Miaminice

@catweazlecat

Hello, also from Germany,

try Koichi Wasa for the Kyoto area. 
We have toured with him on some of our cruises to Japan and he´s very good.

You can also look into https://gowithguide.com/ for guides.

If you are interested in the report of our latest cruise to Japan, you can find it here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/

Enjoy Japan!

17 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

I don’t think the average human needs a “phobia” to worry about the after effects of being covered in sewage. I used to work for the department of corrections. When a CO gets urine, feces, toilet water or unidentifiable substances thrown on them by an inmate, they’re required to take a very harsh medication they refer to informally as “the cocktail”. They’re out for weeks due to the side effects of this medication, and they’re not required to have a diagnosed “phobia” for it to be administered. If this kind of assault wouldn’t bother you, I recommend a career in corrections. 

🙄 You are free to think of it as you like!
In my view the OP got what´s needed - eye wash, an appointment at the doctor - who certainly knows how to handle things better than me or you - and so on.
If you think that´s not enough - well, let´s agree to disagree.

 

10 hours ago, Roxie888 said:

Look at post #115

Funny 😉 the OP did not mention this at all while she was still on board and wrote about every detail elaborately. Only this small side mention at a time when they were already back home… and no downgrading or anything else you mentioned.

Anyhow, to me there‘s too much panicking and drama in all of this. But yeah, I get that some people have health phobias… 

4 hours ago, vjmatty said:

Yes, the OP. It was in one of the OP’s posts. 

Show me where! I could only read it in someone else’s post.

4 hours ago, Pinboy said:

"I called home and talked to someone what to do". 

Why call home to see what to do ?

I wondered the same! 

2 hours ago, vjmatty said:

They asked for a different room, even if downgrading to an inside, not to turn back time. This was not too much to ask given the circumstances. 

I don’t know who you are talking about! I am talking about the OP… and there’s no mention of a different room!

Nope, no machines. Ask at any bar and they’ll help you.

6 hours ago, gojoanne1 said:

Avp1234 what deck and or cabin were you in? I was on this ship during that time but thankfully did not experience that! But I’m going again on the 10 day cruise same ship in April now I’m nervous!

Don‘t be!!! She’s a fine ship!

Technical issues happen and the problems with pipes occur on every ship. Mostly because people throw all kinds of things into the toilet.

This issue might have been handled badly - on BOTH sides. The OP got what they wanted… an eye wash, a doctor (who certainly knew how to handle it better than them) etc. 
What Celebrity can’t do is turn back time and make it unhappen.

My experience is that if you stay calm, don’t be pushy and express a know it all attitude they will help. More and better than expected! The few problems we ever had on our many cruises were handled better and more generously than we ever expected. However, I think we are low maintenance people. We tend to enjoy our cruises and don’t waste much time on looking for fault.

I am sure that - with the right attitude - you’ll have a great cruise on a beautiful ship 👍

Seats can’t be reserved - and it’s not an issue on Celebrity.
 

Concierge really has no benefits worth mentioning. Only to the cruise line… more $$$.
Maybe if you chase the extra points… 🤷🏻

We rented cars in all ports of Iceland on two cruises. Always used holdur.is the representative of Europcar. 
We can HIGHLY recommend them.

When you book on the Holdur website you can choose the port as pick up point.

11 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said:

Verizon has an international phone plan that we used in Australia and NZ.  I’ll have to see if Asia is included.  For $100/ month we used our phones all the time in port and skipped the internet on the ship as the phone was about half the cost of ship internet.  Worked for us. 

Try Ubigi or Airalo e-Sims. Not even half the amount you mentioned... and they work great. I had Ubigi in Japan and an Airalo regional e-Sim for Southeast Asia.

5 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

What are your thoughts on the cherry blossom bloom.  Is it a big deal to see it during this time of year,  or would other times be just as good?

Out of our 3 previous cruises plus the upcomming 4th cruise to Japan we only chose Cherry Blossom time once. And yes, it was absolutely fantastic and unforgettable!

However, it also has it´s downsides and challenges:

- Cost - the Cherry Blossom cruises are even more expensive

- Time - You might hit the right time for Hanami... you might not.
- Weather - weather in spring can be unstable and wet. For example, we had a nice but pretty wet day in Aomori, where the blossoms were the nicest. Friends are currently in Japan on Princess and the pics look pretty grey.

Don´t get me wrong. I am not saying you shouldn´t go during the time. It´s nice - and if you are lucky it´s probably almost pleasantly overwhelming and unforgettable. BUT other seasons in Japan are also fabulous. The fall colors are very pretty as well. 

So I guess in a nutshell I´d answer your question with: Yes, other times would also be good!

9 minutes ago, carolroad said:

What would you recommend?  Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Carol

That is a tough question... if you haven´t been to Tokyo before I´d do Tokyo pre cruise and Kyoto when in Kobe  - best of both worlds.

It sure depends on when and where you sail.
We have done 5 cruises on E class so far. The window was locked for a total of maybe 3 days of all these cruises combined. And then only a few hours when there was heavy rain or so.

Despite what the IT says, there are no assigned dining times on Ascent. Go whenever you like.

3 hours ago, MandL said:

Hi Oliver, 

 

Mark and I have so enjoyed following along with your travels. It’s been a long wait for our journey to Japan. We’re one of those that Celebrity has lifted and shifted since the start of Covid.  We finally head out Tuesday, and are spending four weeks in Japan (I guess the wait paid off, we retired in the mean time).  

 

Your wonderful outline with photos in port stops, along with the highlight of your trip  to “Kamakura” is so helpful.  It’s going to make our journey that much easier.  Thank you!!

 

Enjoy Japan! Just be careful - for us it was love on first sight. The fourth cruise is already booked.

Have a great time!

3 hours ago, Pharmd_excursionist said:

Hi @Miaminice! Great cruise review. Thank you for showing us your journey. My wife and I are going in couple of weeks. We are thinking to do a pub crawl in Osaka since we are at the port overnight. Do they allow you to stay off the ship as late as you want or is there a specific time you have to be back on the ship at night? In other words, are you allowed to enter an exit the ship at any time at night during when the ship is parked at port overnight? Thank you!

Hi, yes they do 👍 You can come and go any time or even stay off the ship at a hotel - all fine.

10 hours ago, Avidcruiser321 said:

My story - we booked the Solstice over a year ago to go from Hawaii to Vancouver on April 25.  Paid a princely sum for a nice balcony cabin and was satisfied at the time

Apparently you did not think that Celebrity are a rip off when you booked for the original price.

I understand your frustration - but that´s just what it is, YOUR frustration!

Like many other you would not complain or offer to pay the difference if the prices went up.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose. Get over it and enjoy your cruise. Best you can do.

@Essiesmom

Hi, thanks for mentioning me/us and our travelogue.

We have done 3 Japan cruises so far. Needless to say we fell in love with Japan after the first cruise 🙂 Our most recent one was in October 2023 on Millennium. And when we came back, we were already looking for another one. So we have a fourth booked for next year. 

So we do have some experience to contribute... and some travelogues for you al as teasers.

Japan Millennium 2023
https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/

Japan Cherry Blossom Cruise HAL Westerdam 2019
https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/hal-westerdam-japan-01.html

Japan Millennium 2017
https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html

Bye for now

Oliver

1 hour ago, Canada17 said:

Miaminice, can you let us know at which port in Hiroshima did Millie dock at? Also, is there complimentary shuttle service into the city? We are doing this same itinerary this coming October. Thank you.

Hi,

Hiroshima wasn´t on this itinererary. The last time we have been to Hiroshima was quite a while ago - in 2017. I remember we took a train to Hiroshima Station from the port. So I don´t know if there will be a shuttle offered or not - sorry!

Hiroshima was part of this cruise: 
https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html

We have bee to Japan 3 times and already booked a fourth cruise for next year. Love Japan! BUT all the attractions involve walking a stairs !!! 
So I am nor sure about your handicap. The Geisha area is Gion and there are daily performances at the Gion Corner Theater. But yes, it is touristy 🤷🏻‍♂️

We do have some experience to contribute... and some travelogues for you as teasers.

Japan Millennium 2023
https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2970853-celebrity-millennium-japan-10242023-liveish-report/

Japan Cherry Blossom Cruise HAL Westerdam 2019
https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/hal-westerdam-japan-01.html

Japan Millennium 2017
https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html

1 hour ago, Donnashaw said:

Thank you for this. Can I ask how easy is it to get a taxi to take you here. It will be our first time. How much would we be looking at for a taxi to do this itinerary? We are just 2 people? 

Taking a taxi was easy. Once you leave the pier there’s a taxi stand. At the stand there are English speaking helpers asking where you want to go. They will tell the driver.

The taxi was JPY 3200 each way.

It sounds like another chapter in their “How to run the worst IT system ever” book.

But honestly, why create a problem where there is none?!?! 
Shrug it off, do his check in later and go together.

1 hour ago, Cruise till you drop said:

As I stated, we also looked at their menu on a few of the days and just couldn’t get excited by any of the dishes being offered.  But to each their own.

Sure! But the dishes are not the whole picture 😉 It´s how and where they are served. And you can always get dishes from the MDR if they sound better.

Like I said, we miss BLU every time we are in the big and hectic MDR.
The exception is E class. The smaller MDRs are really nice. Not booking Aqua and having Blu on E class is OK for us.

 

26 minutes ago, Cruise till you drop said:

Honestly I think both are a waste of money.  We recently did Concierge and agree you really don’t get much.

 

And friends of ours did Aqua on that same cruise and only went once to Blu and said they didn’t see anything on the menu they wanted 

Personally I would only speak of experiences I made myself and not of friend´s etc.
For over 10 years we almost exclusively cruise in Aqua - because of Blu. On the rare exception cruise without Blu, we miss Blu a lot. 

We do like the menu but it´s not our main draw. The real benefit for us is the smaller dining room with a nicer ambiance. Not as loud, no rush and way more personal service. That´s why we book Aqua. And if we don´t like anything on the menu, we can still order from the MDR menu (on most ships).