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Celebrity Millennium Asia Cruise: Our Cultural Japan Voyage

Celebrity Millennium, once offered itineraries to Alaska, now provides cruises to Asia. We selected a Japan itinerary that included a stop in Busan, South Korea, and are sharing our experience. We embarked the ship at the cruise terminal in Yokohama to begin our journey.

The Celebrity Millennium offers Far East cruises to various Asian countries. These cruises could include ports in Singapore, India, Bali, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

My wife Karen and I have sailed aboard Celebrity many times, but this was our first cruise around Japan. We chose the cruise for its fantastic itinerary, which included an overnight stay in Osaka/Kyoto. With an overnight, we had to chance to visit the ancient city of Nara from Osaka.

Celebrity Millennium docked in Osaka, Japan

About The Celebrity Millennium

Celebrity Millennium made its inaugural cruise in July 2000 at the start of the Millennium, hence its name. Other ships launched in the series include the Infinity (May 2001), Summit (October 2001), and the Constellation (May 2002).

While the Millennium is an older vessel, don’t let that deter you. The ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 and boasts the décor and colors of the new “Edge-class” vessels. She now shines with contemporary colors and new-ship finishes.

The cruise line has a “contemporary yet timeless style,” and the Millennium is no exception. As a mid-to-smaller ship, it holds 2,218 passengers with 1,000 crew, and our cruise sailed at maximum capacity.

Celebrity Millennium Deck Plan

Upon boarding the Millennium, we immediately appreciated its smaller size compared to other ships in the fleet. Its compactness made navigation a breeze, locations easy to remember, and getting around without relying on elevators.

Millennium Accommodations

We chose an interior cabin due to its budget price point. However, Celebrity Millennium offers a range of stateroom options to suit various preferences and budgets. These include:

  • Interior Staterooms.
  • Ocean View Staterooms.
  • Veranda Staterooms.
  • Concierge Class Staterooms.
  • AquaClass Staterooms offers dining at the exclusive Blu Restaurant.
  • Suites can access The Retreat, an exclusive area with a private sundeck, lounge, and dedicated Luminae Restaurant.
Celebrity Millennium interior stateroom
Celebrity Millennium interior stateroom

All cabins have amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and 24-hour room service. All guests on our voyage received a complimentary bottle of wine, which we shared with fellow dining mates.

Dining Options

Celebrity Millennium presents diverse culinary experiences across its numerous dining venues:

  1. Oceanview Café: Casual buffet-style dining.
  2. Tuscan Grille: Italian steakhouse.
  3. Sushi on Five: Japanese specialties, priced a la carte.
  4. Qsine: Innovative, interactive Le Petit Chef dining experience.

The ship also features the main dining room, offering a varied menu of international cuisine. Specialty restaurants require additional fees but provide unique gastronomic adventures.

Since we were cruising in Asia, the cuisine included local dishes. Our voyage featured a Wagyu Beef Beyond Belief in Sushi on Five and a Japanese Cocktail Bar using Japanese ingredients.

Sushi on Five Shrimp Tempura Roll
Sushi on Five Shrimp Tempura Roll

Entertainment And Activities

The ship offers various activities and entertainment to keep guests entertained. Our Asian itinerary featured onboard activities, including real brush pen greeting cards and origami.

The Millennium includes:

  • Theater shows featuring Broadway-style productions, a magician, and an acrobat duo.
  • Casino with slot machines and table games.
  • Cellar Masters wine bar.
  • Martini Bar & Crush.
  • A fitness center with all the equipment I needed for a great workout.
  • Spa treatments and Persian Gardens at The Spa.
  • Solarium adult-only indoor pool and hot tubs.
  • Jogging track.
  • Outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs.
  • A dedicated kids area and program. During our cruise, less than 40 children were traveling, but typically, there are many more onboard.
Millennium pool deck
Millennium pool deck

The ship also provides “Beyond the Podium” lectures about the history of Japanese films, journaling, and Japanese literature, and the art of coffee and chocolate in Japan.

Choosing An Asian Itinerary

Asia offers a wide array of destinations, from short 3-day getaways suitable for locals to voyages that last almost three weeks. When planning an Asian cruise, consider the ports of call, duration of the trip, and the activities available at each destination.

We cruised from the Singapore cruise terminal to Vietnam and Thailand earlier in the year. That 9-day cruise was in February, but regardless of the time of year you cruise, be prepared for heat and humidity.

Comparing the destinations, we found ports in Vietnam and Thailand were much further from major cities. This resulted in 1-1/2-to-2-hour bus rides to reach tourist attractions. In contrast, Japan’s attractions were close to the ports.

Virtually every port on our Celebrity Millennium itinerary included a UNESCO World Heritage site. If world history is one of your hobbies, a Japan itinerary will be perfect for you.

Here are some of the highlights of our Celebrity Millennium cruise in Japan.

Shimizu, Japan

Arriving in Shimizu with Mount Fuji in the background
Arriving in Shimizu with Mount Fuji in the background

Shizuoka Prefecture welcomes visitors with stunning views of Mount Fuji. However, for us, the peak was only visible in the early morning before arriving at the port of Shimizu. Before docking, the peak clouded over, preventing any photo opportunities.

Our visit to Miho no Matsubara, a scenic pine grove and beach, was a unique experience. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, weather permitting. The highlight of our visit was the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, which we reached by the Komagatake Ropeway.

The Sumpa Castle, Lake Ashi, and Hakone National Park are top-rated local attractions. The Shimizu Sushi Museum offers insights into the history and culture of this famous Japanese dish.

Osaka/Kyoto, Japan

We had an overnight in Osaka, which allowed us to explore Kyoto on the first day. The Japan Rail (JR) system is an efficient and cost-effective way to travel from Osaka to Kyoto. It took us one hour to reach the northern city.

Generally, booking our JR tickets at the station was easy once we selected “English” as the preferred language! However, getting to the correct platform was sometimes problematic. We used Google Maps to track train times and platforms, which served us well.

Osaka Castle, a 16th-century fortress surrounded by beautiful gardens, is a popular attraction in Osaka. Although younger guests preferred Universal Studios. Kyoto has its own castle, Nijo which we visited on our first day.

Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle

Kyoto, the former imperial capital, boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Key attractions include:

  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine.
  • Nijo Castle.
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

Many of these top destinations were super crowded. The Bamboo Forest was the highlight of our day in Kyoto.

Visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

It’s possible to make a day trip from the port of Osaka to Nara, which we did on our second day. Our day in Nara was Karen’s favorite, with visits to Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Park. Feeding the deer was the pinnacle of our tour.

Hiroshima, Japan

The port of Hiroshima was my favorite stop because of the history of the Second World War. Our well-spoken tour guide was born in Hiroshima and had family members impacted by the atomic bomb event.

Today, Hiroshima strives to be a symbol of peace and resilience. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum provides a poignant reminder of the atomic bombing on August 6th, 1945.

We loved visiting the A-Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which remains a powerful reminder of the devastation of a nuclear war.

A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
A-Bomb Dome

In addition, cruise guests can explore Hiroshima Castle, a reconstructed 16th-century fortress. The nearby island of Miyajima is home to the famous “floating” Itsukushima Shrine. Its iconic red torii gate appears to float on water during high tide.

Busan, South Korea

Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, gave us a window into this vibrant country. The port area was a cross between our hometown of Vancouver, Canada, and Singapore, which we visited on an earlier cruise.

Haeundae Beach is a unique and popular stretch of sand flanked by high-rise towers.

Popular and cultural highlights of Busan include:

  • Beomeosa Temple.
  • Jagalchi Fish Market.
  • Busan Tower.

We took an 8-hour tour of the 1,000-year-old ancient city of Gyeongju. Our itinerary included the Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gyeongju National Museum, a tomb from the Silla Period, and an authentic Korean BBQ lunch.

Fukuoka, Japan

Fukuoka combines modern amenities with traditional charm. This was a great destination to explore on our own.

Pagoda at the Tochoji Temple, Fukuoka
Pagoda at the Tochoji Temple

The city’s Hakata district is renowned for its yatai (food stalls), which serve local specialties like Hakata ramen. Ohori Park offers a serene escape with its large lake and traditional Japanese garden.

Cultural attractions include:

  • Fukuoka Castle ruins.
  • Kushida Shrine.
  • Fukuoka Tower.

Shoppers can explore Canal City Hakata, a massive entertainment complex. History buffs will appreciate the Kyushu National Museum, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Nagasaki, Japan

Like Hiroshima, this is another port rich in 20th Century history. The Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum provide a somber view of the impact of atomic warfare. Approximately 70,000 people were killed on August 9th, 1945, when the A-bomb was dropped.

After we finished the Celebrity excursion to the Peace Park and Museum, we walked to Glover Garden. Just a short 10-minute walk from the Nagasaki cruise terminal, the garden included 19th-century Western-style houses with panoramic views of the harbor.

Peace Statue in Nagasaki
Peace Statue in Nagasaki

On the way to the gardens, we visited many local shops and purchased castella cakes. The garden is elevated above the cruise port, so be prepared to get a gentle workout as you explore the site.

Other highlights of Nagasaki for your interest, time permitting, include:

  • Oura Cathedral is Japan’s oldest Christian church.
  • Dejima, a former Dutch trading post.
  • Chinatown is small but the country’s oldest.

Planning A Far East Cruise

Preparing for a Celebrity Millennium Asia cruise requires careful consideration of timing, packing essentials, and entry requirements. Much of Asia is near the equator, and depending on the time of year, the temperature can be unbearable for Westerners.

Best Time To Cruise

We cruised in mid-September and expected warm weather. However, Japan was experiencing a heat wave with unseasonably hot weather. For the first 12 days, with humidity, we endured highs of 100 to 106F.

In some areas, October and early November may have lingering monsoon rains but can offer lower prices and fewer crowds.

January to April aligns with the dry season in many Southeast Asian countries, providing ideal weather conditions with little humidity.

March and April can be warmer. These months often coincide with beautiful cherry blossom seasons in countries like Japan and South Korea, so expect to pay higher prices.

Docked in Yokohama
Docked in Yokohama

First-Time Cruisers

New cruisers should explore the ship’s layout and review daily programs. Book shore excursions early, as popular tours fill up fast, but leave time for spontaneous activities or relaxation. Many cruisers prefer independent exploration over expensive cruise line tours, which works too.

We did a mix of both. We liked that organized tours provide more information on history, something we didn’t get during self-guided exploration.

What To Pack

Include adaptable clothing that can accommodate different weather conditions and cultural norms. Light, breathable fabrics work well for warm ports, while layers are helpful for cooler evenings or air-conditioned spaces.

Essential items:

  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen).
  • Local currency, as many vendors don’t take credit cards or currency from other countries. We brought several hundred Canadian dollars in Yen. Still, we needed to convert more during our nearly three-week stay in cruise and land.
  • Small daypack for excursions.

Formal nights require dressy attire, but Celebrity Cruises has recently become more relaxed. Smart casual clothes suffice for most evenings.

To stay connected, my husband used an inexpensive Airalo eSim, which provided great service. I also tried a GigSky Cruise and Land eSIM which provided coverage at sea and in port. Google Maps was invaluable for getting around and navigating trains.

Google Translate and Papago were lifesavers in Japan to read menus and food ingredients and ask questions.

Fushimi Inari Shrine
Visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

Are Visas Required?

Visa requirements vary depending on the specific itinerary and passengers’ nationalities. While many Asian countries offer visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival for short stays, their policies can change.

We obtained visas for our visit to South Korea because that is what our online research showed. However, Celebrity did not mention any requirements in their cruise information and no visas appeared to be needed when we arrived in Busan.

Some countries, like Vietnam, may require visas to be obtained before arrival. Others, such as Indonesia, often provide visas on arrival for cruise passengers.

Multi-entry visas may be necessary for itineraries that revisit countries. China, for example, typically requires a visa unless visiting certain areas under short-term transit rules.

Celebrity Cruises provides some information on visa requirements, but it’s the passenger’s responsibility to secure necessary travel documents.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we loved our Celebrity Millennium Asia cruise and appreciated the vessel’s smaller size compared to larger ones in the Celebrity and Royal Caribbean fleets.

Everything was convenient located close to our cabin (#8174) on deck 8, the service was excellent, and the dining was very good. Celebrity continues to be one of our favorite cruise lines.

Since Japan had been on our bucket lists for a long time, the itinerary of Yokohama, Shimizu, Osaka, Hiroshima, Busan (South Korea), Fukuoka, and Nagasaki was ideal.

After dozens of cruises, this one ranked as one of the best, and one we wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

Celebrity Millennium docked in Japan, Nara deer, and a Japanese pagoda