I don't think that this has started yet, so I will begin a roll call. Please let me know which segments:

Gail and Eugene 321 (Japan-Guam-Fiji)
Sheila and Ken 320 (Japan-Guam-Fiji)
Linda and Chris 317 (Japan-Guam-Fiji)
Mary Ellen and Jim (Japan-Guam)
Penny and Tim 513 (Japan-Guam)
Helen and Jerry 316 (Japan-Guam)
Andi and Doug (Japan-Guam)
Kathy and Al 506 (Japan-Guam)
Leslie and Brad 410 (Japan-Guam)
Bert and Mitch 450 (Japan-Guam)
Susan and Paul 508 (Japan-Guam)
Rachel and George (Japan-Guam)

Helen and Jerry 316 (Japan to Guam)

Kathy and Al 506 (Japan-Guam)

Andi and Doug (Japan to Guam)

Leslie & Brad - 410 - Japan to Guam

Mary Ellen and Jim - Japan to Guam

Tim and Penny (513) - Japan to Guam

Mitch & Bert (450) Japan to Guam

Hi Eugene, you can add us to the list for Japan-Guam in 508. I am pushing for the Fiji extension, but doubt it will happen.

Susan and Paul

Rachel and George--Japan to guam

Flights are open! Just booked our flights Delta LAX to Narita on Sept 16 and JAL from NRT to Sapporo on the 18th. Returning on Delta from Guam on October 1. Fares seemed pretty reasonable to me: $3400 pp in Biz class?

I always feel more commited to a trip once I have my plane tix.
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Helen

Pat & Jim 307 (Japan to Guam), 501 (Guam to Fiji)

Flights booked here too. AA first using miles. Helen, that business class fare you found is very reasonable. Would have no doubt been much more from tulsa though.

Has anyone made any plans pre this cruise? We haven't booked flights yet so am thinking I'd better do some research. Am deciding whether to stay a few days in Tokyo ( have been there before ) or fly straight to Sapporo for a day or so ( haven't been there before ).

Are there any others who are continuing on to Fiji?

We're flying directly to Sapporo, staying two nights either there or in Otaru where we board the ship.

I looked into adding some days pre-cruise - maybe staying in Tokyo for a few nights - but was unable to get ff tix for a logical stay for what we wanted to see - it would either have been too short or too long, so when I found ff seats straight to Sapporo I jumped on that.

We spent 5 days in Kyoto and Nara a few years ago and loved it. If you've not been I would highly recommend going there. You can fly from Osaka to Sapporo.

We are only overnighting in Tokyo and then flying to Sapporo to board ship.
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Helen

We are flying directly to sapporo as that is what I found first using ff miles. We will overnight at chitose thenboardthe next day. Going back we fly from Guam to Tokyo. Spend the night then fly back to the US. Hate having to do that so fast, but have to work to makemoneytotravel!

We are spending 3 nights in Tokyo at the Park Hyatt (love those Hyatt points), flying to Sapporo for 2 nights pre-cruise. We are not traveling on to Fiji but are spending the night in Guam before flying home through Tokyo. Could not find any good options with ff miles but considering what Silversea wanted for economy fair, I think we did pretty well with non-refundable business seats on United.

We are flying directly into Sapporo and arrive the night before embarkation at 8.35pm. We will get a hotel near the airport and then board the ship the next day.

Wow. Flying in a day early? What a surprise!

Mitch, it is always nice to hear from you, and maybe one of these days, I'll get to cruise with you and Bert again. Today, I was going through some old pictures, and went back to BK's MUSH Alaska cruise, back in either 2005 or 2006, your first time meeting up with Ngaire's band of whatevers.

Tell Bert I have some wonderful pix of her dancing like there was no tomorrow. No, I will not post here! They were great!

Hi Olivia-
We miss you, too. Hope all is well with you and your family. Bert and I look forward to traveling with you someday soon-how about Africa in 2015?

Ngaire, George and I will be on the flight from Toyko to Sapporo with you and Ken. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza ANA in Chitose, mainly because it is not that far from the airport. I figure by the time we get there, we will be ready to crash.

Anybody have any info on getting from airport in Sapporo to the ship? How far is it? Are there taxis readily available?
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Helen

Haven't got that far in planning, Helen. Leaving for the Oceania caribbean cruise today, so will start checking it out when I get back.

According to google maps it is around 35 - 45 minutes from Sapporo to Otaru. Sapporo is a big city so transportation should be readily available. The Silversea pre-cruise is staying at the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo.

I might book a hotel in Otaru - get all that travel over with at once.

It is 45 miles from CTS to Otaru and I am pretty sure it is about a 45 min train ride. Otaru is supposed to be a charming city, nice to walk around. The port looks like a quick cab ride from the station. Supposedly, there are lockers for luggage if you want to walk around before going to the ship.

Thanks all. Have a great cruise, Rachel. We really enjoyed our cruise on the Riviera which was our second O cruise.
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Helen

I think Ken said we would use the train but I am not sure. I always worry about luggage with a train but on the Silversea Expedition cruises you just do not need as much STUFF!

Ngaire, I have the same "train reluctance". Especially in Asia where my admittedly limited experience has left me with the impression that there are no elevators in Japanese train stations. We have not mastered the art of travelling with only a backpack and hauling luggage up and down flights of stairs is just not my thing.
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Helen

The lack of elevators may be a problem for us, too. Not sure what the other travel options would be. Taxis for a 45 mile ride may be pricey.

My bad, I looked at my flight dates again and I actually arrive in Sapporo from Tokyo on the 18th. I am thinking of booking the SS pre-cruise hotel and then taking their transfer in the morning. Thats what we did before our Churchill-Kangalussuag cruise and it worked out pretty well.

[My husband who is a HUGE Princess Bride fan was thrilled when we sat next to Cary Elwes at dinner in the pre-cruise hotel in Winnipeg!?]
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Helen

Helen...where did you find info on the SS pre-cruise hotel and transfer?

We also arrive in Sapporo on 18th.

Leslie posted it above: JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo. I just booked it. I will ask Ngaire/Linda to look into the transfer info for us.
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Helen

I just emailed Helen and just so everyone is aware here is the situation

The JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo is the last hotel on a four night package from Silversea. They will not book this for one night pre and they will not sell a guest a transfer from this hotel.

They do have a one night hotel in Otaru but that is ONLY for air/sea guests and a non air guest cannot book that hotel.

At this time are not offering ANY hotel for a one night pre stay
and they are not offering a transfer service to the pier.

It is very difficult to do a joint transfer unless everyone is at the same hotel and we all have different agendas. Some are staying in Sapporo and some are staying in Otaru and they have to get from Sapporo to Otaru as well. Also some are using points for their hotel.

I have not even looked at this yet other than the basic options but not looked for a transfer company. I set up a three day land program once in Kyoto pre cruise. I had a terrible time finding a land operator and there was a huge issue with misunderstandings due to the language barrier. I cannot do this from the Mariner but will see what I can find out when I get back.

If anyone finds a transfer service post it here and if I find one I will post it here. Might be a good idea if you have booked a hotel to enquire about the cost of a taxi or land transfer. The taxis we have used in Japan have been very clean, the drivers even wore white gloves, all metered and they would not take a tip. It truly may be the easiest way to go we just need to define costs.

UPDATE: Silversea will sell a transfer from the Sapporo Airport direct to the pier one the day of embarkation for $209 per person. Problem will be getting to the Sapporo Airiport in time for a transfer to the pier. Most of us will arrive too late for that so I think most of us are coming in one day before.

www.skybus.co.jp

This looks promising but IMPOSSIBLE to work with here on the ship, a ton of graphics on their website. The operate in the Sapporo area and do transfers and day tours.

Pricing much higher of course than trains and buses but might be doable and so much easier.

A day tour from Sapporo to Otaru to Sapporo for 8 hours for 5 people looks to be about 45000 yen and I believe that is about $500 or $125 a person for four people. That should work fine. Do a little touring on the way to the ship and just get dropped off in Otaru. I could see this pricing on the web. No pricing for two people.

I did send an email asking for a transfer for two or four people from Sapporo to Otaru as I could not get their transfer rate quote page to load.

If anyone wants to check the site and post here that would be good and when I get home I will look further but this does look very promising.

I checked it out and this does indeed look like a way to go:

transfer from airport to Sapporo City 2 pax 15,000 yen
5 pax 18,000 yen
airport to Otaru 2 pax 18,000 yen

They have different size vehicles with commensurate differences in fare up 50+ bus.
Today the exchange rate is $145 for 15,000 yen and $175 for 18,000.
Thanks, Ngaire.
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Helen

Those prices are okay for us to do our own thing but if a few want to get together and transfer it would be even more economical. Much easier than the train that is for sure.

We are staying in the airport hotel in the terminal the night before embarkation. We will use this service and pay a little extra for a quick tour of Sapporo and Otaru before arriving at the ship. Wont see much but better than nothing. I doubt anyone else is coming in as late as we are but happy to share if anyone else is staying at the airport hotel.

Jerry and I would be interested in joining you for that, Ngaire. We are arriving the night before from Tokyo so can easily arrange to stay at the airport hotel. We will wait till you get home for anything further on this issue. Enjoy your cruise.
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Helen

I think Ken and I would be interested in that too, Ngaire. Our flight to Sapporo arrives in the afternoon with not much time to do anything if we transferred straight to Otaru.

So I will book us in at the airport hotel and join you for the transfer/tour to Otaru port.

Thank you for organising this.

Okay the more the merrier. I sent Skybus an email as I could not open the quotes page today. They came right back to me so that is indicative of good service.

The Sapporo Airport hotel does not take reservations any earlier than 6 months out. So you need to wait to try booking a room. This a good option for those not wanting to spend extra time in Sapporo or Otaru and just coming in late on the day before embarkation.

You can still contact this company for transfers from Sapporo to Otaru when you are planning on heading in that direction. The service hotels as well not just leaving from the airport.

We are up in Colorado this week so I haven't had time to look at all of this. We get into Sapporo at 6:30 PM on the 17th but haven't made any arrangements. I was thinking that staying in otaru would be easier but am open to a group transfer too depending on what we decide to do. Not sure if I want to be at an airport hotel for two nights though.

I would definitely not stay at the airport hotel for two nights.

We arrive at about 9.00 pm so it is easier to stay there after our long flight. Staying at the airport hotel ONLY makes sense for people coming in late afternoon or the evening of the 18th particularly if it is after the long flight.

You could use this company to transfer just the two of you to Otaru and do a little tour of Sapporo on the way. The prices are reasonable enough you do not need to do a "group tour" just do your own thing.

We are getting into Sapporo on Wednesday and spending two nights at the Mercure Hotel which gets good reviews on Trip Advisor. The rates were very reasonable even for a larger room with a refundable deposit and it is supposed to be located in a good area of the city. We may consider arranging transfers and a tour of Otaru with the same company. Even though the train fare will very reasonable, it would be a hassle doing this independently with all of our luggage. Thanks for doing all the research, Ngaire.

Here is a link to the train schedule.

http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdf

It looks like you can take a train from the Sapporo airport directly to Otaru without changing trains. A poster on TripAdvisor (who coincidentally is on our cruise - she was on our Silversea Arctic cruise last summer) posted the following:

We have caught the train from the airport to ShinSapporo with luggage and it was easy. We are both in our 60s. We had two large suitcases and two carry on bags - all had wheels. There is a lift to the platform, luggage storage section on the train, we had the booked seats section. There is an announcement on the train what the next station is, so you can be ready to get out. Make sure you have your hotel name written in Japanese as 99% of taxi drivers do not speak English. We travel to Japan every year, use the train to get around and have not had any problems. Later this year we are also going on a cruise from Otaru port and will be getting to the port by train and taxi.

We took a train to and from the Osaka airport to Kyoto a few years ago. I was a bit apprehensive ahead of time - especially about signage and announcements - but it was a piece of cake.

We will most likely do this and stay in Otaru for the two nights before we board.

Final payment is due tomorrow so this trip is again on my mind, I wonder what people are packing? All of my expedition-type cruises have been cold weather. So do we bring the Wellies or waterproof sandals? Shorts or waterproof pants?
Tees or fleece jacket?
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Helen

I don't think we will need the parkas or weeklies on this trip. I have been looking a temps in Sapporo and in Guam on my weather app for several months now. Sapporo is cool, cooler than tulsa for sure, except in winter. Looks more like Colorado temps for fall, so might need a fleece jacket there, but then we get progressively warmer as we go south. Guam is always the same in the 80s, so will bring the shorts, water proof sandels, etc for sure. I am going to bring a lot of warm weather clothes and a few things for cooler weather. And my trusty waterproof jacket which goes on every trip with me.

Ngaire,
How many B&K guests are on each segment of SUMO?

Hi Jim

18 on the first leg
6 on the second leg. Had a bunch of waitlists that did not clear. Most dropped off but one couple is still on the waitlist.

Cute Sumo pin!!

Doc Dancing in Naples! Apropos, just bought SUMO tickets while we are Tokyo. We just happen to be there during one of the large annual SUMO events. Funny-they have a warning if you buy seats close to the ring letting you know there is a danger of being crushed by a huge sweaty body. We opted for chair seats on the 2nd floor. Arlene sent us a lovely detailed email with suggestions for the pre-cruise Tokyo portion of the trip. Won't be long now!

Us too! Not going to a Sumo match but we did get our silver box just now! WooHoo, so ready to get back onboard the Explorer. Looking forward to meeting you Mitch.
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Helen

Us too! But no sumo matches for me. Not long now though.

Does anyone know if there is anything to do in Otaru while we're in-transit for the day? Hopefully we'll find a bar or someplace to use internet.
Jim

We were planning to stay in Otaru until we had a schedule change necessitating a night in Osaka to make our connection to Sapporo. It seemed to me that there was enough to occupy a day wandering around - there's a well preserved canal area, old warehouses, a preserved mansion of a former wealthy herring fisherman, a museum etc.

Don't know if there is a Starbucks in Otaru, but Starbucks in Japan does now offer free wifi. The catch is that you have to register for it ahead of time, and that requires Internet access. There is for sure a Starbucks in Hakodate near the port (within easy walking distance) so I am going to go ahead and register.

I am pretty tech-ignorant. (OK i am completely tech- ignorant). I have my devices that I just expect to work and I am frustrated and confused when they don't. The only place on the planet I have ever been where my mobile phone did not work was japan. Is there anything I need to know/do before we leave to insure a working cell phone? I do have international plan on my phone. I think someone suggested it had something to do with SIM card or ???
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Helen

It does have to do with a SIM card, but that is all I know. George did get his verizon phone to work in Japan. I have no idea how.

It goes beyond the SIM card. Japan uses a totally different band for cell phone communications and only certain US phones and carriers work in Japan. You can check with your carrier. There are multiple other options including purchasing a very inexpensive phone with a SIM card that offers very low rates in Japan (Telestial.com). I bought one for $59 with the card. There are also companies that rent cell phones directly at the airport or they will deliver them to your hotel if you are traveling through Narita/Tokyo. When you are done with them, you can drop them in the mail to return them.

Hi Helen

Do you want to use your phone for voice only? or do you want a data plan also so you can use your phone for the internet?

I only know about iPhones. I bought an international SIM card for voice and data for MARINER and used it in Turkey and Italy. It was very nice to have. I would love to be going on SUMO!

For an international SIM card to work in your phone, your phone has to meet the requirements below. I believe all the newer iphones do.

Your phone has to be factory unlocked. You can learn how to tell if it is here:
HT check if your iPhone is factory unlocked

And your phone has to be a GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 compatible international cell phone. To find out if yours is, go here:
Identifying iPhone models

I bought my SIM card from www.ekit.com. Like Mitch mentioned, you can also buy (rent?) phones from them instead of swapping out your SIM card. If you do buy a SIM, be sure to get the correct size. For example, a Nano SIM card for my iPhone 5. The other sizes are Standard and Micro. When what I bought arrived, I thought it was the Micro size (too big), until I realized I needed to pop it out of the surrounding material.

If your phone isn't an iPhone, then, well.... nevermind!

Thanks for the info Kim and Mitch. Will figure something out. I do have iPhone Kim . Thanks for the help. We would love for you to be coming on SUMO
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Helen

Have you all been following the ice conditions? I am getting a little worried, especially since the national geographic explorer couldn't make it through.