lois1112

My wife & I have finally decided not to do the P&O Papua New Guinea cruise, but now fly to Singapore either this year or early 2015 for "Vietnam, Thailand & Malaysia Grand Adventure Cruise" (10 nights round trip from Singapore).

 

This cruise will also allows us to stay a few days prior & after the cruise in Singapore with our son & his family.

 

I will no doubt book the cruise sometimes this week, after conversing my son in Singapore, as to any plans they may have in that period.

 

Would love any advice on the Sapphire Princess itself, what cabin would you choose (oceanview or balcony) Would a balcony be worth it for what I would see on the cruise? or should I just book an oceanview?

 

Also would appreciate any advice on the ports of call, and which shore excursion, you would recommend, and for what reason?

The Sapphire is a beautiful ship....my current Princess favorite.

I did Bangkok to Beijing several years ago........had a balcony and did use it quite a bit (the Caribbe balconies are bigger and half uncovered/ covered...so they are my favorite

as for the ports: Laem Chambang (?) is about 1 1/2 hours from Bangkok...and traffic can be bad I would do a ships tour.........what would depend on your intrests

Phu My is about 2 1/2 hours from Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) but it a wonderful place. we did a trip called "Saigon on your own" it dropped us off at the Rex hotel...which is really in the middle of the sights of the city. depending on how much walking you are willing to do (the cathedral etc are near by) I have actually been back to Siagon 3 times I loved it so much...

I'm really shocked they would do a blood transfusion with a donor passenger. I doubt they have the ability to screen the blood for all communicable diseases.

they do (be able to type and screen blood). I am an RN and they had a call for blood on a Panama canal cruise about 8 years ago and I asked...I also asked if they needed assistance and if we hadn't been close to a port they would have taken me up on it.

Ive done this tour and agree not much walking and always places to sit

the wine was not great, but I loved the people and the scenery

I did mid september last year and had beautiful weather the whole trip (70's)

it Ketichan they said it was the nicest day all year

don' plan a trip around the weather....

Hi Lois, I don't plan Alaska trips because Morey doesn't like the cold [of course he's not cruising much either] but, I try to plan vacations based on the hopes that maybe he'll change his mind. :rolleyes:

 

The Limo Service is - Executive Transportation - 800-348-4010.

Thanks Roz...so then where are you going (on the Sea princess) in September? is it another costal?

Hi Roz

hope all is well

are you doing Alaska in September? I did it last year about the same time and had a wonderful trip!

I need the name of your limo service again...I lost it (or the one you use I mean)

Lois

When you were docked in SF, was it an easy walk to Pier 39?

 

I know you tender in Santa Barbara .. how far is town from the pier? I think it should be fairly close, but wanted to be sure.

 

We use to live in CA, but it's been years since we've been to either place. Can't wait to visit.

If you dock at pier 35 (where the cruise ships normally dock) it is a very close walk to Pier 39 (5 minutes at most)

nothing is close to where the tender port is in santa Barbara. there is a bus that will pick you up once you get to the street (right when you walk off the dock- the visitors association will have set up booths) that is 25 cents to go up state street where the shopping, court house and botanical gardens are

has anyone done Atkins (low carb) while cruising? I have been on Atkins for about 3 months now.....I'm loosing , but not near my goal. I want to be able to enjoy my cruise, but don't want to gain my weight back. other than eating basic meat and veggies any suggestions?

did this on the Regal. have my t-shirt to prove it.

lots of fun

would love to have them bring it back. (made you want to find all the bars)

It's driving me crazy......I know Princess supplies them, I can't for the life of me remember what other line it was....Maybe it was HAL. No matter, for those of you thinking of cruising with your Service Dog check with the Special Needs Dept. and they'll tell you whether they supply a vest or not!

 

I know that after the Costa incident, I know that having a vest on my dog would certainly alleviate me worrying about his drowning or not. Although, none of us walk around the ship with our vests on us or our dogs!

Hi Roz...saw you posted on the Princess main board and wanted to say hello and see how you and Horton are getting along? How is Brenda? is she enjoying retirement? give her a kiss for me. (and if Karen is out there HI!)

I am privledged and honored to be posting Hortons first pics on CC. The last pic is of course our beloved Brenny. Horton is a very handsome boy and looks just like Wex with a bigger head. And yes we have found out they are related!! :D

Roz he is so handsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Roz and Sunshine....just popping in to say hello

Roz....Horton sounds so wonderful! I am so happy for you...how is Brenda doing staying at home?

just popping in to say hello to Roz and Karen (and James if you are on this board at all)

meeting you (and of course Brenda) was wonderful, hope to cruise with each of you again.

Roz, how is Brenda doing? has she recovered? (following her to the potty? what were they thinking! yuck--boy Brenda)

I have done Peru as a land tour. my only caution would be the altitude. You arrive in Cusco one day and go to Macchu Picchu the next. you may have not adjusted and have a hard time. The hotel in the sacred valley is very nice. I stayed in the Sanctuary at Macchu Picchu...very expensive but worth the price. Very glad I didn't miss this.

the escargot is my favorite...don't miss it!

As for the "colored" carpet...red is the port side (I remember it like port wine) blue is starboard

I loved this port. we did the walking "bird tour" it really was just a beautiful walk in an amazing area...with a little bird watching thrown in. My sister who is not a bird watcher (went to make me happy) loved it.

I did that trip in Nov of 2006. there was a bus to take you to town (keelung) but not a booth that I recall (I was not looking as I was on a tour) (let me know if you have other questions--it was a wonderful trip)

I did the trip that went to chaing hi sheck (spelling is wrong I know) memorial and a few other places and I really enjoyed it. others were not so happy with the port.

what my TA gives me is SERVICE. She is there for me when I need her. if she hears of something that I might like she calls. She checks the rates, and if they go down makes sure I get a refund. She also always calls whenI get home, to see if all went well. If not she follows through. she is dependable and that means alot to me. (she does throw in a bottle of wine per cruise too...but I don't use her for that.)