BruceMuzz

Ponant and Windstar require rapid testing, conducted in the terminal before boarding.

There are currently 8 cruise ships sailing from Piraeus, Greece as home port. Seven of those ships either do not require masks or merely suggest them. All 7 of those ships have had COVID cases onboard over the past 10 weeks. Not large outbreaks, but reportable cases where the pax had to be disembarked and quarantined in a Greek facility.

Only one of those 8 ships requires and enforces mask wearing by crew and passengers. That vessel has not had a single COVID case in the 3 months they have sailed from Piraeus.

What does this story prove? Nothing, actually. Maybe they just got lucky.

But it does suggest that wearing masks may help.

Given the choice, I might opt to sail on the ship with masks and no COVID.

What are the names of those ships? Google is your friend.

Japan will most likely remain closed to foreigners until sometime in 2022 or 2023.

The foreigners coming in for the Olympics did not exactly impress the Japanese.

Currently Japan - with 126 million population - has a slightly better COVID record than the state of Illinois - with 11 million population. You might see that as a very positive result for Japan. The Japanese people and government don't see it that way. Their standards are quite high.

The Japanese Prime Minister is forced to step down because he has failed to handle COVID as well as he should have. The Japanese government is already predicting tighter regulations and a continuing ban on foreigners entering Japan for any reason.

I fly frequently out of Tokyo.

A PCR Test here will cost me between $20 and $40, with guaranteed results in 4 or 5 hours.

An Antigen Test costs $10, with results in 15 minutes.

Why does it take so much longer in the USA, and cost so much more?

On 8/30/2021 at 6:17 PM, susiesan said:

I plan to sail on Millennium Nov. 29 from Fort Lauderdale. I am flying into MIA the day before Nov. 28 arriving at 6:25pm. 

 

What is the best plan, overnight near MIA at an inexpensive airport hotel and then transfer to Celebrity ship next day, or transfer to FLL on Nov. 28 in the evening to spend the night there then go to the ship the next morning?

Which transfer service do people use? A shared shuttle is okay or uber. Which MIA airport hotel do Celebrity cruisers like? If I should stay in Fort Lauderdale, which hotels do people prefer?

Why do it on the cheap?

You are on holiday. Why opt for a trashy taxi or shuttle bus?

A car and driver cost just a few dollars more.

I'm worth it - aren't you?

Decisions to allow pax to board or leave a ship in ports other than turnaround ports are usually made by the Government of the country where it happens. Some countries say "yes" and some say "no".

Sometimes there are good reasons for the decision. Passengers cannot legally join or depart a cruise ship in Newport Rhode Island, for example, as there are no US Customs / Immigration Officials stationed there. They also cannot join or leave in Bar Harbor, Maine unless the ship has arranged (and paid) for US Customs / Immigration Officials to travel from the airport to meet the ship.

Life and Death Medical Emergencies are usually exempted from this rule.

On other occasions, depending on the type of voyage, the ports, and the ship's flag, a closed loop cruise in the USA remains a closed loop cruise only if all pax board and disembark in the turnaround port. If a single person joins or leaves in another port, the cruise is no longer a legal closed loop cruise and may require all pax to have valid passports. This situation usually also results in lots more paperwork from the ship and a much more detailed (read longer and more costly) inspection process to get the ship cleared at the end of the cruise.

Sometimes, in some countries, the Ship Agent is given permission to clear the ship by proxy, without Immigration or Customs present.

And sometimes, the local officials are just ornery and say "no"-  because they can.

Add to that all the new COVID regulations that change almost daily in many ports.

Nobody in Government nor at any Corporate Cruise Line Office can predict what any particular port will require tomorrow - much less many months from now when you take a cruise.

Google is your friend.

There are hundreds of labs in the greater Tokyo area that will perform quick, low-cost PCR and Antigen tests for you.

Most will give you same day results for PCR tests and Antigen test results in 20 minutes.

Most will let you register online in English.

Japanese people own far fewer cars than Americans, relying on public transit far more than you do. As a result, there are far more taxis in Japan than in many other countries.

You will be surprised at how nice the Japanese taxis can be; spotlessly clean, drivers in coat and tie, lace doileys on the seats, automatic doors, telephone charging stations in the back, televisions, etc. These taxis are also not cheap. You get what you pay for.

There is some Uber in some parts of Japan, but those taxis are more expensive than regular taxis.

In most ports there will be plenty of taxis at the pier. In the bigger cities (Tokyo, Osaka), many drivers will speak a bit of English. You should be prepared to show them a map or a Japanese translation of where you want to go. You should also learn just a bit of Japanese language to make it easier.

It is unusual in Japan for a taxi driver to offer a day long drive or tour. This sort of thing is best arranged in advance with a tour company.

Japan's public transit is the best in the world. It is remarkably easy and inexpensive to take a train or subway to just about anywhere. You should do a bit of research on this before you go.

If your smartphone has GPS and maps, your travels will be far easier.

Translate.google.com is not very precise with Japanese, but it can be very helpful in getting around. In most cases it can get your basic message across.

The small ships are doing tests at the pier, and it is very successful.

Bigger ships have a bigger challenge. One testing machine that can process 4 PCR tests in one hour costs 47,000 euros. A small ship with several machines can process tests for all pax in a few hours. A big ship would need dozens of these machines and would still require days to process all the tests.

My ship required mask wearing in all public areas except while drinking, eating, or swimming.

Anybody seen without a mask was given a fresh one immediately and instructed to put it on.

Social distancing - except for family groups - was strictly enforced.

I was on a small ship cruise ending in Piraeus this week. There were 4 other cruise ships with us in Piraeus. Our debark was delayed by the local Port Medical authorities. The other 4 ships had very loose COVID standards onboard. All had COVID cases on arrival and had to be inspected by the Medical Authorities.

My ship had stricter standards and zero COVID cases.

As a Hotel Manager on 30 different cruise ships for the past 40 years, one of my greatest pleasures is hosting dinner tables. My staff always manage to pick really interesting people, and we usually talk so much during dinner that my table is often the last to depart the dining room.

I always manage to arrange a few very special food items for my table, that are not available to the other guests, and some extra special wines that I have hidden away.

Inevitably one of the table guests is able to convince me to give them a personal back of house tour that includes places that the other back of house tours do not include.

Many of these people have stayed in touch with me for years.

The cruise industry is a rather small one - despite being spread all over the planet. People in my position regularly contact our colleagues on other vessels, arranging a bottle of wine, an upgrade, a free tour, or something special for old friends. On several occasions, I was able to arrange successful cruise job interviews for family members of guests I met at a dinner table.

And one of my greatest joys is seeing an old friend walking up the gangway again. We get the opportunity to have another nice dinner on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, while re-telling stories about the last great dinner we had together on a ship that was sailing around the World, or to Antarctica, or some other exotic place.

Every year a few of these people visit me at my home in Tokyo. I proudly get to take them on a real tour of Japan.

I cannot remember a single one of them being particularly snobbish or phony about being invited to have a pleasant dinner with the Hotel Manager on a cruise ship.

You shouldn't get too worked up about this issue.

Yes, the laws and regulations do exist, but they are not enforced.

In Japan you must also have a Doctor's prescription to purchase Tonic Water for your Gin - but it is not enforced.

Did you know that in South Carolina you can be arrested for playing pinball if you are under 18 years old? Probably doesn't happen very often.

In Michigan you can be arrested for trying to sell an automobile on Sunday. Same story.

In Tennessee you can be arrested for sharing your Netflix password with a friend or spouse.

In Texas it is illegal for a woman to apply make-up in an automobile.

You can safely bring whatever cosmetic items you like into Japan and will not be searched or hassled about it.

My home country has no independence day.

We have been independent for the past 10,000 years.

We have no need to eat hot dogs, drink beer, and watch fireworks to prove it.

You could use the Google Translate App on the smartphone to translate the instructions.

Yesterday the Japanese Government extended the State of Emergency to 20 June in most of the more populous areas of Japan.

No foreigners - except a limited number of Olympic Athletes - are allowed to enter Japan.

Residents of Japan are still allowed to travel in and out, with lots of paperwork and additional precautions.

Japanese Residents who have visited India, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka are not allowed to return to Japan.

Japanese Residents who have visited Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, or Minnesota will be allowed to enter Japan - with additional testing and a required 14-day quarantine at a government facility. The traveler pays for the quarantine stay.

On 5/26/2021 at 7:03 PM, ontheweb said:

And those same politicians in Japan are welcoming the influx of foreigners that will happen in the Summer Olympics despite overwhelming opposition from the people of Japan. And I have read that they will reserve hospital space and medical workers for the Olympians. This can only take resources away from any massive vaccination effort.

 

Tokyo Olympics: Japanese Poll Finds 83% Oppose Summer Games - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Yes, the ongoing opposition to the Olympics is growing. But then in 1964, there was a similar degree of public opposition to holding the games in Japan, for slightly different reasons. Many Japanese citizens who volunteered to assist at the games have changed their minds and cancelled. 

Medical Care for the Olympians has been shifted to volunteers only, to avoid over-taxing the medical venues.

The Japanese government will vaccinate any athletes who arrive without proof of the vaccine, and will test them every day they are here.

The athletes have been advised that they will not be able to travel away from the Olympic Village - except to perform in the games. Any athlete not conforming to all mask wearing and social distancing rules will be deported immediately.

Doesn’t sound like much fun.

Mass vaccination centers have been set up by the SDF (Japanese Army) in all the major cities. Soldiers rather than private doctors are giving the jabs.

I had my first shot last weekend. 

The local government office had mailed me an invitation to make an appointment.

I telephoned and set it up. I walked over to my neighborhood Ward Office.

A Japanese soldier greeted me at the elevator and escorted me through the entire process, explaining the whole thing as it happened. She sat with me for 30 minutes to ensure that I had no immediate negative reactions, then walked me home.

She has telephoned me every day since to ensure that I am OK.

I have a QR code on my smartphone to show to any authority who needs to see proof of my vaccine.

Japan is a very good example of why masks are important to public health. Japan has a very high density population. Social distancing is nearly impossible in many parts of the country. The Japanese have been wearing masks religiously - not just during the pandemic, but for years. Every time a Japanese person gets even a slight cough, the mask goes on and stays on. It is part of the Japanese culture; wearing a mask to demonstrate a personal dedication to keeping those around them healthy.

Many studies have shown this is the primary reason there are so few Flu outbreaks in Japan. Now during the pandemic, everyone, but everyone is wearing masks - properly - all the time.

The vaccine program in Japan is only just starting, so 98% of the population is not protected. Yet, the overall infection and death rates for COVID in Japan have been - and continue to be - lower than most individual US States, where the population is far lower, far less dense, and many people have been vaccinated.

Taiwan is experiencing similar positive results - most likely for the same reasons.

Instead of looking at countries where things are not going so well and congratulating yourselves on looking better than them, it might be helpful to look at countries with encouraging results and then try to adopt some of the practices that seem to be helping.

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

If we "followed the science" (to use your words) then there would be absolutely no COVID related limitation of any kind on ships that had a 100% Vaccinated policy.  The reality is that much of what has been done around the world in the past year had very little to do with "science" and a lot more to do with politics.  

 

Do politicians matter?  Consider that here in the USA the Trump Administration implemented Operation Warp Speed around 1 year ago and said that the answer to COVID was to develop and administer vaccines.  Trump was criticized for such a position and many ridiculed him when he promised we would have vaccines by the end of 2020.  So now we fast forward 1 year.  The USA implemented Operation Warp Speed, the Biden Administration doubled down on the program, and the USA is now quickly moving out of the COVID danger zone to a normal life with over half its adult population already vaccinated.  Meanwhile over in Japan, for whatever reason, their leaders did not emphasize any vaccination program (only 2% of their population is vaccinated) and now they are paying a price.  They are suffering a new surge in COVID cases, and unless they keep their people locked down for at least another 6 months they will likely suffer more (and worse) surges.  The only reason half the Japanese population are not now vaccinated is because their political leaders messed up.....big time!

 

Hank

Hank,

The Japanese leaders did, indeed fail to emphasize the vaccination program. They had good reason; the Japanese public is very suspicious of Western vaccines, due to some very big problems they experienced in the past century.

The current vaccination program is now in over-drive. Everyone in Japan will be fully vaccinated by the end of July - something the USA will not be able to do.

As far as paying a price with the new surges, let me put it in perspective.

As of today, Japan, with 126 million people, high density populations in all the major cities, and very few vaccinated, has slightly lower numbers on COVID cases and much lower numbers on deaths than the State of Massachusetts. Massachusetts has about 7 million people, many of whom are vaccinated. In the USA today, there are 19 other states with far lower populations than Japan, higher numbers of people vaccinated, and far worse numbers of cases and deaths than Japan. Japan is currently completing our 4th wave of infection; the USA is just beginning their 4th wave.

Dennis,

Your read on this sounds about right.

The situation is still very fluid.

COVID Infection and Death numbers for Japan - with 126 Million people - are just about the same as the State of Massachusetts  - with 7 million people. That sounds pretty good, but the Japanese do not see it that way. The State of Emergency has been expanded and extended. There is more and more talk about cancelling the July Olympics.

Until this week, Japanese Residents Only were allowed to enter Japan. But now even that is being limited by the COVID outbreaks around India.

Vaccination programs in Japan have been moved up. Everyone in Japan will be vaccinated by the end of July. This may have a positive effect on opening up the country to foreigners.

There is probably still a very slim chance for Autumn cruises here.

If conditions continue to improve, foreigners cruising in Japan for Spring 2022 is a possibility.

In Japan, luggage forwarding, called Takuhaibin in Japanese, is very popular, inexpensive, and very reliable.

Bags can be sent from any point in Japan to any other point in Japan for US$10 - 20 per bag, depending on size. Regular delivery time is overnight, but is often same day if the distance is not too far. The delivery companies will also hold the bags for a week or more before delivering - if requested. 

Takuhaibin desks are at all Japan airports and seaports. Many of the larger hotels also have Takuhaibin services. You can also take your bags to nearly any convenience store, (“Kombini” in Japanese) 7-11, Family Mart, etc, where they will send the bags for you. 

Foreign athletes are allowed - but only with vaccinations, limited movement from the Olympic Village, and daily COVID tests.

Any violations result in deportation.

No foreign spectators are allowed.

Here in Japan we have 6 x the population of Florida (126 Million).

Social Distancing in places like Tokyo is next to impossible. There just is not enough space for so many people (42 million).

All businesses have remained open, but have reduced hours.

The Japanese Government has compensated those businesses so that nobody loses their job and the companies do not fail.

EVERYONE in Japan wears masks ALWAYS. I even put on a mask to accept a delivery at my front door.

ALL businesses have temperature checking cameras - with an attendant - at every entrance. If your temperature is higher than 37.5c - no admittance.

If you do not have a mask, properly worn, no admittance.

So far, only medical personnel have been vaccinated. The general population will begin to receive vaccines this week.

Note that Japan has the oldest average population on Earth.

No foreigners are allowed to enter the country for any reason.

Anyone flying anywhere in Japan, or into / out of Japan must have a negative COVID test.

Anyone flying into Japan must have negative COVID tests before and after the flight, cannot use public transit for 14 days, must quarantine at home for 14 days, and must have a tracking App on their smartphone. Additionally, Japanese Government Doctors telephone them every day for 14 days to get updates on temperatures and general health.

Four Japanese Cruise Ships have been making Japanese Domestic cruises all through the Pandemic - with Japanese residents only. Masks and negative PCR tests required.

So far, of the 10s of thousands of Japanese Cruise passengers on those cruises, only 1 passenger has tested positive for COVID.

With 600% of Florida’s population, living in very close proximity, Japan has only 25% of the reported cases and only 30% of the reported deaths, compared to Florida.

There is a lot of confusion and mis-information about “Wagyu” and “Kobe Beef”.

“Wagyu” ( 和牛 ) translates as “Japanese Cow”.

All beef coming from cows raised in Japan is Wagyu. This includes Kobe Beef.

All of this meat is from several different Japanese cattle breeds that are different from those that you see in your country.

Due to space restrictions in Japan, they are even transporting live Japanese cows abroad for fattening, before returning them to Japan for butchering. This allows them to keep the Wagyu or Kobe Beef designation.

Very similar to the French “Appellation Controllee” system for wines, Kobe Beef is Wagyu beef from specific breeds and specific areas and farms.

There are many different grades in quality and price for Wagyu Beef, and there are many additional grades in quality and price for Kobe Beef.

All of them are better than the beef you might purchase in your home country.

Where is the worst place to order Kobe Beef? A restaurant that advertises itself as a “Kobe Beef Restaurant”. You will pay top dollar for beef that may or may not be the best quality. You especially do not want to go to a Kobe Beef Restaurant anywhere near Kobe, Japan.

What to do ?

Check restaurant reviews for top quality Wagyu Beef. If you are outside Japan, you are still going to pay inflated prices. If inside Japan, you can find very reasonably priced High Quality Wagyu Beef dishes at restaurants in Tokyo.

Or if you live in Tokyo, like me, you just go to a local supermarket and decide which quality / price level of Japanese beef you want to buy.

As other posters mentioned, Japanese Beef is much more marbled and fattier than the beef you normally eat. You will not want to eat as much of it as you normally do. The amount you purchase will be less than normal, so not much more expensive that you might think.

The Japanese Ministry of Health announced this week that a new digital vaccine passport App will be introduced shortly. Anyone entering or leaving Japan will be required to have a smartphone with this free app installed. 

The app will also allow the authorities to track your location and movements during any quarantine required after entering Japan.

At this point, foreigners - with the exception of Olympic Athletes - are not allowed to enter Japan for any reason. For the time being, the app will be required for Japanese residents only. That will most likely change when the borders re-open.