A plug for Cruise Critic.

[Passepartout]

I know that I and most experienced cruisers promote www.cruisecritic.com every chance we get. We say that CC is 'the TUG of cruises', and invariably we are told, 'but we get info we can trust on TUG.

I get it. But here are a couple of deals we got that aren't on TUG. We have booked a 14 nighter from Tokyo with like 7-8 stops, ending in Hong Kong. We are entitled to a one class cabin upgrade. We booked a basic balcony cabin and were upgraded to deluxe. Then someone posted on Cruise Critic Roll Call (there's a Roll Call for each sailing) that Celebrity was selling Suites for only $100 more than a standard balcony cabin. Butler, more space, private dining room, free drinks lounge, and all! So that was an unexpected perk for being on CC.

Then, for anyone going to Japan, get Japan Connect free Wi-Fi it's in the app store and works all over Japan. It's only for tourists and must be loaded before you get to Japan. It will direct you to restaurants, attractions, shopping and more. It uses hundreds of ssid's all over the country. Then after you leave, in 90 days it automatically uninstalls itself. We wouldn't have found this if someone on Cruise Critic hasn't posted in this friend's Roll Call.

So TUG is wonderful for what it is, but for Cruise info, Cruise Critic can't be beat.

Jim

 

[Cornell]

This cruise sounds AHHHHH-mazing! When are you going?

I was in Japan this summer and the Japan Connect was worthless (at least to me) . I rented a Wifi hotspot , turned off my cell service and it worked beautifully.

 

[DaveNV]

This cruise sounds AHHHHH-mazing! When are you going?

I was in Japan this summer and the Japan Connect was worthless (at least to me) . I rented a Wifi hotspot , turned off my cell service and it worked beautifully.

I think they're there now.

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

This cruise sounds AHHHHH-mazing! When are you going?

Boarding in about an hour. Oughtta be fun.

 

[Fredflintstone]

Boarding in about an hour. Oughtta be fun.

Enjoy!


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[clifffaith]

I feel like my mother not wanting in-home care for my Dad because "what would they do all day?" What exactly would a butler do for me and why would I want him/her underfoot?

 

[SmithOp]

There are a few pearls of wisdom on CC but boy you have to slog through a load of mudslinging. They don’t have the vigilant mods like here on TUG!


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[dioxide45]

There are a few pearls of wisdom on CC but boy you have to slog through a load of mudslinging. They don’t have the vigilant mods like here on TUG!


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I would agree. I used to be fairly active on CC years ago and I still sometimes join the odd roll call for cruises we go on, but the roll calls for many cruises are dead these days. It seems that most domestic cruises have gone to Facebook groups. Perhaps the more speciality cruises still stick it out on CC, but I usually don't bother anymore.

 

[bizaro86]

I feel like my mother not wanting in-home care for my Dad because "what would they do all day?" What exactly would a butler do for me and why would I want him/her underfoot?

I agree with this. We had a butler that came with our hotel room at the St Regis Beijing. That means instead of a tea kettle in the room, my wife had to call the butler, explain how she liked her tea, wait for him to make it and bring it on a little cart.

While that is "fancier" it's way slower than doing it yourself.

 

[Passepartout]

I agree about the signal to noise ratio. We truly just use the Roll Calls for cruises, and generally book through our VTG t/a. But for Cruise newbies, the CC site has the most info. Unfortunately, it's like getting a drink from a fire hose.

BTW the refurbed Millennium is gorgeous and check-in in was beyond painless. Drop our bags, put carry ons on the scanner, and walk aboard. Our Sea Passes were in our cabin door rack and the butler came in, poured the Champagne and explained everything. The sodas, beers, in the mini bar are comp. I can learn to like this.

 

[MULTIZ321]

I agree about the signal to noise ratio. We truly just use the Roll Calls for cruises, and generally book through our VTG t/a. But for Cruise newbies, the CC site has the most info. Unfortunately, it's like getting a drink from a fire hose.

BTW the refurbed Millennium is gorgeous and check-in in was beyond painless. Drop our bags, put carry ons on the scanner, and walk aboard. Our Sea Passes were in our cabin door rack and the butler came in, poured the Champagne and explained everything. The sodas, beers, in the mini bar are comp. I can learn to like this.

Bon Voyage Jim! Have a great trip.

Richard

 

[pedro47]

Jim, wishing you smooth sailing and if you came please share with your Tuggers a mini review and maybe some photos of your cruise..

Jim, is cruising with Celebrity Cruise Lines and I feel he is a Captain Club member with Celebrity.

Jim, is cruising in a suite category, that comes with a butler on Celebrity Cruise Line.
Lower ship cabin categories on Celebrity Cruise Lines do not comes with a butler.

Jim, Please enjoy your Far East Asia trip.

 

[Glynda]

Bon Voyage! Sounds marvelous! I agree on the benefits of Cruise Critic. I've discovered some wonder private tour guides and itineraries from reading there as well as small groups getting together on Roll Call for private tours. Saved a bunch of money on some and spent more, but had a far better, sometimes perfect, experience on others. I've found great tips on restaurants, shopping, routes, etc. Have no cruises planned for the future but when considering one next, I'll be on Cruise Critic.

 

[Passepartout]

Here's one. That's Mt. Fuji in front of the ship. Don't worry, we'll turn!

Jim

 

[AnnaS]

Enjoy!!!!!

 

[pedro47]

Thanks Jim for the photo, please enjoy your cruise on the Millennium
Wishing you smooth sailing.

 

[Karen G]

How exciting, Jim! Hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[Beachclubmum]

Bon voyage!

Here's hoping you'll give us a mini trip report in real time! Sounds like a fabulous voyage.

 

[pedro47]

CC is a place of great information & knowledge from around the world; but the posters on TUG are gentle, kinder, and more respectful with one another. We are liked family members that we have never seen in the body.

IMHO.

 

[Passepartout]

Hibachi-ing (is that a word?) Kobe beef after a long day of self-catered sightseeing in Kobe. My pedometer showed over 20000 steps. A lot for us old kermudgeons!

 

[pedro47]

Jim nice photo, now how many steps are you going to need now to walked that off??? LOL
Any other words, Please enjoy your cruise.

 

[Passepartout]

A whole lot of those steps were climbing ladders, carefully described as 'stairs' in Hamiji Castle. A 14th C. UNESCO Heritage site.

Off to Kyoto today

 

[beejaybeeohio]

Jim-
Looks like a wonderful cruise vacation! Wish we were there!

 

[Passepartout]

This cruise sounds AHHHHH-mazing! When are you going?

I was in Japan this summer and the Japan Connect was worthless (at least to me) . I rented a Wifi hotspot , turned off my cell service and it worked beautifully.

We have found Japan Connect of little value as well. It doesn't live up to the hype. We are using the ship Wi-Fi (full time unlimited on 2 devices- about $200 total for the cruise) and Wi-Fi here and there ashore, and AT&T int'l for the rare phone needs.
This wouldn't work for everyone, but it's OK for the short term.
Jim

 

[HudsHut]

I'm glad you posted. You have prompted me to consider a cruise around Japan or a similar itinerary to yours.