Expat Cruise

The prices I haven quoted have been emailed to me, only 2 days ago, so assume they are current. We were on the same cruise ship last November and only paid USD$ 35 for Indonesia their new prices are price gouging. I called a few visa agency's for Vietnam and Cambodia and they told me they cannot do visa for travel on a cruise ship. So guess we have no choice but to pay. :(

As has already been said here for Cambodia the with your US passport when you show up at the airport, or entry point they will issue you a visa. I have done this no less than 15 times, both land crossings and airport.

Vietnam if flying into the country with a US passport, you can apply for the visa on line and with that online visa your passport will be stamped. Very easy takes 10 minutes online.

Both countries require visa more for the revenue generated than anything else.

If you are arriving by plane at certain airports and require a visa you can do what is called a visa on arrival. Do a google, self explanatory. Essentially two choices-single and multiple entry.

 

We arrive by land from Cambodia so we will be getting our Vietnam visa in Cambodia (Phnom Phen).

You cannot get a Visa on arrival if you hold a US Passport. But you can apply online for visa that will be issued at the airport upon arrival. If you do not apply in advance it is a long process that will involve much extra time and payments.

Unlike when you fly into many other countries here in SE Asia with a US Passport you get a true Visa on Arrival. Cambodia also requires a visa but issued at the airport (bring picture or pay small fee for no picture under $5.00)

The port as others have said is not in Bangkok and it will take almost 90 minutes to get to Bangkok by car without traffic, longer on average when you have traffic. I lived in Thailand for about 8 years, and I also would allow two hours for this trip even at night. If your cruise is staying overnight you can go into Bangkok. If not Many places around the port or with 30 minutes of the port. While I do not like Royal Tours if I had limited time I would book a tour through Royal because when the tour is late coming back Royal will wait.

If you are a suite guest the answer is yes but you need to purchase a little more than just the bottle. Suite Guest can have private parties within their suites and purchase whole bottles, and with a server for a set time frame. Anything left after your half hour, hour or ..... party will be left with you.

But it is not cheap, must be in a suite, hire server $50 & up, and buy form the bottle from about $175 & up. If you have a non suite room these services are not offered.

As a cruise passengers I find what Royal has done here is wrong and no way to treat the customers. Royal made this mistake and they need to own it and work towards making the customers happy. What they offered was more a slap in the face than a attempt to fix the situation.

As a owner and shareholder (very very tiny share) I am even more upset with Royal and believe the company has some deep problems that need to be addressed. Short of sinking a ship, this year Royal has been a PR nightmare. And this is reflected in a 25% lost of stock value in 2016.

They never should have booked these early cruises, if any questions about the ship being ready. And if a major problem was found it should have been at the start of the process, not when the ship was set to come out of dry dock. Maybe it is time for a management change.

Cool! I'm planning this for June.

 

Any tips/recommendations?

 

Plus, please tell us about HCMC when you can find the time, and how you found the bus experience. I was advised to fly from Phu Quoc to HCMC.

You need to understand these are third World countries and they do not follow the same standards as in the United States. Boats (local) will have limited safety equipment, poorly trained staff, and they will overload the boat in the name of profit.

As for buses you will find two types, local and Express or VIP. Local buses will be old overcrowd and no AC. The Empress VIP buses range from very nice, to average condition. Which is why these transportation choices really need to be made on site. Understand they do not follow Western values, if your bus driver has a accident and people die or people hurt on the bus. In most cases the driver will not help.... the common thing here in third World Asia is bad accident the driver runs away and hides. You also need to watch the drivers as many will be drinking.

Having been here in Asia for the last 15 years I follow one very simple rule, I am responsible for my own safety. I look at everything carry supplies and if the situation does not look right to me I pass. Better to miss a flight or a meeting then to be dead.

I love Asia and living here but as was said in The Wizard Oz "Dorothy you are not in Kansas anymore"

I spoke to my travel agent this morning to book the Voyager of the Seas on a cruise from Sydney to Singapore in 2017. She had concerns over the "Asianization" of the Voyager in the last year or so and wondered if we would enjoy it.

 

She said the crew would be 90%+ Chinese and the food, entertainment and activities would be more suited for Asian travelers than Americans.

 

She has me worried.....should I be?

You should change travel agents because your agent does not have a clue here. Your cruise is not going to China if is not a China cruise. The largest percent of the crew will be from the Philippines. Royal has a push Worldwide to hire crew member from the Philippines. They are adding 30,000 new members.

The majority of the passengers will be from Singapore and Australia and the cruise will not be tailored to the China Market. It will be like most other Royal cruises but with a Asian flair around the Food. Still you will find all your normal Western dishes.

It is true the Royal cruises leaving from main land China target the China Market but not this cruise.

If you are travelling anywhere in Asia you can use US Dollars. ATM Machines that will provide local currency can be found in every port. Royal has ATM machines on board that can provide US Dollars. And while Royal does charge a transaction fee $6.50 it is a US ATM Machine so no foreign fees.

Having lived in SE Asia for the last 15 years I have never had a problems with ATM Machines of paying in dollars. But it is helpful to get a small amount of local currency. You can always exchange anything let at the airport before you live.

Once they allow you to book that is it they cannot change the booking unless you agree. If the system allows 1 person traveling alone to book a family suite that is it, they get the family suite. Royal can ask you to change or move but it is your choice.

This is a lesson that RCI has had many opportunities to learn in the past. Will they ever get it?

The company is driven by sales, if the customers allow this to just happen then no they will not get it and change. But if it affects the bottom line, and the stock price is down 25% this year then maybe they will change.

But understand the change will be to protect profits.... not to help customers.

You should have one formal night which will include the time you can have pictures with the captain. But you have other options that night if you want.

I know this can be a touchy subject, but please, no snarky responses. This is our very first cruise. I need to know about smoking on balconies. I have read it is prohibited, but do people follow that? I really want to avoid being in the path of smoke. I would like to hear the experiences of others.

I'm not trying to be arrogant. I am in my 30's and just completed treatment for cancer, so I try to be very diligent about being as healthy as possible. This is actually our celebratory vacation!

We have an 8th floor balcony cabin on the starboard side.

You did not say where your cruise is going to or starts. But if it is a Asia cruise (starting in Asia) smoking is allowed on all Royal Cabin Balconies, it is not prohibited like it is on the North American cruises.

Wow! Now I am wondering how I can squeeze that in, too ;)

Can you tell me how to find out more info about this river boat? Is there a specific company that operates it, or is this just local transportation?

 

Thanks.

Ann Marie

The companies involved in offering these river tours are small locate companies. They do not run year round because of water levels. The time it takes is about the same as a bus ride. It is really not something you can do in advance of being there. Even if you find a company on line and pay in advance it still could be cancelled once there.

Also remember these are third World companies, limited safety equipment and the crews are not professional. I have used them but you really need to investage and look at the boat and the conditions before boarding.

It will be cool the average temperature for Southern Japan in Mark is the low 50's.... which means you can see temperatures as low as 40's and as high as 60's. It will not be a warn trip.

Many direct flights everyday from Singapore to: Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines (several Locations) Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.

You may want to look at Bangkok Thailand which is not a cruise port. The Bangkok Cruise port is really about a hour away from Bangkok. Philippines has some get beaches, Macau and Hong Kong both are great and you could do both. High speed water jet between them.

Lots of things to go in this part of the world.

Both the airport and the Cruise terminal have luggage storage. Most hotels in Singapore do not allow check in until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. But if you are booked you can leave luggage and tour around.

A lot here depends upon your budget, you can spend $200 to $400 dollars plus for a luxury hotel. Or you can go to Chinatown, and get a room for well under $100 dollars per day.

I have business interest in Singapore so I travel to the city at least four times a year plus cruises and the F1 race. Singapore is really two cities, the business/tourist city $$$$ and the locals working peoples city $$.

My last cruise in Singapore 3 people, we got off the ship at 8:35 cleared passports and took taxi to Park 22 Hotel Chinatown 9:00, went shopping had lunch, back to hotel, and then taxi airport. The total Singapore cost about $150.00 (with $50 shopping). Or you can spend the day at the Sands (great place) and it will be $1000 total.

Also do not rule out the airport it is wonderful, gardens, movie theater, shopping, free internet. Not a bad place to spend a few hours.

I have traveled to Siem Reap several times when living in Thailand and now the Philippines. It is a really interest place and can be lots of fun. Several ways to get to Siem Reap, first you can fly directly to the airport which is only a few miles outside town. Most of the discount Airlines Lines: Tiger, Air Asia, Bangkok Air, have many flights each week.

You will find direct flights from Singapore Bangkok Manila Hong Kong just to name a few. Pr you can fly to the capital Phnom Penh and take one of the river boats to Siem Reap. Which is a short trip several hours and gets to the city right around Sunset. Really breathtaking views.

You can also go by land from Bangkok or Phnom Penh (bus or Tour Car) but I would not recommend the roads are poor. That said it is a very poor country but inside Siem Reap very friendly and safe. The US Dollars is used for most business the ATM machines even give US Dollars or Cambodian Dollars.

The thing here is the Angkor Wat and the other temples. Yes you can rent a private car and driver or you can rent the local transportation which sounds bad but is fun and safe. They take a small motorbike and add trailer hitch ball behind the driver on top of the seat. And then they tow a carriage around behind the motorbike.

You will need to pay a fee for Angkor Wat it is $20 to $25 dollars per day. While they do not have gates checking (1 gate and several roads entering with no one) you should still buy tickets. Most people find one to two days to be a good time touring the temples.

For hotels: really they have everything here from Backpacker style places $2-$3 per night to 5 star luxury resorts at $300 per night. You can find nice safe rooms in the $35 to $70 dollar range all over. Shopping is also very good but for local SE Asia products, not I-phones, laptops, high tec stuff.

Siem Reap has really good food and lots of small local places, again for any budget. Have a great trip.

I believe that the plan is already in place. The fourth Oasis Class will go to Asia. But Royal wants the positive public relations of doing the press release so it is timed around the Seatrade Cruise Global.

If I am right I we will all know within the next week.

I have also pre purchased the package so I can all it for the full cruise. Even if the first day is a loss I really don'tr care I enjoy the convenience of having it.