Gratuities
Q. How are gratuities handled?
A. As with all our cruises, tipping is neither expected nor required for Cruise West staff, on land or at sea. Recognition for exceptional service is discretionary and you are welcome to tip individuals directly.
Guides
Q. Will our guides speak English?
A. We use English speaking local guides for all tours.
Meals
Q. Are all the meals Japanese cuisine?
A. No. The variety of cuisines is a highlight of a voyage on the Spirit of Oceanus. Meals onboard the ship each day offer American and European dishes with the option to sample more regional dishes as well. Steaks and seafood are always available and most special dietary needs can be met with advance arrangements. Most large Japanese hotels also offer Western style cuisine.
Money
Q. How much money should I bring?
A. The amount of money you should bring depends on your desire to shop. Japan adheres to a fairly consistent schedule for opening and closing their businesses and many are open every day, including holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. Authorized tax-free stores are available and items purchased for more than ¥10,000 are tax-exempt.
Local department stores and shops offer a diverse selection of Asian goods and handicrafts. Especially noted items are kimonos, local handicrafts called mingei or handmade kites and folk toys, Kyoto silks, beautifully elaborate hand-painted fans and screens, religious Shinto and Buddhist artifacts, exquisite lacquerware, electronic equipment and Japanese anime paraphernalia.
Credit cards are becoming more commonplace in larger establishments in Tokyo and Kyoto but cash is still the preferred currency at most small hotels, inns, shops and restaurants. All money must be exchanged at an authorized bank or money changer. You will get the best exchange rate for your money if you purchase Yen (¥) upon arrival into Japan using your American ATM card at a Citibank ATM in Japan. Japanese ATMs, although widely available, do not accept foreign credit or debit cards.
Q. Can you change money onboard?
A. We are unable to change money onboard the Spirit of Oceanus. All money must be exchanged at an authorized bank or money changer. It is a good idea to exchange some money prior to your arrival in Japan.
Q. Is it okay to bring traveler’s checks?
A. Traveler’s checks can be exchanged at most major banks, larger hotels and some duty-free shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler’s checks in Japanese Yen or U.S. dollars.
Packing
Q. What should I pack?
A. We believe in traveling in comfort during your cruise - jeans and sweaters are perfectly acceptable onboard during the day and the eveing. During the spring months, a light jacket and sweater are necessary for the crisp days and nights. Autumn can bring warm, humid days, so dressing in layers is a must. Lightweight cottons, linens, and short sleeves are required throughout fall in most areas. A light, water-resistant raincoat or waterproof windbreaker is essential, as rain is always possible throughout Japan.
Good walking shoes with good traction and support that can be easily slipped on and off are essential, especially for removing to enter Japanese homes, inns, shrines and temples. Jeans and casual slacks are fine for casual dining and sightseeing but shorts are uncommon in Japan outside of the hiking and sports areas.
Other important items include a spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses, extra zip-lock plastic bags, personal medications in their original bottles, aspirin, indigestion tablets and vitamins, polarized dark sunglasses, swimming trunks or bathing suits, sunhat, and light sunscreen. For easy portability of personal items ashore, we suggest a lightweight, water- resistant backpack.
Toilets
Q. Are all the toilets Japanese-style or Western-style?
A. Toilets at hotels and restaurants are Western style. Public washrooms are usually equipped with Japanese-style toilets, but the number of public washrooms with Western- style toilets has been increasing especially in tourist areas. Public washrooms with both, Japanese and Western-style toilets are also common.
Tours
Q. What time and how long are the tours?
A. Generally, the schedule will include escorted onshore activities in the morning, returning to the ship for lunch. Some afternoon activities are also generally planned at each stop. To make the most of your visit and to ensure you fully experience Japan, the schedule will include some long days, with early wake-ups and activities scheduled throughout the day
Walking
Q. How much walking is involved?
A. Walking distances from the coach to the sites are usually the equivalent of a quarter-mile, and walking distances around the sites average from a quarter-mile to a half-mile. So, this cruise is best enjoyed if you are in good health, fit and able to enjoy comfortably paced, moderate walks over some uneven terrain and on paths and trails, which are sometimes slippery. Monuments and historical sites frequently have steps without handrails. Footwear with good traction and support is essential.
Weather
Q. What is the weather going to be like?
A. Except for the drier Hokkaido area and the subtropical Okinawa region, the weather is mostly temperate, with four seasons. Because the country is stretched longitudinally, Japan’s climate ranges from the subtropical to the subarctic. Spring in Japan, from March to April is cool and mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Springtime is generally one of the drier seasons, but can be drizzly. Autumn from September through November is generally quite warm and humid throughout the country, with daytime temperatures ranging in the 70s. Rainfall is intermittent with sunshine. Typhoons are only likely to occur in September or October along the Japan coastline but rarely last more than a day. These can, however, affect the temperature and humidity of the air, making it much warmer than usual in the autumn months.
Wheelchairs
Q. Is the Spirit of Oceanus wheelchair accessible?
A. Cruise West appreciates the differences in accommodation needs of our guests wishing to travel with us. However, the Spirit of Oceanus does not meet all applicable standards of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for buildings and facilities. Furthermore, guests should be aware that ships and operating conditions can always present challenges to wheelchairs or those with limited mobility and participation may not be possible for some activities and events. Ship interiors often have raised door thresholds, steep stairs and narrow passageways that can prevent wheelchair passage. Gangways between the ship and docks can be steep due to variable tide conditions. Inflatable excursion craft that do not accommodate wheelchairs are sometimes used for shore visits where no docks exist.
In Japan, many excursions can pose problems for those with mobility issues. Trains and buses are often not wheelchair accessible and many buildings do not have elevators. Be sure to let us know of any limitations or concerns about mobility prior to making reservations.
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