jbinpa

Thank you for setting me straight!

I’m seeing some conflicting information on what is now considered “casual dining” on Diamond Princess for those who have Princess Plus or Princess Premier. Are Kai Sushi and Sabatini’s still considered “casual dining?” Or are they full-fledged specialty dining (as the new Churrascaria Brazilian steak place is)?

I’m going solo on Diamond Princess in Japan next July. I’ve solo cruised before and my itinerary is pretty port-heavy, but I hope there will be some solo cruiser events to meet people.

Thank you for these insights. The itinerary I'm looking at is as follows: * Shimizu * Sea * Kyoto/Osaka - docked overnight * Hiroshima * Sea * Busan * Sea * Hakodate * Aomori * Sea

If going on a Japan cruise, do you recommend staying in Yokohama beforehand or in Tokyo itself? I know the latter is more expensive but how easy is it to get from Yokohama to downtown Tokyo for sightseeing?

Hi - I'm considering this 12-day Japan itinerary (with a stop in Busan, South Korea as well) on Celebrity Millennium next August. https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/12-night-best-of-japan-cruise-from-tokyo-yokohama-japan?packageID=ML12I092&sDT=2024-08-07&cCD=CO&search=startDate:2024-08-01~2024-08-31 Has anyone ever been to Japan on Millennium? If so, how was your experience? Are there a lot of onboard activities for the 4 full sea days (and a partial 5th) on this itinerary? I realize August can be unpleasantly hot and humid in Japan but going in the spring or fall won't work for a number of reasons. Thanks for your help!

I just had a similar experience on a solo Alaska cruise on Holland America's Koningsdam. There was a solo cruiser's "happy hour" the first evening just after sailaway, as well as a lunch the next day. After that we were basically on our own. I'd be interested to know if things are different on Norwegian, which does a lot more to cater to solo cruisers (in particular its dedicated solo cruisers lounge). That said, a good deal of solo cruisers are there to be alone for one reason or another. And others may be "solo" in the sense they're not traveling with a significant other but they're still part of a larger group.

Have fun! But won't a lot of things for tourists in Alaska be closed for the season by October? And won't the weather be bad?

Sometimes this is true. And it is often so on Caribbean cruises where there are frequently more bargains, especially if you travel outside of “traditional” vacation periods. In my case the solo supplement would have made a regular oceanview room cost $400 more.

I’m doing Holland America’s Koningsdam to Alaska at the end of May. This is one of HA’s ships with solo rooms.

Thank you so much. This is very helpful - and a relief. I was not looking forward to having to haul a suit for one night of what will be a 12-day trip (I'm adding on some time in Vancouver before the cruise and Seattle afterward).

Hi. How does Holland America handle formal nights? I'm going on a 7-day Alaska cruise at the end of May/beginning of June on the Koningsdam. I've been on cruises before, but not in more than a decade, and never on HA. Does HA do them? And if I don't want to haul a suit and tie (and requisite accessories) with me to Alaska will there be non-formal dining options on those nights? Thanks!

I'm looking at doing a solo Alaska cruise in late May/early June too. Choosing between Princess, Celebrity, and possibly Royal Caribbean. While Norwegian seems to do the most to cater to solo travelers, I've heard good things about solo traveling on Celebrity too. More importantly, Norwegian's Alaska itineraries seem quite lacking compared to Princess or even Celebrity.

Thank you! This is helpful.

Hi - I’m looking at an Alaska itinerary on Celebrity Millennium later this year. I’ve heard good things about Celebrity, especially the food, but that Millennium isn’t one of its newer ships (though it has been renovated). Has anyone here been on Millennium since the renovation? What was your experience? Thanks!