Bpos

Oh my goodness! Staying in a hutong was an awesome experience! Mind you we stayed in what could be called a hostel or B&B that caters more to foreigners.

 

I can highly recommend Sitting on City Walls - great location, our own private room and bathroom, lots of help from the staff who spoke English, yet we got to walk through a hutong and see how the locals live.

 

By the way in much of the world, including China, it is standard procedure not to flush TP down the toilet as the pipes are too small. We found this in Argentina, Peru, and China and from what I read, will again in parts of Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar where we are headed next.

Have never had to refrain from putting toilet paper in the loo in Vietnam and I have been there several times including a 12 month stint in 1970.

But yes I understand it is the norm in some South American countries - yuck.

Oh my goodness! Staying in a hutong was an awesome experience! Mind you we stayed in what could be called a hostel or B&B that caters more to foreigners.

 

I can highly recommend Sitting on City Walls - great location, our own private room and bathroom, lots of help from the staff who spoke English, yet we got to walk through a hutong and see how the locals live.

 

By the way in much of the world, including China, it is standard procedure not to flush TP down the toilet as the pipes are too small. We found this in Argentina, Peru, and China and from what I read, will again in parts of Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar where we are headed next.

Have never had to refrain from putting toilet paper in the loo in Vietnam and I have been there several times including a 12 month stint in 1970.

But yes I understand it is the norm in some South American countries - yuck.

Has anyone on CC ever stayed at the smaller hotels aimed at Chinese tourist? Example Jade Hotel or Feel Inn Beijing there are some no name hotels real close to Tinanamen Square. Trip Advisor reviews are good to ok . My DH wants to stay at one of these hotels. Any experience or opinions? TIA

I really think you want to give this idea a serious thought. I looked at the Feel Inn on Trip Advisor and one of the photos by a customer is of a sign in the toilet which says quote Do not throw the toilet paper into the bowl unquote. need I say more.

In regards to the the Jade hotel I assume it is the Jade Garden hotel. the price for that on Booking dot com around the same for much better rated hotels in Beijing.

Both Novatel hotels seems to rate well but we are going for the Park Plaza Hotel and staying for 5 days after the same cruise you are on.

Good luck

Look also at the Clarke Quay area - lots of nightlife here and Chinatown nextdoor

Public Transport is so good and cheap including taxis that travelling around is very easy so no matter where you stay most areas are accessible with a very short time.

If anyone has been on The Diamond Princess recently, in & out of Australia only, can you let me know what currency they are using eg for the laundry. Some confusion re US$ and AUD as Princess cruises say the three smaller ships ( Sun, Dawn & Sea) are AUD but all others US$.

Sailed Sydney to Singapore in March 2014 -USA Dollars only - can get money for the Laundry from the purser - if you need small notes get them from the Casino

I tried celebrity's choice air for us and it was dearer with lousy connection :( not impressed. It seems the value is fine for US travellers but not Aussies.

I have checked this option in the past and would generally agree with you.

However for our next cruise with Princess we were able to get the best fare with their flight option using Singapore Airlines and flying direct Perth to Singapore and then Beijing to Perth.

Booking direct with Singapore was going to cost $2,200 each, using cheapest online agency $1500 each, Princess was $1,161 each.

So in this case it definitely worked for us. As Qantas no longer flys the Perth Singapore route, other than the budget airlines, Singapore Airways has the monopoly for this route and can charge accordingly.

Recently received an email for a four day special from an online agency we have used in the past, for a flycruise in Asia in Septermber 2014

Keen to go but they could not offer the special because we live in Perth and it would have cost us an extra $300 each if we would fly to Hong Kong and then back to Singapore to get the ship as they could "not" get us to Singapore from Perth (4 1/2 hours flying time) with Singapore Airways for the same fare as flying from Sydney, Melbourne etc. Yes we could fly to Adelaide to catch the flights but that would have added $800 to the cost of the package.

All got to hard.

In a nutshell - booked direct with Princess and utilised their "Flights" option with Singapore airway - got a balcony (as opposed to a oceanview ) all up for $6,000 for two persons With one nights accommodation and 6 nights accommodation in Beijing (in better quality hotels than the package offered)we have saved $4,000 on the package deal offered by the agency. We have not factored in is transfers in Singapore and Beijing. $85 OBC and two full day tours in Beijing. I know the agencies need to make profit but just how much is justified.

We did book a cruise with some other friends with a local agency two years ago ($15,000 was spent)- Dubai to Amsterdam and when I enquired with the local agent if there was a possibility of a bottle of wine or two being provided complimentary for each cabin I was curtly advised "who was going to Pay"?

We have booked in the past with USA agents (which will no longer accept booking from Australia even though the cruises began in the USA) who bent over backwards to give the best pricing, monitored price drops and had a bottle for two of the good stuff when you got into your cabin and usually an upgraded category cabin

Folks there are savings out there to be had - even it if just covers your gratuities and drinks tab -

Keep on cruising

We were there in August, 2011. We caught the bus from the wharf to the town, where there were lots of tuk tuk drivers there waiting for business. You choose which one you want and for the day, we went to the local market, then on to a resort area for lunch, which was very nice. After which, we went to a temple area. Our driver then took us to a local supermarket, where the boys bought some super cheap beers, then back to catch the bus back to the ship.

Good thing about the tuk tuk's are , they will take 4 people and the drivers and people in general are so happy and obliging. The children will try to sell there handcrafts to you.

It was a great day, in fact one of the better days of the cruise ports.

As you get of the bus in town you will be mobbed but don't let this put you off - just move away from the bus area to over the road and engage a tuk tuk there - less hassle and stress.

Indeed a few people on our bus were so overcome with the melee in getting of the bus they got right back on the bus and went straight back to the ship.

Not sure what the going price is for a tuk tuk but check Trip Advisor - Cambodia forum for the latest.

I am sure you will have a great day - we did.

Saigon advise please, do a ship tour or on our own, how safe is it

If you only have one day probably best to go with the ship's tour as it is still quite a hike to Saigon from Phu My and back although the new "freeway" has reduced the travel time.

Another alternative is to check your roll call to see if anyone is organising a private tour to Saigon.

If you have not been to Vietnam before I really believe Saigon is a must do, the central city area is delightful and having come that far would be a shame not to see it.

Some cruise lines offer a shuttle bus to an from but for a few extra I would probably opt for a "tour" rather than do it on your own..

If you want to do it on your own - research Saigon on Trip Advisor for tips and advice.

Two thing to avoid - do not take a cyclo and make sure you get the right taxi company if you need to take a taxi - many problems with both in Saigon.

Thank you for your response. I will research Baria, but it seems like HCMC on a ship's tour may be the best/safest option.

If you check your roll call for your cruise you may find someone who has organised a private tour/transfer to HCM or Vung Tau which you could join

With the new highway travel time to Saigon is now considerable less than it was before, weekend travel excepted as thousands flock to Vung Tau from Saigon and the ferries between the two places have been suspended for several months now.

Personally I do not consider Vung Tau a must do - not much shopping -it is more a seaside city although the beaches are not what we have here -good place to go for a great seafood meal.

On our last trip in March 2014 on Diamond Princese there was a shuttle from the port to Baria, provided by the Peoples Committee and was free. Ran about every half hour and took about 40 minutes each way.

On arrival at Baria lots of touts organising taxis to Vung Tau which is about another 40 minutes. If you organise a taxi do not pay until you get back to Baria or you might find yourself left in Vung Tau. Bargain hard for taxi. Should be no more than $50 - $60.

Ship will offer tours to Vung Tau but will cost a lot more.

Unfortunately not a lot in Baria but I usually visit a wonderful coffee shop down on the river near the water tower and get a good fix of coffee and cake - a very different place from when I visited Baria 45 years ago during the war

No. Princess used to offer happy hour after a certain time but this seems to have been discontinued. I haven't seen it on my last 3 cruises. Drink of the day will be full price as stated in the Patter.

In my initial post I meant to enquire if beer, wine or spirits were available in the Elite venue in the early evenings where there is a cocktail special offered at a reduced price and if those drinks are at a reduced or full price.

Can any advise on this please?

Yes, they still have the pre-dinner complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drink special on Princess ships. (A perk for Platinum, Elite and Suite) Recently sailed a 5 day Ruby Princess cruise and we had it 4 of the 5 evenings. They did not hold it the evening of the Captain's Party. There should be an invitation in your cabin.

 

On the recent 5 day cruise: Day one Mojito $5.00 served w/ Mexican Salsa and chips #2 Breeza Marina $5.00 served w/ herb-marinated goat's cheese with crisp rosemary flatbread and tomato bruschetta #3 Cosmopolitan $5.00 served w/ shrimp fountain and cocktail sauce #4 Japanese Slipper $5.00 served w/ assorted shushi, soy sauce, wasabi & pickled ginger. Along with the stated hors d'oeuvres they served assorted raw veggies, cheeses, crackers, olives and dried fruit.

 

have fun on your next cruise

Can you get either wine, spirits or beer a the "happy hours" at a reduced price as well as the drink of the day.

To put things into perspective

Four years ago I organised for four adults (all ex Vietnam Vets) to travel from Hanoi to Saigon for 21 days. Included airport pickups, all hotels (excellent), two day trips (Ha Long Bay and one other), transfers between Hue and Hoi An, Train tickets with sleeper between Hanoi and Saigon etc.

Cost was $700 USD per person and everything worked liked clockwork and we were able to do our own thing the whole trip other than meet trains etc.

The local agent (Ha even called us a few times during the trip to make sure everything was ok.

No doubt costs have gone up but still a bargain to visit Vietnam before costs really go up as the country is moving ahead very quickly.

For a 16 day land tour you are on the wrong forum.

Go to Trip Advisor Vietnam for the information you need.

We used Ha from Vietnam Discovery Tours (search trip advisor for her details and recommendation) and go from there.

Have been to Vietnam many times, the first being at the Governments expense for a 12 month tour.

It is a great place to visit and cheap as well and booking the basics with a local tour operator can save time, money and make it easy to do.

Suggest you check this out on Trip Advisor - Vietnam - as there is a lot of information about Halong Bay and advice on what junks to book with etc.

You will not get a junk for an overnight stay for 12$ as a previous posts mentioned, that must have been for a few hours sailing to a few islands only.

Best to book before you go to ensure that you have transfers from Hanoi included and be prepared to pay some extra to ensure you get a good junk that is highly recommended by others.

Have just booked a room at the Moda Hotel for 2 nights 17/18 May at what seems a great price for downtown Vancouver at that time of the year. We have other friends who are travelling with us who at staying at the Grand Westin (for a whole lot more $$)

Is the Moda Hotel well situated to all the restaurants etc and how is it located in regards to the Grand Westin.

We are all really looking forward to visiting Vancouver after our cruise to Alaska and the information you have been providing to visitors to your fair city has been very helpful.

Many thanks Putterdude in anticipation of your reply on ongoing help to us.