Internet Access in Your Stateroom

Below is information for Internet Access for Diamond Princess while you are in your cabin. Yes you will need to bring your own equipment (computer/Ipad etc) .The best bet is to purchase your access in advance from Gift Services. 

Information received from Alex....
Wi Fi is in the cabins if you want to bring your own computer but it's the same price as using their Internet Cafe on board ship.

Pay as you go is .79 per minute
15 minutes is $8.99
100 minutes is $69
200 minutes is $99
400 minutes is $159
600 minutes is $199

Internet Access 
(Information from My Princess/Gift Services)

Perfect for those who like to stay in touch or need to manage their affairs on a daily basis in order to put their minds at ease. Help a passenger relax and fully enjoy their Princess vacation by giving them Internet access for news, information and web-based email.

120 minutes
Item #6038 – $72.95
(Includes $69.00 for internet time plan + $3.95.  One time activation fee)
(Includes 20 bonus minutes for
pre-purchasing an Internet time package.)

240 minutes
Item #6039 – $102.95
(Includes $99.00  for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)
(Includes 40 bonus minutes for
pre-purchasing an Internet time package.)

460 minutes
Item #6302 – $162.95
(Includes $159.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)
(Includes 60 bonus minutes for
pre-purchasing an Internet time package.)

680 minutes
Item #6301 – $202.95
(Includes $199.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)
(Includes 80 bonus minutes for
pre-purchasing an Internet time package.)

1100 minutes (for World Cruise only)
Item #6300 – $252.95
(Includes $249.00 for internet time plan + $3.95.  One time activation fee)
(Includes 100 bonus minutes for
pre-purchasing an Internet time package.)

Photo provided by Flickr.BlixtA

SOUTH KOREA & JAPAN - Table Manners & Etiquette

Our final two countries that we will be sailing to before we head to Anchorage Alaska are South Korea and Japan. Busan will be our port of call in South Korea and if you checked out your itinerary and sailing the 32 Day Cruise we stop twice! Our first stop will be shorter time frame then our second by the way.  Then onto Japan, Nagasaki/ Hiroshima, Osaka/Kyoto (32 Day cruisers)  and Yokohama/Tokyo (32 day Cruisers)....
hope these links have helped you to understand 
a little more of each of the Asian cultures we will 
be visiting.

South Korea - International Dining Etiquette

http://etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table-etiquette/pacific_dinner_etiquette/south_korean.html

The Do’s & Don’t, Dining Etiquette & Table Manners in South Korea

http://ingenira.hubpages.com/hub/The-DOs-and-DONTs-in-Korea

Korean Table Etiquette

http://koreanfood.about.com/od/koreanfoodbasics/tp/Korean-Table-Manners.htm

Japanese Table Etiquette

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2005.html

About.com- Japan Travel

http://gojapan.about.com/cs/tablemanners/a/tablemanner.htm

http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-and-Traditions/a/Japanese-Dining-Etiquette.htm

Japanese Table Manners

http://suite101.com/article/japanese-table-manners-a197103

Photos provided by english.visitkorea.or.kr  and chef taro.com                   

VIETNAM & CHINA -Table Manners & Etiquette

Sailing along we head to two ports in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City & Nha Trang and then for China, we will visit Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Dalian China if you are joining Roger and I on the 32 Day Cruise. Enjoy the journey of preparation, I do think some times the anticipation of our cruise is just as exciting as the port of calls we will be visiting....


Vietnamese Food Ettiquette

http://vietnamfoodtour.com/foodculture_q3_vietnamese-cuisine-traditions-and-etiquette.html

Vietnamese What & Where to Eat

http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/vietnam/what-and-where-to-eat/index.html

Vietnam Cuisine

http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/vietnam/what-and-where-to-eat/index.html

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China - Customs & Etiquette in Chinese Dining

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_table_manners

Chinese Table Manners

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/chinese-etiquette/table-manners/

China Flavors

http://www.destination-asia.com/china/about/taste/

Photo provided by the hungryhoss.com

THAILAND & SINGAPORE - Table Manner & Etiquette

Whether you go off on your own or if you are on a shore excursion that may serve a meal. It is important to know a few helpful hints to not represent yourself as the Ugly American. So in this upcoming couple of days I will be posting by countries some links that you might want to read and be aware of. Here are the resources for Thailand and Singapore that I thought you might appreciate....

Thailand Food Etiquette - Do’s & Dont’s

www.phuket.com/dining/howto.htm

Thai Language, Culture, Customs & Etiquette

www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/.../thailand-country-profile.html

Table Manners - Guide to Thai Culture & Customs

thailandculturecustomguide.org/thailand-etiquette/table_manners.html

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Singapore - International Dining Etiquette

http://etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table-etiquette/pacific_dinner_etiquette/singapore.html

Table Manners in Singapore

http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/forum/singapore-etiquette-discussion/table-manners-in-singapore/

Singapore’s Etiquette

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

Photo provided by Amazon.com

S.T.E.P. - Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Jo Mary has shared this program with me. I checked it out and you can easily register and sign up as an added preparation and planning to being a Smart and Safety Cautious Traveler. This program once you enroll offers latest travel updates and information about every country where you may visit. As well as provides assistance in case of natural disasters or emergencies to U.S. Citizens. In addition when you register with this program, the travel and contact information you enter into the U.S. Department of State, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program will be able to assist you better in such emergency incident as loosing your passport or if it were to be stolen during your trip.

The information you provide will also make it easier for consular officers in U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world to contact you and your loved ones in case of an emergency - this would also includes situations where YOUR family or friends in the U.S. are having problems trying to contact you with important news.

So ‘Thanks Jo Mary’ for highlighting this point and all should at least check it out and consider to enroll. Though daily life in OUR world is opening up to global viewpoints, unfortunately, many of the ‘Third World Nations’ are still surprisingly working with their own set of standard, polices and procedures. So every travel tool we can use, certainly can't hurt

Here is the link to get you started ....

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_4789.html

Photo provided by pptform.state.gov

Tips for Better Travel Photos

So who isn’t going to bring a camera on our trip? Not many I’m sure...but unlike Rocky, John and Stella...my camera is a simple point and shoot camera. Not into adjustments and too lazy to carry a bulky camera. Where do I put it if I wanted to shop and look, right?

I came across this article on Independent Traveler that I thought for cruisers like me might want a quick read to make potential better improvements with your travel photos. It may not all be retained, but some simple improvements may make such a difference at the end result. So check it out.

Also if you missed it,  be sure to check out John's blog article on "Traveling with a Camera", posted February 22, 2013. Use the Home page, right side bar under Blog Article Archive.

19 Tips for Better Travel Photos

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/19-tips-for-better-travel-photos

Photo Karen, Mexican Riviera Group Cruise 2009

Insect Spray for Your Packing List?

Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang are but a few of the ports of call we will be visiting and since these destinations will be a in much warmer region there will be a good chance the bugs, including mosquitos could invade our juicy skin. I highly recommend you consider bringing a can of insect spray to use on your clothes or skin. I was told that the product with DEET is the best. But controversy of it being a chemical verses organic alternative is always a personal choice. Whatever you decide, be sure you add this to your packing list. I know it never hurts to be prepared....

Sample resource links that may assist you...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm

http://www.consumersearch.com/insect-repellent

http://www.webmd.com/health-ehome-9/safer-bug-spray

http://www.fitsugar.com/Bug-Spray-Dilemma-DEET-Really-Bad-1692380

Hand Sanitizer ...Diana's Pick!

Just wanted to share with you that I found an excellent product that is produced by CVS Pharmacy. It is their own brand hand sanitizer. With over 2,000 passengers and tons more for ship crews and staff roaming the ship and this doesn’t even mention all the people that are in our Ports of Call, Security Personnel as we embark and disembark the ship we will be visiting. I highly recommend you carry and bring a hand sanitizer. For those who use this handy health tool, you know what I’m talking about. 

What I like about this particular product is that unlike others when I use it my hand does not feel sticky after I spray or drop it on and rub it. You can also buy the portable stick holder which is light and handy to carry around while you are in port and on the ship. And there is a refillable bottle you can also pack in your suitcase. Do not bring this on your carry-on. Check out the photo so you can see what the brand looks like. The ship usually has a hand sanitizer as you enter the dining room but this is the gel kind that leaves your hand sticky. I know I’m not into sticky, just picky I guess!