monkey@cruise

MTR Kwun Tong Station map. Customer Service Center is near AED machine https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/services/layouts/kwt.pdf MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station map. Customer Service Center is near AED machine https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/services/layouts/tst.pdf

By next march check if MTR tourist pass is still available, print a copy of the tourist pass page and show it to the MTR station Center Service staff when making the purchase. Also check Kai Tak Cruise Terminal webpage for any latest shuttle information. I will visit HK in early March on Celebrity Millen, will let you know where about the Kwun Tong MTR Customer Service Center for your tourist card. The Japanese ports mostly can be DIY.

https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tourist/index.html https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/day_pass_tourist.html Update: Sales Outlets == All Customer Service Centres of MTR stations (except Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Racecourse stations and Light Rail Customer Service Centres) Take the cruise terminal free shuttle to TST, Kai Tak or Kung Tong MTR station. Show you passport as tourist to Customer Service Center staff, and paid HK $65 for the day pass. Michael taxis will be charged HK$25 to use either three harbor tunnel crossings, local always avoid using taxi to cross the harbor

The later transportation arrangement was sponsored by HK government and overkilled, there already an outcry by HK tax payers. Eventually will be Kai Tai cruise terminal Corp and cruise companies footing the shuttle bills, so there will be scaleback. Tourist arrive at HK airport can purchase the MTR day pass for HK $65, but not available for cruise arrival.

The cruise terminal is being rebuilt for Expo 2025, but pier is operational, will be gangway bridge access until the terminal is complete. Here is the link for Osaka Port authority FB photos on Tempozan terminal. Enjoy the welcome and farewell shows from the local. https://www.facebook.com/osakaportcruise?ref=embed_page Osaka is Japan's third largest city, 25 min train ride from Kobe, only reaches Umeda (northern Osaka) Umeda is a major transport hub (JR lines, Osaka Metro and Hankyu lines), is a maze walk through these interlinked underground stations.

either google map or booking.com (Tsim Sha Tsui, kowloon). It's hotel and tourist area, though relative safe but beware of pick pocket, a common petty crime in big cities.

HONG KONG is now a concrete jungle, with population over 7 million. Your port time is excellent from 7am - 10pm. HONG KONG Harbor Laser show at 8pm https://www.tourism.gov.hk/symphony/english/details/details.html In additional to Star Ferry, another HK classic is Hong Kong Tramways -- Ding Ding (like cable cars in SF) https://www.hktramways.com/ Victoria Peak is also a must do: https://www.thepeak.com.hk/en If first visit to Hong Kong, give yourself extra time, do the HK island itinerary first, then Kowloon side, worst case scenario, hop on a Kowloon taxi back to cruise terminal is 15-20 min from Tsim Sha Tsui. In additional to Lonely Planet book, DK Eyewitness Hong Kong is one of my travel guidebooks. https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Top_10_Hong_Kong/LaD9DAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover I upload port maps and info (in PDF format) onto my iPAD, is handy for travel info lookup.

Wayfairers cruise will dock at Kai Tak Terminal, like Daikoku Pier in Yokohama, Japan.

Kowloon peninsula area is small, if you stay in Tsim Sha Tsui area hotel, taxi to Kai Tak cruise terminal is merely 15-20 min, and HK taxi fare is inexpensive compare to Europe and North America standard.

HONG KONG was relatively safe before Pandemic and 2019 umbrella movement. As world economy is collapsing, HK crime rate is getting worst like L.A and S.F. Though no violent crime on tourists, common ones are pick-pockets (like in Barcelona) and fraudulent. Like in any big city, be street smart.! Temple Street Night Market also known as the Men's market, it is famous for having a variety of men's fashion, from clothes to watches to footwear, at an unbelievably cheap price. I think the market starts at 6pm, join a local tour if exploring the night market. Temple street is OK during daytime. If shop for flowers - flower market located on Flower market Road. if you are a bird lover - bird market is further down. https://www.discoverhongkong.com/ca/interactive-map/flower-market.html MTR Princes Edward station (Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line) EXIT-B1, walk EAST along Prince Edward Road West for 700 feet turn left into Sai Yee St., after 100 feet the flower market is on your right. All the attractions you like to go are safe and can be DIY except Temple Street. Man Mo Temple is the oldest temple in HK, is a legend icon. I found English is not widely spoken after reverted to China. If you like to explore HK markets, The central market next to Jubliee escalator https://www.centralmarket.hk/en Have you been to HK Victoria Peak? Viewing HK Island and Kowloon peninsular? Using Google Maps and Earth View do your preliminary virtual HK tour and see if the itinerary suit you.

Ideally, if Princess arrange Tsui Sha Tsui free shuttle, only 40 min bus trip from Kai Tak Terminal. Option either Star Ferry or MTR to cross the harbor to Central. Other cruise terminal free shuttle will drop off at Kung Tong MTR station, takes 35 min (and transfer) to Tsui Sha Tsui. HK Island: Li Yuen Street East/West is 5 min walk (west) from MTR Central EXIT-C. Then walk 3 min west to Central Market (Jubliee street) where the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators (runs from Jubliee up to Robinson Road). To visit Man Mo Temple: exit the Escalator at Staunton Street, walk west along Staunton Street for 5-7 min till YMCA Bridges Street Center and The Church of Christ in China (Bridges Street), walk down the stairs (notable Ladder Street) till Hollywood Road, Man Mo Temple (Hollywood Road) is 50 feet on the right. After Man Mo Temple, continue walk down the Ladder street till Queen's Road Central, cross the road and walk east for 3 min to Hillier Street, (a directional signage for Sheung Wan MTR station) walk along Hillier for 5 min. The A2-EXIT for Sheung Wan MTR station is at Wing Lok St. & Hillier St. Sheung Wan station is Island Line, 1 stop to Central station, option: Star Ferry or MTR (Tsuen Wan Line) crossing the harbor to Kowloon. Temple street is a night market and is a BAD neighborhood.

YES for Ocean cruise terminal, NO for Kai Tak cruise terminal.

https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.html https://www.discoverhongkong.com/content/dam/dhk/intl/plan/traveller-info/e-guidebooks/hong-kong-map.pdf https://www.discoverhongkong.com/content/dam/dhk/intl/plan/traveller-info/e-guidebooks/old-town-central-en.pdf

When Spectrum OTS first HK arrival in July, it was a totally chaos because lack of transportation arrangements, cruise passengers spent most of the day queuing for transport. It was on the world news, and HK government learned the hard way. From Star Ferry pier, is a 1 km walk to Central station EXIT-K (elevated walkway from the pier to Landmard Chater (Chater Road) part. Then walk EAST for 5 min, the K-EXIT is in Statue Square Garden, next to Mandarin Oriental Hotel. There is no EXIT number signage at all MTR entrances (I think worldwide metro entrance also), online Google map shows the EXIT location, or go inside Central stn and follow the direction signage. Though I am a Princess regular but I jump ship to Celebrity, Japan sailing next month and Singapore to Japan in March 2024. I will on Sky Princess TA in November. The shuttle arrangements will be reviewed in December by HK government. I think the shuttle services varies from to ship to ship. If you need info on Japan excursions planning, I already the all the info. Michael

If you sail on RCL Spectrum OTS, free shuttle from Kai Tak terminal to Tsim Sha Tsui and Star Ferry cross the harbor to Central district. Or to Peak tram terminus to the Peak ! Free shuttle timetable on 19th Aug for Spectrum OTS (port time: 7am - 6pm)

Usually Fireworks during Chinese New Year Symphony of Lights (Laser show) is staged every night at 8:00 p.m. The best viewing locations of this nightly spectacle are the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Avenue of Stars, the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai, and from sightseeing ferries in the Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong Metro is built by the British, will hear "Mind The Gap" Message. Overhead signage and station map will direct you to EXIT-K, or look for exit to Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Corporation Headquarters. (HSBC Headquarters)

I was born in HK, so I know the place. https://www.kaitakcruiseterminal.com.hk/ You can also lookup your cruise arrival schedule from this web site. Lots of Info.

HK government improve the logistics for cruise passengers: For RCL Spectrum OTS HK arrival:

Don't take google map as your lifeline. Kai Tak cruise terminal located nowhere near any metro station (closest is 2.5 miles). But there is taxi or business-sponsored free shuttle take you to nearest metro station. Take the metro "Kwung Tong Line" (towards Whampoa stn), transfer either at "Prince Edward" or "Mong Kok" station to "Tsuen Wan Line" (towards Central stn). The Centration station EXIT-K is Statue Square, at Des Voeux Road Central. Just in front of the HSBC Headquarters building (well known HK landmark).

For Princess and Celebrity, the downtown shuttle stop is near Shushi Yakukosokusenryokaku Terminal.

Some restrictions on "Welcome Suica” for Foreigners Visiting Japan. - Only can purchase from dedicated machines at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. No longer available from JR East train stations and JR Ticket Offices. - Limited 1 card per person. - No renewal after 28 days expiration. - You must bring a Reference Paper with you when you use Welcome Suica (receive the Reference Paper when purchase the card). 😡 I will fly in to Osaka, will purchase an ICOCA as alternative. May able to purchase a "Suica" in Akita, Morioka and Aomori area because JR East launching Suica in these areas starting 2023-May-27.

Welcome Suica card does not refund the remaining balance. In other words, the balance of the card will not be refunded either before or after the expiration of the Red Suica Card. Therefore, it is important to use up the remaining balance on your Red Suica Card before it expires in order not to lose out.

Currently, JR Pass cannot use for "NOZOMI" and "MIZUHO" trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen Lines; but after price increase in October, 2023, you can travel on "NOZOMI" and "MIZUHO" train. Shinkansen stops at Shin-Yokohama station not Yokohama station; then transfer JR Yokohama Line to either Yokohama station or Kannai station, and taxi to Osanbashi cruise terminal. I use "smart-ex" app for causal Shinkansen travel "Smart Ex" Get the Cheapest Shinkansen Fares Without the JR Pass".: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjiIWXZNr5Q

Kagoshima cruise terminal is 10 miles south of the city, a paid ship shuttle will drop off near the Ferry Terminal (30 min travel time) Kagoshima cruise port and city view bus info. https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/cruise/marinport https://www.kagoshima-yokanavi.jp/en/feature/city-view2

https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/storage/files/shares/feature_pdf/marineport_kagoshima_en.pdf Taxi, paid port shuttle, or walk 35 min to the nearest tram station.