Being underway was just like being at the docks! I gotta tell ya, as we got underway there was no motion on the boat. It was as steady as it was tied up at the dock. Once we reached speed it didn’t feel like we were moving at all.
After a great nights sleep underway we awoke to arrival to a new city, Onahama. It is about 200 kilometers North of Tokyo, and we were docking by about 8 AM after a very smooth voyage. We were greeted with a full orchestra as well as a dance troupe and costumed people welcoming us to the city. There were about 10 buses waiting to take folks into the city. Still worn out from the walking tour of Tokyo and China Town, we decided to opt out of going to town, and instead enjoyed the facilities aboard ship. One nice thing about staying on the ship is you have it all to yourself as most folks get off for the day.
After a glutenous breakfast we kicked back on the balcony watching the festivities below (we were on deck 11) and then headed to the gym, sauna and of course the Hot Tubs (there were three to choose from and we had them all to ourselves) Jeff & Debbie joined us, and we made our way to the pool deck, where they had smaller more intimate hot tubs, where we could relax even more (if I were any more relaxed I’d be in a coma!) After pushing the button half a dozen times to keep the jets going we finally climbed out of the hot tub all warmed up and ready for more decadence.
We enjoyed a day exploring the ship. Oceania is known for their elegance. Each floor had a theme for their art, with large paintings, sculptures and interior design. In the center of the ship is the grand staircase, and let me tell you it’s GRAND, just like the Titanic and with no icebergs off the coast of Japan we’re all safe. But next week we would be sailing in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska, where we might not be as lucky.
We departed Onahama at 8pm on the dot. It was strange as we walked the non-moving decks, thinking back on how we would shoot for a specific time to leave a port when we were cruising, and could never seem to leave at the specified time. The Riviera left port, and arrived, at precisely the time they said on the itinerary. No bumping into the dock, no yelling (not that we ever did that) and you’d never know we were even dockside and tied up unless you saw it happen.
The ship didn’t seem to move at all, as we cut thru the waters. We spent the day lounging, using the spa (we didn’t have one on our boat!) and in the hot tubs (there were three.)
As we sat enjoying a Sushi dinner at the Red Ginger gourmet seafood restaurant, we heard more than felt our departure. Oceania Cruises has won numerous awards for its culinary offering, including Best for Food several years running at the Cruise International awards, and gastronomy is a massive part of the onboard experience, particularly on Riviera. We’re talking white table clothes, the wait staff put the napkin on your lap, oh yes this is service! Did you ever see the note on the bottom of the menu that says “no changes allowed” well not here, not only could you change things to your liking you can ask for things that aren’t even on the menu and they were provided with a smile. The food is always served hot, no heat lamps here. We heard a faint vibration of the bow & stern thrusters as we pulled away from the docks. It was as quiet as a sailboat departing. We wandered up to the Aft Lounge for a couple drinks before turning in, and met some people from all over the world. It was a warm and casual feel, almost like you’d find at a waterfront bistro when we were sailing. Think Cheers, where everybody knows your name and the bartenders are the same every night. No kidding they, start making your drink when they see you, smiling as they put down a tray of olives, nuts, and chips. Smiling is a way of life for the crew and were not talking fake smiles, they are genuinely happy to serve the guests and enhance their time aboard. Well, it’s almost 10:00 pm, yes sailors midnight, and we’re tired and ready for being rocked to sleep by the gentle motion of the sea. Getting back to our stateroom we were greeted with a turn down service including chocolates on the pillow, sparkling water, new towels, and most importantly a super comfortable bed.
That night was spent at sea as we headed to the port at Sendai. We actually docked while we slept (try doing that on a cruising sailboat!!)
The next morning, after our breakfast in the Grand Dining Room, Jeff, Debbie & Jody took off for town. No need for a cab as they provide free shuttle buses to town and back. As we would be leaving early in the afternoon, I opted to hang back and write this silly stuff you are reading now.
It also gave me chance to explore more of the ship. I’d never been on a cruise ship of any size, but this one was just amazing to a guy who thought a 68’ boat was large. Hell, we could have parked the Lost Soul in the grand staircase, leaving the masts up!
On the aft deck I found a large hot tub and soon found myself half dozing, enjoying the decadence of the boat. In the meantime Jeff, Debbie and Jody were ashore and had a great excursion.
Debbie, Jody and Jeff had about 3 hours to kill as I wanted to work on this silly story. They headed to the town of Sendai where they boarded the free shuttle for a relaxing 20 minute drive, and were let off at the train station. A very friendly lady at the train station information booth gave them a town map and said there was a beautiful shrine about a mile away.
Jeff’s input: There were two ways to get to the shrine, walk a mile and then climb 200 stairs or take the long way around and walk up a few steep hills to another entrance. They opted for a taxi and we were whisked to the top in a matter of minutes where they were greeted at the Shiwahiko-Jinja Shrine by beautiful gardens consisting of numerous cherry trees in full bloom, ponds, waterfalls, traditional Japanese worship houses, and meticulously maintained large bonsai looking trees. The shrine looks over the beautiful Matsushima bay, one of the most famed seascapes in Japan, and also one of the worlds three richest fishing grounds. The Shrine was constructed in 938AD and re-built in 1938. The were many massive evergreen trees, some of which are 0ver 6 feet in diameter! The Japanese consider that divinity exists within nature and from this belief the Shinto religion was born. People come to the shrine to worship a myriad of deities that represent their gratitude and respect for nature. The worship consists of each person calming their mind, ringing a bell, clapping hands, and bowing, all of which was happening around us as people showed their gratitude to the deities.
They spent about an hour admiring the shrine and then opted to take the 200 steps down to the main street and walk back to the train station to catch the shuttle. Yes, they all navigated the stairway just fine, stopped at a small shop and bought some local handmade Japanese bowls and made it back to the last shuttle just in time. They boarded the ship and surprise, it was time to eat (again !), so we all headed to dinner.
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