Diamond Princess Review
Diamond Princess June 2017 Japan with our Kids: an American Perspective
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On June 13-23, 2017, my wife, 11 year old daughter, 8 year old son and I sailed on the Diamond Princess out of Kobe. This was my 19th cruise, and I have sailed on RCCL, Princess, Disney, and NCL previously. Most of the people on this cruise were retirees from Japan, with only about 5% from mostly England and Australia. Very few Americans onboard. The Japanese are very polite, mannered and well dressed. How refreshing to have such a cruise experience! We are Ruby on Princess. Pre-cruise we spent 5 days in Tokyo, and added Shanghai afterwards for Disney.
Transfers to the Kobe port: We flew from Tokyo to Itami Osaka airport and purchased from Princess transfers for all 4 of us. Princess requested and we gave them all of our flight information. However, upon arrival at Itami, the Princess representative was nowhere to be found. I also told my children to look for someone holding a Princess sign. We could find none. It was about noon, which was approaching the cutoff time for the transfer. I then asked at airport information, and they said there was another terminal so maybe they were there. I then RAN to the other terminal, leaving the wife, kids and luggage behind. I asked at the information desk there, and she just happened to point out the Princess rep standing there hiding her sign in her paperwork. I explained that I could find no Princess rep at our terminal, knowing that we were an hour away with our ship leaving at 5. Eventually the Princess rep from my terminal then met us, and she showed me her sign with our names on it, yet nothing about Princess, and I said I never saw her holding a sign. She said she saw me talking to the information desk there- to which I then thought why didn’t you approach me and ASK! The terminal was not very busy and we, a American family of 4, were the only Americans around, and stood out like sore thumbs. So upon arrival at ITM start ASKING those standing around if they are the Princess representative because they DON’T HOLD UP THEIR SIGNS.
Embarkation: We arrived around 1pm and they organized check in based upon your port arrival time. We then waited about an hour until we were called to check in.
Cabin Review
Interior
We had 2 cabins B 717 and B725.
Cabin Negatives: TV went out one day early in the cruise. Then, after the ship power outage in Abashiri, the TV was out for 2 more days.
Cabin Positives: We had (2) inside cabins on Baja deck 11. Beds were very comfortable. Very quiet. Refrigerator helped store some snacks. Hair dryer in room. (2) 110 outlets and (1) 220 outlet in the room. Our cabins had more room than I expected, with a full size 6 foot closet for hanging. The numerous hangers were appreciated. Desk with chair. Bathroom was typical in size. Shower had soap, shampoo and conditioner. Thanks to Princess for Fox news channel!