2025 Princess Japan Cruise Tips

​Make sure to complete the required Ocean-Ready check-in process by downloading the Princess Cruises® App from the App Store or Google Play to complete your travel check-in steps and expedite your arrival experience. You will be able to order and customize your Medallion (must be done at least 2 weeks before sailing; otherwise you can just pick it up at port check-in), input personal info and travels docs, upload security and profile photos, set up Medallion Pay, input emergency information, read your passage contract, fill out your health questionnaire, and bring up your boarding pass. Learn about the OceanReady Check-In Process. 
Don’t have a compatible device? Try our web version

1. You can print your luggage tags for the ship by going to princess.com and logging in to your booking. You can then click on to Booking Details and then To-Do-List. If you don’t print them out, you can just have your luggage tagged when you check in at the port.
2. ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BRINGING MEDICINE INTO JAPAN--YOU NEED TO BRING A DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION*** Question: Can I bring any prescription medicine into Japan from abroad? Answer: You can bring any prescription medicine into Japan without any special procedures on condition that (1) you bring it only for your own use (2) it is not any prohibited drug in Japan such as Methamphetamine, (3) it is not any especially controlled drug in Japan such as Narcotics, (4) quantity is up to one month supply. (5) it is not permitted to SEND Psychotropic drugs. Keep your medicines in their original bottles. Bring your list of prescriptions with you. Do not bring marijuana, gummies, or CBD into Japan. It will be confiscated and you could be prosecuted. Adderall is also on the list of banned drugs. So is Atenolol if you are using it for “enhancing cerebral function and other mental effects.” You must take proof of your Atenolol prescription showing it is for blood pressure. If you think you might need to apply for a "Yunyu Kakuninsho" certificate, please copy/paste the following link: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html for more information and to fill out Forms 12 and 14 so you can email them to [email protected]. If you have any questions about a specific drug, you can send an email to [email protected].
3. ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CPAP USERS***You may bring ONE CPAP machine per person into Japan without a "Yunyu Kakuninsho" certificate as long as you use it for your personal use. Please carry a doctor’s letter or prescription for the CPAP just in case immigration asks for it (this regulation is in effect starting March 26th, 2024)
4. Keep important documents and medicine in your carry on. Make photocopies of your Passport, Driver’s License, Credit Cards, and Prescriptions and keep them in a place separate from where you actually keep those items (suitcase under the plane). You may also want to take cell phone photos of them too. My mother’s purse was stolen in Barcelona a few years back, and she had copies of all these items in her suitcase, so we were able to cancel credit cards immediately, and the process of obtaining another passport was a little easier. On the ship, keep valuables and the photocopies of your important papers in your cabin safe.
5. Japan is still considered a cash-based society, especially at smaller businesses and in rural communities, so you will want to either take Yen with you, obtain Yen at an ATM in Japan (7-11 is in Japan), or “buy” a free Welcome Suica card when you get to the airport (you must put at least 1000 Yen on it). No deposit is required on a Welcome Suica. Welcome Suica | JR-EAST  This is a way to purchase items in a cashless manner. Welcome Suica cards can ONLY be topped up with cash or 7-11 ATMs, not credit cards. Once you load the card, you cannot be refunded the yen on it, so make sure to put  on only what you think you will use. The card expires 28 days from first use. You can take the card home as a souvenir when you are done with it.
6. You must carry your passport with you on shore in case you are asked for it. Wearing a neck wallet under your clothing is an easy way to tote it.
7. If you plan on using your cell phone on land in Japan, you will need to contact your cell service and ask if they offer an international plan. I have unlimited AT&T, and I can get cell and internet for $12/day. I do not know what Verizon or T-Mobile offer. Other options are to rent a cell phone (you will need to research this) or buy a SIM card before or when you get to Japan.
8. If you have Princess Plus or Princess Premier, you will have unlimited Wi-Fi on the ship, which will allow you to check email and Facebook and surf the net. The Wi-Fi on the ship will require you to have your phone in airplane mode with your roaming turned off. I just sailed on 2 cruises this past October and was able to make Wi-Fi phone calls from my cell phone on the ship. Please contact your cell service and ask if (and how) you can do this, if this is something you are wanting to do.
9. If you are interested in keeping in touch with your fellow travelers on shore, there is a free smartphone app called WHATSAPP that you can download now in itunes or google play. It can only be used in Wi-Fi (unless you’ve purchased an international plan through your cell service), so you could use it on the ship or if you are at a café or someplace with free Wi-Fi access. Sometimes cities will have free Wi-Fi for tourists.
10. Where can I get Yen? You will not be able to exchange US dollars for Yen onboard the ship. You can get Yen from ATMs in Japan cities.  Make sure to call your bank before you leave the US to ask if your ATM/credit card and PIN will work abroad and inquire about possible foreign transaction fees. If you are unable to use ATMs in Japan, you can also change cash in Japan at most banks, exchange bureaus and some larger hotels for a fee. You can also do it at the Haneda and Narita Airports, but I don’t think the rates will be too favorable. You can also acquire Yen at home from your home bank to take with you. There is usually a fee for this as well. To check on current exchange rates, check out xe.com and/or download a smartphone app that allows you to conveniently convert foreign currencies.
11. Call your credit card companies now and let them know the dates you will be in Japan (some credit card companies don’t require this as they already have strict security measures in place). You run the risk of having a block put on your card as you are trying to purchase something in Japan. This is a great service as it protects against fraud, but you won’t think so if you are in the middle of a transaction.
12. While you are on the phone with your credit card company, ask if they charge “foreign transaction fees.” My Citibank business card doesn’t charge a fee, but one of my other cards charges 3% on all purchases. I’m not a big shopper, so I’m not so concerned with this, but if you bought a $10,000 painting, you’d be paying $300 in foreign transaction fees.
13. If you are staying in a Japan hotel, you should be able to use your USA plugs. However, outlets will only hold 2 pronged plugs, so if you have a cord with 3 prongs, you will need a plug adapter. You can find these on Amazon.com. Plug adapters should also available at travel or electronics kiosks/shops in cities and should not be too terribly expensive. You may also need a current converter if you do not have modern electronic devices. You can also find these on Amazon.com. Heat related items may not be brought onboard (hair dryer, iron, steamer, heating pad, etc.). Princess provides a hair dryer in your cabin.      YOU CAN BRING A CURLING IRON.
14. Unless you purchased Basic Economy air, you should be allowed to check one bag under the plane and take on one carry-on (to stow above your seat or under the seat in front of you) and one personal item (CPAPs should not count as a carry-on and you should not be charged extra to bring them). To check dimension and weight limits, please go to the airline’s website.
15. Make sure to pack the following in your carry-on and not under the plane: medications in their original bottles, along with your list of prescriptions with quantities, etc.; eyeglasses/contacts/lens solution; important papers including insurance, medical records and allergy information; travel documents; emergency contact information; camera gear, memory cards and batteries; and valuables.
16. If you would like to check out your airline seats and make changes, you can go to the airline website and put in the 6 digit reservation code (letters and/or numbers) from your flight itinerary. If you purchased Princess EZAir through me and need help finding the code, contact me.
17. Download your airline app(s) and add your flights to the app(s) so you can keep up to date with any real time airline notifications, changes, and/or cancellations.
18. Check in for your flight online at the airline’s website 24 hours before you board. If you purchased Princess EZAir through me and need help finding the code, contact me.
19. The currency onboard is the US Dollar.
20. Gratuities for the cruise are included if you have Princess Plus or Princess Premier. Otherwise, if you have Standard, it is $17-$19 USD per person per day, depending on your stateroom category. Your onboard account will be charged at the end of your cruise.
21. If you would like to upgrade from Princess Plus to Princess Premier, it is $330 per person and both passengers in the cabin have to purchase it. Just contact April Proffitt if you want the upgrade, and she will process the transaction for you.
22. Tipping is not a custom in Japan, and it may be considered rude if you try to do so. Expressing gratitude is very much appreciated though. As for shore excursions, if it is done by a Japanese company, I wouldn’t tip. If you want to tip your bartender or your room steward on the ship who goes above and beyond, I wouldn’t hesitate to tip him or her, as he or she is most likely not Japanese and comes from a poorer country and sends every dollar to family back home in Indonesia, the Philippines, etc. In the same vein, if you recognize that a driver is actually a Princess worker, and you want to tip him or her, do so.
23. What to Wear? Casual sportswear, including shorts, lightweight pants, and sundresses are appropriate while at sea and ashore in hotter climates. It is recommended you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all-weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions, depending on your destination. Due to unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. Please be sure to bring proper clothing for visits to religious sites. You'll also want low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear. Dinners will be Smart Casual attire, which means skirts/dresses, slacks, blouses, nice jeans, and sweaters for women. Men can wear pants, collared or dress shirts, short or long sleeved shirts, and sweaters. Pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps or jeans with fraying and/or holes are not welcomed in the dining room. Shoes must be worn. There will be 2 formal nights . If you love dressing up, you will want to wear an evening gown, cocktail dress or elegant pant suit for women. Men who want to dress up will want to wear a tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and slacks. For those of us who do not like to dress up, you can just dress Smart Casual. No one will say a word to you. I always dress Smart Casual on formal nights.
24. Self-service laundry is available onboard for a negligible charge. Tokens can be purchased with your Medallion. Irons and ironing boards are available in the laundry room.
25. No VISA is required by US citizens for this sailing.
26. Everyone speaks English onboard. However, while ashore, you might find it helpful to download a language translation app.