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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Diamond Princess and Osanbashi Pier, Yokohama

July 17, 2015 -- Boarding Diamond Princess in Yokohama

Captain: Graham Goodway
Departure: 6:00PM
Overcast
Temperature: 26C

With jet lag plus the excitement of boarding the ship today, we all woke up around 4:00AM again. After our healthy breakfast on the second floor, we finished packing and checked out of the hotel at their check-out time, 10:00 AM. The clerk took the initiative and called three taxis for us when I asked him where would be a good spot to find a taxi on this rainy morning. He said the driver will come up and take us down. Sure enough, sooner than expected, a taxi driver came up and took us down to the street level where three taxis were already waiting there. We could have taken the metro for one stop or even walk to the terminal but it was raining and with the many pieces of luggage that we had, I thought it would be best to just pay for the taxi ride. The taxi driver was relieved that we were just going to the pier and not the airport with the trunk not closed appropriately due to the large luggage. It only cost around USD $10 for each of the taxis to get us from the hotel to the pier. It would have been difficult to get taxis if the clerk did not call for us. We saw a couple of ladies trying to hail down a taxi near the hotel and then saw them again as we made a turn on another street, still trying to find a vacant taxi.

Arriving at the Osanbashi Terminal where debarking cruisers were waiting for their transportation.
Our taxi dropped us off here but I believe the taxi line to pick up passengers is in the middle of the road.

Entrance of the terminal. Luggage drop-off on the left side when entering this building. Signs were not posted clearly, possibly because we got there kind of early. It may be somewhat confusing because there were not enough signs or personnel there to tell people what to do. There could be more than one ship docked with many people coming and going at the same time.

After we dropped off our luggage and received our boarding numbers, we just by-pass the crowds and walked all the way to the back of the building where there were some tables with health forms and chairs. We figured that it wouldn't hurt to just fill out the health forms since they were there already. After a while, they started to put out more chairs as people began arriving. At some point, we were told that boarding would start at 12. While we were waiting, we saw people walking up with their big suitcases and looked confused. Apparently, they missed the luggage drop-off by the door and many people did not get their boarding numbers because they started announcing whoever needs a number should pick one up there. There were not enough chairs for people to sit so all the chairs by the health form tables were occupied also. At around 11:40, they started to board the Elites but it was so confusing that many people swamped that line. They finally started holding up the number sign "5". We had number two, so I went up and asked. She said, "Oh, everyone from number 1 to 5." OK. Then we moved into another waiting area where there were more chairs as we waited for our numbers to be called again. As they called our number, they collected the tickets and we went through security, then to the check-in counters to finally checked in and received our sign and sail cards. Those who were not going on Princess tours to Russia got a sticker and they had to go to another line for individual talk, just to make sure that they are aware of the fact they they will have to remain on the ship that day.

On the left side of the waiting area/health form tables there was a security check line for crew and turnaround passengers. Many people got in that line by mistake. On the right of this picture, Princess employees were still trying to set up their work area.

Finally we boarded the ship and found our cabin. By now, heavy rain turned into drizzle.

A smaller cruise ship docked on the other side of the pier.

Usually there would be many people on the pier but because of the weather, it was kind of bare.


Hikawamaru on the other side of the waterfront.

Our first Patter




After meeting our cabin steward, Gino, we headed down to the International Dining Room for a quiet lunch. Most passengers were up in the buffet area and only about 3 or 4 tables were occupied here that afternoon. We were taken to a table by the window and enjoyed a delicious meal and a pleasant chat with the wait staff.



Then back to our cabin to unpack and rest. This is cabin 633, Baja deck, a regular balcony cabin that holds four. We had voluntarily given up one of our cabins a couple of weeks before the cruise for a very nice compensation on this cruise. Four in a cabin can be tight but we made it work.

It's unusual that Princess provide electric kettles on their cruises, but this was the case on the Diamond Japan sailings. A nice touch!

We just asked for additional hangers and it was done!




This was the most used balcony we had out of all the cruises we sailed because of the weather. Usually, we would not spend much time out there because of wind or cold weather. This balcony was particularly important when leaving ports in Japan with the farewell performances. We were on the starboard side but on this cruise our side was always by the dock.

Wine barrel breaking ceremony in the early afternoon.

                                         

Everybody got a taste of the rice wine.


Our muster station was in Kai Sushi. All the seats were taken so I was just standing right next to the sushi bar and watched as they prepared for the evening.

This made the long muster drill more interesting. Because they had to explain everything in two languages, it made the drill a little longer than usual.

After the drill we went up to the buffet to check out what they were serving for dinner. Couldn't resist taking a little bit. Look at the scallops in the seafood soup! They did not serve shrimp cocktail in the main dining room throughout the trip so if you like shrimp cocktail, get it in the buffet when it is available.

Always sparkling clean.

Ramen station--they serve a different kind of ramen everyday, lunch and dinner. Very popular and they were actually quite good!

My off-limit area--dessert.


Time for sail away, so we went up to the top deck. Young Japanese crew members dancing away.

Another look at Minato-Mirai in Yokohama as the sun trying to break through.

Leaving Yokohama port (Osanbashi). By now the rain stopped completely.

The Red-Brick Warehouse

Diamond Princess sailing out towards Tokyo Bay.

Almost had the same excitement when we sailed under the Yokohama Bay Bridge as we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco a couple of months before. 

Goosebump! 



The pilot leaving us as Diamond cleared the Uraga Channel.


Our assigned dinner time was late seating (7:45) in the International Dining Room. Usually we like early dining, but for this cruise I was actually glad that we had late seating. (No anytime dining on these Japan cruises.) We were able to spend as much time as we like on shore and not worry about time for dinner. We were able to watch the farewell performances as we leave ports most of the time instead of being inside the dining room. It all worked out to our benefit. The always available-menu choices were a little limited than most Princess cruises because of the always available Japanese items but we had no problem picking out what we wanted each evening. One thing I neglected to do was to take pictures of the menu.

sorbet

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Fish

Ending our first cruise day with a good dessert. 

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