Konnichiwa Japan (is welcoming home the Diamond Princess)

[cr8tiv1]

I have thought deeply into whether I should begin this thread under Princess...or Asian Ports.  I am hoping that I will be allowed to keep it under Princess since it is my hope, that it will help many more on this site.  The Diamond Princess will finally return to her home port (Yokohama).  A group of passengers will escort her from San Diego in a few days.  Their adventure will take them across the WIDE Pacific Ocean.  "Fair Winds and Following Seas"

 

I have done extensive homework.  I found bits and pieces in many different roll calls.  My hope is to consolidate everyone's findings under one thread.  

[cr8tiv1]

Let's start with the simple. 

 

You DO NOT NEED any pre-documents to enter Japan.  You will speed up your immigration and customs time if you fill out an e-document.

 

https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001

 

There are two parts to this.  One for Immigration and the other for Customs Declaration.  Be sure to complete both (do not hit the return to home button).  Use the one on the bottom right to continue.  

 

You will see a QR code for both.  Take a screenshot.  Save as a PDF to print.  These are the sections that need to be completed.

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[cr8tiv1]

Then there is the K-ETA e-document to enter Korea (Jeju Island or Busan).  This is required.  I read different time lines.  Anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 days.  It cost me $8.80.  You can fill this out for everyone in your family.

 

https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do

 

I started the process using my computer.  I was later told they improved the app.  It was then very simple to take my photo with the app.  It resized the photo to fit.  I had a little bit of trouble taking my selfie.  Had to try several times before I actually was able to complete the registration.

 

I received my QR code within the hour.

 

[cr8tiv1]

Specific to my voyage, we will dock at Seogwipo, Jeju Island.  I used the following information:

 

zip code:  62563

Seogwipo Gangjeong Cruise Terminal

Diamond Princess

290 maljil ro (is the address I found/that worked...it was on page 14 or 15 of th scroll down menu of addresses)

 

Hotel or host phone number:  826615936071

[cr8tiv1]

I am flying into Narita Airport.  There are multiple ways to get to Yokohama.  I am flying in a few days early so am unable to use a Princess Direct Airport Transfer.

 

I'm too old to deal with trains and luggage.  Private cars are too expensive.

 

So I opted for the Airport Limousine Bus.

https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/en/

 

Narita to the 23 wards of Tokyo (Kanagawa Prefecture).  It will drop me off at the bus terminal (YCAT) where I will get a taxi to my hotel.  I have been in communications with my hotel and they have been very responsive.  I asked them to send me something that I could print out, in Japanese, that said to take me to THEIR hotel.  

 

Word of the Day...."Chotto".  I learned that 50 years ago when I got into a  taxi and the hotel forgot to tell him where to take me.

 

Chotto matte kudasai. / Please wait a moment.

 

PS.. If you are flying into Haneda, I understand that their buses "may" drop you off at certain hotels.

 

[cr8tiv1]

There are 3 bus companies at Narita that alternate departures.  They all charge the same.

 

3,700 Yen - Standard Fare

2,200 Yen - Senior Fare (65 plus)

4,000 Yen - bus and Taxi voucher from hotel/charged to your hotel account

 

I asked about the benefits of reserving a seat on a bus.  This was the reply:

 

Hello(Konnichiwa), R-San

On-line reservation has merit and demerit.

Regarding merit, Airport Limousine bus has seating capacity system. When you make a reservation, seat will be guaranteed for you. The bus will sometimes get filled up.

Regarding demerit, if you make an on-line reservation, and then you can’t catch the bus due to the delayed flight or the congested customs, the bus should not wait for you and start on time. 
 

All the bus fare is not refundable after the departing time of the bus. Moreover, your on-line ticket is not valid for the next bus. All you can do is cancel or change the bus departure time up to 5 minutes before the bus leaves.

It isn't compulsory to book in advance through our web site. Even without on-line reservation, the day ticket is available at the bus ticketing counter or the ticket vending machine on your arrival at airport.

 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.
Kind Regards,

 

Tomohiro Ohta/Mr.

[cr8tiv1]

Now the unknowns.

 

As of today, my information is that you do not need a covid test to enter Japan.  Only your vaccination card (with 3 qualified shots).

 

As for embarkation - I am not confident I have the correct, most up to date information.  The latest and greatest is that all you need to do is "attest" to a negative test WITH PROOF.

 

Not sure what "WIth Proof "entails.  The last update said a photo of the negative (self administered/home/free/over the counter) test along with:  time date stamp and photo identification.  I am hoping those that precede me will verify what is required.  I am taking some extra tests with me for those passengers who are not Cruise Critic members and may not be informed.

[cr8tiv1]

And just for fun:

 

https://www.tokyolocalized.com/post/japan-cherry-blossom-2023#:~:text=Based on the cherry blossom,is expected on March 30

 

This is a good time to visit Japan.  I bought YEN at ¥133 a little while back.  Today's rate is ¥131.68/US $1

[Bobbiegentry]

[TorontoTL]

You’ll have an incredible time, when we were in Japan in the fall of 2019 on the Diamond, it was our best cruise ever.

[dickinson]

@cr8tiv1 I'm so excited for your trip!  When are you going?  If wifi is good maybe you could do a live from or even a sometimes live from.

 

Sorry though that you have to slum it with no WS. Lol.

[cr8tiv1]

The Diamond Princess leaves on Sunday for Japan.  So far:

 

1.  TransPacific voyagers have an option of 3 days PCR.

2.  But those joining on March 15 "may" have only 24 hours/day

3.  Link takes you to Australian Enhanced cruises.

 

Could it be any clearer?

[DavidsNana]

I love your trip reports and pics.  I am really looking forward to this.  You are so informative and knowledgeable.  Thank you.  Have a fantastic trip/cruise.

[cr8tiv1]

Just received an updated invoice (Feb 12, 2023) for Japan cruise.  Notice:  No mention of K-ETA requirement.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR YOUR VOYAGE

Please be advised that all guests 18 years of age or older must have completed a primary vaccination series for COVID-19 AND also received at least one booster before embarkation (total of 3 vaccination doses). Vaccination certificates must be written or translated into English or Japanese to be valid. Guests ages 12 to 17 must have received two vaccination doses. Children under 12 are not required to be vaccinated.

In addition, guests ages 5 and older must produce at check-in a negative self-administered COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test result photo with a time and date stamp taken within one day before embark or a negative PCR test result taken within two days before embark. Please note that testing and self-tests will not be available at the pier. Face masks will be required indoors on board for guests 5 years and older. Influenza vaccinations before travel are strongly recommended. All guests must also register and complete Visit Japan Web at https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en in advance of entry to Japan.

Edited February 12, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[cr8tiv1]

Wishing our fearless adventurers a warm send off from San Diego this afternoon.  Should be a beautiful sail out of San Diego Harbor.  

 

[pv2015]

I'm soooo excited to be boarding this so on May 7th! So is there a roll call or a meet and greet? Let me know please! 

[cr8tiv1]

50 minutes ago, pv2015 said:

I'm soooo excited to be boarding this so on May 7th! So is there a roll call or a meet and greet? Let me know please! 

 

Looks like you started one.  I have found Roll Calls to be pretty sparse.  Not sure if it is because the ship usually sails with 50% from the Japanese Market, less from Australia, and even fewer from the United States.

[Bobbiegentry]

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Just received an updated invoice (Feb 12, 2023) for Japan cruise.  Notice:  No mention of K-ETA requirement.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR YOUR VOYAGE

Please be advised that all guests 18 years of age or older must have completed a primary vaccination series for COVID-19 AND also received at least one booster before embarkation (total of 3 vaccination doses). Vaccination certificates must be written or translated into English or Japanese to be valid. Guests ages 12 to 17 must have received two vaccination doses. Children under 12 are not required to be vaccinated.

In addition, guests ages 5 and older must produce at check-in a negative self-administered COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test result photo with a time and date stamp taken within one day before embark or a negative PCR test result taken within two days before embark. Please note that testing and self-tests will not be available at the pier. Face masks will be required indoors on board for guests 5 years and older. Influenza vaccinations before travel are strongly recommended. All guests must also register and complete Visit Japan Web at https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en in advance of entry to Japan.

We boarded the Diamond this morning. 
We each had an antigen test administered on Feb 10 (2 days ago) NOT 1 day. 

As I said, we are on board now. 

[cr8tiv1]

32 minutes ago, Bobbiegentry said:

We boarded the Diamond this morning. 
We each had an antigen test administered on Feb 10 (2 days ago) NOT 1 day. 

As I said, we are on board now. 

 

Waiting for you to leave San Diego...You are late and losing the sun.

 

Did you receive anything from Princess that stated 2 days?  I wonder why the differences.  I also understand you will have to test in a few days (onboard).  

 

I will follow the directions given me for a Japan embarkation.  Thanks for chiming in.

[Bobbiegentry]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Waiting for you to leave San Diego...You are late and losing the sun.

 

Did you receive anything from Princess that stated 2 days?  I wonder why the differences.  I also understand you will have to test in a few days (onboard).  

 

I will follow the directions given me for a Japan embarkation.  Thanks for chiming in.

We received nothing from Princess after receiving the notice of the 3 day testing requirement. The boarding agent looked at our tests this morning and waived us on through. 

I’ve also heard about in transit testing. Nothing has been said thus far about it. But then again, we are only 2 hours out of San Diego!

Will post when we hear anything. 

[Bobbiegentry]

Purser’s Desk advises 1548 on board now with 100 more joining in HNL. 

[cr8tiv1]

@Don John. Thank you for your research.

Olympia, Washington

 

Posted 18 hours ago for Busan.

 

With help from SuzSharp, MrLakeWorth, ringers0815, cr8tiv1 and Jinhee at the Korea Travel Office:

I successfully used this address: International Passenger Terminal, 206 Chungjiang-daero, Dong-gu, Busan, zip code 48751  Diamond Princess.  For phone number of where we will be staying I used Diamond Princess  826615936071.

Let me know if this works for you.  If you submit during office hours (in Korea)  results typically come in an hour or so.

Terry

[4bande]

On 2/12/2023 at 11:15 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

Just received an updated invoice (Feb 12, 2023) for Japan cruise.  Notice:  No mention of K-ETA requirement.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR YOUR VOYAGE

Please be advised that all guests 18 years of age or older must have completed a primary vaccination series for COVID-19 AND also received at least one booster before embarkation (total of 3 vaccination doses). Vaccination certificates must be written or translated into English or Japanese to be valid. Guests ages 12 to 17 must have received two vaccination doses. Children under 12 are not required to be vaccinated.

In addition, guests ages 5 and older must produce at check-in a negative self-administered COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test result photo with a time and date stamp taken within one day before embark or a negative PCR test result taken within two days before embark. Please note that testing and self-tests will not be available at the pier. Face masks will be required indoors on board for guests 5 years and older. Influenza vaccinations before travel are strongly recommended. All guests must also register and complete Visit Japan Web at https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en in advance of entry to Japan.

I have not seen anything from Princess either for arrival at Seogwipo.

[cr8tiv1]

@4bandeWelcome to Cruise Critic.  You will find a lot more information here than what should be disseminated by Princess.  

 

Please  be cautious.  Not all that is written is accurate.  You still need to do your research to verify.  I try to post information that I deem correct.  But I sometimes make mistakes and someone else will correct me.  To err is to be human.  

[cr8tiv1]

I am not familiar with the trains in Japan.  I just ran across this piece of information for those who are planning on taking luggage on a train:

 

https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/transport/new-shinkansen-luggage-rules/

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html

 

Disclaimer:  This may have nothing to do with how you get from point A to point B.  Just a note for information...in case.  "Some" lines require advance reservations if you are taking "over-sized" luggage that does not fit in the overhead.  

 

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by cr8tiv1