Japan by Sea: My Experience Aboard Celebrity Millennium

My Japan cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium began with one of the easiest embarkations I have ever experienced. Although my assigned boarding time was 1:00 p.m., I arrived around 11:30 a.m., fully prepared to wait. No one questioned my early arrival, and the entire process was exceptionally quick and efficient.

The staff members were friendly and welcoming, and I was impressed by how clearly everyone spoke English.

My Deck 3 inside cabin was ready, allowing me to settle in before visiting the buffet. It was not busy, as expected on embarkation day, but the food was good and served hot.

The buffet was a great spot to grab something to eat, and be able to have great views.

My luggage arrived around 5:30 p.m., and once everything was unpacked, I took a brief nap. Even after 3 days in Japan, my body was still adjusting to the 14-hour time difference. The three-night pre-cruise stay certainly helped, but jet lag does not disappear simply because you planned ahead.

My cabin was a standard inside room, but it felt surprisingly spacious. There was plenty of storage, a writing desk, a functional bathroom, and enough outlets for charging devices. The two single beds had been pushed together, and the bed was one of the most comfortable I have experienced at sea. The sheets and bedding felt soft and luxurious.

The cabin was functional with plenty of outlets and storage available. The room fot my needs.

I paid approximately $2,200 for the cabin by reserving it nearly two years in advance. Because I was traveling solo, the absence of a single-supplement fee made the fare an especially good value. About two months before sailing, the same cabin was priced at nearly $5,000. My original fare was a bargain, but securing it required planning and booking far ahead.

Around the ship, passengers filled the pool deck, enjoying the sunshine and probably getting sunburned, on their first day aboard. Later, rough seas forced both pools to close temporarily.

The all passenger (kids and all) pool was well occupied.

Celebrity Millennium also has a multipurpose sports court and the Sky Lounge, a wonderful observation area that becomes an entertainment venue at night.

The sky lounge provided seating for games, trivia, and dancing through out the cruise.

Whether you're craving a quick bite or an espresso, the ship offers plenty of convenient spots to refuel including the popular Café al Bacio on Deck 5

Friendly staff who have one desire, to make your day.

The Gelateria on deck five provides the best gelato on the ship. During the day it also doubles as a place you can get snacks and lattes. The staff is amazing.

The gelato is amazing, but it isn't included in the cruise fare. Pro tip: you can find free ice cream up on Deck 10 at the Oceanview Café!

Upselling was a constant presence, particularly for specialty dining and spa services, but it never felt overly aggressive. Cruise lines rely heavily on revenue from onboard purchases, including drink packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, specialty restaurants, and spa treatments. These additional expenses can add up quickly and significantly increase the true cost of a cruise vacation.

The main dining room became one of the most consistent parts of my cruise. The waitstaff provided phenomenal service, remembered my name, and greeted me throughout the ship. Meals were served hot, with plenty of choices. The French onion soup was especially good and arrived piping hot every time.

Many people decide to only do specialty dining, but the MDR offers great food, and amazing service included

Breakfast in the dining room was also excellent, while the Deck 10 buffet provided variety without the formality.

I dined at Tuscan Grille, the ship’s Italian-inspired specialty restaurant, for an additional $50. I ordered the ribeye, which was a high-quality cut of beef cooked perfectly to medium-rare. The attentive service and more refined atmosphere made the meal feel like a special occasion. Although specialty dining adds to the overall cost of a cruise, the quality of the steak and the experience made this meal worth the extra expense.

The steak and lobster pasta was amazing, and well worth the price paid. It included a salad and choice of desert.

The ship offered plenty of entertainment, ranging from solo musicians and duos in smaller venues to large evening productions in the Millennium Theater. The theater also hosted occasional history lectures, although most of its programming centered on live music. As someone who enjoys live theater, I would have appreciated more variety beyond primarily musical performances.

The Millennium theatre is a very capable venue for entertainment.

The highlight, however, was Japan itself. Because Kyoto was approximately 90 minutes from Osaka, I appreciated the security of cruise-line excursions. Transportation, tickets, and getting back to the ship on time became someone else’s responsibility.

The golden temple and surrounding landscaping is an amazing site to behold.

We visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, walked beneath rows of brilliant red torii gates, explored the bamboo forest, and saw both the Golden and Silver Pavilions.

Walking through the bamboo forest was a bit eerie.

Walking through the red torri gates brings you back you an era long gone. The gates are the entry to a shrine.

The shrine was located within the temple complex. This was not simply a historic site but an active place of worship, where approximately 60 to 65 monks continue religious practices passed down through many generations.

Some temples and shrines were more than a thousand years old. Others appeared unexpectedly along ordinary streets, demonstrating how closely Japan’s history is woven into everyday life.

A shrine tucked into thee city 1000 years old is right there, if you know where to look.

Nagasaki provided the cruise’s most sobering experience. The Peace Park, damaged torii gate, church remnants, paper cranes, and Atomic Bomb Museum revealed the human cost of nuclear war. At 11:02 a.m., the bomb exploded above the city. Nearly 74,000 people died, and approximately 75,000 were injured. For a retired history teacher, standing near Ground Zero turned historical numbers into something painfully real.

Replica of the atomic bomb that fell on Nagasaki in the Atomic bomb museum not far from ground zero.

Final Verdict: This was a good cruise, but it also made me question whether I am ready to move toward other forms of travel. Excursions exceeded $1,000, gratuities added roughly $300, and major attractions were often far from port. Cruising remains convenient and enjoyable, but strong demand has reduced the number of genuine bargains.

Perhaps I am not dissatisfied with cruising. Perhaps I am simply ready for the next chapter of travel.