Mom39

Thank you everyone.  I ended up booking a guide/driver and he will pick us up at the port and drop us off at the port the next day following our night in Kyoto at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto.  The hotel concierge arranged the driver and I think the cost is reasonable.  The hotel is only $120/night and the concierge has been very helpful.  Helps me to look forward to Japan.  This situation isn't best for everyone but I figure it is worth the cost given the possibility of bad weather and knee pain 🙂. Plus, there's lots I want to see and I don't know if I'll make it back to Kyoto.

1 minute ago, little britain said:

@Mom39 we are going back to Kyoto for 3n after the cruise ends so we can experience it fully. And hopefully at leisure! I have already booked the funky BNA museum hotel.
On our Osaka overnight we are doing deer 🦌 and maid cafes and street food 🍲 !!!

2 minutes ago, little britain said:

@Mom39 we are going back to Kyoto for 3n after the cruise ends so we can experience it fully. And hopefully at leisure! I have already booked the funky BNA museum hotel.
On our Osaka overnight we are doing deer 🦌 and maid cafes and street food 🍲 !!!

Looks like fun!  Enjoy!  We are doing Tokyo for two nights afterwards in the teen area near Shibuya crossing.  Wish we had more time for Kyoto.  I think I'm going to love it.  Jealous!  I think we are fortunate just to be cruising Japan though. 🙂. 

9 hours ago, little britain said:

Ah yes same one but we have geisha and kimono 👘 wearing! Thanks 

Also, if you are doing Kyoto on your own... there are plenty of wonderful restaurants near the train station (I hear/read), but I am very excited about the one that our concierge recommended:  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g298564-d3779815-Reviews-Kura_Kura-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Also, I booked my hotel above Kyoto Station for only $120/night and I'm looking forward to that as well:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298564-d1071189-Reviews-Hotel_Granvia_Kyoto-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html

And, I'm booking the English-speaking rickshaw guide ahead of time and only doing 30 minutes:

https://ebisuya.com/en/book/

I think these places are priced nicely.  Unfortunately, my tour guide/driver are expensive but hopefully we will find two people to go with us and split the cost.  In my experience, when you want to see a lot, the private tour is the way to go.  But, if you share the cost it is not expensive.

17 hours ago, little britain said:

@Mom39 please can you share who you booked tea / kimono 👘 with as the ones I’ve seen are $100pp. Thanks

 

I have never heard of drinks in casino 🎰 being free but I haven’t been on X for a few years! 
 

@Northern Aurora perfect 👌 thanks 🙏 

Here is a link to kimono/tea ceremony.  Perhaps the ones you saw included transportation or a Geisha?  Hope this helps.  The Trip Advisor reviews are excellent.  I'm getting so excited about Kyoto 🙂

https://mai-ko.com/tour/kimono-tea-ceremony-gion-kiyomizu-at-the-registered-cultural-property/

3 hours ago, Holly.ers said:

Bill we are planning on doing the milli cruise Japan to Korea 12 nights in may 2025. Can I ask a few questions if you don't mind:

- did you book private or group excursions at any of the stops ?

- is it advisable to take the drinks package when booking. We are 2 adults and 1 teen , so 2 non drinkers. Do you know how much it is if it is purchased separately afterwards ?

- is it advisable to select the gratuity charge  when booking 

- is the gym/ or classes and extra fee on the ship 

- can an e-sim work instead of purchasing wifi on board.

Sorry tons of questions ..first timers 😊 

 

I don't want to encourage gambling necessarily.  But, I like to play a little black jack on cruises (even though I know the odds are bad).  Drinks are free in the casino while you are gambling on Celebrity.  And, the drinks are good.  So, if you don't drink a lot, you can sit down for a few hands and enjoy a cocktail.  I don't drink much, But, I do enjoy a nice Moito, Lemon Martini, etc., every once in. while. I never purchase the drink package.

43 minutes ago, Mom39 said:

If anyone on this thread is doing the Celebrity cruise on June 8, please note that I have booked private excursions for myself and my teenage daughter for: 1) Osaka/Kyoto overnight; 2) Busan, and 3) Tokyo.  I am looking for one group of 1-3 to join us and share the cost.  

 

1) For Osaka/Kyoto: Mr. Hiro (English speaking) will charge us $800 for pick up and drop off at port as well as being an English Tour Guide.  We are paying separately for our hotel, tea ceremony, and rickshaw ride near the Bamboo Forest.  We would like to add people and share this this cost ($200 per person if we add two people).  Mr. Hiro will pick us up on 6/11 at 8am at the port and drop us at the hotel in Kyoto at 4 pm.  I privately booked a room at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto, which is above the train station, for $120 USD.  I also privately booked wearing a kimono and attending a tea ceremony in Gion at 2 pm for around $50/per person.  We have reservations for 2 at Kura Kura (on our own--and this might be filling up).  We will see the Fushimi Inari Shrine.  For 6/12, Mr. Hiro will pick us up at 8 am at the hotel and drop us off at the ship by 2 pm.  He will take us to Arashiyama.  We are separately booking a rickshaw there for around $70 for the two of us for 30 minutes (but you would not need to do this).

2) For Busan, our private English-speaking guide is charging us $355 (which we can split so if we add two people it will be around $88 per person.  He is taking us to the following places and we will pay entrance fees and lunch separately (not included in tour price but also not expensive):  Blue Line Capsule, Haeundae Beach, Dongbaek Island & APEC House, Oryukdo Skywalk, Songdo Marine Cable Car, Beomeosa Temple, Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Gwangalli Beach, X-the -Sky, UN Memorial Cemetery, Magnate, Busan tower, Youngdusan park.

3) For Tokyo, we are paying $595 for an English-speaking guide.  He will pick us up at the port around 9:15 a.m. and drop us off at the hotel around 5:15 p.m. We are staying at the Hotel Century Southern Tower in Shibuya for around $550 for two nights (the guide might just drop us off at the Micpig cafe around 4 and take our luggage to the hotel).  The tour will include the following: 

10 am Yanaka area 

12 am Akihabara 

Lunch

Pass by Ginza, Imperial Palace

2 pm Meiji shrine 

3 pm Gotokuji (Cat Temple)

4 pm Harajuku 

4:30 pm Migpig.

5:15 drop off at Hotel Century Southern tower in Shibuya.

Drop off is still a little fuzzy but Migpig is near the hotel and the guide will be flexible.

 

Anyway, please let me know if you want to join us for one of these tours.  Note that for Tokyo, we change the standard tour to see the Cat Temple as well as the Migpig cafe.  My daughter is an animal lover so other animal lovers might appreciate these stops. 🙂. And, even if you are not joining us, I hope that our plans w/ prices might help you with your planning!!!!  

 

For the other stops, we booked ship tours when they were heavily discounted.  We like to explore independently as well, but I have a bad knee and don't know what the weather will be like.  Also, if it rains, I'm sure we'll make adjustments as needed.  

 

A few clarifications.  Mr. Hiro's charge of $800 is for port to port overnight, so it is for two days, 8am-4pm ish on day 1 and 8am - 2 pm on day two.  Also, our Kura Kura reservations for 2 are for 7 p.m. and we plan to walk from our hotel (hotel is only $120 so I think it is a good choice).  Any question, let me know.  I have read that June is a rainy season, but my child is in school so June is our best choice and for me it is better than the August heat!!!  Also, I think all the places I reference can bo Googled.  Thanks.

If anyone on this thread is doing the Celebrity cruise on June 8, please note that I have booked private excursions for myself and my teenage daughter for: 1) Osaka/Kyoto overnight; 2) Busan, and 3) Tokyo.  I am looking for one group of 1-3 to join us and share the cost.  

1) For Osaka/Kyoto: Mr. Hiro (English speaking) will charge us $800 for pick up and drop off at port as well as being an English Tour Guide.  We are paying separately for our hotel, tea ceremony, and rickshaw ride near the Bamboo Forest.  We would like to add people and share this this cost ($200 per person if we add two people).  Mr. Hiro will pick us up on 6/11 at 8am at the port and drop us at the hotel in Kyoto at 4 pm.  I privately booked a room at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto, which is above the train station, for $120 USD.  I also privately booked wearing a kimono and attending a tea ceremony in Gion at 2 pm for around $50/per person.  We have reservations for 2 at Kura Kura (on our own--and this might be filling up).  We will see the Fushimi Inari Shrine.  For 6/12, Mr. Hiro will pick us up at 8 am at the hotel and drop us off at the ship by 2 pm.  He will take us to Arashiyama.  We are separately booking a rickshaw there for around $70 for the two of us for 30 minutes (but you would not need to do this).

2) For Busan, our private English-speaking guide is charging us $355 (which we can split so if we add two people it will be around $88 per person.  He is taking us to the following places and we will pay entrance fees and lunch separately (not included in tour price but also not expensive):  Blue Line Capsule, Haeundae Beach, Dongbaek Island & APEC House, Oryukdo Skywalk, Songdo Marine Cable Car, Beomeosa Temple, Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Gwangalli Beach, X-the -Sky, UN Memorial Cemetery, Magnate, Busan tower, Youngdusan park.

3) For Tokyo, we are paying $595 for an English-speaking guide.  He will pick us up at the port around 9:15 a.m. and drop us off at the hotel around 5:15 p.m. We are staying at the Hotel Century Southern Tower in Shibuya for around $550 for two nights (the guide might just drop us off at the Micpig cafe around 4 and take our luggage to the hotel).  The tour will include the following: 

10 am Yanaka area 

12 am Akihabara 

Lunch

Pass by Ginza, Imperial Palace

2 pm Meiji shrine 

3 pm Gotokuji (Cat Temple)

4 pm Harajuku 

4:30 pm Migpig.

5:15 drop off at Hotel Century Southern tower in Shibuya.

Drop off is still a little fuzzy but Migpig is near the hotel and the guide will be flexible.

Anyway, please let me know if you want to join us for one of these tours.  Note that for Tokyo, we change the standard tour to see the Cat Temple as well as the Migpig cafe.  My daughter is an animal lover so other animal lovers might appreciate these stops. 🙂. And, even if you are not joining us, I hope that our plans w/ prices might help you with your planning!!!!  

For the other stops, we booked ship tours when they were heavily discounted.  We like to explore independently as well, but I have a bad knee and don't know what the weather will be like.  Also, if it rains, I'm sure we'll make adjustments as needed.  

Thank you everyone.  I canceled my Celebrity tour for Osaka and booked the Kyoto hotel for our single overnight in Kyoto via Osaka.  I think this was the right decision for us.  I'm still working on planning our day but am happy to report that the  Hotel Granvia Kyoto——-June 11, is only $120.  Thank you everyone.

16 hours ago, sunfun1433 said:

I am going to Japan on Millenium May 27 and when is Osaka, I found a hotel called "The Bridge Hotel" that I have booked. I am traveling with another friend and my son who is 22 and her grandson who is 21. We will take the train and check out Kyoto but we have booked this hotel to be near the foodie areas at night. This hotel also has free ramen, ice cream and cocktails for a certain time each night. The night we stay, they have a "kimono hour" where you can try them on. (They do this Mondays and Thursdays).

 

Sounds like fun!!!

9 hours ago, rinshin said:

Glad you mentioned dressing up as one because almost all you will encounter dressed as one during daytime hours is doing cosplay ie tourist dressed as one walking around.  Perhaps in the evening hours there is a possibility to see one or two real working ones in the Gion district.  
 

The Japanese walking tour guides with their flags move very fast.  And Kyoto is a walking town with some steps, small hills, etc.  

 

Best to arrange a good tour letting them know your mobility issues.  
 

 

Thank you.  Good to know.  If it isn't really authentic, maybe all I need is an afternoon tea with a Geisha the next day in Osaka...

OK.  The room at the Kyoto station is inexpensive.  Still not sure if we want to do that.  I'll continue with the internet searches.  Would appreciate any advice.  Thanks!  Would especially like to hear what others have thought of Celebrity's tours.  I hate to give up my tour because it was 50% off, lol, but I want to see the best of Kyoto which means downtown with Geisha stuff, maybe even dressing up as one...  Sounds silly, I know, but when we were originally going to do Japan, it wasn't going be via cruise...

Does anyone want to tell me that the Geisha stuff is really just touristy?  And, should be avoided?  It's funny but this is really bugging me.  And, I saw one cruise review which said people complained about it being shrine after shrine after shrine.  So, I really want to see the Geisha stuff.  In my mind, the old area is what Kyoto is all about....  And, yes, I am REALLY looking forward to doing this cruise with my daughter.  Very excited.  And, we'll have two days in Tokyo post cruise which will be nice.  

1 hour ago, soccermommy said:

We booked a ship tour on our October Millennium sailing from Osaka to Kyoto which included 2 temples, a lunch and a train trip on the Shinkansen  from Osaka to Kyoto (17 minutes!). I too wanted to see something of the Geisha culture and it wasn’t possible for us, but we did really enjoy the tour. Kyoto is so close to Osaka by train, and the temples are beautiful, but the older part of Kyoto is basically uphill, and there is a lot of walking. 
Imo, getting to and from Kyoto won’t be much to worry about, getting around might be more of a problem. While researching, I did see some tours on TripAdvisor for touring the Geisha district, but never investigated more deeply because we planned to spend our first day exploring Osaka, and the second day doing Kyoto. By the way, we also liked Osaka though it is very different from Kyoto.

I sympathize with your knee problems, and for that reason think the idea to explore Tours by Locals or other specialized agent a good idea. You should be able to customize for your needs.  I did read that booking a dinner with a geisha can be very expensive, which could explain the pricey quote you got.  We did find, however, that many tours are pricey. Japan is expensive!
What ever you do, you will have the cruise of a lifetime. We think this cruise was about the best one we have ever had, the ship is lovely, and the crew were fantastic. Please come back and let us know what you decided, and especially how you liked it! We loved Japan, and would go back in a flash, assuming we survive another flight from Boston.
 

Only 17 minutes?  Is it super easy?  I live in Chicago and we have travelled.  For some reason I've felt the need to over-book the excursions for this cruise.  

I'd really appreciate some Osaka/Kyoto suggestions.  Thanks!

I have a bad knee (can't walk too much) and would appreciate advice on the best way to see the Geisha culture in Kyoto during while docked in Osaka.

We're booked on the Celebrity Millennium r/t Tokyo on June 8, 2024.  REALLY looking forward to this 12-night cruise with my teenager.  I booked early and managed to take advantage of discounts of up to 50% on shore excursions.  I'm worried about Osaka because I don't want to miss out on seeing the best of Kyoto. The ship will be overnight in Osaka and I look forward to visiting Osaka.  But, I'm worried.  We're currently booked on a Celebrity tour but I don't think it will include any of the Geisha culture in Kyoto and that's something I really want to see.  I'd hate to cancel our tour as it is now a lot more expensive, but, again, I really want to see the Geisha culture in Kyoto, or at least I think I do.  Here's our excursion description ($326 for the two of us for this 9-hour tour because I bought it during a special sale):   Explore Kyoto, the capital of Japanese culture. First stop: Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Head inside for a guided tour after soaking in the magnificent panoramic view of Kyoto city. Next, visit the famous Golden Pavilion, one of Japan's most popular attractions. And don't miss the gorgeous mirror reflection of the temple on the still pond in the garden - it's one of the most stunning scenes you'll ever see. Get to know this brilliant, vibrant city. Then you also visit Nijo castle which is a part of world heritage in Kyoto.

Now, a tour operator recently sent me a quote but they want a whopping $1.4K to take the two of us to Kyoto: 

• Arashiyama Area

> Bamboo Forest

> Togetsu-Kyo Bridge

• Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavillion)
• Ginkakuji Temple (the Silver Pavilion)
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Stroll Higashiyama District if time permits
• Dinner & Tea Ceremony with Maiko at Nihonbunka-An

And, I'm thinking about just using the train and seeing Kyoto by ourselves.  But, I'm not sure aboutwalking and whether we'd be missing out on a lot by just doing the old town and the Geisha activities.  

So, I'd really appreciate some feedback/advice, particularly if anyone has done the tour we are booked on through Celebrity and/or had a special tour in Kyoto.

Thank you.  

6 minutes ago, mtnlvr53 said:

I don't think Continental breakfast is any different for Aqua Class: I took a picture of the menu when we were on the Reflection but cut off everything on the Continental side. All eggs, pancakes, meat, Hashbrowns and smoothies are an upcharge. It is a charge only for the room, not per person.

I went back to see your photos!  Thanks.  Maybe the smoothies, custom omelets, and blueberry pancakes are worth it!  I'm looking forward to the cruise.  Appreciate the information from everyone on this board.  It will be my first time on Celebrity and I'm hoping that the room service coffee is better than what it served on HAL and Princess.  And, I'm happy to be on any line and a fan of HAL.  Thanks again and if you enjoyed smoothies, custom omelets, and/or pancakes w/ room service let me know what you thought!

On 3/18/2023 at 12:23 PM, mtnlvr53 said:

It was free when we were on the Reflection in early January (after the service charge was added). We were in Aqua Class but I don't think that made any difference. You could order continental breakfast for free: fruit, toast, bagel, etc. It worked out fine for us.

Janet

We were just upgraded to Aqua Class (won bid) and will be on the Solstice on April 1.  What is considered Continental for Aqua Class?  You get an extended menu including eggs and pancakes so do you now need to pay the service charge if you order from it?  It is confusing to me. 

I guess the big question is: What is considered continental breakfast in AquaClass such that no room service fee is charged.  I ask because I've learned that Celebrity is now charging around $12 for each room service delivery with the exception of the continental breakfast.  With AquaClass there is an expanded breakfast menu but I don't know if the expansion falls under the continental category.

4/1 Sailing on the Solstice for 7 nights from LA.  Booked an obstructed balcony.  Bid $200 pp for upgrade to Aquaclass.  Received confirmation today of the upgrade.  Daughter is a teen so she won't get to use the facilities but I think we'll both enjoy Blu.  I'm a little confused about what's free for breakfast w/ room service but I guess that will make it part of the fun.

11 hours ago, IamHungry said:

Has anyone received casino deal lately? Has it been dried up?

Last time we were all posting about this I received an offer.  Fingers crossed.  I want to book the 8/7 cruise r/t Trieste but I don't want to pay for it.  😉  

On 12/22/2022 at 8:02 PM, Laminator said:

The hosts are the one's that are responsible for the offers you should receive. 

What host?  I'm waiting/hoping for another free cabin offer.  Haven't received one since we sailed over New Year's. 

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

         WE MADE IT!!!!

A little rough around the edges but we are on board!

 

 

Hooray!  Reading this makes me think I should plan to fly in a day early.  I was going to arrive by 11 a.m. but now I think that's pushing it!  Love the story.  Have a great cruise.  We will be on the ship 4/1.

On 2/24/2023 at 8:45 AM, TeeRick said:

We have been doing this for years.  Bring an empty spray bottle, and a few dryer sheets like Bounce.  In your cabin put a dryer sheet in the spray bottle and just add water.  A very effective and inexpensive wrinkle release.  No need to carry the heavy liquid bottles in your suitcase.

Never thought of that!!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I'll try that for home too 🙂

58 minutes ago, Mom39 said:

Hi.  I'm wondering how it worked out.  We are boarding a cruise from LA which stops overnight in San Francisco.  I must see Alcatraz!  The cruise excursion is fully booked.  Right now, Alcatraz has 3:50 tickets available for the day we arrive (and we arrive at 2 p.m.) and it has Noon tickets available for the day we leave San Fran (we leave at 5 p.m.).  So, either way I'm taking a chance but I figure I'd better order my tickets right away.  Which would you suggest?  I'm sailing Celebrity. 

I've discovered tickets via another website so I think we're set.  I purchased tickets for 8:40 a.m. on the second day (and realized we leave at 4 that day, not 5).  So, I think we'll be good from what I'm reading.

On 1/22/2019 at 8:19 PM, D & S said:

Thank you for all the directions and tips for going to Alcatraz.  SF will be our 2nd U.S. stop so that will help getting off on time without customs. Will make it much easier with our planning before when we arrive.   Ordering our tickets now.  Thanks for the help.

Hi.  I'm wondering how it worked out.  We are boarding a cruise from LA which stops overnight in San Francisco.  I must see Alcatraz!  The cruise excursion is fully booked.  Right now, Alcatraz has 3:50 tickets available for the day we arrive (and we arrive at 2 p.m.) and it has Noon tickets available for the day we leave San Fran (we leave at 5 p.m.).  So, either way I'm taking a chance but I figure I'd better order my tickets right away.  Which would you suggest?  I'm sailing Celebrity.