Janice621

Barrest24, thanks for the update.  We are on the 2/7 cruise.  Which beach did you go to in St Barts?  How close is it to where the tender lets you off?  Are there chaises available?  I had read the charge to rent chaises was ridiculous in St Barts.  Thanks and continue to enjoy.

We used Back to Nature tours in Dunedin, Akaroa and Tauranga. We were in communication with Chris and everything worked out fine. We used Silver Cloud Luxury Tours in Wellington. The tour was great and the owner Helen was terrific. We had been to Auckland before so we just walked around the downtown area. You might want to take a ferry and visit some wineries. In Bay of Islands we chartered a boat that gave us fabulous scenery and great food. However, this could be quite costly but we were 9 people. Hope this helps.

Janice

We used Tuscany Taste Tour for a tour of Volterra and San Gimigiano. We also had a delicious wine tasting and lunch. Maurizio was excellent in responding.

Janice:D

I have stayed at the Langham and the Skycity (Grand’s sister hotel). The Langham is lovely but the its location is not the best. If you are doing some sightseeing in the center of town, you have to walk up a hill to return to the hotel. There is nothing of interest around the hotel and you would have to go back to the center of town for restaurants, etc. Skycity is a much better location and many sights and areas of interest are in walking distance, even the cruise port. Try the Skycity, usually the rates are less than the Grand and they are in the same complex.

In November we used Back to Narure tours for a tour to Christchurch with arrival in Akaroa from the Celebrity Solstice. It was part of a three port package in New Zealand. The trip to Christchurch had spectacular scenery. When we did get to Christchurch, we had a lovely lunch of mussels at the beach. But to be perfectly honest, the city is still under a lot of construction. We did go to the Botanical Gardens but not much else. I do agree that Akaroa is a charming town and if I went back I would simply explore the immediate area unless Christchurch undergoes a remarkable recovery.

Janice

My husband and I will be arriving on the Crystal Symphony on Monday, October 29 at Port Canaveral. We will be in port from 8AM to 6PM. We are interested in going to the Kennedy Space Center for the day. This is not a usual port stop for this ship so I do not know if they have any shore excursions. However, we are not fans of ship's tours because we like to spend time in places we find of interest and also not wasting time with extensive lunch stops. Does anyone know of any companies that have transportation round trip to the center and either includes admission or we can obtain it ourselves online? I have seen some companies but they are quite expensive and since it is only the two of us it may not pay. Has anyone used Uber or Lyft for transport? Any suggestions would be welcome.

BTW, this ship has no roll call so that is why I am addressing the inquiry here.

Thanks.

Janice

In November, we used shuttle excellence owned by Miro. We were 9 people with luggage and he picked us up at the Auckland Airport and took us to the Skycity Hotel for 80NZD. The next day he took us from the hotel to the cruise port for 40 NZD. The van was clean and he attached a trailer for our luggage.

The cruise line’s train stops right at the port. We got our tickets from Back to Nature tours and they transported us to the Dunedin train station for a different departure. There was a big difference in cost.

Janice

We did not pay anything in advance. On the first day of our tour, Michel met us at the restaurant we had lunch. You could pay with local currency or he had a credit card machine. He did not accept American Express. It was very convenient for all of us.

We used BKK tours for our overnight in Bangkok. Ms Air, the owner’s wife picked us up at the pier in a large van with an excellent driver. She gave us a great tour in Bangkok. The company recommended several hotels that would be convenient for drop off and pick up the next day. This was the only portion that was not included in the price. The second day we went to Ayuthaya and an elephant preserve. The tours and guide and food were the best.

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We are taking the Crystal Symphony next November with a stop in Bimini. We would simply like to go to a beach. Any suggestions for a nice beach not too far from the ship?

Thanks.

Janice

We used Hong Kong Getaway with Mandy. We used the company for two days - one day on Kowloon and one day on the Hong Kong island side. She was great. We walked, used a taxi, used the subway, buses and ferry. We learned a great deal and had so much fun with her.

We took a private tour to Hanoi from Halong Bay. It was a very long day. It is a tender port but we were lucky to get a tender by7:30AM as we are Elite plus. The drive to Hanoi is close to 3 hours. We were very interested in seeing the city so we felt it was worth it. Also even though the ship overnights in Halong Bay, I believe the last tender is at 9:30PM as it is a world heritage sight so you must come back in time.

We then took the ship's tour of Halong Bay and went to the caves as seen in a previous post. It was about 3 hours and a delightful trip.

We did this in November 2016 on the same cruise as Captain Ron.

Janice

We used BKK Tours in Bangkok. They will only meet you at the pier in Laem Chabang if you book a two day tour with them. We did do two days with them. We also stayed at the Eastin Grand in Bangkok as per BKK Tours recommendation. If you only want one day, you will have to meet them in Bangkok. I would highly recommend them. Ms Air ( who is the owner) was a great guide and took us to very interesting places. She was also flexible because the second day we overdosed on temples so she took us to an elephant sanctuary.

We were on the Celebrity Millenium in November and docked in Laem Chabang., about 2-1/2 hours outside of Bangkok. We also used BKK tours and had Ms. Air as our guide. She and her husband own the company. We had two days in Bangkok. She picked us up at the terminal and gave us an excellent tour with lunch. The company recommended some hotels in Bangkok that would be easy for them to drop us off and pick us up the next day. Ms. Air arrived at 6:30AM the next day and took us to Ayutthaya. We returned to the ship in plenty of time for sailing. Both days were excellent despite the hot and very humid weather.

Price for the tours was quite reasonable as we were 8 people. The hotel which was on our own was excellent. I would definitely recommend BKK tours.

Janice

Bangkok is a city of vast contrasts. The Grounds of the Royal Palace are amazing but there is also a lot of poverty. If your ship overnights in Bangkok I would recommend that. However, if you only have one day, the trip from the pier to the city and back can take 4-5 hours and you will be worried about a departing ship. The time the ship is scheduled to arrive and depart should help you make your decision.

Janice

We used BKK tours in Bangkok in November. They picked us up at Laem Chaeng and gave us a great tour. They recommended a convenient hotel where we stayed overnight. They then picked us up the next morning and continued our tour. We got back to the ship in plenty of time in spite of Bangkok's terrible traffic. Lunches were included on both days. Ms. Air was our guide and she was wonderful.

Janice

Here are a few tips:

1. Prior to the cruise on the website, Celebrity did not have any shore excursions listed for the second day in Hong Kong. When we got on the ship, there were many listed including a day trip to Macao. I have no idea why they did not have these listed in advance so you do not have to search for something to do on your own as the ship does have choices.

2. The half day Halong Bay boat trip was great. We had perfect weather and the stop at the cave was fabulous. We were lucky that it had not rained in a while so the footing was not slippery. Definitely worth the money.

3. We took a private tour to Hanoi on the first day in Halong Bay. It is definitely a long haul, 3-1/2 hours each way. No one had informed us prior to being on the ship that the last tender was at 22:15. One simply assumes that you can return whenever you want as the ship overnights there. Therefore, we had to inform our guide in advance and he had to make sure we returned in time. We returned in time and were exhausted. Hanoi is an experience with unbelievable traffic and no traffic lights. When you cross the street, just run.

4. We took a private tour in Danang and Hoi An. For Americans, Danang brings back all kinds of bad memories. However, it is now a beautiful beach town with large hotels, restaurants and a gorgeous beachfront. Hoi An is an ancient city, worth going to for the shops and architecture.

5. Saigon is a little less wild than Hanoi. However, if you are American, you must prepare yourself for the War Remnants Museum. The market is fun and try not to get lost but some nice bargains.

6. I would suggest overnighting in Bangkok. The trip back and forth to the ship is at least 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Ask your guide for a hotel that will be convenient for him to pick you up the next day. You will be able to see much more if you stay in the city.

7. We used the hop on, hop off bus in Singapore for two days. The Singapore 7 has about 4 routes and two days is about $5 more than one day. As it is so hot, I would recommend using it as walking is quite strenuous.

Hope this has been helpful.

Janice

I have just returned from the October 30 sailing of the Millennium. The last tender in Halong Bay is at 22:15 as it is an UNESCO World Heritage site. The tenders resume the following morning.

Janice

Just to fill you in. We are leaving next week for our Celebrity Millennium Southeast Asia Immersion cruise. I have booked Zoom for Ho Chi Minh City and an associate for Hanoi. I will let all of you know how it all works out.

Janice

We will be in Singapore in November. The Celebrity Millennium arrives at 10AM. We are interested in taking a taxi to the Marina Bay Sands, looking around, going to the Gardens by the Bay and going on to the Singapore Flyer. What is the best route to take - hotel first, gardens first, etc. As you are a local, we would like your assistance in letting us know if we can do this itinerary by walking from one place to the next and then taking a cab back to the ship. What's your opinion? We will be in Singapore for an additional two days and plan to see other sights in the city during that time.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Janice

We will be arriving on the Pacific Princess. We are interested in taking a 3-1/2 hour catamaran trip through the fjords. The website states that tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information Office by the Fish Market. How far is it to walk from the cruise terminal to the Fish Market and how long would it take?

Thanks.

Janice

My group of 8 are on Celebrity Millenium October 30, 2016, Southeast Immersion cruise. I have gotten excellent information from these boards regarding tour guides in the various ports. I have written to both Smile and Zoom and have received itineraries and prices in both HCMC and Hanoi. Both these companies are situated in HCMC and inform me they can supply a full day tour in Hanoi as well. I am sure they can but can anyone recommend a tour company headquartered in Hanoi. I would feel more comfortable if I could contact a local company instead of someone who has been contracted out. Am I being overly cautious? Opinions would be welcome.

Thanks.

Janice

We are a group of 11 staying at the Radisson Bloomsbury Street hotel and traveling to the Dover cruise terminal in July 2016. I have been trying to locate a company that can accommodate 11 people with suitcases and carry ons. Most of the quotes have been quite high. However, Brittania Coach which is in the londontookit was reasonable. Also I have received responses from Crosskeys Coach Tours in Kent and SMC Coach Hire. The prices on the last two are the cheapest but I am always reluctant to hire the cheapest when there is a need to get to the port on time.

Does anyone know anything about these companies or has experience with them?

Just as an aside Smith's for Airports has always come highly recommended but they will not quote until sometime in 2016.

Thanks for your help.

Janice

This past May we were on the Celebrity Equinox and the only ship to arrive in Santorini in the morning. We had booked a private tour and the driver was going to meet us at the cable car exit at 9:30. The ship made a big deal about tenders, cable cars, etc. We went for our tender tickets at 8:30, no line. No line at the cable car and we got to the top in 15 minutes and had to wait for our driver for 45 minutes.

Well coming back was a whole different story. There was a huge rainstorm and they closed the cable car. We had to wander through the streets of Fira to find the buses that the cruise line had provided that would take us back to a small port to tender back to the ship. We finally found the buses, however, they got stuck in a huge back up on the winding road back to the port and we had to run to catch the tenders.

Point being is that transportation in Santorini can be just fine or an adventure. Whatever you do, leave yourself plenty of time.