suncityga

Thank you again for the excellent review and photos.

I believe you mentioned you had cruised in Alaska previously. If you visited Skagway and if you did the White Pass Yukon Train... how would you compare the Taieri Gorge and the White Pass train rides for scenery and shore excursion value?

Thank you ! ! !

Today was wash & fold day. A bag of laundry for just $15, but note the restrictions. Only socks, underwear, T-shirts, pajamas and swim wear.

 

Wash & fold appeared thrice during our cruise. Our stateroom attendant told us that they were valid for that one day only. Originally we thought we could just keep the bag & order form and use it as and when we wanted to.

 

 

You can see that we stuffed the bag. Plenty of underwear, kids' PJs, T-shirts etc. Very convenient. The clothes would come back within 48 hours.

Great review... thank you for taking the time to do it. It is very informative and your photos are fantastic. We will be back on Voyager in February on an Australia/NZ cruise and then on the repositioning back to your home (Singapore).

Noticed the Wash & Fold price was $15 per bag... in our previous cruises the Wash & Fold has been $25 per bag (we were on Liberty in November and it was $25 per bag). I know you cruised on Voyager last June... do you remember if the Wash & Fold was also $15 or was it $25 per bag previously? I wonder if RCI has changed the size of the Wash & Fold bag or if they have changed their pricing while crusing in the Australian market?

Normally C&A members get a Wash & Fold Discount in the C&A booklet, do you know is that perk still available?

Thank you again for all your help ! ! !

Just got back from the Voyager. Our first 14 nighter ever (on any ship) and our first sailing out of Australia and my first time in New Zealand... so many firsts!

 

Time to start the review!

 

Stay tuned.

Looking forward to your latest review... we really enjoyed your previous review ! ! ! :)

Are you rather party hard types? Kings Cross is the Red Light District, do I hope I know what you're in for.

Hi,

Thank you for the "Kings Cross is the Red Light District" information.

We had been looking at the Holiday Inn Potts Point which is located across from the Kings Cross Station.

Since we are not interested in staying in a seedy area where crime/prostitution is prevelant... is the problem only related to certain streets in the area or is the problem the entire Kings Cross area? Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

Are you rather party hard types? Kings Cross is the Red Light District, do I hope I know what you're in for.

 

You can cab it, but you can also catch a train there. You'll need to change at Town Hall or Central to get to the Cross, I recommend changing at Town Hall as you don't have to hike to platform 24/25. You need the Bondi Junction line.

 

To the cruise terminal, you can bus it (not sure of ones as I don't go up that way), get the train (again, you'll have to change to get to Circular Quay to get to the terminal) or cab it. I suggest cabbing it, it's not far.

Thank you... we appreciate the feedback ! ! !

Hello,

We would appreciate suggestions on the best train/metro option from Sydney International Airport Terminal to Kings Cross Station.

Would also like to know best transportation options from Kings Cross area to Cruise Port Terminal.

We will only have one small roll-aboard and one backpack each.

Thank you. :)

For our shore excursion from the Chan May port, undecided to go either to Hoi An or to Hue. Any feedback on which way to go, regarding most picturesque or more interesting things to do for a full day tour.

Please .... NO interest in beaches (just in case there will be one around, which I do not know)

We have not been to Hue... but we were in Hoi An in 2011 and found it delightful.

Agree with MightyQuinn's description... it had a very authentic feel and it is definitely a 'photographer's dream'. Very easy to wander around and enjoy the sights and the people.

Do not recall seeing a beach in Hoi An... on the way back to the ship, we did make a photo stop at 'China Beach'.

Enjoy your cruise :)

In Dec 2012, we sail on the Voyager again! I shall take even more pictures.

 

This time, I can be an ambassador for Australia & New Zealand.

Looking forward to your next review ! ! ! :)

We sail on Voyager in February 2013 doing Australia and New Zealand, then Thailand and Vietnam, ending in Singapore.

Big change to the cruise terminal.

 

Royal Caribbean is now using the new Marina South International Cruise terminal, which started operations in May 2012.

Thank you for the update :)

Reaching Xiamen soon.....

We are enjoying your review and your great photos. Thank you ! ! !

In March 2011, we did a similar itinerary on Legends of the Seas (Singapore to Shanghai, with stops in HCMC, DaNang, HK and Xiamen)... it was a great experience. We also did 4 days in Singapore pre-cruise and we had a fantastic time in Singapore.

Since you live in Singapore... we will be on Voyager of the Seas next February (Around Australia & New Zealand, then Thailand and Vietnam and ending in Singapore). Has there been any changes to the Singapore Cruise Terminal? In 2011, we used the MRT from the Swissotel Merchant Court to the Cruise Terminal without any problems... does Voyager use the same Cruise Terminal? Would the MRT option work this time from the Cruise Terminal to the Bugis MRT Station?

Thanks :)

Is there anything that says it's for bus 76 or do all buses stop there?

I believe most 'bus stops' show the buses that use that bus stop along with an itinerary.

in 2007, I docked at Frihamnen, there was a little TI desk inside the small souvenir shop that is open on days there is a ship docked there. I bought my Stockholm Card there.

 

I read recently that someone else just emailed the Stockholm Tourist Info about there being a TI stand at Frihamnen this year, and they received a response that said that when ships are docked there, the desk will be open to purchse cards, etc.

 

You can email them yourself at touristinfo@stockholm.se

The Tourist Information Booth was till at Frihamnen in early June this year... I believe it is credit cards only.

Our guide in St. Petersburg, Masha (translated to Maria), was exceptionally knowledgeable and personable and made our trip so enjoyable. We traveled in a large van carrying 18 people including the driver and guide. The price was less than the ship's tours, and on the ship's tours we would have traveled in a big bus of 50 or so people. (All of SPbTours' clients did travel together to and from Berlin on a single large bus. But when we arrived in Berlin we were split into our predetermined tour groups, each with their own guide and van.) I recommend SPbTours without any reservations.

 

--Robert

We just returned from our Scandinavia & Russia cruise on Jewel of Seas and most of our roll call used SPB Tours in St. Petersburg. We were in a group of 10 and we did their 2 Day Deluxe Tour... our driver was Andrew and our guide was Masha. It was without a doubt, the highlight of the cruise.

Agree with Robert's comments... Masha was also our guide in St Petersburg. Masha spoke English very well, was very friendly and was also very knowledgeable about the city, culture, art and the history of the Romanov family. She also answered a lot of questions from our group about life in Russia today and in the past.

Since we had a group of 10, she used the portable microphone and we all had audio headsets... we highly recommend this arrangement because you do not have to be physically close to your guide all the time (something which is difficult to do as a group of 10 and at very busy sightseeing locations).

We found SPB Tours to be a very professional tour company... they responded to all our email and personal requests very promptly. We would highly recommend SPB Tours and their 2 Day Deluxe Tour of St Petersburg.

For those of you who plans to visit ship vasa, you can download a free mp3 audio guide from the museum website:

http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/mp3-guide/

Excellent advice... we just returned from our Scandinavia & Russia cruise on Jewel of the Seas. We downloaded Vasa Museum's MP3 audio guide and it was very helpful. We were very impressed with The Vasa Museum.

Our ship docked at Frihamnen... we purchased 24 hour SL Travel Card at the Tourist Info Center at the main port building using a standard US Credit Card with a 4 digit pin (I do not believe they accept cash). The 24 SL Travel card cost 115 SEK (70 SEK if you are 65+) and it is good for all buses and the ferry between near the Vasa Museum and Gamla Stan.

Hi!

 

The One Day ticket is valid in all public transport. This includes buses, trams, trains, subway and the ferry.

You'll only need to buy the 7 euro ticket. If you'll buy it from the bus, have cash with you and preferably coins or small notes. The driver might not be able to give you change from a 50 € note.

Thank you ! ! ! :)

Hi Sinny.... Thank you for all the information you provide ! ! !

I am a little confused as to our best public transportation option...

The One Day Transportation Pass for 7 Euros per adult... is it valid for Bus #16 (Hernesaari LHC to Market Square), Tram 3B/3T for general sightseeing and the Suomenlinna Ferry?

Or is the Suomenlinna Ferry cost a separate ticket? If it is... is it 5 Euros per adult?

Thank you :)

Bus #16 goes straight from Hernesaari LHC and LHB to the Market Square.

 

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/linjat/en/h16.html

Hi suncityga,

 

Your bus is NOT 15. Your buses are 14B or 16. You can also walk to a 3T stop, it'll take you 10-15 minutes.

Ultima and Sinny... Thank you very much ! ! !

Do you know the closest walking location of the 3T Tram stop from Hernesaari LHC?

Have a great day :)

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/linjat/en/h15a.html

 

http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/linjat/en/h15_15v.html

Hi Ultima,

Thank you for all your help... we appreciate it very much ! ! !

Our ship (Jewel of the Seas) is scheduled for Terminal Hernesaari LHC on the 1st of June 2012. If I am looking at the Bus 15 route map correctly, our terminal would be on the other side of the West Harbor. What would our best transportation option from the pier to the Market Square or to the best location to catch the 3B/3T tram?

Thank you :)

We will have a day each in Punta Arenas & Ushuaia next month.

 

Can anyone advise if taxis are available at the port so we can use them for private tours.

If anyone has used one recently and can advise where they went, duration and approx price this will be very helpful.

 

Thanks in advance

Taxis and local guides were plentiful at both Punta Arenas and Ushuaia ports when we were there in early January.

We had pre-arranged local private tour in Ushuaia and we did a 5 hour Tierra Del Fuego NP & City tour for about USD$60 per person with a group of 13. We did our own walking tour in Punta Arenas.

Thank you! I am just wondering if the decor had been updated: white duvets, browns/burgundy color scheme, etc.

Not sure if this photo might be helpful as far as room decor... CC cabin

We have booked an AQ cabin (Deck 9) on the soon-to-be refurbished Summit, which I imagine will be very much like the infinity - can you tell me if the rooms received an updated look with bedding/decor similar to what is seen on S-class ships? How were the bathrooms different? Were their shower curtains or doors? THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO!

 

And one last question - overall... how did you like ship - the new look & vibe?

Not sure I can be of a lot of help... the AQ cabin we saw on deck 9 was formerly a CC cabin on Infinity now re-labeled AQ. It looked exactly the same as our CC cabin on deck 7, except for the shower and the shower door... we had a shower curtain and a regular shower head.

This was our first time on Celebrity... but we like smaller ships vs larger one and Infinity looked to be in great shape to us. I should also state that we are 'destination cruisers' and we have liked all the cruise ships we have ever been on.:)

Any comments that the occupants of the Deck 11 AQ class made about possible noise or lack thereof would be great too. Of specific concern is the deck above the cabins.

 

Did many use that deck on your cruise?

 

Many thanks for your feedback, we're in a Deck 11 AQ in 2013 and are looking eagerly for feedback from those earlybirds who have already occupied one.

One of our fellow private tour members had a Deck 11 AQ and they told me they did not have any issues or concerns. There is a court on the starboard side just outside the door to the new cabins and I did hear some noise from someone hitting a tennis ball against the wall while I was taking pictures.

Our 'cabin crawl' group met at the landing area of the aft elevators on deck 11 to start our tour of the cabins, but outside of that, I did not see a lot of traffic in that area when I was there.

Thanks for the pic. The aft cabins/balconies on deck 11 are the elusive shots. Any pics from above looking down or up from the aft bar are what I am looking for. Right now there is a lot of speculation as far as privacy from above on any of the deck 11 cabins. Did you get a chance to get up to deck 12 and look down even if you didn't take a picture?

 

Thanks.

Yes... I did go to deck 12 and looked down because I had a similar concern after seeing the additions during the refurb. After checking the area, I no longer have any 'privacy concerns' with the AQ cabins on deck 11. I have attached some photos.

No pics of the deck 11 AQ cabins or balconies yet???

 

I think the first pics I am going to see are the ones I take on the Summit in April!

 

I've already seen pics of Beyonce & Blue Ivy :p

Not sure what kind of 'pics of the deck 11 AQ cabins or balconies' you want... attached is a pic of deck 11 from the tender. I have other photos of 'deck 11'.

We were on the 02 January 2012 BA to Valparaiso Cruise and we had a CC cabin on Deck 7, but during our 'cabin crawl' we saw an AQ cabin on deck 11. We also visited a renamed AQ on deck 9... all 3 of our cabins looked pretty much the same inside, except for shower.