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Peelboy

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    TransPacific: Better to sail East or West?

    in Asia

    Posted

    I have done both.  Sailing west in late so early fall is warmer and east in lte winter early spring much colder.  Water can be rough for both.  Transatlantic is much more comfortable than transpacific.  Sailing east is at the peak of cherry blossom so you can do a wonderful land trip before the cruise.  

    • Like 1

    Taxis at cruise ports inJapan?

    in Asia

    Posted

    On 8/10/2021 at 8:04 PM, kbert92069 said:

    We have never cruised around or visited Japan.  In many places we've cruised there are taxis waiting at the pier which can be hired to take us to a destination or even drive us around all day.  Does this happen in Japan?  We are looking at Celebrity's 14 day around Japan next spring.  The specific ports are Shimazu, Kobe, Kochi, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Hakodate, Aomori.

     

    Secondary question would be if these hovering taxis exist what's the likelihood  the drivers speak a little English.

     

    Third question: have people had success with Google translate in Japan?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Karl


    I go to Japan every winter for two months.  Below is my experience 

     

    Google translate works.  Make sure you google the destination with a picture to show to the driver.  I have hired taxi for a few hours but only in small towns not in the port.   Taxis are abundant at train stations.  Uber exists and doesn’t exist in Japan.  You use Uber app to call a taxi.  Pay the fare by meter but calculated by the app.  You also pay like $4 admin fees.  
     

    I am booked on the same itinerary and most of the ports you can diy.  I plan to use the local trains and buses to spend the day.  Kochi in particular has the 12 castles which is a must.  

    • Like 1

    Shimizu port and Mt Fuji shore excursion

    in Asia

    Posted

    Since nobody answers your question I will try.  I am booked for October 6, 2024 for the same itinerary.  Shimizu is too far away from Mt Fuji to enjoy the area.  The ship will dock in front of the mountain and you can see the giant mountain on the deck while enjoying your beer.  We plan to take a local bus along the shore to watch the mountain from a distance.  Mt Fuji is huge that it will be literally on the face.  Thereafter we will go to the local shopping mall across the pier to try local seafood.   I am out so will provide you will more concrete information when at home.  
     

    I have done many land trips in Japan so my plan is easy for me.

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 2

    Shanghai Boashan to airport

    in Asia

    Posted

    I haven’t gone from the port to the airport but have done PVG numerous times. Six hours is enough. Taxi takes not more than an hour. Custom is easy. Chinese has a bad habit going to the airport late so airlines are well prepared for the last minute rush.

     

     

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    Money Changers in Terminal

    in Asia

    Posted

    I don’t recall such a mobile booth to exchange money three years ago. There are tons of money exchange store in downtown area though. Exchange is easy with no ID required and the rate is reasonable.

     

     

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    Which exit at Ngau Tau Kok MTR station, HK to grab taxi to Kai Tak Cruise terminal?

    in Asia

    Posted

    Someone mentioned Wong Tai Sin. If you go there don’t miss Wing Lau Yuen Sze Chuan Noodle Restaurant at 15 Fang Tak Road (exit A). One street behind it are the famous cart noodles. Can your husband read Chinese? He can download an app OpenRice to find the details. These noodles are local as traditional you can’t find anywhere in the world. They are delicious.

     

     

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    D I Y Hangzhou, China from Shanghai

    in Asia

    Posted

    Hangzhou station is closer but older. There are only a handful of high speed trains go there. If you miss a train you will have to wait for an hour or two for the next train or there is no more train. High speed train goes to Hangzhou east every fifteen minutes so you miss a train but you will have so many chances for the next one in fifteen minutes. You also don’t have to worry about buying tickets in advance. You can buy tickets for both ways once you arrive at Hongqiao station.

     

     

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    D I Y Hangzhou, China from Shanghai

    in Asia

    Posted

    Waigaiqiao cargo terminal for bigger ships is further away. You take bus 1027 and then subway 6 and subway 2 for 31 stops. The journey will take two hours fifteen minutes. Di Di taxi fare is 179 rmb. Taxi fare is dirt cheap compared to USA and for cruise day trip every minute is important so I don’t recommend public transportation. Also when you return to the ship at night taxi may be your only option. I am kidding though Shanghai is a modern city the subway stops running to suburbs at 10:30 and possibly there will be no bus. Taxi could be your only option at night.

     

     

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    D I Y Hangzhou, China from Shanghai

    in Asia

    Posted

    Shanghai Wusongkou cruise terminal for smaller ships is closer to the city. You take bus 51 and then subway 3 and subway 2 ( a total of 32 stops) to Hongqiao station. It takes close to two hours. Taxi fare according to Di Di app is 120 rmb.

     

     

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    D I Y Hangzhou, China from Shanghai

    in Asia

    Posted

    If you want to take a taxi from Hangzhou east to the west lake the distance is 9 kilometer and the fare is about 30 rmb, 5 USD only. Taxi is a good option but finding a taxi has become a challenge if you do not have a Di Di smart phone app so always prepare to take public transportation. Taxi from Shanghai Hongqiao to the west lake costs about 700rmb for an hour 45 minutes over 180 kilometers.

     

     

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    D I Y Hangzhou, China from Shanghai

    in Asia

    Posted

    I have done the same from Shanghai to hangzhou on a day trip. Start from Hongqiao railway station. The first high speed train starts at 6:05 and the last return train ends at 10:22. You may not want the risk of missing the last train. The train stops at Hangzhou east, exit D to find the subway #1. Take subway #1 for five stops to Feng Qi Lu stop, exit B and walk south for one kilometer to the west lake. The whole journey from hotel door near nanjing lu to the lake took me three and a half hours.

     

     

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    From Shanghai to Baoshan cruise terminal

    in Asia

    Posted

    I took taxi both ways. There are too many of them and so cheap that I don't remember probably less than 180 the local money. Ask your hotel to call a cab for you. In China they have the local version of uber. In the terminal they are lots but you have to wait. I did wait for 30 minutes.

     

     

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    Need help deciding on which Asia cruise

    in Asia

    Posted

    No visa is required for Canadians. For Vietnam the cruise ship will arrange for visa so what you have to do is to pay. Shanghai doesn't require a visa either if you stay for less than six days. Weather wise it will be beautiful but avoid mid to late December when monsoon picks up and the sea will become rough. If you have to pick either Japan is beautiful with fall colors in November.

     

     

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