Day 24 ~ Disembark Tokyo

Grim morning. Last morning is never my favorite on any cruise, but this is the longest we've taken and it was particularly hard saying good by to the staff and crew that we'd lived with and enjoyed for the past 18 days. The ship was wonderful, but the "software" far exceeded the hardware. The crew made our cruise so very special; from Megi our sommelier who always knew the correct bottle to open for dinner, and to serve a Bellini and Macallan single malt Scotch, double, no ice, no water in Horizons before dinner. Umberto the Dining room Manager in La Veranda and the Pool Grill who always loved to chat with Mr. Macchi from Samarate as he was from Milano; he even helped me log into the port WiFi this morning. Catlin the manager of Sette Mare that made reservations, when none were to be had. Veronica always the busiest person in La Veranda in the morning, Sylvester in Signatures who made sure that our 7pm reservations were moved to 8pm on the last night with our late shore excursion and Antonio who oversaw the entire dining staff and presented my incredible, beautifully wrapped, surprise birthday gift from my husband as dessert! I will have such fond memories of everyone; they took the trip from nice to extraordinary.

I'm taking a very close look at the Oct 31, Istanbul to Dubai and I would hope a number of  the same crew would still be onboard; but for that to happen, they would have to renew contracts and be assigned to the same ship. But oh, how I'd love to do it all again!

After our "last breakfast", farewell to a number of new friends, including Jose and Margie Portera that salvaged our tickets, we had one last visit to the cabin to empty the safe, close up our carry ons and catch the elevator from deck 10 to deck 5 and exit the ship; key card one last time, as we're deleted from the system! Actually, this usually hectic procedure was easy peasy... small ship advantage. We were on the gangway in less than 3 minutes! And, Fernando helped us off the ship with our luggage... looks EXACTLY like Yul Brenner! EXACTLY!

Claimed our luggage, all 5 bags and made our way thru Customs. Again, easy peasy. No hassles, a customs form that includes what we'd purchased duty free the prior day, and that's it! Now we have "left the building" but our "Luggage Free" person is nowhere in site, no sign, no person, nada... I'm nervous. We're planning on shipping 3 bags... chocked full bags... overweight coming at you like a freight train... not good. We called (or tried, the dialing system from Japan to US is goofy - as in dial + (PLUS) then 1 then the number), we texted, we harassed the onboard future sales person, Brian O'Brian, and had the head concierge called to meet us. Well as it turned out, our friend Mary Anne had advised Luggage Free that we should be off by 10am, and we were requested to please be off by 9am... so, alakazam, who should appear at 10am but Luggage Free! Yay! There's nothing like Luggage Free! All is good, all is well, we're on our way to the Peninsula Hotel.

Door maid at The Peninsula hotel- Toyko

Oh my, I was so crushed to leave the ship, gracious, to have them go on without me was unthinkable this morning, but after arriving at the hotel... I think I've died and gone to heaven! It was a half hour before our room was ready, but well worth the wait - We overlook the Royal Palace, and have a vista that includes the Sky Tower... wow! but wait, our closet is as big as all outdoors and the bathroom? The bathroom is a work of art! John is ready to take the toilet home... he's even sent pictures to family and friends! Automatic, heated toilet seat rises as you enter the bathroom. Computerized buttons do everything but comb your hair... need I say more?

After we got organized, we headed for Ginza again... Yes!!!! First stop Mikimoto; third floor, and suddenly there they were... way beyond my reach but oh my, orgasmic! Pure white, opera length, magnificent. I'm lost!

The pears were a bit over her budget!!

Ok, next to Hermes for a scarf, and then back to Mitsukoshi for a late sushi lunch on the 11th floor... after lunch, we treated ourselves on the the 8th with a gorgeously sharp slicing knife and two more gifts for friends. I knew John was "shopped out", so back to the hotel. A visit to the concierge for information on the Bullet Train to Mt. Fuji for tomorrow! Life is good.

Signing off for now!

Addendum Mar 11. Dinner at the hotel's Chinese Restaurant - we're definitely not in Kansas anymore! But still delicious! We found Singapore noodles and had to try them. Desert for me was a ginger soup with two peanut butter filled dumplings; believe it or not, absolutely delicious. Ready for bed, but I'm worried, John is talking to the toilet now... seems he's in love.