Linda E

Thank you for your replies and helpful ideas. I am new to using Cruise Critic and have never sailed with Celebrity. Crystalspin mentioned the Asia Port forum. Should I also post my above questions there? Thank you also for the roll call information. We did get a few guide books on Japan and the areas but we are a little hesitant going everywhere on our own. We travel in Europe on our own but at least you can read things there. It doesn't sound like they have tour operators waiting near the ship ports in Japan so one needs to plan ahead for a private tour or take the ship excursions. Maybe more excursions will be added later. On a recent Princess cruise there were many more excursions available after you got on the ship than there were online before you sailed. Thank you.

Hello. We are going on a Japan cruise in May with Celebrity. We recently booked it so some of the ship excursions are either sold out or very expensive. I was wondering if places in Japan are similar to the Caribbean and Alaska cruise ports where vendors are available when you get off the ship and offer either small bus or mini-van tours. I am curious about Aomori, Hakodate, Hiroshima, Osaka and Shimizu. I have looked at a few websites with personal guides but for two people some were $800-$1000 a day which is too expensive. Thank you for your assistance.