Japan on the Diamond Princess

[orgutierrez]

Dear all,

 

I am debating between the following two itineraries on the Diamond Princess to Japan:

 

22nd August 2013 - Hokkaido and Russia

Ports of Call:

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 22nd

- Sea Day - 23rd

- Kushiro, Japan - 24th

- Shiretoko Peninsula (Scenic Cruising), Japan - 25th

- Korsakov, Russia - 26th

- Otaru, Japan - 27th

- Hakodate, Japan - 28th

- Aomori, Japan - 29th

- Sea Day - 30th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

 

31st August 2013 - Kyushu and Onsens

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

- Sea Day - 1st

- Kobe, Japan - 2nd

- Kobe, Japan - 3rd

- Japan Inland Cruising - 3rd

- Beppu, Japan - 4th

- Kagoshima, Japan - 5th

- Jeju, South Korea - 6th

- Nagasaki, Japan - 7th

- Sea Day - 8th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 9th

 

I have never been to Japan, and in my opinion maybe the second one is better as the overnight in Kobe, would allow us to visit Kyoto. Has anyone done any of these itineraries? If yes, which one would you prefer? Which are the Diamond Princess' fellow passengers in this Japan cruises? Are they most likely Japanese?

 

Looking forward to read lots of replies!

[beg3yrs]

I believe this is Princess' first season doing these Japan itineraries. As such you won't find many CC members who have experienced these itineraries as they are listed.

 

Wow though they both look pretty interesting and the only repeat is Tokyo. If you can't make up your mind, take a look at the more detailed port descriptions as well as perusing other travel web-sites that provide "Trip Advisories" (well that's almost the name but you'll get it if you use Google).

 

We've only been to Nagasaki (it was on the Diamond) and Sapporo (not on your list). Nagasaki was pretty cool as it home to the shipyard where the Diamond and Sapphire were built. The people in town really love to see those two ships come in and always give them a big welcome and send off.

 

If you still can't make up your mind, do what I do on a cruise when I'm trying to decide between two desserts, take both!

 

BTW, when we sailed in Japanese waters, the ship was not allowed to provide Internet and on-board cell-phone services. Something to do with radio licensing problems.

Edited January 25, 2014 by beg3yrs

[caribill]

Those are two great itineraries. I agree, if time and finances allow, take both.

 

I do suspect a majority of the passengers will be Japanese.

[windsor26]

I agree with caribill there will be lots of Japanese passengers as the ships are being based in japan for the season as this will be quite new for lots of them - and Princess know the casino will benefit:p:p;)

The sun is going there also Perhaps at last they will find a use for the new sushi bar!!

[rkmw]

Dear all,

 

I am debating between the following two itineraries on the Diamond Princess to Japan:

 

22nd August 2013 - Hokkaido and Russia

Ports of Call:

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 22nd

- Sea Day - 23rd

- Kushiro, Japan - 24th

- Shiretoko Peninsula (Scenic Cruising), Japan - 25th

- Korsakov, Russia - 26th

- Otaru, Japan - 27th

- Hakodate, Japan - 28th

- Aomori, Japan - 29th

- Sea Day - 30th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

 

31st August 2013 - Kyushu and Onsens

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

- Sea Day - 1st

- Kobe, Japan - 2nd

- Kobe, Japan - 3rd

- Japan Inland Cruising - 3rd

- Beppu, Japan - 4th

- Kagoshima, Japan - 5th

- Jeju, South Korea - 6th

- Nagasaki, Japan - 7th

- Sea Day - 8th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 9th

 

I have never been to Japan, and in my opinion maybe the second one is better as the overnight in Kobe, would allow us to visit Kyoto. Has anyone done any of these itineraries? If yes, which one would you prefer? Which are the Diamond Princess' fellow passengers in this Japan cruises? Are they most likely Japanese?

 

Looking forward to read lots of replies!

 

you have august 2013 for the itinerarys so that would be a typo mistake

[Kamloops50]

Dear all,

 

I am debating between the following two itineraries on the Diamond Princess to Japan:

 

22nd August 2013 - Hokkaido and Russia

Ports of Call:

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 22nd

- Sea Day - 23rd

- Kushiro, Japan - 24th

- Shiretoko Peninsula (Scenic Cruising), Japan - 25th

- Korsakov, Russia - 26th

- Otaru, Japan - 27th

- Hakodate, Japan - 28th

- Aomori, Japan - 29th

- Sea Day - 30th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

 

31st August 2013 - Kyushu and Onsens

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

- Sea Day - 1st

- Kobe, Japan - 2nd

- Kobe, Japan - 3rd

- Japan Inland Cruising - 3rd

- Beppu, Japan - 4th

- Kagoshima, Japan - 5th

- Jeju, South Korea - 6th

- Nagasaki, Japan - 7th

- Sea Day - 8th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 9th

 

I have never been to Japan, and in my opinion maybe the second one is better as the overnight in Kobe, would allow us to visit Kyoto. Has anyone done any of these itineraries? If yes, which one would you prefer? Which are the Diamond Princess' fellow passengers in this Japan cruises? Are they most likely Japanese?

 

Looking forward to read lots of replies!

 

Do you mean 2014 instead of 2913.

 

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Forums mobile app

[CaribbeanIsland]

Having toured Japan via land, the 2nd itinerary is much better. Enjoy whichever you choose.

Edited January 25, 2014 by CaribbeanIsland

[rkmw]

Do you mean 2014 instead of 2913.

 

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Forums mobile app

 

even you made a typo error, the OP had 2013 and you have 2913

[tjcox9]

My understanding is that the Sun Princess did some similar itineraries last year.

[Traveler808]

Dear all,

 

I am debating between the following two itineraries on the Diamond Princess to Japan:

 

22nd August 2013 - Hokkaido and Russia

Ports of Call:

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 22nd

- Sea Day - 23rd

- Kushiro, Japan - 24th

- Shiretoko Peninsula (Scenic Cruising), Japan - 25th

- Korsakov, Russia - 26th

- Otaru, Japan - 27th

- Hakodate, Japan - 28th

- Aomori, Japan - 29th

- Sea Day - 30th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

 

31st August 2013 - Kyushu and Onsens

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 31st

- Sea Day - 1st

- Kobe, Japan - 2nd

- Kobe, Japan - 3rd

- Japan Inland Cruising - 3rd

- Beppu, Japan - 4th

- Kagoshima, Japan - 5th

- Jeju, South Korea - 6th

- Nagasaki, Japan - 7th

- Sea Day - 8th

- Tokyo (Yokohama) - 9th

 

I have never been to Japan, and in my opinion maybe the second one is better as the overnight in Kobe, would allow us to visit Kyoto. Has anyone done any of these itineraries? If yes, which one would you prefer? Which are the Diamond Princess' fellow passengers in this Japan cruises? Are they most likely Japanese?

 

Looking forward to read lots of replies!

 

I have been to 2 Japan cruises in 2013 (both on the Sun Princess) and several land tours. I have been to all the ports on your second listing and some of the ports on your first. As a first time visitor to Japan I would highly recommend the second itinerary.

 

With 2 days in Kobe, you will be able to visit Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto. As a prior poster pointed out, Nagasaki is home to Diamond and the Welcome and farewell ceremonies are among the best I have ever experienced. Nagasaki is very doable on your own with the city literally a stone's throw from your ship.

 

The only downside would be Jeju Island. The ship will dock on the north side of the island and all the resorts and good sights are on the southside (about an hours drive from the port). This is based on where the Sun Princess docked so maybe the Diamond will go south????

 

Whichever itinerary you select I am sure you will have an enjoyable cruise.

[Posaune]

Can anyone confirm the no cell phone or internet available on ship while in Japanese waters? We have to maintain our business even when on vacation and that would be a serious issue for us.

[Aussie Gal]

We are booked on the Kyusho and Onsens itinerary only ours is in October. I am not sure about the August itinerary and it looks exactly the same, but on ours we are really in Kobe for only 23 hours as we arrive at 7.00am and depart next morning at 6.00am. It still gives everyone a chance to visit Kyoto which is a must if you have never been there.

 

When we booked we received an email from Princess stating that 80% of the passengers will be Japanese. In fact, when the Diamond Princess goes into dry dock in April, the Spa is being changed into a Japanese Spa.

 

Our friends did a similar cruise last year on the Sun Princess and loved it. Hence that is one of the reasons why we are doing it this year. We have only been to Japan once before and we very much enjoyed what we saw of that country. We think that the itinerary that we have chosen is the best one.

 

Jennie

Edited January 26, 2014 by Aussie Gal

[beg3yrs]

Can anyone confirm the no cell phone or internet available on ship while in Japanese waters? We have to maintain our business even when on vacation and that would be a serious issue for us.

 

That was my post which stated on our cruise we did not have Internet or cell phone service while in Japanese waters. At that time the Diamond was not doing Japanese itineraries, it was just visiting. It may be with the new focus on Japanese ports, Princess may have made an arrangement with the Japanese telecommunications folk. If it's that important, call Princess directly and find out. I'd bet that now with primarily Japanese passengers, they've made some arrangement.

Edited January 26, 2014 by beg3yrs

[AE_Collector]

even you made a typo error, the OP had 2013 and you have 2913

 

Obviously they meant the year 1420, not 2913! Kamloops50 typed it on their "transformer" and apparently it is working properly!

 

As for the OP, the answer is obvious, with the cost of flights get your money's worth by doing both B2B.

 

We stopped at Mururan Japan on Diamond in May 2012 going from Beijing to Vancouver and had Internet while there.

 

Terry

[caribill]

Can anyone confirm the no cell phone or internet available on ship while in Japanese waters? We have to maintain our business even when on vacation and that would be a serious issue for us.

 

When our cruise a couple of years ago was in Japanese waters Internet service was definitely not available. Don't know about cell phone service.

 

Both may be available when on shore in a port via Japanese providers.

 

When sailing at night on our cruise, the ship went far enough from shore that internet service was allowed again for a few hours.