Bpos

On 1/2/2019 at 7:49 AM, NSWP said:

Strange !!

Strange but true!

Have a look at this thread, couple of years old but still plenty of advice to enrich your holiday to Australia

On 1/13/2019 at 9:03 AM, tsutt35 said:

Hi. Have cruised to Vietnam a few times and each time Princess has done the visas (at a slightly inflated price). Have just booked again and the only info in personaliser says to check with embassy rather than the information around Princess processing. Have things changed or do they still do it for you. We are from Australia. I did read on a visa website that loose leaf visas can be processed at the port for US$5. Thanking anyone in advance.

Just to clarify a point in your post, you either have to organise a visa in advance of your travels or let the cruise line do it for.  You cannot do it yourself from the ship, ie walk off and get a $5 visa. 

Evisas etc are only good for arriving by air at the present time.

In short, your cheapest option is to let the ship do the visa.

In another thread on the subject recently it was stated that Princess now are charging $56 USD for the Vietnam Visa,

Celebrity, when I last checked were charging their passengers $6 USD.

The actual cost of the visa is $5 but the cruise lines add various charges but Princess, in my view are clearly using it as another money making venture.

Bob, having read this thread up and down, back to front - are you pulling my leg!!!

I know most Aussies would be as confused as I am.

40 minutes ago, cruising in said:

Thank you all.  You confirmed my thoughts about doing Singapore on our own.  We can’t wait to get there!

An added bonus in visiting Singapore is that it is an exception to most other Asian countries in that it is clean clean clean.

So clean in fact, that you could eat off the inside of a public dunny bowl at the metro stations and not get sick, how about that!

9 hours ago, NSWP said:

Thanks, like the Vietnamese ports then, did those on QM2 in 2017.  Cunard did the visas on arrival.  Will research it further.

 

#### So, I just checked my travel summary, US$56 for Vietnam and US$55 for Cambodia, with Princess obtaining them on board.  Cambodian E Visa is only valid at airports, not seaports. Suck it up Uncle Les...😆

Princess charge $56 for Vietnam visa, Celebrity charge $6, Go figure.

You should check on the Asia ports of call forum and see what other recent travellers have experienced.

We called at Sihanoukville a few years ago on Azamara Quest and the ship organised the visas which I believe is the norm for all visiting ships.  Unfortunately Princess really get into their passengers for visas for those countries in SE Asia that require them and add a heafty handling fee in addition to the visa fee.  But still more convenient than doing it yourself before you leave.

4 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Sounds like a token effort to make money.

If it were me I would have tried to complete the transaction with cowrie shells, after all they could be considered token money - or at least they were once in that part of the world.

On ‎10‎/‎7‎/‎2018 at 7:29 AM, castaway01 said:

BTW, only plastic notes are legal tender now, all the paper notes have been with drawn, according to the PNG bank, I have some paper notes but they are worthless.

Does this mean my cowrie shells, which I have saved since 1967 are worthless too?

DOn't make your plans based on getting  a lobster that is edible.  We tried it on our cruise on Anthem on the 17 Nov sailing, and it was the worst nastiest lobster tail I have ever tried to eat and we are not fussy eaters either.

Phew' the chef must have lost the plot on that meal, and if he had any idea how bad it was, and had a choice, lt probably would not have been served at all.

On 12/9/2018 at 12:18 AM, The_Big_M said:

Beer's the same price as you saw on Anthem.

 

Bit weird that you paid tips on Anthem. They would have been included if you booked here, so you either booked elsewhere, or paid extra above those included.

Yes, the cruise was booked and paid for in the USA.

Looking to book a short cruise, Sydney to Sydney next year.  Can someone please advise me of the following:

Are tips included in the price of the cruise when you book?

The currency used onboard?

The price of a beer (with tip included)

We have Just  got back from an 8 day cruise on the Anthem of the seas (which I will comment separately on)  - our tips for three balcony cabins were $100 USD per day and the price of a can of beer almost $10 USD (with  tip) - ouch!

If you leave your medications on the ship, what is the problem?

13 hours ago, Unibok said:

Getting excited for my February sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong, especially now that the ship's list of included excursions has been released. I have narrowed my choices to the ones below, and would love to hear from anyone who has experienced these options. I am equally interested in all of them, but won't be able to do them all in one trip. At other ports I will be doing some active hiking and snorkeling, as well as visits to assorted temples and big Buddhas. As I make my choices, I'm interested in your experiences and opinions.

In the Danang/Chan May area, I've narrowed my choices to 3, but can only do 2: Hoi An exploration, Cham Civilization and My Son, and/or Hue and the Perfume River. Which two would you choose, and why? 

In Ho Chi Minh City, there is a street food experience. Has anyone done this excursion? Has anyone gone on their own to the FITO museum of traditional herbs and pharmacy?

In Halong Bay, I have the choice of a junk boat ride or a visit to an inland Zen monastery. Which would you do, and why?

And finally, in the first of our 2 days in Hong Kong, I can do the Central Foodie Adventure (which seems to be very popular), or a new excursion that includes Tai Chi, Dim Sum, and a tea tasting.  Again, which would you choose, and why?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, with thanks in advance,

Well I would certainly rule out My Son as there is very very little to see there as most of the ruins that remain are either very small or most a just a pile of bricks, even though the area is quite nice.  When we were there the guides were more intent on showing us the craters left from the bombing during the Vietnam War which apparently did a lot of damage to the ruins as well.

Hoi An is a very old historic settlement which has been overtaken by tailor shop (over 600 I believe) but very nice to walk around and it is shops shops shops.  There are some good restaurants in the town and the beer is cheap.

Hue is the old imperial city which had the crap bombed out of it during the War but the Emperors palace is going a lot of restoration and the city walls and moats are nice.  Some of the Emperors tombs which are situated in different areas just outside of the city are nice to visit as well.  It will be quite a drive to and from the port to Hue.

So, if into shopping and having a good feed and some cold cheap beer, go to Hoi An.

For a more cultural experience and you are prepared for a bus ride, go to Hue

Alliance - going to the USA, both wife and I have heart conditions but we are not near death yet, offered to accept an excess of $25,000.00.

Did not get past first base, heart conditions and travel to USA will not get cover with them.

Don"t they take sea shells any more? I think I paid my father in law in Port Moresby about 100 cowrie shell for his daughter in the mid 1960's, considered a bargain price at the time although my wife continues to label me a cheapskate!

Go for the Aqua if you are a foodie, go for the veranda if you tend to sit out and use it, most don't so in that case the food wins.

Not pretending anything just right again but that is the norm.

Good luck to you, but why are others who have contacted Princess been advised that their visas will be $56.

With Vietnam anything is possible

Personally I just wish this thread would die.

Many thanks! I guess the only other option would be to actually get a visa in my passport from an actual embassy or get one of those loose leaf visas :(

 

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You will pay more for your visa by obtaining it through an embassy in your country before you go. Evisas etc do not work if you are arriving in Vietnam by ship.

Thanks again everyone. You have given us lots of great advice and lots to think about and explore.

 

Going as late as March is iffy for us as we still run a home building business and while we do build in the winter, it really begins to be busy once March comes along, so Jan-Feb may be more realistic for us to be gone that long. Our son does run the business while we are gone, but it is a lot for one person once Spring begins.

 

All the ideas helps so much!

You should also bone up on the following thread - little old but still relevant and lots of advice and information there to enrich yourvisit to the downunder

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2362723

Take the senic train up and down - it leaves from the centre of Cairns (with a few other stops along the way where it can be boarded) - if you are only in Cairns for a day on ship then the train timings might not work for you but there are other ways to do the visit to Kuranda as suggested above

If all the ladies packed one piece bikinis when cruising surely that would be a saving on the amount of clothing to be taken!

You can arrange the trip when you get to Saigon, they are very popular and all hotels can organise on the spot. You will have a choice of going alone with car, driver and guide or going with a group tour on as bus, much cheaper option.

This way you will not be locked in to a tour should you find yourself jet lagged or for any other reason cannot go.

Your ship will dock (or anchor at Halong Bay - never heard of a ocean going ship docking in Hanoi?