LBSKI

I have a question I hope someone can answer.  I am enclosing a photo of a prize/gift that I received on a cruise last December.  I think I was told it was something for the computer, like a flash drive.  Can someone tell me what it is and how to use it?  Thank you so much!

On 1/2/2020 at 5:02 PM, NeilonBoard said:

If you are going from Phu My port to Saigon there will probably be a ship's shore excursion called Saigon on my Own. This is basically transport only and you will be dropped off and picked up somewhere central in Saigon. You will be on your own to explore the city at your own pace. If you are reasonably active and can stand the heat Saigon is easily covered on foot in one day. You also will have the added safety a ships excursion offers should there be traffic or any other circumstances delaying your return to the ship.

I have been to Saigon twice in the past year and used ZOOM (his nickname) both times.  He is extremely reasonable and will pick you up, take you to see many sights and bring you back.  We put together a medium sized group and it was no more than US $40 pp.  We were taken by a modern bus but he can do a van for a smaller group. You can contact him at dungzoom@gmail.com. and see what he has to offer.

13 hours ago, unrealHeather said:

You can't buy the senior ticket online but you can buy through an agent. http://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/media/hkdl/wholesaler-list/hkdl-faq-ticket-purchase-wholesaler-list-en-201906.pdf . I just went through this for my mother in law and we bought the tickets online with Disney but her ticket with an approved agent.  So there wasn't waiting in line.

I didn't see the senior ticket online but did see senior annual pass for US $40 so bought it.  What a bargain I thought.  Then when I got to the park I saw seniors could get in for US $12.  But we did use it for 2 days.  Still a deal.

On 11/7/2019 at 8:29 AM, TNTLAMB said:

Okay I have to know. What is different about the Hong Kong Disneyland that makes it different from any other Disneyland tha would lead one to travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars to be there? . Its a serious question as we will be Hong Kong in 2021. Its just not something that has even occured to me in our planning. What am I missing?

If you like Disneyland, it is dirt cheap compared to prices in the USA.

6 hours ago, cruisehabits said:

 

I did email them and they responded.

 

They quoted 2,600 baht (just over $85 USD).

 

I believe I will take a taxi from those available from the cruise terminal direct to Pattaya.  We will just take a taxi back to the terminal the following day and if we have to pay the extra fee so be it.  They seem to be on target with pricing.  I have found that a taxi from the terminal to Pattaya should cost roughly $25-$30 USD one way.  So round trip with the port fee added is fair.

 

They did ask for a partial deposit now.  Rather then prepay we have decided to work it out when we get there.

 

Thank you to everyone for their input, advice and experience.  Very much appreciated.

 

Safe travels to all!  😊

We did prepay what was the equivalent of $7 per person.  There was no problem.

8 hours ago, cruisehabits said:

Thank you for your response.

 

I checked their website and have emailed them.

 

Rather than do a day trip, we intend to spend the night at a hotel in Pattaya.  We figured we hit a spa, enjoy a nice evening meal and enjoy the visit.  I'm more concerned about our return trip to the terminal and if we would be allowed in without being charged crazy fees.  If we cannot be driven to the terminal and have to walk we'd be okay with it.

 

I seem to be reading that an additional $25 is being charged to have outside taxi's enter the port to bring people to the terminal.

 

Happy Taxi rate for round trip to Pattaya is just of $50 USD which is very fair....I'm just trying to determine if there will be an additional fee or not.

 

Thank you again 😊

We had a group of 5 and they drove us around all day to what we wanted to see and returned us.  It ended up at about $37 each.  That was for 9 in the morning until our return at 8 pm.  If there was an extra fee to get into the port, it was included.  Just ask them if it includes everything.

We have been to Phu My port a couple weeks ago as well as last December.  Both times we used a tour operator who is very knowledgeable as well as very reasonable.  His name is Nguyen Tri Dung aka his nickname,  Zoom.  He can do a small group as well as something larger.  We started with 11 but added a few.  He picked us up outside the gate (there is a shuttle bus to gate).  If you end up at the closer port, no doubt he can pick you up there too.  

Our tour included Buddhist temple in Chinatown, War Remnants Museum (or Reunification Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral (undergoing renovation), Post Office, drink at the Rex Hotel, lunch at Pho 2000 (where Clinton had lunch in 2000) and shopping at the huge market.

We arrived early morning in Hong Kong on December 5th.  We spent some time at Hong Kong Disneyland on the 5th and 6th as well as walking around Kowloon and taking the Star Ferry over to HK Island.  We also watched the HK Island laser light show from the wharf in Kowloon (where we stayed at the Grand Hyatt).  On the 7th we checked into our ship, the Celebrity Millennium for an overnight stay in Hong Kong.  On the 8th we took the MRT to where we finally found the Victoria Peak tram.  We went to the peak, had lunch and enjoyed the scenery.  On the return we took a taxi to the ship.

During these 4 days we saw absolutely nothing of protests (except leftover graffiti in some subways and some remnants of previous destructive behavior). We experienced no delays on the multiple times we took the MRT.

Just be careful and you should be fine.

We have just been to this port a couple weeks ago and was also there last year in December.  Both times we used Happy Taxi.  You should be able to Google their name.  They are very reasonable.  This year we they took us to Bangkok for a day trip and last year they took us to Nongnooch and Pattaya for a day trip.

13 minutes ago, Expat Cruise said:

Did two Princess cruises this year with port calls in Vietnam. First you do not have your Passport Princess collects them when you board the ship and returns them the last full day of the cruise. Everything is done behind the scenes.  For Vietnam you will be given a passenger landing card, they look like this. You need to carry this landing card and your ship ID card. You never need to see immigration officers in most cases except for when you first board the ship to start the cruise and when you leave the ship to end the cruise.

Thank you for the information!

43 minutes ago, karioncruising said:

I hope you are right. Then Princess should stop telling us $56. Everyone on the phone and email say $56. 

My understanding is that Vietnam changes things at the drop of a hat so Princess quotes a higher price just in case they should suddenly have to pay more.

2 hours ago, karioncruising said:

Princess will be charging $56 USD per person. And if you are making more than one non-consecutive stop (as in the 22 day cruise in December) then you have to pay twice.

kari

That's not true.  They say $56 but usually charge less.  We have had confirmation that someone on a recent Princess cruise that he was charged $30.  For that amount it certainly is easier to let Princess do it.  That is less than charged on those 'cheapy' sites.

2 hours ago, RDC1 said:

Already said up above 

 

The site you referenced is not the official Vietnamese embassy site it is a commercial site that processes visa applications.  The message you are referencing is actually an old message and the Prime Minister referenced left office in 2016.  

As such the site and posting is not relevant to the cruise

I realize it is a commercial site and could be used if wanted.  However, seems like Princess doesn't usually charge $56 so might as well leave it to them.

On 10/16/2018 at 11:35 AM, crawford said:

Talked to a Princess rep last week. The fee will remain at $56 pp.

Attempted to get clarity via email on obtaining a visa from the Vietnamese embassy but never received a response.

Have read many boards over the past several weeks and am still looking for answers.

 

 

I went to search for who told me how to get inexpensive visa online when I found this posted by someone who will be on the Sapphire Princess in January.  It says that Vietnam has lowered visa price for ship passengers to $5.

https://vietnamvisaembassy.org/vietnam-visa-fee-cruise-passengers-back-us5-per-pax/

Ann, you are awesome! I have read this entire thread and collected a wealth of information. I would have made the BIG mistake of alerting the casino host prior had I not read this thread.

 

FYI. I am about to do my second Slot Pull on the Grand Princess. Last April I did talk to the Casino Manager just to make sure we did not select a time that would compete when they were having an activity. I did not tell him exactly when we would be there. He was nice enough to give me several really nice T-Shirts and caps (embroidered) for prizes.

So, it can be advantageous to talk to the Casino Host. I will do it again in a couple weeks and this time I will ask if he has any prizes to contribute (if he does not offer first).

Linda' date='

I sent it to you early this AM. Hope you received the information OK.[/quote']

 

Yes I did. Thank you very much.

will send the email right now

Here's one more request and thank you so much for keeping up the thread and your hard work.

lbski at hotmail.com