2023 Cunard Queen Elizabeth - 29-Day Transpacific Yokohama to Vancouver
May 21-22, 2023 (Sunday - Monday) - Los Angeles to Yokohama
It's time for another trip! This is actually a last minute trip that we found in April. As soon as we found out about the sale, we immediately asked our agent to book this cruise for us. This cruise that I am talking about is the Cunard Queen Elizabeth transpacific sailing, a 29-day journey leaving Yokohama, with two stops in Hokkaido, before heading over to Seward, Sitka, Ketchikan (originally), then Vancouver with a visit to Hubbard Glacier. Then from Vancouver, we will visit Tracy Arm, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria before returning to Vancouver again. All for the price of a little over $500 per person in an ocean view cabin. Definitely a deal that we did not want to pass up even though we just came back from Asia not long ago.
The problem with these last minute deal is airfare. We looked high and low for the cheapest plane tickets from Los Angeles to Japan. Everything was over $1000 one-way in economy. Finally, we asked our agent if she can check with Cunard to see if they have air that we can purchase. Luckily, we were told that yes, Cunard can arrange for this one-way flight to Japan for less than $600 per person. Wow! Needless to say, our problem was solved and we will be flying Japan Airline out. The only problem we found out when checking in at LAX, that we could only have one check-in bag per person vs. the normal two free bags. Their explanation was that the tickets were sold through Cunard from AA and not directly with JAL, and AA only allows for one free bag per passenger. That's why we had to pay an extra $100 for one of our extra luggage which was fine taking into consideration of the low fare tickets. Now, we are all set to go!
Our flight out was scheduled for 1:15PM from LAX. We left the house around 8:30 leaving enough time for LA traffic. Everything went well on this Sunday morning until we got to LAX. It was jam packed all the way from before the tunnel to the terminal. Everyone just inching along. That's why I hate LAX! Good thing we have TSA Pre-check which made things a lot smoother.
Waiting at the boarding gate after having pizza from the food court.
This 787 is actually quite comfortable.
I can't say 'spacious' but with good leg room. One of the more comfortable economy seats that we have ever had.
OK inflight entertainment
Pretty good food served. Dinner here
and breakfast about two hours before landing.
Narita Airport:
I must say that the Visit Japan Web thingy was useless, at least when we were there this time. We still had to get in line and go through the normal immigration/border check like everyone else. They still had to do the whole process of taking photos, finger printing, etc. etc. It did not make things easier or faster in my opinion. I think there are much more opportunities for the Japanese Immigration to improve.
After getting through that tedious procedure and got our luggage, SIL and her husband also arrived from Taiwan within less than 20 minutes wait. We then went straight to the counter and got our tickets for the Airport Limousine to Yokohama. It is easy to spot this counter since it is right outside the exit after leaving baggage claim.
Just had to take a photo of this for reference. They no longer have the senior discount since April, so all of us oldies needed to pay full price. We did not know the location of the hotels they will stop at so we just planned on getting off at YCAT.
Airport Limousine is the easiest way to get to Yokohama, in my opinion.
This was where we picked up the bus.
The staff handled all the luggage and gave us the tags to claim our baggage when we reach our destination. Very easy.
Arrived at YCAT at the Yokohama Station.
We just picked up our bags from the staff.
From YCAT, we got two taxis to take us to the hotel where we would spend a couple of nights. Taxi fare was 1800Y each, which was OK for Japan. Hotel Mielparque is an older hotel that is closest to Yamashita Park, right across from the Gundam Factory parking lot where we would pick up the complimentary shuttles that would take us to Daikoku Pier on embarkation day. This was the main reason that I picked this hotel, plus it was one of the cheapest ones at the time of booking.
Lobby of Hotel Mielparque in Yokohama.
It was already late but we still need dinner so we walked a couple of blocks to the Don Quijote where they have a supermarket in the basement and got ourselves some sushi, sashimi and ramen for a quick bite before getting calling it a day.
May 23, 2023 (Tuesday) - Yokohama
Originally, we planned on going to Sankeien Garden for the day since we have never been there before. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating with forecast of rain throughout the day. Not sure what we can do on a rainy day, we decided to find breakfast first. With the jet lag, we all got up pretty early and couldn't go back to sleep anyway.
Right outside the main entrance of the hotel is the Marine Tower, an iconic landmark of Yokohama.
The hotel is walking distance from Yokohama Chinatown, naturally, we walked toward that direction. Most restaurants and stores are not open until after 10:30 or 11:00 but we found this tiny restaurant that serves Chinese porridge for breakfast and they were opened!
List of all the different porridge posted on the wall.
Not the best, but it hit the spots.
This is the name of the restaurant--Anki.
Next to Anki, is another restaurant that sells different kind of snacks.
Son wanted to try their Xiao Long Bao, which turned out great.
Hong Kong Road is where Anki is located with many other restaurants.
A rainy day in Chinatown.
After walking around a bit, we decided to have an AYCE lunch at the same restaurant where son got his bao. Seems like most restaurants offer this kind of AYCE meals. For one set price, you can order and eat as much as you want. A good way to try different food if there is a large group. And this was what we picked and it came with your choice of beverage.
We had so much food that we did not get all the photos.
The portions are small but you can order as many times as you wish. This is the Peking duck.
Garlic crab
We were stuffed and now we are tired and sleepy so back to the hotel we went for a long nap before we would have energy to do more exploring.
Waking up to this view from our window. With Daikoku Pier on the other side of the Bay Bridge.
Gundam Factory right across the street from us.
We then decided to go explore the underground shopping mall at Yokohama Station. I have heard that it's HUGE with everything including shops, grocery stores, and restaurants.
A short ride on the Minato Mirai got us to the station.
bakery in the grocery store
restaurants in the food court
even dim sum
After walking around underground and saw many many shops in the mall, we went outside the station to see what's there. This is a very busy area almost reminded me of Shinsaibashi area of Osaka.
with the river and the bridges, it really looks like Osaka
Then we went back inside the underground mall at their JOINUS Food court and found a restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious meal.
This is like tonkatsu but instead of pork, they had fried beef steak.
The clay burner is where you can cook the beef to your desire consistency if need be.
Fried beef meal set. Interesting and delicious!
Name of the restaurant.
Looking inside the restaurant from the window.
We were happy and satisfied. Time to go back to the hotel for the night before getting on the ship tomorrow. It's always exciting going on a cruise and this time on a 29 days journey. Can't wait!
Marine Tower with color-changing lights.
For video of our Pre-Cruise Yokohama, please click here.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." -- Matthew 5:4
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