From the Narita Hilton to the Ship...............

 

20^th June 2014

 I had checked out with the Bell Captain how best to get to the ship by bus and/ or train. It was a bit scary but I determined to try it. Take the free shuttle back to the airport, then the orange Air Limousine Bus to Yokohama, a train to one station then another train to the pier, hopefully near enough to see and get aboard, but after Hoppy’s walk about I didn’t think lugging cases on the “adventure” would be a good idea and there was always the potential to start the cuts bleeding again. So a taxi it was. It took two hours and cost just under NZ$330.  We were also given the toll slips which were included in the price. Not bad we thought; we were willing to pay whatever it took and I was imagining up to $1000. in my paranoia. But wow, here we were, we made it in good time at a fraction of the price. Everything was extremely well organised.  We were on board before 1pm. and, surprise, surprise, having another large plate of food!

We didn’t make the Welcome aboard Show or honour our invite to Skywalkers nightclub for freshly made guacamole and tortilla chips with an El Mejor cocktail for only US$5. But this invitation is extended for every night of the cruise to us as Elite Members so I guess we’ll make it when we catch up on things. But wait, there’s more, we also get a free mini bar each section of the cruise, a gift of Spa goodies in a lovely shell, free 250 minutes of internet  each, a free wine tasting,  10 % off boutique purchases and priority for tender trips. (When we have to anchor off and go ashore in the lifeboats/tenders) Hey, I nearly forgot – we even get our laundry done for nothing/zilch/nada!!!!

First day was a sea day and you think we could recover that didn’t happen. We slept in til about 10 so we were all behind for a kick off. The boat gently porpoised north but visibility was not good, in fact we woke to the fog horn. That situation continued most of the day. The only variation was the swell coming side on so - on with the sea bands. Not that it was rough – the sea was oily calm but there’s usually a surge, especially on such a big ship. It’s half as big again as Sea princess and has been especially renovated to suit the Japanese market with Izumi baths and Sushi Restaurant. In fact this is the inaugural trip of the Japanese season.

 I happened to check on the Bridge TV Channel that night and we were passing Fukashima – about 330 miles north of Yokohama.

 Sea day meant formal night and Captain’s champagne waterfall. Gosh the Japanese love an occasion and lined up forever for photos pouring the champers into the glasses – well they thought they were! The Ship will love them too!! $$$$$$$$ Some were dressed in kimonos with white socks and platform jandals, and others in long organza dresses – all so coy.

There aren’t many passengers from USA. Mostly from  Japan (70% maybe), a  few Kiwis and plenty from OZ. with a few from the UK. as far as we can work out at this stage. The Japanese are delightful. Sure they’re not really aware of who or what’s around them and will stop mid-walkway, but are so polite and kind of naively happy.

The dinner was an "Audrey Hepburn" menu. Quite tasty but tiny portions. Hoppy says he feels fine. I think he looks like elephant man with a huge plaster over half his cheek and nose but I'm desperate to keeps those strips on as long as possible. One dear old Japanese lady asked him what happened? Did I hit him? What a character. I should have kicked her tripod walking stick out from under her!!

We went to bed after the first show, probably about 9.15pm. Hoppy found a movie in the Action category – Jack the Giant Killer!!! The TV programs are fantastic- a line up of movies that you can see at any time and stop at any point and come back to later. I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Early start tomorrow. The alarm is set for 6 am.