Celebrity Cruise around Japan Questions

[Tiki]

I'm eyeing a Celebrity Cruise for March 2028 on the Solstice around Japan and have a few questions.

1. If you book on Celebrity Australia site, are gratuities included?
2. Deposit is huge-$900 non-refundable for both. Any way to avoid so much payment upfront? Who knows what will be going on in the world or with our health that far ahead? I've seen travel agents offering $25 deposits but the fares are like $500pp higher which defeats the purpose.
3. Do they do any good deals on Black Friday or Boxing Day? We only need an el-cheapo interior unless there is a good deal going on with minimal increase for better cabin. Its pretty port intensive so minimal cabin time.
4. My husband's 70th birthday would be during the cruise. We would fly to Tokyo a few days ahead to get acclimated and have a pre-cruise buffer in case of flight delays. How does travel insurance work when you have a milestone birthday mid trip? I think 70 is one of those birthdays that triggers an increase in insurance and he also has pre-existing conditions. He will technically be 69 when he leaves Australia.

 

[Pushka]

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Yes. Any every other day.
4. Insurance looks at date of birth when entered and they go from there. Don't stress that one.

5. Tell Celebrity there's a milestone event. They go all out to make it good.

 

[Tiki]

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Yes. Any every other day.
4. Insurance looks at date of birth when entered and they go from there. Don't stress that one.

5. Tell Celebrity there's a milestone event. They go all out to make it good.

Thanks, that helps a lot. I might hold off until Black Friday because of cashflow. Next month we are doing a huge road trip around southern Australia. Do you buy insurance when you book the cruise? Worried about protecting the deposit. I'm not used to forking out nonrefundable $900 now for something that is 18 months away. Cruise is in March 2028.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks, that helps a lot. I might hold off until Black Friday because of cashflow. Next month we are doing a huge road trip around southern Australia. Do you buy insurance when you book the cruise? Worried about protecting the deposit. I'm not used to forking out nonrefundable $900 now for something that is 18 months away. Cruise is in March 2028.

I buy as soon as I feel the non refundable costs are significant.

We cruised on Millenium around Japan. It was a fabulous cruise. Equinox is larger and maybe even new to Japan but access to ports should be similar. Don't waste too much time, Japan cruises can sell out fast depending on time of the year, especially Spring which is simply stunning, and Autumn. Middle June - mid August = HOT. March will be off peak, colder, which won't be an issue. Just dress for it. And I'd suggest with the cold weather the balcony will not get used.