Diamond Princess - Japan Season - REVIEW

[caribill]

However, we are used to visiting foreign countries on a ship with English as the first language and a diverse menu for most cultures.

I don't know how comfortable it would be to suddenly switch gears and tour Asia on a Japanese ship.

 

I wonder what will happen with the Quantum and other lines that send ships to Japan.

 

I have had experience on an RCCL ship headed to be based in Asia, but was not on it for an Asian cruise.

 

During our cruise signs were changed to be in several languages (English, Chinese, Japanese), both in the cabin and in public areas.

 

The RCCL equivalent of the Patter is printed three days in advance, so there is no problem with late delivery. They had their daily newsletter available in several languages.

 

Due to the number of nationalities on board, all announcements were made in five languages.

 

We were told that entertainment in the main theater would include the same production shows (mainly music and dancing with the lyrics kept in English), but other acts would have performances that did not require spoken word to understand (acobatics, music). No comedians.

 

Much of the staff (cabin attendents, restaurant waitstaff, front desk personnel) were Chinese and were excellent English speakers who had been well trained for their jobs on the ship. (For the Chinese, working on the cruise ship was a plum job. I doubt many Japanese, coming from a much more expensive economy, would feel the same.)

 

The casino had half of the slot machines removed with the area converted into gaming tables.

 

Most of the shops were changed to very high end merchandise (think Gucci and up). A tobacco store was added.

 

No bidet features added, at least while we were on board.

 

For the first season at least, most of the sailings were charters (I assume to various Chinese travel agencies).

[cr8tiv1]

LOL!!

 

Lanwood, thank you for starting this thread, and thanks to those who are adding their experience as well. This is a wonderful, educational, and humorous read, and what great information you are providing for those of us thinking about booking this cruise.

 

We look forward to more! Loving the details. David Cole has a reputation for being one of the very best CDs. I imagine this is a really difficult transition for him. Somewhere I believe that I read he'll be taking some (probably much needed and deserved) time off after his present contract!

 

Hope the information keeps coming - any little thing added that you remember most welcome!

 

My thanks to Lanwood too. I was wondering how this was going. I am finding this thread very interesting. The Japanese do have their own "culture" and ways of doing things.

 

Dave Cole is not on this itinerary. He has a great common of the Hawaiian language and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a working knowledge of Japanese too. Good to hear about ELUA.

[Mom33]

I have had experience on an RCCL ship headed to be based in Asia, but was not on it for an Asian cruise.

 

During our cruise signs were changed to be in several languages (English, Chinese, Japanese), both in the cabin and in public areas.

 

The RCCL equivalent of the Patter is printed three days in advance, so there is no problem with late delivery. They had their daily newsletter available in several languages.

 

Due to the number of nationalities on board, all announcements were made in five languages.

 

We were told that entertainment in the main theater would include the same production shows (mainly music and dancing with the lyrics kept in English), but other acts would have performances that did not require spoken word to understand (acobatics, music). No comedians.

 

Much of the staff (cabin attendents, restaurant waitstaff, front desk personnel) were Chinese and were excellent English speakers who had been well trained for their jobs on the ship. (For the Chinese, working on the cruise ship was a plum job. I doubt many Japanese, coming from a much more expensive economy, would feel the same.)

 

The casino had half of the slot machines removed with the area converted into gaming tables.

 

Most of the shops were changed to very high end merchandise (think Gucci and up). A tobacco store was added.

 

No bidet features added, at least while we were on board.

 

For the first season at least, most of the sailings were charters (I assume to various Chinese travel agencies).

 

Thanks for this information Caribill. Perhaps after a few cruises, the ship and crew will be in sync and all will run smoothly. We would love to consider this itinerary in the future.:)

[Lanwood]

Was the casino busy? Princess was bringing on machines that the Japanese like to play. On our cruise they weren't there just old video poker machines in disrepair.

 

Yes. They liked their casino. Many of them even dress the part :) with the pulled down hats and dark glasses look at the tables. Looked like being in an old fashioned movie. :)

[Lanwood]

Lanwood,

Thanks for the review.

Sounds like you're a very upbeat person who made the best of a not so wonderful situation!

Was Arturo a really sweet, rather short Italian gentleman?

If so, he was the dining room Maitre D' on our cruise on the old Royal and we LOVED him. He's a very good manager and I wasn't surprised to hear he knew how to please everyone!

 

How can you not have fun on a cruise ship :) It would have to be pretty bad to not enjoy being driven to places from the comfort of your own stateroom, being entertained, everyone cooking and cleaning for you ;)

 

I would often think of how nice and polite the Chinese or Japanese family where on English dominated cruises in Europe or Australia when struggling to understand the English intructions or Menu's, or struggling to engange in any conversation with fellow passengers, yet, still smilling and having a good time.

 

I think we are very lucky people to have such a luxury of choice in cruising options and styles, to be able to "critique" them to the level we do. But people work very hard and pay good money, so hopefully with some more reviews here, people can make an informed decision before booking, or at least change their expectations prior perhaps??

 

p.s - yes Arturo was Short guy (looked Italian, but I think he was Mexican?)

Edited May 1, 2014 by Lanwood

[Lintywhite]

Thanks to Lanwood for his excellent reviews and thanks for answering my questions on the "Toilet" thread. Thanks also to Sayaguru.

 

I phoned Princess Australia yesterday and my husband followed up with a phone call to Princess USA and they both assured us that the Japanese menus, movies and entertainment etc were only for selected cruises on the Diamond, in particular, the around Japan cruises or those with mainly Japanese ports that had been advertised in Japan with a view to attracting Japanese passengers.

 

Whilst they couldn't give specifics they both said that other cruises on the Diamond would be mainly in English with the usual menus movies, entertainment etc all in English.

 

And just to clarify, my husband and I were not at all concerned about the Japanese aspect. He's been travelling to Japan for the last 27 years and enjoys the food, culture etc. Our concerns were for our 26 year old daughter who will be sailing with us. She has a seafood allergy. She is also a first time cruiser and we were worried that if there was limited entertainment etc in English she might not enjoy the cruise.

[Lanwood]

Thanks to Lanwood for his excellent reviews and thanks for answering my questions on the "Toilet" thread. Thanks also to Sayaguru.

 

A pleasure :)

Though it did feel like we where having a private conversation in a very public toilet....;)

Enjoy your cruise.

[Lanwood]

CD was better than what the OP has described.

 

I think he must have had is work cut out for him once Japansese season started perhaps?

 

We also had great entertainment; probably the best Princess singers and dancers.

 

I'll second that.

[ar1950]

Lanwood, thanks for the informative review.

 

* The Cruise Director on this ship felt Invidisble - no where to be seen. Normally I see them everywhere and very involved. On this cruise I only noticed him on the Wake show, or after some shows. This comment was circularling amongst the regulars.

 

Surprising, because on our cruise to Hawaii on the Star last November Dave Cole was out and about a lot.

 

* With so many "blue cards" on board, there was a bit of a lack of onboard etiquette. For example, they all slamed their cabin doors at all hours and talked very loudly in the stateroom corridors. This annoyed many westerners who you would frequently over hear grumbling about it.

 

Maybe its a cultural thing. When we were in Las Vegas over Christmas several years ago there were a group of Japanese folks across the hall from us that were in three different rooms. On more than a couple of nights that week we would be asleep only to be woken up at 2 or 3 in the morning by slamming doors and people yelling at each other between their rooms.

 

Thanks again for all of interesting information.

Edited May 1, 2014 by ar1950

[Elua]

Lanwood, thanks for the informative review.

 

 

 

Surprising, because on our cruise to Hawaii on the Star last November Dave Cole was out and about a lot.

 

 

 

 

Thanks again for all of interesting information.

 

Aloha Kakou,

I just wanted to jump in here quickly before this thread gets too far down the road and people think David Cole is here on the Diamond as CD. Right now the CD is Warren Smith, and after him it will be Dan Styne.

 

I think the confusion popped up when someone mentioned me teaching ukulele and only said David, and people thought it meant David Cole. Leialoha and I are on the Diamond right now, staying here until August 22nd. David Cole is on vacation at home.

 

I also wanted to address the paragraph about what happened during one of the ukulele lessons. Sometimes, new situations require adjustments for this involved, and this was the case for that particular ukulele lesson. Wako, who is the "Japanese CD" for the Diamond had never translated or worked with me before. I take responsibility for this little faux pas. As anyone who has taken one of my ukulele classes before knows, I like to run my classes in a very particular, (some would say strange...in a good way) manner. Very loose, laid back and fun. I did not let Wako know that I depend on audience participation and interactions when I teach, so I did need to stop for a moment and quickly let him know. After that, it went quite well, and my other translator Miyu does a wonderful job as well. Wako is a great guy and does a fantastic job here on the Diamond.

 

So far, we have had nothing but great times here, and look forward to enjoying the rest of our time. But, just to reiterate...David Cole is not here. He is taking a well deserved vacation.

 

Aloha No and Sayonara,

Dave

(of Elua)

http://www.facebook.com/eluamusic

[ar1950]

Aloha Kakou,

I just wanted to jump in here quickly before this thread gets too far down the road and people think David Cole is here on the Diamond as CD. Right now the CD is Warren Smith, and after him it will be Dan Styne.

 

I think the confusion popped up when someone mentioned me teaching ukulele and only said David, and people thought it meant David Cole. Leialoha and I are on the Diamond right now, staying here until August 22nd. David Cole is on vacation at home.

 

I also wanted to address the paragraph about what happened during one of the ukulele lessons. Sometimes, new situations require adjustments for this involved, and this was the case for that particular ukulele lesson. Wako, who is the "Japanese CD" for the Diamond had never translated or worked with me before. I take responsibility for this little faux pas. As anyone who has taken one of my ukulele classes before knows, I like to run my classes in a very particular, (some would say strange...in a good way) manner. Very loose, laid back and fun. I did not let Wako know that I depend on audience participation and interactions when I teach, so I did need to stop for a moment and quickly let him know. After that, it went quite well, and my other translator Miyu does a wonderful job as well. Wako is a great guy and does a fantastic job here on the Diamond.

 

So far, we have had nothing but great times here, and look forward to enjoying the rest of our time. But, just to reiterate...David Cole is not here. He is taking a well deserved vacation.

 

Aloha No and Sayonara,

Dave

(of Elua)

http://www.facebook.com/eluamusic

 

Thank you Dave for the clarification. And, yes, your ukulele lessons are great. I learned a lot from your lessons and I am still practicing! So, thanks for that too!:cool:

Edited May 1, 2014 by ar1950

[The Captain90]

 

 

 

I phoned Princess Australia yesterday and my husband followed up with a phone call to Princess USA and they both assured us that the Japanese menus, movies and entertainment etc were only for selected cruises on the Diamond, in particular, the around Japan cruises or those with mainly Japanese ports that had been advertised in Japan with a view to attracting Japanese passengers.

 

 

 

Whilst they couldn't give specifics they both said that other cruises on the Diamond would be mainly in English with the usual menus movies, entertainment etc all in English.

 

 

Thanks for all the input. Hopefully all returns to "normal" for our Singapore to Sydney cruise end of October.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[NeptuneSeas]

Thanx for the review. Do you recall who the Maître D' was please? (Hope he spoke Japanese!) Hope Chef's table will still operate, as we so enjoy this when chosen. We're wondering too re cruising on Diamond now.

Cheers!

[sayaguru]

"Japanese don't tend to sit around in bars drinking so (as mentioned) many were empty)."

 

As one who has been to Japan more than 30 times primarily on business I can tell you this is absolutely false. I think the issue here is (I am assuming) most Japanese passengers are husband and wife.

The Japanese male white collar worker spends virtually every night after work in a bar (often hostess bars) drinking with colleagues, often very late, and often to excess.

The Tokyo subway at 1:00 am is fascinating, crowded with totally inebriated men in business suits getting home.

Possibly if the bars were segregated (like the bath areas), and with female hostesses, you would see a totally different side of them as regards drinking.

 

 

I guess it came over as a generalisation but i WAS referring to the cruise (not Tokyo life) which I agree is different. The bars WERE empty.

 

I thought the food was great. I liked the added advantage of the Japanese dishes.

The shows with the dancers were good I thought.

 

The casinoi was pretty quiet. A few big gamblers. The pokies were quiet. Whether it was because they were the crap old ones I don't know. I hate those 3 reel bar ones. The ones on Sun Princess (well most) were modern.

The toilet in my cabin and in my friends were "normal". It must have just been some? They replaced all the shower heads on deck 9 during the cruise.

 

Elua- I could see you were frustrated as well. I'm sure later lessons fared better. I learned something new so all's good. It's not as easy as it looks BTW. :D

[kirin]

Thank you to Lanwood and Sayaguru for posting about the Diamond "Japan" cruises. Very informative and interesting.

 

I would like to ask how table assignments in the MDR were handled for large tables. Were the large tables a mix of Westerners and Japanese or (on the other hand) were tables "all Western" and "all Japanese"?

 

I will be sailing in June or July, so doing research now to know what to expect. Many thanks.

[Lanwood]

They replaced all the shower heads on deck 9 during the cruise. :D

 

They replaced ours as well on deck 8 part way through the cruise (I prefer the mini-suites on that deck as the balcony's are covered, so are private from the decks up, and more weather proof). Just my opinion, but I preferred the shower heads before they changed them. The water pressure was so much stronger (maybe why they changed them). The new heads, we had to stand right in the corner to get the water to reach us (or take the shower head off - yes yes).....

[Lanwood]

Thank you to Lanwood and Sayaguru for posting about the Diamond "Japan" cruises. Very informative and interesting.

 

I would like to ask how table assignments in the MDR were handled for large tables. Were the large tables a mix of Westerners and Japanese or (on the other hand) were tables "all Western" and "all Japanese"?

 

I will be sailing in June or July, so doing research now to know what to expect. Many thanks.

 

We where in the Sante Fe Dining room on second sitting. I was a bit apprehensive about going to the MDR at first, as we where concerned about being sat at a table full of Japanese only speaking companions (staff often joked to us about this when arriving to Dinner the first time and arriving to the MDR for breakfast - but where looked after fine). But the Mitre'D had it under control. We where sat with western/English speaking companions. (Very nice one's to. Conversation never stopped, and we where the last ones to empty out). From what I could see, all the guests in the Santa Fe Dining room where also western in appearance. Not sure about sayaguru's experience....

 

I remember at breakfast (we where always the only westerners in the International dining room for breakfast when we where there, and it was full. Don't know where others where..?) one morning the waiter didn't quite look at us properly and started speaking Japanese to us, quickly realising we couldn't understand him by our western features, he switched to English, saying "oh English, I haven't spoke English all Cruise. Let me find you English Menu's). We found it quite amusing. (they sat us at a table for 2 each time being the only westerners there).

 

I will make one complaint - it's the only one you will here from me, and that is no one on board could make a decent cup of tea!!

[Lanwood]

Thanx for the review. Do you recall who the Maître D' was please? (Hope he spoke Japanese!) Hope Chef's table will still operate, as we so enjoy this when chosen. We're wondering too re cruising on Diamond now.

Cheers!

 

I'm very sorry, but I don't remember his name. I should, as I was reading his feature in the patter. (not Japanese, he looked a European type to me - not sure).

 

I had never met him, but one morning at breakfast he knelt down beside my chair and apologised and said the Chefs table was cancelled (I booked on embarkation) as only 3 people had booked. No idea how he knew who I was and where exactly to find me at the right time...??

[chamima]

Lanwood,

Thanks for the review.

Sounds like you're a very upbeat person who made the best of a not so wonderful situation!

Was Arturo a really sweet, rather short Italian gentleman?

If so, he was the dining room Maitre D' on our cruise on the old Royal and we LOVED him. He's a very good manager and I wasn't surprised to hear he knew how to please everyone!

 

How can you not have fun on a cruise ship :) It would have to be pretty bad to not enjoy being driven to places from the comfort of your own stateroom, being entertained, everyone cooking and cleaning for you ;)

 

I would often think of how nice and polite the Chinese or Japanese family where on English dominated cruises in Europe or Australia when struggling to understand the English intructions or Menu's, or struggling to engange in any conversation with fellow passengers, yet, still smilling and having a good time.

 

I think we are very lucky people to have such a luxury of choice in cruising options and styles, to be able to "critique" them to the level we do. But people work very hard and pay good money, so hopefully with some more reviews here, people can make an informed decision before booking, or at least change their expectations prior perhaps??

 

p.s - yes Arturo was Short guy (looked Italian, but I think he was Mexican?)

 

 

 

Yes, we ARE all lucky to be able to cruise and take vacations at all.

 

As far as Arturo, I looked back at my notes (don't even start to make fun of me, I know I'm a little OCD but in cases like these I'm always happy to have a written "memory refresher".) and I was wrong about the position.

Arturo was the Hotel Director. His last name was Calise so he was Italian.

He was an entertainer at heart so sang all over the ship and had such a sparkling personality that he really added a LOT to our cruise!

The staff on that cruise was so unbelievably fabulous. I wish we'd see some of them again!!!

[LisaAtlCruiser]

Interesting thread. I just booked the Aug 30, 2015 Japan cruise. I am going solo so really wonder how an American, solo, woman will feel. Any thoughts?

[Lintywhite]

I will make one complaint - it's the only one you will here from me, and that is no one on board could make a decent cup of tea!!

 

This would be my only ever complaint too because I really need a good pot of tea each morning to start the day. I think the real problem is the water isn't boiling when they make it and so it doesn't brew properly.

 

When I've sailed on ships that have the specialty teas I found the herbal teas are quite good as usually they don't require the water to be boiling. Hopefully they can be found on the Diamond where they do the specialty coffees.

[Lanwood]

This would be my only ever complaint too because I really need a good pot of tea each morning to start the day. I think the real problem is the water isn't boiling when they make it and so it doesn't brew properly.

 

When I've sailed on ships that have the specialty teas I found the herbal teas are quite good as usually they don't require the water to be boiling. Hopefully they can be found on the Diamond where they do the specialty coffees.

 

At breakfast MDR, they would poor it within seconds of popping in the tea bag (so basically hot water in my cup). I would generally, politely, wait until they had left and then quickly poor it back into the pot to brew for a minute or two when no one was looking :(). I presumed it must have been something to do with the Japanese teas not needing as long to brew us our English type black teas, and staff not realising this (that's what I chose to believe anyway).

 

Afternoon tea, I didn't have a pot left for me, so it was basically undrinkable for us.

 

Best way to get a good cup of tea on board was either getting a pot (unpored) at the Lobby bar, or, making it yourself in Horizons court (best way for me).....

Edited May 2, 2014 by Lanwood

[NeptuneSeas]

Thanx for reply; no need to apologize! Just read Diamond ex Singapore review & pax attended Chef's Table & spoke of Jose - think Jose De Amaral Florencio must be the current Maitre D' as we've not met another MDH called Jose and have sailed with Jose several times. He's Portuguese and has a brilliant memory & goes out of his way to oblige; so can "see" how he'd find you, kneel to apologize re Chef's Table cancellation!

 

Yes, we understand re a decent cup of tea! We're both tea drinkers. We always take a packet of tea leaves and tea strainer (scare as hen's teeth on a Princess!) and ask for warm teapot at our meals, put in our tea leaves and the waitstaff will happily fill it with boiling water - all you need do is ask. We've never had a problem and they quickly know what to do when they see us coming for breakfast & lunch! If you have high tea in dining room or your cabin, you could do the same (we're Elite, so do this ritual ourselves in our cabin; we just order a teapot, boiling water and the food goodies.) We don't worry at dinner. If we don't use up our tea leaves, we give them to a crew member who drinks tea.

Hope this helps you have a decent cuppa on your next cruise! Cheers! :D

[Lanwood]

I should point out, that Princess sent us 2 separate e-mail letters prior to cruising notifying us of the large number of Japanese passengers that would be onboard, and the Japanese culture, style and influence we would experience during the cruise.

[A.Emgee]

Are the Patters or menus for these Japanese cruises on Diamond Princess posted anywhere online?