cruiseaholic78

Sorry but I have to ask, we have been to Tokyo twice and leaving to return next week, but what did you find challenging? I have found them to be the cleanest we have ever encountered anywhere even in public parks supplies of ample wc paper. Rosalyn

Maybe this could help. https://ca.dayuse.com/s/canada/british-columbia/greater-vancouver Happy planning Rosalyn

When looking at R class Oceania cabins you can always pop over to the Azamara site as most of the cabins are identical. Always check the deck plans to see if this is applicable for the ones you might/want. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=445677 Happy planning Rosalyn

I always used to use and look at booking sites for pre cruise hotels but soon found that (especially in Asia) booking direct is often much better. There will of course be no language problem, just always book with the option to cancel and payment on arrival which is understandably a little more expensive. You can then always check if the rate has gone down and rebook, we booked pre cruise for Tokyo last February for this month, now rates are more than double. We are flying to Tokyo pre cruise (Australia) to visit family this month after more than 5 cancellations. So excited. Happy planning Rosalyn

I know it was your last update but I would like to add Oceania Regatta to the list as we will be boarding her on 12th December. So looking forward to visiting Sydney/Australia again, 35 days circumnavigation! Rosalyn

I would suggest the Limousine bus, they are available both from Haneda and Narita, it is a luxury bus with plenty of room for luggage and they stop at most of the Tokyo hotels including the Hilton (Shinjuku one, great, we are there in December again). This will definitely save you some cruise $'s especially if you book your own hotel. If you can choose Haneda is a lot nearer than Narita. We found the underground quite friendly to use to plan our trips just get a good map and people are always friendly and willing to help. Happy planning Rosalyn

Many cruise companies provide a shuttle service to the town centre, maybe you can check this pre cruise.. We have done this and walked back (its quite a tipple though) Happy planning Rosalyn

Slightly off topic. Reading this as an overseas senior visitor I have a question, we are (finally) coming to Australia and will be spending a week pre cruise in Sydney before commencing our circumnavigation of Australia. We originally planned on getting Opal cards at the airport but after reading info decided to go the easier CC route. So if I am reading this correctly we need different CC accounts which we have but we are used to always having a senior reduction on public transport. Is this still possible with a) using CC or b) with an Opal card or is this only available to citizens with a special senior card? Rosalyn

No worries everything vaguely fluid goes in at least one ziplock bag! Rosalyn

Whew, just checked my airline and they are ok with aerosols in checked baggage, however will definitely get some Australian recommended sunscreen in addition to our own. We have our own rash shirts but love the ugly ones! Rosalyn

I was wondering what exactly do you mean by this, we always bring spray cans of deodorant/sunscreen/shaving cream with us on holiday. Do you mean not allowed at all in Australia or are you referring to using spray cans of sunscreen because of (possible) damage to the coral/reef? Rosalyn

Maybe you should check on the actual Schiphol information site. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/transfers/ Rosalyn

Oceania Regatta 656 passengers. Starts on 21st October Papeete to Darwin then a few cruises back and forth between Australia and Asia. Then finally (for us yeah happy dance) 12th December circumnavigation of Australia 35 days counting the days. Rosalyn

We were in NH Copenhagen in July, an ideal location everywhere is within walking distance, even Tivoli. Its a beautiful new 5 * hotel and the prices were more reasonable than 71 Nyhavn and Admiral both of which we have stayed at previously. If you want to visit Tivoli I suggest you prebook. Rosalyn

Our flight isn’t till even later and we will have also been a week in Sydney pre-cruise. We are planning to book an hotel day room, perfect for dumping stuff and probably just laying round the pool reminiscing about our fabulous cruise! There are various options/times/facilities available. https://au.dayuse.com/s/australia/new-south-wales/council-of-the-city-of-sydney/sydney Rosalyn

We experienced premium economy a few years ago on S.A. and were extremely pleased with the product, however we have not been on ANA yet. Just learned today that Japan will reopen on 11th October so over the moon as we have booked a similar stopover that you are considering on our flight to Australia. It is an ideal way to see more and break up an extremely long journey. Here re some reviews, you might want to check the actual aircraft type. https://www.businesstraveller.com/features/which-airlines-have-the-best-premium-economy/ Happy planning Rosalyn

Just one advice after traveling in this summer, don’t buy black/grey/dark blue. The baggage carousels are full of dark colored cases many of them without any significant markings. Unfortunately we also saw baggage carts full of (dark) cases all over Amsterdam and Copenhagen but that is another story. We have aqua blue ones which stand out wherever we are. A side note to the owners of dark colored cases get a bright baggage band so at least you can recognize them at a distance.

I know she is great we met her and her husband on a leg of a RTW voyage but thought I might keep her anonymous. Rosalyn

I think you might be interested in this wonderful pdf made by someone on the RTW cruise. Incredible details and photos Happy Planning Rosalyn https://boards.cruisecritic.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=1154207&key=18c5d954c19cce7d0871dcb0229fb898

Those cream puff things are actually called Bosse bollen and they are indeed beyond excellent!

Hotel Rotterdam. For anyone wanting to change their prehotel stay how about staying on the old SS Rotterdam for an amazing precruise stay/museum experience. https://ssrotterdam.com/ Rosalyn

I would check this website, at the moment I don’t think it is possible unless you are on an extremely organized guided tour. https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/travel_and_visa.html Rosalyn

Iceland guided tours have their tours tailor made to the arrival of the cruise ships, you might want to have a look at them. We did the golden circle with them which was excellent, they also offer a discount if you book a combination with other ports. The HOPONHOPOFF is also at the port and there was one bus showing a private tour but I have no details of that one. Happy planning Rosalyn

We re coming towards you on the Nieuw Statendam, I posted (your) tip for the mesh bags on our roll call and we will definitely be taking ours. Someone said she hadn’t got warm enough clothes so was considering layering up with her bathrobe on top. Looks like we will be having fancy dress excursions! Rosalyn

Great fotos but I am afraid it can’t be the Nieuw Statendam. She left Copenhagen on 16th July for a TA to Boston. Rosalyn