debcip

I was following along as I had been on the Japan intensive the two weeks prior. As @uktog said, every day was different and wonderful in its own way. But, as we had great weather for the day in Shimizu, seeing Mt Fuji from 3 different vantage points was really a highlight. We also loved and were inspired by the Adachi Museum of Art and Gardens, and the Yushien Gardens, which we saw on the Sakaiminato day

@uktog, I just came back to finish reading your thread. It was so much fun to re-live our trip through your eyes! Thanks so much it was great fun! I hope to meet you someday in Azamara World! 😊🥂. —Debbie

As my Azamara account and I remain apparently unknown to Azamara, thanks everyone for this news as I am receiving no mailings.

Hi, Here’s the info on a recent bid experience (made bids for 2 different upgrades): - bid date 10-Jan-2024 - cruise date 19-Mar-2024 - cruise length 15 days - loyalty level Explorer - minimum bid required for upgrade (in US$) 800 per cabin / 200 per cabin - total amount bid (in US$) 3000 / 350 - cabin type initially booked Veranda - cabin type bid for Club Continent Suite / Veranda Plus - final bid cost per night (in US$) 200 / 23 - bid strength can’t remember - outcome (successful or not) not - cruise region Japan - any other useful information (E.g when told about outcome) - told 18-Mar-2024

Great seeing all the different things you’re experiencing on your trip! I may have to return! Ryszard is the best! Wasnt the apple pie amazing? interesting that you are having all the different sake cocktails! Did I miss them on. Y trip? Your on-shore and on board entertainment is also different than ours! The long hours of walking did continue for us—we walked almost 4-5 miles every day

@ChucktownSteve and @Host Jazzbeau, can you explain a bit about what you meant when noting “Royal Caribbeanization” on Celebrity and Silversea? Thanks!

@tango9 I agree about the local entertainment, locally provided marvelous sail-away entertainment, and the availability of Tomoko and the local ambassadors at the ports ( wish I had asked about the Haori!!!). Azamara really did a wonderful job with this one!

Re: the Japanese guides. Overall, I think I would say they were equally divided between excellent, very good, and ok. About 2/3 had very good English and were easy to understand, and we struggled some with the remaining 1/3

We did this in ‘18 and loved the experience as well— but for some reason they were not permitted to serve food or drink at the event-that was a little disappointing as a a glass of wine would have been lovely! I found it to be a very special night!

I know everyone’s cruise has begun but I went to Catholic school and I can’t leave a task undone—there’s one more thing to add regarding our last day in Tokyo. We had spent 3 days in Tokyo pre-cruise but did not do a lot of the typical “touristy” things. So on the last day, we did the Tokyo Highlights and Teppanyaki ship tour. This took us to the Meiji-Jingu shrine, for a walk around the Imperial Palace grounds, to the Aksakusa Temple, and to the shopping area of Nakamise Dori. There was teppanyaki lunch at a very nice steakhouse. in all honesty the day was slightly disappointing. I think we had seen a few too many shrines and temples, and there was not too much to see at the palace grounds at the moment since nothing was in bloom. The area around the temple and on Nakamise Dori was unpleasantly crowded—I was hoping to do a bit of shopping but it was all one could do to get down the street! The lunch was excellent, however! None of this was an issue with the ship or the tour guide—it was just the wrong thing for us on the last day. In retrospect, I would have opted to stay on board in the morning and get my packing underway, have lunch somewhere perhaps in the ship vicinity (there are apparently some decent restaurants in that part of town), and might have taken an independent tour of some sort at night; these are available on line. That’s it for me! Looking forward to hearing the thoughts of anyone currently on board for the second round of Japan! —Debbie

Phil, I just posted on another thread that on the Journey, the idea of future Azamazing evenings was definitely being promoted—that it was not possible in some countries but that as a whole they will be going forward. 🤷🏻‍♀️ —Debbie

Thanks for the positive response and feedback! Wishing you a wonderful cruise! It was a once-in-a-lifetime one for us!

Just off the Journey in Japan. It was mentioned by Ryszard and other staff multiple times that the intent is to continue regularly having Azamazing Evenings; that in Japan and Korea it is not currently possible due to some government restrictions

Shimizu Tje excursion this day was dedicated to viewing Mt Fuji from multiple different vantage points. First was a stop at Shiraito waterfall. This is a beautiful site which can be seen from above or more closely by descending about 100 steps (these are regular and have railings). We climbed back out the same way—not sure if there is a gentler way without steps. We proceeded to the Fuji-San Shinto shrine, where even better views of Mt Fuji are seen Finally we went to a town along the Pacific Ocean, and walked through a pine grove along a boardwalk, where the ancients used to walk as a little pilgrimage. This walk is approximately a half mile. It ends with a fantastic view of Mt Fuji from the beach!

Additional note on Kobe: The cruise ship dock was separated from the terminal exit by the on-ramps to a bridge and a commuter train. This resulted in a long and circuitous route from deck 5 on the ship, across to and underground in the terminal building and finally emerging to where the buses were waiting. It’s a 1/4 to 1/3 mile walk, without exaggeration. Be prepared!