PSA: Don’t Take a Celebrity Cruise to Japan

It’s showtime aboard the Celebrity Millennium! One of my favorite parts of cruising—aside from the incredible destinations—is the onboard entertainment. Every evening brings something new, and tonight’s show was extra special: Cello in Love featuring the amazing cellist Wendy Law.

✨ What a fun day exploring Hiroshima! Before boarding our Celebrity Cruise ship again, we made one last stop at the Silver Paradise Monument, also known as the Tower of Paradise. The Silver Paradise Monument – Tower of Paradise 🌸 Built in 1989 to mark the centenary of Ujina Port, this striking structure is more than just a monument. It’s a symbol of peace and hope, beautifully set against the backdrop of Hiroshima’s coastline. The Silver Paradise Monument is located in Minami Ward, a picturesque part of Hiroshima, and has become a quiet but meaningful tourist attraction. Surrounded by greenery and water, it’s a peaceful spot to pause, reflect, or snap a photo before heading back onboard your ship. 🌿 Fun fact: Ujina Port, now Hiroshima’s modern cruise terminal, played a vital role in Japan’s history as both a military port and later as a hub for international travel. Today, it welcomes cruise passengers from all over the world—like us!

Winning! Japanese arcades aren’t just games—they’re a whole cultural experience. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stepped off the ship and into the neon world of a Hiroshima arcade. And let me tell you—it was one of the highlights of the day! Japanese Arcades: More Than Just Games In Japan, arcades are called game centers, and they’re everywhere. While they’ve been declining in numbers since their 1980s peak, there are still around 4,000 arcades across Japan today. At their height, there were over 44,000 nationwide—yes, more arcades than convenience stores! What makes Japanese arcades so special is that they’re not just for kids—they’re fun for the whole family. You’ll find multi-story game centers filled with crane games, rhythm machines, retro classics, and even photo booths (purikura). Crane Games – The Ultimate Challenge 🐾 The most iconic part of any Japanese arcade? The crane games, also known as UFO catchers. These machines lure you in with cute prizes that look easy to grab… but are way trickier than they seem. After a few tries (and maybe some encouragement from bystanders), I managed to win not one but two Mofusand plush toys! 🎉 For those new to Japanese pop culture—Mofusand is an insanely popular series of cute, chubby cats often dressed in shark or animal costumes. They’ve become a favorite prize in gachapon machines and arcades across the country.

Beer, sake, oysters, rice balls… THIS is how you eat your way through Hiroshima! On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stopped at a cozy spot called Holiday Shokudo—and it turned out to be one of our favorite meals of the trip. Now, the name Holiday Shokudo literally translates to Holiday Cafeteria, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t your standard cafeteria food—it’s a warm, inviting restaurant that serves up authentic Hiroshima delicacies, from fresh oysters to comforting rice balls.

One of my favorite parts of cruising through Japan is that every port offers a new surprise. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise, we docked in Hiroshima—and after exploring the Peace Memorial Park, I couldn’t resist checking out the Hiroshima gift shop. And let me tell you… this stop was full of quirky, delicious, and uniquely Japanese treasures!

On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we arrived in Hiroshima—a city that has become a global symbol of peace and resilience. Visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was one of the most moving experiences of the entire trip. The park itself is more than just a green space. It’s a living memorial—filled with monuments, memorials, and symbols—that quietly remind every visitor of Hiroshima’s hope for a world without war. Best of all? Entry to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is completely free, making it accessible for everyone to learn, reflect, and remember.

It’s Day 6 aboard Celebrity Cruises in Japan, and today’s stop is a city unlike any other—Hiroshima. This is a place where history and resilience intertwine, and I couldn’t wait to step ashore to experience it for myself. Imagine sailing into port with mountains in the distance and a bustling city skyline hugging the water. It’s breathtaking. There’s something so surreal about arriving in Hiroshima by ship—knowing you’re entering a city that’s turned unimaginable tragedy into an inspiring symbol of peace.

When you think of cruise ship breakfast, you probably picture pancakes, waffles, and maybe a classic omelet station. But on Day 6 of my Japan cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium, I discovered something a little different—and a whole lot more exciting: the Make Your Own Noodle Bowl station at the Oceanview Café. And let me tell you, this was not your average breakfast.

If you thought cruise ship entertainment was just about lounge singers and game shows, think again. On Celebrity Cruises, they’re raising the curtain (literally!) on a full-blown fairytale brought to life at sea. Welcome to Elysium—a show that’s part Broadway spectacle, part Cirque du Soleil, and 100% unforgettable. What Is the Elysium Show? Elysium is one of Celebrity Cruises’ most talked-about productions, performed on Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Reflection. This is no ordinary cruise ship show—this is a whimsical, immersive experience where a magical kingdom comes alive before your eyes. Think: glittering costumes, jaw-dropping aerialists, high-energy dancers, powerhouse vocalists, and a storyline that sweeps you into an epic struggle between good and evil. With a dreamy, pop-infused soundtrack, the music is a showstopper in its own right. You might even recognize familiar tunes, like “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka, woven into the performance. Why Elysium Feels So Magical The Storyline: It’s a classic fairytale—complete with a kingdom under threat, forces of good versus evil, and a journey through the seasons. The Performers: Expect to see acrobats soaring overhead, singers belting out powerful notes, and dancers bringing the story to life. The Production Value: The sets, costumes, and lighting rival anything you’d see on land. According to Cruise Critic, Elysium is one of the most visually stunning productions at sea. Fun fact: Cruise ships like the Celebrity Equinox are equipped with theaters that seat nearly 1,000 people and feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems—so yes, you’re getting a full Vegas-style show…while sailing across the ocean.