Live Blog! – B2B2B Seward to Japan – Millennium 2018– Join us for our next adventure

[Jim_Iain]

Hi all.   Well Cruise Critics is finally back up and almost running.   I'm noticing that all of the quotes from the past and http codes are showing in past messages. 

As you would think we are back in California.    I'll be posting the final details of our sailing after I figure out how things are working here.  

[Jim_Iain]

As I'm starting to get organized with the new forum, I'm really disappointed to see that ALL of my photos that had been posted using the Forum App have been blown away.   VERY DISSAPPOINTED 

[Jim_Iain]

Trying out the new forum and will pick back up in Busan 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

The photo above shows what the hopnon hop off bus and bus stop looks like. 

The full route without getting off runs about 3 hours. 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

The Busan Bridge puts on a beautiful light show as it changes color. 

[Jim_Iain]

October 9 

Due to the Typhoon we were rerouted to do Nagasaki on Oct 9 and will finally hit Shimizu on the next day. 

We arrived Nagasaki early and had arranged a ship tour.  The tour really brought home the destruction of war. 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

October 9 

Due to the Typhoon we were rerouted to do Nagasaki on Oct 9 and will finally hit Shimizu on the next day. 

We arrived Nagasaki early and had arranged a ship tour.  The tour really brought home the destruction of war. 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

There were numerous origami chains on display.   Each chain is made up of a 1,000 miniature origami’s 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

As our final stop on the tour was a cable car ride to the top of a mountain for a birds eye view of Nagasaki. 

 

[Provence55always]

Can understand how disappointed you are about your beautiful photos.....but good to see you back posting. Really enjoyed following you trip.

Thank you.

 

Noreen

[Tinknock50]

So sorry the old photos disappeared, but I think they may come back when things get up to speed.

It is interesting that when I get notification emails, pictures show up in the mail. They didn't do that before and I only saw them when I came to the site.

Edited October 16, 2018 by Tinknock50

[Jim_Iain]

Our last stop on the Cruise was Shimizu.   After having the port cancelled twice, it was nice to finally make the port.  We again had to settle for a ships tour.   We did a tour of Hakone and a sailing trip on Lake Ashi

first the 30 minute sailing on Lake Ashi   They had an option to upgrade for an additional $5.00   The first pix will be first class then a view of coach  glad we opted for the upgrade  

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, Tinknock50 said:

So sorry the old photos disappeared, but I think the may come back when things get up to speed.

It is interesting that when I get notification emails, pictures show up in the mail. They didn't do that before and I only saw them when I came to the site.

I’m sure it will settle down.  I like the ease of uploading photos in the new forum. 

[Jim_Iain]

Now a view of coach class  

After the lake tour we visited the top of Mt Hakone   The area is known for their black eggs that are made by placing eggs in the hot sulfur water and steam   

Edited October 16, 2018 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Festive sail away from Shimizu.   Gisha Show, Fireworks and a party at the pool added to the festive sail away.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2018 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

October 12 - Yokohama (again).  

We arrived around 9:00 an into Yokohama.   Actually we spent most of the night in Tokyo Harbor waiting to go into port.   

On this cruise there is to be an overnight in Yokohama and the cruise officially ends on October 13.   We chose to disembark on the first day in port and beat the crowds.   I've been asked privately for the process and how early disembarkation worked so will detail it a bit.

We let Celebrity know at the beginning of the cruise that we would be disembarking on the first day of our Visit to Yokohama.    It is also listed as a choice when you fill out your disembarkation questionnaire.   We let John, the MCC, that we would be disembarking at 11:30 on October 12.  He advised us that there would be a customs agent available all day so we did not need to be escorted off the ship and could depart whenever we chose. 

At 11:30 we left our room and proceed ashore.   Since we had been scheduled for an early departure the security card reader beeped twice when we were scanned which is a notification of an early departure.   They take your seapass from you at security and you proceed ashore.   When we entered the terminal it was virtually empty and there were just the 2 of us and 3 Customs agents.   We gave them our customs declaration and we were cleared and curbside within 15 minutes of leaving our room.

There were plenty of taxi's available curbside and we were on our way to YCAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal).   We had previously check out both the train and the Airport Limousine Bus and found the bus was the best choice for us.   The taxi to YCAT costs 2,000 yen and took about 15-20 minutes.  YCAT has a separate entrance at the rail station and is a small room with a couple ticket agents and vending machines.   I had researched and found they have a senior fare of 2,000 yen and a regular fare of 3,600 yen.   Proof of being over 65 is required for the Senior fare.   The bus runs every 20 minutes and takes approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.     Our bus left within 5 minutes of our arrival.   Your bags are checked onto the bus curbside and given back to you at the airport.  You need to advise the agent which airline you are flying and the bags are marked accordingly to the correct terminal.    

We were lucky to get a flight from Narita to San Jose on ANA in business class.   Check In  security and immigration took minutes and we were in the ANA Lounge shortly thereafter. 

Was really impressed with both the service and food on ANA (forgot to take a picture of the appetizer and desert.   It is a quick 9 1/2 hour flight and was very comfortable.   I was able to get about 6 hours sleep.

 

Edited October 16, 2018 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Zenith at Last -

Many of you may have wondered why we took the Alaska land tour at the very beginning of this trip.    I had calculated that at the end of the B2B2B we were going to be 1/2 day short of achieving Zenith.   When discussing with Celebrity they advised that you are awarded Captain's Club Points at the same rate as your room when adding a land tour.   So I added the 3 day land tour solely to hit Zenith.   

This post will end this blog but will be around for any questions, suggestions or recommendations.   I'll be back shortly blogging our next adventure. 

We leave on November 1 for London and the Silhouette Transatlantic -  Beaches to Broadway Cruise.   

[ecslady]

Congrats on reaching Zenith!  And I can understand how disappointed you are that all your pictures are gone, but glad to see you post some today.

[Jim_Iain]

29 minutes ago, ecslady said:

Congrats on reaching Zenith!  And I can understand how disappointed you are that all your pictures are gone, but glad to see you post some today.

Thanks much.   I've been on a couple other boards that upgraded their software and it is painful as they work their way through the transition issues but in the long run I think we will enjoy the new capabilities.  

[effinaround]

Jim:

I loved following along on your travels while I was stuck working for the man.  Thank you for taking the time to post the ups and downs of your journey.

Edited October 17, 2018 by effinaround

[Jim_Iain]

25 minutes ago, effinaround said:

Jim:

I loved following along on your travels while I was stuck working for the man.  Thank you for taking the time to post the ups and downs of your journey.

 

Thanks -   I always look at a vacation as an adventure.   While we always like things to go as planned their are always new opportunities when revisions need to be made  

I'm still working on getting refunded for all my private tours that were cancelled.  

I just discovered there is a new feature -  bottom right corner of message where you can "Like" or "Thanks" for a post.  I know a lot of people have been requesting this for a long time.

 

[h20cruzer]

OMG finally. It was like coming to the best part of the movie and the film breaks.....

so glad you came back anD finished up!!!!

it was a lovely trip and your pictures were great. I did ANA FROM San Jose to Narita have to agree pretty easy. Did you try the top ramen offered is business class, I thought it was good. One quick question off topic. We are leaving in 3 weeks ending in Buenos Aires, could you possibly remember the name of the restaurant you are at with all the meat, or any other recommendations you might have for BA?

cant wait to follow your next adventure!!!!!!

Norma

[Rina155]

Jim,

What an amazing journey you both have had.  I loved “going along” and gathering information for my trip in April.  I appreciate the details and beautiful photos of the trip.  Thank you again!

 

[Esperanza7]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Thanks -   I always look at a vacation as an adventure.   While we always like things to go as planned their are always new opportunities when revisions need to be made  

I'm still working on getting refunded for all my private tours that were cancelled.  

I just discovered there is a new feature -  bottom right corner of message where you can "Like" or "Thanks" for a post.  I know a lot of people have been requesting this for a long time.

 

Hi Jim. 

Thank you so much for your time and effort during your amazing vacation. I too was so sorry when it got cut short and now all that lovely information has disappeared!! That was part of my reference guide for when we board in Shanghai on the 27th!! lol 😊

If you still have one, and it's possible, could you please post just one of the Dalies. There were a few things I wanted to check over regarding times, etc.

Happy to hear you had a great time despite all the changes.

Karen

 

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

OMG finally. It was like coming to the best part of the movie and the film breaks.....

so glad you came back anD finished up!!!!

it was a lovely trip and your pictures were great. I did ANA FROM San Jose to Narita have to agree pretty easy. Did you try the top ramen offered is business class, I thought it was good. One quick question off topic. We are leaving in 3 weeks ending in Buenos Aires, could you possibly remember the name of the restaurant you are at with all the meat, or any other recommendations you might have for BA?

cant wait to follow your next adventure!!!!!!

Norma

Hi Norma -   I really enjoyed ANA, but unfortunately didn't try the Roman.   I was so stuffed from dinner that I just slept for most of the flight.   I did have the Eggs Benedict prior to arrival which for being at least 12 hours old was delicious. 

As for BA, you will have no problem finding meat places in BA.   Here are a couple we really enjoyed 

In Regoletta -

On Santa Fe (the main street)

Aires Criollos by the way criollos means barbecued meat place - we ate there 3 times including New Years Eve

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d2427482-Reviews-Aires_Criollos-Buenos_Aires_Capital_Federal_District.html

Elena -Fun Italian 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d3981027-Reviews-Elena-Buenos_Aires_Capital_Federal_District.html

El Establo Parrilla - more of a neighborhood steak house we ate here 3x also

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d1673737-Reviews-El_Establo_Parrilla-Buenos_Aires_Capital_Federal_District.html

My favorite was a little neighborhood place in the neighborhood we were staying in Palermo.  If you don't have a reservation be there when it opens very small and menu changes daily after the chef shops for the day.

Las Pizarras Bistro

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d1751880-Reviews-Las_Pizarras_Bistro-Buenos_Aires_Capital_Federal_District.html

Sorry for the large text (copy and past from Trip Advisor.   The new software doesn't have font size in the response menu.