PSA: Don’t Take a Celebrity Cruise to Japan

Welcome back to the final part of our quick port day ship tour aboard the Celebrity Millennium—and trust me, we’re ending on a high note! Today, we’re diving into three onboard gems: the Art Gallery, the Celebrity Shops, and the ever-entertaining Millennium Casino. Let’s go! 🎨 First Stop: Art Gallery at Sea Did you know you can attend an art auction on a cruise? Yep—one of our favorite surprises on this 12-night Japan to South Korea cruise was discovering the onboard Art Gallery. We got to admire pieces by Thomas Kinkade, Salvador Dalí, and yes—even Picasso himself! The auction was a vibe—learning about the artists, the stories behind each work, and watching people bid on their dream piece. And guess what? If you fall in love with a painting, they’ll ship it right to your home. No bubble wrap or carry-on drama needed!

It's Day 2 of our unforgettable 12-day Celebrity Millennium Cruise from Yokohama, Japan to Seoul, South Korea, and today we’re diving into one of my favorite parts of ship life—the bars and lounges onboard the Celebrity Millennium! Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a cocktail connoisseur, or just love a cozy lounge with live music, there’s something here for everyone. 🥂 First Stop: Rendezvous Lounge This lively lounge is where the party’s at! 💃 With live music, signature cocktails, and even a little dancing, it’s the perfect place to hang out before dinner—or keep the fun going late into the night. The vibe here is super fun and social, and it quickly became one of our favorite hangouts.

Hi friends! It’s Day 2 of our fabulous 12-day Celebrity Millennium Cruise, sailing from Yokohama, Japan to Seoul, South Korea—and today I’m taking you on a tasty little tour of the main dining areas onboard the ship! Now, if you’re anything like me, food is a major part of cruising, and the Celebrity Millennium delivers on every level—whether you’re after fine dining, fresh flavors, or full-on foodie experiences. 🍽️ The Metropolitan: Your Classic Cruise Dining Experience First stop: The Metropolitan, the ship’s main dining room and one of the complimentary restaurants included in your cruise fare. Picture gorgeous ocean views, a rotating menu of international dishes, and attentive service that makes every dinner feel special. This is your go-to spot for traditional cruise meals done right—elegant, flavorful, and beautifully plated.

It’s Day 2 of our 12-day Japan to South Korea Celebrity Millennium Cruise, and today we’re diving into one of my favorite parts of any cruise: the common areas—those relaxing, stylish spaces you pass through, hang out in, and make memories. Let’s start near our stateroom on Deck 3, where the Grand Foyer welcomes guests with modern elegance and cozy vibes. I passed through here every day, and I have to say—those little reading nooks with books? A total win for this book-loving traveler. I even used this area to catch up on work and Wi-Fi using my trusty Ryoko portable internet on port days. Pro tip: if you need a quiet place to check emails or upload photos, this is it!

Hello from the stunning Celebrity Millennium! I’m Siva McAteer—your travel advisor, cruise guide, and friendly neighborhood globetrotter—and today, we're diving into a ship tour of the outdoor decks and the fabulous pool area aboard this gorgeous vessel. It’s Day 2 of our 12-Day Celebrity Cruise through Japan and South Korea, and we’re currently docked in Shimizu, Japan, where—drumroll, please—Mount Fuji is right there in the distance. Absolutely majestic. If you're planning a Japan cruise, this port stop is a bucket list moment for sure. Why Port Days Are Perfect for Ship Tours Port days are secretly one of the best times to explore the ship. Why? Because most passengers head off to explore the port, take shore excursions, or do their own thing—which means you get the ship (almost) to yourself! Whether you’ve booked your shore excursions through Celebrity Cruises or opted to explore independently, don’t stress—places like 7-Eleven are easy to find in Japan and South Korea if you need a quick snack or a local convenience store fix. One quick note: On port days, the shops, casinos, and many restaurants onboard are closed. But don’t worry—you can still grab delicious eats at the buffet and various cafes around the ship.

It’s Day 2 of our 12-Day Japan Cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium, and yes—we’re heading back up to the breakfast buffet. I know, I know… we just ate an hour ago, but when you’re on vacation, the rules go out the window. Eat now, nap later! Today is extra special because we’re meeting up with my daughter, who actually works on the ship. She graduated from fashion school in Miami and now travels the world as a stitcher—one of the many exciting fashion design careers at sea. This is her second contract with Celebrity Cruises, so she already knows the ports, the crew, and exactly where the best food is onboard. As a mom, getting to step into her world and see her day-to-day life onboard has been such a gift. I mean, imagine waking up and heading to work where this is your breakfast buffet! Let me paint the picture for you. This isn’t your average buffet. The Celebrity Millennium breakfast buffet is a full-on feast, bursting with international options and gourmet delights: 🥐 Buttery croissants and warm, flakey pastries 🍞 Fresh-baked breads with all the fixings—jams, peanut butter, and creamy butter 🍩 Sweet donuts that melt in your mouth 🍓 Crisp, refreshing fresh fruits 🍳 A fully-loaded omelette station with all the toppings 🍖 Carved-to-order honey glazed ham 🥓 Crispy bacon, sausages, black pudding, and eggs done any way you like—fried, scrambled, boiled, or poached 🥔 Savory breakfast potatoes 🥣 Warm, comforting congee with toppings (one of my personal faves!) 🍜 A steamy noodle soup station for that cozy morning slurp 🥬 A salad bar if you're feeling a lighter start 🧀 Sliced meats and cheeses for building your own breakfast sandwich 🥣 Classic cereal, milk, yogurt station, and more 🧃 And don’t miss the fresh-squeezed juices that taste like sunshine in a glass!

It’s Day 2 of our incredible 12-Day Celebrity Millennium Cruise through Japan and South Korea, and I’m starting the day at one of the coziest, dreamiest spots on the ship—Café al Bacio. Let me tell you: this café is a hidden gem (and honestly one of my favorite hangout spots on the ship)! ☕ Early Mornings Never Tasted So Good With all the excitement of being on this amazing cruise, sleep was just not in the cards last night. So what do you do when you're up before the sun? Head straight to Café al Bacio, of course! Open daily from 6:30 AM to midnight, this charming little café is complimentary (yes, FREE!) and the perfect spot to sip and snack, no matter the hour. My husband went straight for his go-to: a strong morning coffee. I went for a soothing green tea and treated myself to a couple of gorgeous pastries that looked almost too pretty to eat. (Keyword: almost. 😉)

Ahoy, fellow travelers! 🎉 Our 12-Day Celebrity Millennium Cruise through Japan and South Korea has officially set sail—and Day 1 did not disappoint! From lively lounges to game show glory, the nightlife on Celebrity Cruises is everything I hoped for and more. Let’s dive into what made our first evening unforgettable!

Hi, I’m Siva McAteer, your travel blogger BFF and certified travel agent, and I’m taking you behind the scenes of our first night aboard the Celebrity Millennium on our amazing 12-day Japan to South Korea cruise. And what better way to kick off our journey than with a full-on feast at the Metropolitan Restaurant, the ship’s elegant main dining room? ✨ First Impressions: No Reservation? No Problem! We didn’t have a reservation for the Metropolitan Restaurant on our first night, but that was no issue at all. They added us to the waitlist and handed us a pager. While we waited, we grabbed drinks at one of the nearby bars (because why not start with a toast to adventure? 🥂). The wait was short, and soon enough, we were seated in the beautifully designed dining room. Pro tip: This restaurant follows a "Smart Casual" dress code, so it’s the perfect excuse to dress up just a little and feel fancy at sea. 🥗 Appetizers That Set the Bar High Now let’s get into the good stuff: the food. The Metropolitan Restaurant menu changes daily, but there are classic favorites you can almost always count on. We started with: Fresh Bread - Assorted spreads Caprese Salad - Balsamic glaze Cream of Wild Forest Mushroom Soup - M ushroom Truffle Fricassée And yes—we went there—Escargots à la Bourguignonne, served with melted garlic and herb butter. (Deliciously rich and very French.)