Bpos

Here we go again, just when some thought it was safe to put their toe in the water, virus strikes again.

Quantum of the Seas was on a three day cruise to nowhere.

One case of covid confirmed for an elderly person, all other passengers in lockdown.

Much to early for this avid cruiser to be even considering booking a cruise from anywhere to anywhere.

Why anyone anywhere is contemplating a cruise is beyond me, reports around that the first cruise out of Greece since the covid shutdown has the virus onboard, despite testing etc before it was allowed to sail.

 Cruise ships must be the best incubators of the disease and until there is a vaccine for the Covid 19, I am not going to go anywhere near a cruise ship despite what the authorities say or promise they are safe to do so.

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

If the number of cases is almost zero in Australia and NZ, and the cruise is limited to the Aus/NZ bubble (ie no international passengers), and the Sapphire Princess Round Australia cruise miraculously goes ahead in September, and it's limited to Australian ports, then I'll be on it - although I will try to upgrade my cabin from an inside one. Why? I deem the risk to be very low given those circumstances so why not?

We seriously considered jumping on some of those super cheap specials that were available earlier this year, thank god we did not proceed.  Crews from around the world?

What has changed, nothing but I would not be taking assurances from cruise lines that their ship is 'safe' to sail on until I have a jab - that will be my 'safe to go' tick.and only that will do for me.

I have not read the comments on this thread but as the majority of cruisers are in their later years, I cannot believe anyone would even consider booking or going on a cruise from anywhere until there is a vaccine or a immediate effective  cure available

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

Agree. The government does not have any money of its own, it's our money and if some sort of tax needs to be brought in in the future, to pay for keeping the economy moving after all the spending to keep people fed and in jobs, then so be it.

Totally agree, we will endure debt for years but at least we have made every effort to look after our fellow Australians in this very trying times

On 3/31/2020 at 10:07 AM, Elorac123 said:

Have been watching reruns of Mc leouds Daughters and heard the old one when enjoying a beer “Up your bum”

Cheers Carole

Your terrible Carole

No posts on the Asia forum for over a week, most unusual.

Has every one cancelled their cruises to that part of the world?

1 hour ago, jland said:

Any clues Bpos? Looked at many sites cannot see it anywhere. That price is unbelievable.

Was a full page ad in the West Australian newspaper Travel Guide on Saturday 15 Feb,  Verandas are $3,499

No it was not my "Imaginecruising" dream either!

All inclusive Indian Ocean Odyssey with Silversea, 16 nights from Singapore to Mumbai

Everything included on the ship. ie drinks gratuities, WIFI etc

Includes flights, transfers and one night Hotel in Singapore

Four nights in Yangoon and Colombo included within the cruise.

Prices from $2,999 per person but departure is 28 February so you will need to get a move on

Cannot wait for the next instalment!

6 minutes ago, CissyFuss said:

datone, can you please tell me what Entry through checkpoint and Exit through checkpoint you listed on your e-visa application.

 

Don't want to believe that Princess is charging such high prices for providing visas and are unwilling or unable to provide accurate information.

You had better believe it CissyFuss, Not only does many cruise lines not know the charges their ships will charge for Visas, give incorrect information, Vietnam Consulates etc have been known to give false or misleading information as well regarding Visas. 

Princess is probably the worst of the bunch because they impose charges well above the norm to make extra from their passengers and have been doing so for years.

According to our resident expert Expat Cruiser, Princess will charge you $USD33 (even though their cruise personaliser says $US56) and the cost of an EVisa is $USD25, for $8 per person extra I would let Princess organise the visa and cop the extra as a cost of cruising.   Less hassles and you have to do nothing!

7 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

To me, Iran is a hard place.

Choosing to fly over Iraq and a hard place is tough..

Safer to fly than walk

50 minutes ago, Jamietravelstheworld said:

I'll be in Singapore for one day in February and want to see as much as I can in 8 hours. I will have a private guide. A few questions for those who have been to Singapore.

 

1. If arriving by ship (not disembarking, it's a port stop), how much time do I need to allow for immigration/getting off the ship?

2. The guide is suggesting the SkyPark. Is it worth the time? 

3. The guide is also recommending the Gardens by the Bay which I definitely want to go to, along with the 2 conservatories there. Are the conservatories worth the time? Will I see flowers that I won't see in the gardens?

 

Any must-sees that you have? The itinerary he put together includes Civic District, Merlion Park, Jubilee Bridge, Esplanade Theatres, Floating Platform, Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands, Garden by the Bay, and Chinatown. 

 

Thanks for any feedback.

Jamie

Gardens by the bay are a must see and you probably need 2/3 hours to do it over.  Yes you will see plants and flowers from all parts of the world as well as tropical plants Singapore and Asia are well know for

6 hours ago, slgcruise said:

Hi

 

My wife and I will be visiting Ho Chi Minh City for the first time in Feb, via Phu My Port

 

What attractions would previous visitors recommend are a must see ?

 

Also, if we choose to do our own thing, can you get taxi's to and from the port ?

 

Thank You

All you need to do is scroll down the topics on this forum and you will find plenty of threads that will assist you to research your trip and provide the answers you seek

Look out for the Ladyboys!

18 hours ago, Ombud said:

Thinking $1s, $5s, and $10s? 

Sounds about right.  Be aware if planning to do your own transport arrangements from Phu My to Saigon, you will be up for some serious money.  In my opinion, I believe it is best to prearranged your transport before you go for this port.

3 hours ago, Ombud said:

I'm USA based so I can bring USD. Maybe $100 in small bills? It's just 2 days, rickshaw from pier to town & back in 1st port .... not sure in Phu My port to Ho Chi Mihn City transfer (2nd port)

There you go, take plenty of small notes as you will not get change

19 hours ago, Ombud said:

I'll be on Majestic Princess which uses A$ with 2 stops in Vietnam. So with that in mind ~~~~ For anyone who's been to Vietnam before: can I use A$ there or does it need to be USD or Vietnamese Dong? I'd rather not have a variety of currencies

Just change some Aussie $ to Dong, about what you think you may need for your stops, money changers everywhere, they even came on board our cruise ship a few years ago. Most places will take USD but not AU$, so Dong it is.  JUst make sure you use up your Dong at the last stop, not worth taking home unless you are intending to use it to wallpaper your toilet walls.  Cards are accepted at many restuarants and better shops so they can be used for larger purchases.  

5 hours ago, Vacationv said:

I'm looking for the same- We are on Seabourn Sojurn 22 March and want to overnight in a hotel in Saigon.

Thanks

Rick and Donna

You really need to confirm where your ship will dock.  Often, The small ships can access Saigon via the river which means they will dock quite close to the city and you will not need to then stay overnight in a hotel.  If you dock at Phu My then that is quite a different situation. 

11 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Good to now, will check it out for our 2012 cruise.

You have missed the boat, 2012 sailed by seven years ago!

23 hours ago, flyn2lax said:

Thank you so much. Great tip on payment at conclusion. Sure hoping that we are able to dock in town instead of so far away.

If must use a taxi at the port, there is every chance the taxi Mafia will be in place to fix a price, demand payment on the spot and then give the taxi driver less than what you paid.  Try and move away from the pack if this is the case and negotiate with a driver direct.  And certainly do not pay for the cab (or perhaps a very small deposit) until you get back, it will be a long walk to the port if docked at Phu My.  There are two reputable taxi companies in Vietnam and the taxi industry has a shocking reputation for scams, overcharging etc.  Do your research on taxi companies before leaving home to be prepared for all eventualities.  As an additional DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES take a ride in a cyclo (pedibke) anywhere in Vietnam unless it has been arranged, organised and paid for before using them.

8 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

 

If your concern is about artificiality, you wouldn't be taking a cruise at all. Pretty much everything about a ship is artificial. The food isn't genuine, the service is debatably so, but often more false than not, and the entertainment and attractions are often copies of other things.

 

It's just a money making venture around artificiality.

 

 

So true, I even take my artificial aorta valve and hip along with me when cruising!

9 hours ago, Brisbane41 said:

I do not see it like that.

 

Picture this scenario. Would you go to a brothel to find true love? Now it is a rhetorical question of course. Or why go to a park when you can just pop a pill?

 

Its the authenticity of it. The cruise lines will line passengers up in a port of call in a revenue raising exercise to take photos of passengers of people with something unique to that country. Then it turns out that the people they are using as props in the photos to make money are "fake" its not real.

 

Now if they were real Maori in New Zealand lining up for photos with passengers it would be a big difference. It is authentic. They know the traditional attire and are the real deal. In Princess Cruise lines case they got Filipino crew members to pose as Maori. It is totally fake. It is just the same as going to a brothel to find the love of your life. You will still find love in a brothel but it won't be real love. It will only ever be fake.

 

The issues I have with is I have outlined before, but I think everyone is entitled to call this out whether they are a member of that race or culture or not. 

I have a friend who firmly believes he has found true love in  a brothel in Vietnam several years ago and continues to believe so despite our and his wife's misgivings and a depleted bank balance to boot.  Just how does one define 'real love'.

23 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

Sounds odd as their fares are based around twin share. I'm interested to know what they're offering for this cruise as I'm already booked on it - raises the thorny old question of 'do I book in good time or wait and see if there's a special offer'. I booked on board which was advantageous at the time so I'm not too unhappy.

Does this cruise call in at Port Moresby.  I lived there for three years in the mid 1960's and would like to go back for a look but unable to find a regular cruise lines that includes Moresby other than the ultra expensive small ships

We went a few year ago and used the train.  If you are a senior then the entry price is peanuts compared to other Disney parks in the world (around $10 Aust I think from memory)  The highlight was the Lion King show - if it is still on do not miss it, worth going there just to see that production, amazing