March 10, Kagoshima
We arrived in the bay of Kagoshima in the early hours. We arrived in the bay as early as possible to get out of the swell, and slowed all the way down to arrive alongside at 7:00am. Staff Captain Michalis did the maneuver, turning the ship gently to starboard, and backing in the last half mile, hardly using the thrusters to avoid waking our guests. As we came closer to the quay, we could make out the beautiful Japanese Gardens which have been built around the cruise pier, the big “Welcome to Kagoshima” sign above the mosaic map of South West Japan, and we were greeted by both a wonderful Brass Band on the quay, and the Sunshine as the sun rose over the top of Sukurajima Volcano.
