helloim_tay

On 2/29/2024 at 3:44 PM, JourneyJim said:

Wow! Koh Lipe looks wonderful in photos, also known as “Maldives in Thailand”. I would love to visit this island, even if it’s rainy season. Thanks for the tip, @Mar1987!  

Yes, it really does looks like the Maldives but in thailand! 

6 hours ago, Mar1987 said:

Hi, June in Thailand is the rainy season but usually they are tropical showers that take place for a couple of hours and then sunny again. Temperature is around 85F° (30° Celsius) and humid but is such a great country that is worth the visit even in that time! I would suggest you to spend 4 nights in Bangkok, visiting the Royal Palace complex, Wat Po and Wat Arun buddist temples, the floating market of Damnersaduak ( 1.30 hr drive from Bangkok) where you have to go in the early morning.

In addition to Bangkok you can visit Ayutthaya the old Siam Capital and then go to the sea resort of Koh Lanta, very beautiful island that you can reach within 3 hours appx. taking a flight to Krabi, then van and boat transfers to the island!

I see, so that's a weird weather in thailand but thanks for the tips! Koh Lanta looks beautiful, I've heard such great things about the beaches and scenery there. Snorkeling in the clear waters also sounds amazing. It's really helpful to get a recommendation for breaking up our time between Bangkok and another seaside destination. We'll definitely need to look into flights and transportation details for visiting Koh Lanta as part of our trip. I think thailand is a good idea.

How about Singapore have you been there? I was thinking on visiting there instead of Vietnam after thailand instead. Any recommendations? 

6 hours ago, Mar1987 said:

That's great, thanks for your recommendation!

You are much welcome, Enjoy! 

Hey everyone, I'm starting to think about vacations for next year and wanted to get your input. My husband and I are planning to do an eastern Mediterranean cruise in May which will take us to ports in Greece, Italy and Croatia. After that, we're hoping to spend 2-3 weeks traveling somewhere else.
 

We were thinking of going to Southeast Asia after the cruise. Thailand and Vietnamd have always interested me most. However, it will be the rainy season in June/July when we're looking to go after our cruise. Has anyone been to that region during that time? Will the rain put a damper on our plans or is it still easy enough to get around?

Any recommendations for itineraries or specific places we should check out? I'd love to hear about your favorite destinations or experiences in Thailand, Vietnam or nearby countries. Beach time is a priority but we also enjoy culture, food and nature. Hoping to find a good mix of activities.

Also open to other suggestions if you think somewhere else would be better suited for that time of year. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and advice

When we were in Muara, we took a taxi to Muara Beach and really enjoyed it. It's only about a 10 minute ride from the cruise port. The beach was lovely - nice soft white sand and clear blue water. We spent a few relaxing hours there swimming and sunbathing. There's also a few beach cafes where you can get snacks and drinks. Feel safe too as plenty of others around. Definitely recommend checking it out if you want a nice local beach experience close to where you're docked.

When we took a cruise and stopped in Koh Samui, we just tendered over to the beach and walked around exploring on our own. There's plenty to see and do right near the beach - shops, restaurants, massage places, etc. No need to take a tour unless you want to go farther inland or to waterfalls. Just enjoy wandering and see what catches your eye. The beach is beautiful too so don't forget to relax with a drink in hand! You really can't go wrong just exploring on your own from the tender drop off point. Have a wonderful trip!

That's such a fun itinerary! Panama cruises offer amazing scenery. For gratuities on a longer cruise like that, I usually tip my room steward and dining staff a bit more than a standard 7 day. Maybe $75-100 each for the steward and head waiter would be a nice extra thanks for going above and beyond over two full weeks. Length does factor in more time for service. Have a wonderful trip! Be sure to enjoy relaxing onboard too between exploring ports.

That's great you want to try snorkeling for the first time on your cruise! Cozumel and Grand Cayman have amazing underwater sights. I'd recommend looking for an excursion that provides a basic lesson on safety, equipment use and corals/fish ID before going out - that way you can relax and enjoy exploring. Most cruise line and port excursions will include gear and instruction. Have fun and hopefully the weather cooperates for good visibility. Snorkeling is a great way to experience the beauty of the oceans.

I'd recommend Tokyo Airport Limousine, Blacklane or Zenkoku Kosoku bus for a good balance of price, comfort and convenience. Be sure to book ahead, as trips between major cities get busy.

Ugh, Disney can really empty the wallet! I think because of their brand name/exclusivity they can charge premium prices. Hopefully prices wouldn't impact making special memories with loved ones too much. 

That's a thoughtful consideration. Since each cruise cabin layout may differ, it couldn't hurt to contact the cruise line in advance to inquire about accessible drain options or extensions available. Wishing you both smooth sailing and hope you're able to find an easy solution!

Sounds convenient, enjoy your trip!

It's great to hear that you and DH have booked your Hawaiian Island Sojourn on Viking Star. That sounds like an amazing adventure!

Regarding the gratuities, it's understandable that you were surprised to see the price increase. Usually, once you've made a deposit, gratuities tend to stay the same. It's a bit puzzling why they would change, but sometimes pricing policies can vary between companies or specific circumstances. It might be worth reaching out to Viking directly to get a clear explanation and ensure there are no misunderstandings.

As for bringing your own beverages onboard, it's always a good idea to double-check with the cruise line directly. While the website FAQs state that you can enjoy your own choice of liquor in public spaces and your cabin without a corkage fee, it's strange that the person DH chatted with mentioned it could only be enjoyed in the cabin. It's possible that there was some miscommunication or a misunderstanding from their end. It might be helpful to reach out to Viking again for clarification to get the most accurate information.

Remember, it's always a good idea to clarify any uncertainties and ensure you have the most up-to-date information before your trip. Wishing you both a fantastic time on your upcoming cruise, filled with unforgettable moments and beautiful memories!

you need to wait until 60 days prior to the journey to make your reservation. You can do this online or by contacting the Explora Journeys team. You can also make changes or cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before the journey.