, where?  
 

I am booked on SS to Japan early next year.  That’s the country I want to see.  Not, for instance, the South Pacific if the itinerary is changed.  

[Razgumio]

All great information being shared. Thank you

However, I believe that at this point Silversea (and perhaps other lines) are being illusive in an attempt to hold "us" captive. In our particular case, the cruise to Japan is scheduled to depart on September 1st with travel to Vancouver on August 30th. At this point, with only approximately 50 days to go, the cruise line should be admitting that there is a huge issue with Japanese Visas and granting "us" the option to wait until something happens with the Visas or refund our money so we can get another cruise and/or offer an acceptable alternative itinerary. The longer Silversea waits, the more difficult that it will become for "us" to replace the cruise during the same time period.

I strongly suggest that anyone that agrees begin respectfully yet forcefully communicating with Silversea until they understand that they need to consider the needs of "us" passengers and not continue to ignore the situation while holding us captive. Emails, phone calls, this chat and all other social medias are fair game.

I understand their needs but they need to understand ours.

I have already started communication with Silversea, my TA, this chat and the Japanese Consulate - I will continue to do so until I get results.

If anyone is interested I will post the names of the people at Silversea with whom I am communicating and if I have any success.

Please share your thoughts.

[docmark]

My first "thought" is the NEWS on 45 days cancellation window, and anxiously waiting to see follow ups.

We are booked on Muse October 21, 2022, cruise

[cruisr]

@Port PowerThere are no local operators to use as the approved tour operators are only doing the fully escorted land tours.  Silversea cannot contract with independent tour companies.  The approved tour operators are not doing any destination management/tour operations so Silversea, at this point, does not have an option to offer any tours unless Japan changes their stance and allows cruise ships and ground operators to offer shore excursions.  

 

I have friends in the hospitality industry in Japan and I am in constant contact via text with them as they are hoping I will be able to visit them on my cruise but they are telling me they do not think it will happen.

 

Silversea need to make a decision now, not later.  The longer they wait the more issues for their valued (or as the email said “esteemed”) guests.  The first cruise to Japan is the cruise from Vancouver to Osaka as mentioned above on September 1.  How disappointing if it is cancelled and a replacement can not be found at this late date.

 

The other thing is that I have heard from TAs about their commission being or not being protected.  What I was told (on other lines) agent commission is not protected unless the client pays in full.  Not sure what SS policy is.  Right now, if they push final payment to 45 days out and cancel at 50 days out any cruises an agent has booked, not paid in full, they will not get commission on.  Passengers may get a bonus for getting a FCC instead of the refund but again, if not paid in full when cancelled the bonus is only on the money on the booking.  Again, my TA was telling me about other cruiselines so I can only guess this may be the same with SS.  The 45 day buys them time and may save them money if they do have to cancel.

 

I really wish they would make a decision asap.

[Razgumio]

Hi cruisr. Are you communicating your desires above with Silvertsea?

[Rrehfe4969@aol.com]

I feel your anxiety as we are booked on a 42 day from LA to Hong Kong with 12 days in Japan on Oceania late September and we have already had final payment and Oceania still says they are sailing and no visa required even though everyone knows visas are required and Japan is not giving any to tourist now.  I keep talking to my TA and she keeps giving me the Oceania BS. They have my money and I have a fcc tied up with them and they did not allow me to move it to January cruise. Expect more from Silverseas as we cruised from London to Iceland in May on Moon and caught Covid while on ship and they were great and put us up in hotel for 5 nights in Iceland with two hundred dollar for food per day and fcc when we got home. Think positive but do not expect to go to Japan or China this year on a cruise ship. 
Richard 

[Razgumio]

https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/travel_and_visa.html

 

[Rrehfe4969@aol.com]

Thanks for info. They have added the bubble tours since the last time I viewed. 

[seaquay]

There has been a letter from Barbara Muckermann concerning the Muse Japan cruises posted on another board that readers may find informative

[Rrehfe4969@aol.com]

Viking has a cruise going to Japan and China that leaves on September 20th and Viking is all over the place as to what needs to be done including saying no visas required but their latest e mail seems to say that each individual must have a visa and that Viking is trying to work with travel agents in Japan to sponsor cruisers on shore excursions and each cruiser must apply in person at embassy or consulate 5 days or more before departure but Japanese authorities have not approved anything and I also read that less than 300 people used Japanese travel agents on bubble tours in Japan in all of june. No one knows anything and I have to wonder why Viking, silverseas and Oceania are using up all their goodwill for these 3 cruises.  Silverseas is the first September 1st so we will see. Good luck and please post any news as a lot of us are keeping up with your cruise since it is first in line. 
Richard 

[Rrehfe4969@aol.com]

It is my understanding that silverseas just cancelled all the cruises to Japan for the year and are offering money back or fcc or if you re book another cruise in august 15 percent off

RICHARD

[drron29]

Yes on another site it appears all Asian cruises may have been cancelled. A Silver Shadow cruise Singapore to Singapore in November was cancelled.

[cruisr]

Yes, I posted this on a another thread.  All Asia/SE asia have been cancelled in Sept, Oct, Nov and I believe early Dec.  Though, as of a little while ago all are still on the website.

[les37b]

On 7/10/2022 at 1:35 AM, Port Power said:

I am booked on SS to Japan early next year.  That’s the country I want to see.  Not, for instance, the South Pacific if the itinerary is changed.  

 

Understand your anxiety. Mine isn't until next year. though have been through this 3 times on this booking and too want to visit Japan. However, if they swapped the itinerary and gave the option of 16 nights to the South Pacific instead. I'd grab it. As it stands I have a gut feeling if mine is cancelled, I will end up walking away with the cash paid in March 2019. My booking is already a series of FCC and adjustments and the invoice makes zero sense to me. This rebooking was from the cancellation from the sailing in May 2022 and I was simply transferred to the April 2023 sailing. I'd much prefer them to give an option with itineraries rather than offer a 115% FCC which isn't real for me as my booking was already made with a 125% FCC.

 

April is a way of yet. But as mine is Osaka to Seward, I know this sailing won't happen if the Japan / Asia season is cancelled.

 

I genuinely thought 2 weeks ago, regardless of 2022, my sailing was assured. I now have huge doubts now and explains why they aren't working on my flights for it.

 

[cruiseej]

7 hours ago, les37b said:

April is a way of yet. But as mine is Osaka to Seward, I know this sailing won't happen if the Japan / Asia season is cancelled.

 

Well, the ship has to get to Seward for the summer Alaska seasons somehow, so I wouldn't write off what will happen in April just yet.

 

7 hours ago, les37b said:

I genuinely thought 2 weeks ago, regardless of 2022, my sailing was assured. I now have huge doubts now and explains why they aren't working on my flights for it.

 

Silversea is not working on flights that far in the future. We have had an Antarctica cruise scheduled the past two years; last year, they booked out air 282 days before the cruise (which was subsequently canceled). This year, for our rebooked cruise, I contacted our travel agent 9 months in advance, and she said Silversea's air department responded: "Please advise guests Silversea does not book air until 170 days prior to sailing." I guess with (a) the rapid pace of changes in flight schedules, (b) the volume of air re-bookings they are constantly needing to do as cruises are canceled and rerouted, and (c) staff shortages, they made a decision not to address air bookings as early as they used to. They then ended up doing our booking at about 210 days prior to the cruise.

 

So in your case, I'd suggest reaching out to your TA or SS consultant about 7 months in advance of the cruise to get them to reach out to the air department about your flights. I think they will book air even though it may be unknown if the cruise will sail or not; they can't wait until 6-8 weeks before the cruise to try to book everyone's air.

[Joywrk]

We have a cruise in Feb Mar from Sydney to Tokyo and our air was booked weeks ago

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, Joywrk said:

We have a cruise in Feb Mar from Sydney to Tokyo and our air was booked weeks ago

I guess all land and sea operators are confident Japan will be open for peak “cherry blossom” time.  Let’s hope they’re right.

[BaileyMJ]

Still no email from SS regarding my canceled cruise so I call my SS consultant who booked the cruise - he sounded like he knew nothing about the cancellation and reached out to his manager who said they are still in the process of sending out cancellation emails - he said my booking would still appear in My Silverseas until the company cancels it.  He was also very quick to offer a FCC but I said absolutely No and will wait for my letter.  I tried finding a similar cruise but as others have posted yes but at a much higher price and maybe not till 2025.

[les37b]

On 7/29/2022 at 5:05 PM, cruiseej said:

 

Well, the ship has to get to Seward for the summer Alaska seasons somehow, so I wouldn't write off what will happen in April just yet.

 

 

Silversea is not working on flights that far in the future. We have had an Antarctica cruise scheduled the past two years; last year, they booked out air 282 days before the cruise (which was subsequently canceled). This year, for our rebooked cruise, I contacted our travel agent 9 months in advance, and she said Silversea's air department responded: "Please advise guests Silversea does not book air until 170 days prior to sailing." I guess with (a) the rapid pace of changes in flight schedules, (b) the volume of air re-bookings they are constantly needing to do as cruises are canceled and rerouted, and (c) staff shortages, they made a decision not to address air bookings as early as they used to. They then ended up doing our booking at about 210 days prior to the cruise.

 

So in your case, I'd suggest reaching out to your TA or SS consultant about 7 months in advance of the cruise to get them to reach out to the air department about your flights. I think they will book air even though it may be unknown if the cruise will sail or not; they can't wait until 6-8 weeks before the cruise to try to book everyone's air.

 

I probably didn't make myself very clear.

 

It was the fact SS had allocated flights with a connection of 1h15m in Tokyo and 1h07h in Seattle for flights from / to London....... Which I don't believe should be viewed as connecting. Luggage needs to be collected, passport control cleared and 2 lots of security to go through. Not just that, but getting off the plane and getting to the departure gate 30 minutes before departure time.

 

So really, 30 mins to do all of the above.... And that's in the hope it's on time!

 

I'd much prefer a 4 hour connection. Thoughts?

 

 

[Port Power]

2 hours ago, les37b said:

 

I probably didn't make myself very clear.

 

It was the fact SS had allocated flights with a connection of 1h15m in Tokyo and 1h07h in Seattle for flights from / to London....... Which I don't believe should be viewed as connecting. Luggage needs to be collected, passport control cleared and 2 lots of security to go through. Not just that, but getting off the plane and getting to the departure gate 30 minutes before departure time.

 

So really, 30 mins to do all of the above.... And that's in the hope it's on time!

 

I'd much prefer a 4 hour connection. Thoughts?

 

 

Totally agree.  Who employed the SS air team?  They don’t seem to understand even the fundamentals of flying internationally, or connecting flights and immigration.

[cruiseej]

16 hours ago, Joywrk said:

We have a cruise in Feb Mar from Sydney to Tokyo and our air was booked weeks ago

 

Yes, that's pretty standard for them to be reserving air about 6 months in advance of a cruise. It doesn't mean the cruise is going; that's a decision which will happen later. It doesn't cost the cruise line anything to make the booking reservation with the airline; they aren't actually purchasing the seats and issuing the air tickets until 6-8 weeks before the cruise. So all you can read into the booking of your air is that as of now, they still hope these cruises in 2023 will sail.

 

4 hours ago, les37b said:

SS had allocated flights with a connection of 1h15m in Tokyo and 1h07h in Seattle for flights from / to London… Thoughts?

 

I think 100% of people on this forum would agree that such connection times are insane and unlikely to be successful. Why SS Air is booking such ridiculous connections is a question no one here can answer.

[les37b]

8 hours ago, Port Power said:

Totally agree.  Who employed the SS air team?  They don’t seem to understand even the fundamentals of flying internationally, or connecting flights and immigration.

 

6 hours ago, cruiseej said:

I think 100% of people on this forum would agree that such connection times are insane and unlikely to be successful. Why SS Air is booking such ridiculous connections is a question no one here can answer.

 

This is why it's alarming. You can ask to change (which I have) but SS can say no... that's your flight.

 

I always make them aware I want a decent connection time after missing a 4h15m connection in Atlanta.

 

Will post once I hear back.

 

 

 

 

[FauxNom]

15 hours ago, les37b said:

It was the fact SS had allocated flights with a connection of 1h15m in Tokyo and 1h07h in Seattle for flights from / to London....... Which I don't believe should be viewed as connecting. Luggage needs to be collected, passport control cleared and 2 lots of security to go through. Not just that, but getting off the plane and getting to the departure gate 30 minutes before departure time.

 

So really, 30 mins to do all of the above.... And that's in the hope it's on time!

 

I'd much prefer a 4 hour connection. Thoughts?

 

I agree: too tight! But here's a blogger who says 1 hour is enough in Seattle 

https://www.sanspotter.com/is-1-hour-layover-enough-time-in-seattle/#:~:text=The good news is that,re making an international connection.  However, he doesn't address the international to international connection, which is likely more complicated than just staying airside and avoiding security. This page from the airport goes into great detail:

https://www.portseattle.org/services-amenities/international-arrivals-and-passport-control

[CruzinFeraBruzin]

A 1 hour connection going thru customs is unrealistic under normal circumstances, but add to it the shortage of workers worldwide, its only going to add to the extra work SilverAir will have to do to book you on another flight if you missed it due to a short connection time.  I've often wondered if these short connection flights are cheaper for Silversea.  Not sure...