Bpos

Do not get it prior to your cruise....the cruise ship automatically does it and charges the $6.00 pp to your onboard account.

 

Unfortunately many on our cruise had been told by their TA's to get them pre-cruise and paid a considerable amount...Were these cruisers upset...yes ! And from different countries...so don't listen if you're told to do this.

All so true but not all cruise lines will charge $6. Princess is one that charges a lot more, as an earlier poster said. - fleecing passengers.

it is not a competition, you know! but ... I know that I would much rather be in a beautiful country without snakes and venomous spiders than in a beautiful country with these creatures and the necessity to look under your toilet seat (pardon my common jargon) every time you need to use WC. :)

Wrong, Australian men leave the toilet lid and seat UP after use in order that the next sitter (I hope I spell that right) can see at a glance that no Redbacks are present.

Good old Aussie logic and know how at work again

We are flying into Perth and have a spare day before boarding the Indian Pacific. I appreciate the info provided here. I’m assuming the hotels listed above would be our best choices as well? Are any of them within walking distance of the train station? Would there be any advantage to staying near the airport?

We have a good suburban train service in Perth as well as free buses in the central business area until early evening.

Do not stay out near the airport as only motels in the area and nothing else of interest. The airport is only a short taxi (oruber) ride to the City centre.and the Indian Pacific leaves from East Perth train station, a very short train ride from the Central Business District as well.

If you were coming in a couple of years time you would have been able to access a train from the Airport to the City (in the progress of being tunnelled as we speak.

You will love Perth even just for a day and enough things to see by using the free buses to go to Kings Park, the Perth Mint etc.

I have said it before and I will say it again "The discussion on the rights and wrongs of tipping is one subject on Cruise Critics that will certainly outlast religion"

You are more likely to get a response by asking your question on Tripadvisor - Cambodian forum.

We are planning several B2B cruises each returning to Sydney except for the last which will be a transpacific of 23 days. Collectively they will well exceed 6 weeks, the period of absence that impacts the amount of pension received. I was wondering if anyone knows how B2B cruises are counted for Centrelink pension purposes? Does the 6 weeks start again at the end of each cruise in Sydney or will they look at the total period as one absence? Your experience would be appreciated.

I for one, never take the small amount of pension reduction one has to incur if staying overseas beyond 6 weeks. Generally in the scheme of things it could amount to $100 if away for say 8/9 weeks or so - not a deal breaker by any means.

We did the cruise Saigon to Siem Reap in September last year and the water level was such that we were able to go all the way by boat.

Note that many cruises cannot go .all the way by boat, due to water levels and can involve a 8 hour bus leg if a no go. Our tour guide said that the boat we were on can usually manage about 8 full trips in a year but that can vary

.

Angkor Wat is not to be missed and our cruise stopped at plenty of little villages along the way with good tours included that should tick all your boxes. Phnom Penh is well worth a full day visit, one of my favourite Asian cities.

Should plan to spend a couple of days in Saigon and also Siem Reap

Thanks all for the replies... I'm ready :)

Are you really ready?

It is also important, indeed necessary, for you to practice and be proficient in shortening words and sentences before you come downunder in our summer months.

All Australians do this and the reason and logic for doing so will amaze, stun and flabbergast you to the core.

For example, good morning or good afternoon is shortened to G'DAY.

Why do Aussies do this? Drum roll please.

Shortening words and phrases reduces the time your mouth will be open to deny flies entry thereto.

How about that! - Aussie logic at work again, God bless them all.

Bpos, your thoughts are needed on the tipping thread....should you so chose to accept this challenge, please add your flair for humanity and humour :)

Dear 3Shelaghs

Thank you for the invitation to contribute to the "tipping thread"

I have in the past had my fingers in the tipping debate, without reward I should add.

I have come to the conclusion that the tipping saga will continue to be a topic of controversy on Cruise Critics long after mankind and religion have vanished from earth.

It's time for all our wonderful cruisers to get over their obsession with tipping,

I know I have and besides, I am currently obsessed with my long term and ongoing hémorroïdes condition to be too concerned about dropping a bob here or there!!

But, on reflection, I would be open to any "tips" on unusual treatment remedies for my condition.

Glad you are finally going to make it.

To enrich your visit to downunder you should bone up on the thread indicated below.

Although now a couple of of years old still relevant for overseas visitors.

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

Tunnocks : just a quick note re e-visas for Vietnam, last I checked the UK Vietnam embassy was recommending against e-visas. http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/index.php?action=p&ct=Consular%20Services%20for%20UK%20residents

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I had a look at the attachment.

It is exactly as I mentioned before - a tactic to get you to believe that you can only get a Visa for Vietnam from the local embassy or consulate - at inflated costs I might add.

After all they need the visa fees to pay for their rent, wages and operating costs.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists to Vietnam who require a visa have used the Visa on Arrival (although it needs to be organised before you travel) and now the EVisa process without any problems, me included.

Have your looked at the Ports of Call - Europe thread - then search Naples tours.

You may find a lot of information there from past cruisers.

Make use of the ship's visa for your cruise through Vietnam

Organise an EVisa or VOA a few weeks before heading off for your Air entry into Vietnam (whichever works out cheaper for you and your family)

Thank you budbo and Bpos for your replies. I tend to agree with Bpos here - but am not sure if I am classified as "multiple entry" for visa purposes. I am thinking that the US$6 landing card from the ship may not

count as an entry to Vietnam for visa purposes (i.e. your passport is not stamped or electronically registered that you have been in Vietnam - anyone who could clarify any part of this would be very helpful) so that I can then use a single entry e-visa to enter by air to Hanoi after my cruise.

budbo - ordinarily I would simply ask on the ship what the US$28 visa covers (and if it works for me) but I am hoping to sort this before I leave, as if the US$28 visa does not work for me then that leaves me with no visa for the second part of my holiday (flying back into Hanoi).

 

This just shows how difficult it is to interpret Vietnam visas.

Unfortunately getting a correct and authoritive reply to this question from the Vietnamese Embassy or consulate in your country is equally as difficult as they will tell you anything in order for you to obtain the visa at a greatly inflated cost from them.

The Embassy and consulates rely on the funds for visas to pay their operating costs so naturally they will give conflicting advice in order to sell you the visa. The have a shocking reputation for doing this.

As well,I doubt the cruise line will provide you with a suitable answer as they do not want to be "caught out" about giving out the wrong advice as well. I have a friend travelling with Princess to Asian Ports including two ports of call in Vietnam and Princess have recently sent them an email saying the Visas for Vietnam are their responsibility - no mention that up to now (and probably in the future) the ship can and will organise the visas for them.

If you fly into Vietnam - do not rely on using a visa issued by the ship - look at the other options for when you fly in

If it were me - I would organised a Visa on Arrival and although it is going to cost each of you around USD$35

it will get you in when you fly in - no ifs or buts or maybe.

Trip Advisor - Vietnam forum - has a a whole section dedicated to the getting of the visa etc.

We recently did a cruise that included 3 ports in Vietnam. The ship handled visas for everyone once we were aboard. Most passengers only needed the landing card ($6 US) but since we were staying overnight in a hotel in Hanoi, we needed a different visa ($28 US). That type of visa was valid for 15 days and it was returned to us with our passports at the end of the cruise.

 

As long as that type of visa was available aboard your ship, might that solve your problem? Note that we had to provide 2 passport photos in order to apply for this visa. We weren't aware of that requirement ahead of time but the ship's photo dept was able to get them for us fairly quickly.

Be careful here, yes that visa might be valid for 15 days but it does not necessarily mean it is a multi entry visa to Vietnam - but a document to allow you to stay for 15 days.

I see that the posts refer to flies being plentiful in the summer. We'll be in Uluru at the end of October. Would we need nets then, too? I'd rather be prepared for the worst, but if they aren't necessary then, it would be one thing off the list.

You will be able to pick up a net for a couple of dollars almost anywhere in the outback towns - if you need them.

Regarding cyclos in Vietnam-- you should make sure the ride is organised and paid for in advance by your hotel or tour company.

 

Do not under any circumstances go with one off the street, it will end in disaster and you will extorted for lots of money up'a quiet street

 

Trip advisor is full of horror stories from tourists hiring cyclos off the streets in Vietnam and even the locals will not use them.

Hey drsel - my words exactly so I have to agree?

We have stayed at the Park Regis Hotel a couple of times (when the price is right) - over the road from Clarke Quay, Chinatown around the corner and a train station about 100 meter walk from the front door.

Thank you everybody for the suggestions. We will have umbrellas and raincoats and expect to have a wonderful visit!

lol We never leave home without our rain ponchos.

Is this to protect you from the rain or is there some other reason for the protection?

I can think of another reason - have a look at the THIRD post on the thread below:

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

Don't they have the occasional croc(s) in the ocean there.

For me I would play it safe and swim in a pool (and that is after I had a good look to see that one did not creep in overnight)?

First off Karen, don't panic yor're going on a cruise.:ship:

 

Vietnam welcomes tourists (money) and would do nothing to upset this important industry for them, it's the cruise lines that have to get their act together.

 

See my previous thread:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2614046

 

As you are only doing tours from the ports of call and not doing overnight trips (i.e. Hanoi) you do NOT NEED a multiply entry visa (the reason being the ships does not leave Vietnamese territorial waters). The ship will issue you a Thẻ Đi Bờ Của Hành Khách (Passenger's Landing Card) to be used in lieu of your passport, which will be held by the ship. This and your cruise card are all you need to exit and enter the ship.

 

 

I cannot help with what the ship will charge as have others said, cruise

 

lines charges can vary greatly.

 

Now sit back, relax and dream about all those exotic places you will be visiting.

 

Ron

PS. In our passports, there is only one entry stamp and one exit stamp, so the ship' spors of call are counted as only "one stop / entry".

 

PPS. Thoroughly recommend a trishaw ride through the Saigon traffic. Have a great cruise.

With regard to the last sentence regarding a trishaw ride.

They are called cyclos in Vietnam and you should make sure the ride is organised and paid for in advance by your hotel or tour company.

Do not under any circumstances go with one off the street, it will end in disaster and you will extorted for lots of money up'a quiet street

Trip advisor is full of horror stories from tourists hiring cyclos off the streets in Vietnam and even the locals will not use them.

As other have said, providing passport details is not a big deal but if you do not want to do so - then just tell the agent no and that you will have to look elsewhere - I guarantee the problem will go away.

The agents will tell you that the information is required by the Port Authorities to allow the agent to collect passenger for the tour inside the port gate.

The only thing the Port Authorities are interested in is collecting the US$20 from each passenger for so called "Tea Money".

For most (if not all ports in Vietnam), for most people on cruise ships, it is usually an easy and safe walk to the port gate to get connected with your private tour and each person will save $20 USD in the process.

Hi MMDown under,

 

Thanks for your quick reply. We do have plans to go on some shore day excursions organised by the RCI and private tour group. Does the US$6 visa still OK for them?

 

I read some horrible stories when cruisers were denied boarding because they didn't have the visa organised before departure when starting a cruise from China for example. That's why we are a bit confused and anxious on what we are supposed to do as a first time cruiser. We booked our cruise online direct with RCI. I went to a local travel agent to ask for some advice and they don't want to help at all since I haven't booked the cruise through them.

 

Regards,

Karen

You just need to be aware that while Celebrity may charge $6 for the visa, some other cruise lines will charge you a lot more. Princess for example charge each person in excess of $40 USD which caused an outpouring of rage last year when they upped the fee from what others were generally charging.

I can't imagine being able to do Singapore in 1-2 days or Thailand in 3-4.

I agree, I would still be in the first pub I came across in the first couple of days to rehydrate myself in all that heat in preparation for the rest of my days in those wonderful locations.

I wrote some advice about flys in rural Australia a couple of years ago and the advice still stands

Originally posted by 2016USAHoliday [/url] Im a born and bread Melbournite living in Perth, so have heard all the warnings to stay in your car.

The main reason we stayed in the car was all the flies!!!!!! Get out of the car and we would be covered in flies.

Great stories to tell of our adventures though!

"

Dear valued overseas visitors - it is with regret that I have to warn you about a dispicable pest that you may encounter during travels downunder.

Of course I am referring to the bush Fly.

In our summer the flies are found in rural locations in their billions.

They will not eat you (unless your deceased) so be reassured there and some can bite you but will not cause any great harm and generally an expletive will be sufficient to ease any pain.

The flies do like to have a cuppa too (slang for a cup of tea) No problems, just use your spoon to fish out the dozen or two in your cup and continue to enjoy.

We Aussies have learned to live with them and so will you. Please do not bring any of your own flies to Australia, we have more than enough for everyone.

Help is at hand with another great Australian invention - see the attached photos

Fly nets are cheap (because they are made in China). It does require some (well lots of) practice to imbibe your beer when wearing the net so I recommend, if travelling to the outback, you get your net as soon as possible before you come, in order to master drinking with the net on.

One warning - always remove the net when entering public buildings etc, especially banks or you will be mistaken for someone of ill intent.

That's one sure way to ruin a wonderfull exciting holiday to Oz.

If you doubt what I say - see the quote at the beginning to this post???

Attached Thumbnails

Seriously though, flys are only a problem in the outback areas and your net and a spray will suffice - however, you should practice drinking beer with your fly net on before you come downunder. I reckon a cartoon of beer bottles or cans (at least 24) should give you enough practice to master it!