Guiarm

42 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

We actually made a trip back to SIN to see the Jewel (I have that posted later in the thread).  While there, we saw signs advertising luggage storage.  There was a fee associated with it, but it was very cheap for the first 3 hours (I think that was the length) to encourage you to drop off your luggage and and to shop at the land side of the airport.

 

If you look at the airport website, you will find this:   https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/facilities-and-services/baggage-storage.html

It appears that there are multiple locations to store your bags both on the secure-side and land-side of the airport.

Thsnk you once again!!!

30 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

I do not understand your comment (the word, "between").  I believe your sailing does this: Thailand - Vietnam (4 ports) - Hong Kong.

You're right.  Woe is me🥲

4 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Virginia has her own company whimsically named, "Humid With A Chance of Fishballs".  Here is her website: https://humidwithachanceoffishballs.com/   

 

While we were in Hong Kong (and after we were finished with our tour with her), I was looking through Lonely Planet's Hong Kong guide book and found that her tours were mentioned twice.  My wife and I were extremely impressed with her both as a person and as a guide. She is highly intelligent and has excellent communication skills.

Thank you & have a great 2024! 

On 1/5/2024 at 7:54 AM, mahdnc said:

By the way, the restaurant that we had dinner (previous post) was named Hing Kee located on Nathan Road.

 

Before we left the hotel to go exploring today, we stopped to talk to the Ritz Carlton Concierge Manager, Marshall Sze.  He is a very nice and knowledgeable gentleman.  He proudly wears the Golden Keys on both lapels of his jacket indicating that he is a member of the prestigious Les Clefs d'Or--an exclusive professional concierge society.

 

 

I asked him for the name of the dim sum restaurant that our guide took us to yesterday.  After describing the restaurant and the jarring experience, he told us that we ate on the famous second floor at Lin Heung Kui located at 40-50 Des Voeux Rd W, Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island.  He was familiar with the place and was impressed that our guide, Virginia, took us there.  He said that this restaurant operated/served dim sum like he remembered as a kid growing up in Hong Kong and that there were only a very small number of these old style teahouses left that still operate that today.  He had two young assistants standing beside him at the concierge desk.  He looked at them and said to my wife and I that he doubted that either one of them have eaten at a place like that (both of them concurred).

 

Now knowing the name of the restaurant, I went back to look at the Tripadvisor reviews.  It is littered with good reviews and bad reviews from customers that were intimidated by the culture, customs, and service.  Again, if you are interested in going to something like that, my advice is to get a guide who can show you the ropes so that you can soak up the experience.

 

By the way, this restaurant took credit cards and our meal cost exactly $35.24 USD according to my credit card statement.

 

From left to right: my wife, our guide (Virginia), and a regular patron of Lin Heung Kiu.

 

Do you have a contact please for Virginia?  We will be there in March 2025.  Thank you. 

On 1/9/2024 at 11:50 AM, mahdnc said:

I was wrong about the second leg being a 12 hr flight. It’s 17.75 hr flight from ADD to ORD which includes a stop at Rome (FCO). Oops. 
 

At least this flight as full lay flat seats in business class. Our flight from Hong Kong to ADD has near lay flat seats (aka angled seats). 

On 1/9/2024 at 6:12 AM, billc23 said:

Single entry is fine as long as you do not enter another country and then return to Vietnam. For example, If you are doing a B2B on the Solstice, then you will need a multiple entry visa. 

Since we go between Vietnam & Thailand would that constitute the need for multiple entry? 

On 12/16/2023 at 7:09 PM, mahdnc said:

 

Thanks for mentioning it, but we missed it which is too bad.  The good news is that SIN is set up real well to get arrivals out the door efficiently.  The bad news was once we got our bags, there was the taxi stand and away we went.    

 

I am aware that SIN has garnered awards as the top airport in the world (here is an example).  And when we got lined up to get off the plane, I warned my wife that we might make a detour or delay our exiting of the airport to some of the attractions.  But I was not very well prepared in terms of knowing where the attractions were because I assumed that some of the impressive design features of the airport would be there to welcome world visitors flying into Singapore.  I was wrong!

Do you know if there is a place to drop your luggage so we can tour the airport? 

Suskies,

I echo everyone’s comments.  Thank you.

we are on the 2/29/20 cruise.  What I might have failed to note is do we apply for our own Visas before hand or leave it all to Celebrity?