inmyfootsteps

On 6/20/2023 at 10:45 PM, lfplenore said:

https://vietnamembassy-usa.org/content/visa-application-process

 

 

If I am reading the information correctly, an e visa does not apply to ships whose first port is Phu My. Phu My is not listed as an eligible port for an e visa. Which is the case for Celebrity. 

I think the route I would need to take is to apply for a visa through the embassy (here in Canada. We are Canadians). 

Does anyone have any further information regarding this?

Hey Gam888,

We were in Yokohama back in 2019, sailing on Princess as well. IMO, a trip to Toyko is a bit rushed, since it is nearly an hr to get into the city via train. We stayed in Yokohama for a few days before embarking on our cruise. From the cruise terminal it is walking distance to Chinatown, Noodle Cup Museum (fun place), the red bricks warehouses (just shopping and eating). We also went to Sankeien Garden, a short bus ride away ( I think we caught the bus near Chinatown). Just some suggestions.Also,  near the pier, there is a lovely park and promenade to walk along

Ok, we have the same problem as well. Our first port will be Phu My. In this case, what is the process for applying for a visa?

Wondering how long it takes to go through Japanese immigration everytime we dock into a Japanese port. I have heard that we need to go through a face to face everytime we leave and return to the ship. As well, I have heard that it can take upways to  a few hours , hence throwing a wrench into independent travel plans.

Thank you , much appreciated for your response.

Hey My Fellow Canadians,

Can you provide me with the website for this tour that you arranged? We are on a Japan cruise in November of this year and Kagoshima will be one of our ports. How much did the bus cost you? and is 20 people the max, or can you have a smaller group? I personally don't like travelling in large groups.

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

A fellow Canadian...Go Raptors! Go!

We will be staying at the Hotel Monterey in November. Any idea how to transfer to this hotel from Hanade airport and not Narita airport?

Just adding my two cents worth to this thread. My husband and I did Baltic cruise back in 2016 and we booked Alla Tours via our CC roll call. Not sure what the changes are this year..but when we went, yes there was a line up at Immigration, but not like the ones experienced at the airports. Yes, there were alot of cruisers trying to find their respective tour operator, but it wasn't chaotic.

Booking through a private local operator is the way to go. I have yet to have a negative experience with any local operators in any of the countries I have visited (knock on wood). It all comes down to research, research, and hooking up with fellow cruisers. After all, the local tour operators' reputation is dependent on us cruisers!

Having said that, we did notice that if you were on a private tour in St. Petersburg, although you had to line up to get into Hermitage Museum, we avoided the "public" line up. Upon our exit from the museum, the tour operator remarked that the people in line will most likely not get in that day. It was 2:00 pm when we exited the museum.

So there are pros and cons to private operators, but from my previous experiences, it is worth it!

The Argentine National Immigration Agency (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones) has informed by Disposition 6437-E/2017 published on November 23, 2017, that effective January 1st, 2018, Canadian Citizens or Canadian Passport holders entering Argentina territory will be exempt from paying the reciprocity fee.

Do you know if there is a way to get our money refunded? We paid for the fees in early Dec. You would think that the website would have mentionned that Cdns were not going to be expected to pay effective Jan, 2018!

Beagle Channel Tour operators WANTED

Please refer to my previous post...although I am looking at one tour operator, does any one know of othersÉ I have heard about ThumbsUp, but havent heard back from them yet. Also, thoughts about the timing of the return tripÉ . Two of the companies have 10 am and 3 pm tours, lasting appr 3.5 hours.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Louise

Just booked Emerald Princess for January 2018. Santiago/ Valparaiso to Buenos Aires, Round the Horn. Two days pre cruise in Santiago and three post cruise Buenos Aires. Can't wait.

 

Am looking for some help please.......

 

I panic about packing for Caribbean cruises and take far too much so what on earth should I pack for this one ??

 

Also, what are the 'must do s and must sees' please ??

 

Any other helpful tips, vaccinations, visas etc for GB passengers gratefully appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

Hey Reina del Mar,

We too are booked on the Emerald Princess sailing out of Valparasio on Jan 17, 2018, If you are looking for any privately oragnized tours, there are some already some that have been started. Check out the Jan 17,2018 Emerald Princess roll call for more information, if Jan 17 is your sailing date.

Louise

During both port calls when one or both of us took a small-vessel cruise in Beagle Channel, we were on a prebooked ship's tour. However, I understand that many visitors use independent operators at Ushuaia, either prebooked or purchased "on the spot". The boats tie up within a short walk of the base of the pier where cruise ships (or their tenders) dock.

 

My first local boat trip at Ushuaia was on a day with very strong wind along the Beagle Channel, and considerable rain. Many people spent most or all of the cruise inside the boat looking out through rain-obscured large windows--not very satisfactory. However, a few of us who had full rain gear spent much of the time outside on the rear of the boat -- somewhat sheltered behind the enclosed area and with a much better view. Had a great time viewing the birds and pinnipeds and close-up scenery.

 

Because the boats get close to the small islands with the birds and seals, degraded visibility during wet weather did not interfere too much with viewing. However, in those conditions, one really needed to be well prepared for wet, windy and cool weather. Otherwise, on a poor-weather day it would (I think) make more sense to remain ashore.

 

John

Hi John,

We are due in Ushuaia on Jan 23, 2018...in port from 12pm-8pm, The private tour operator has a tours at 10 and 3...saying it lasts about 3.5-4 hours, getting back to the cruise port at 7.If our ship leaves at 8, do you think 7 i s ok to return to port? This is the only excursion that is close to the embarkation time. I did not have any problems with the other ones (e.g., Europe ones). I also recall other passengers walking up the gangway 30 minutes (or even shorter!) on other cruises. Thoughts?

Louise

Hello All,

We will be arriving in Puerto Montt on Jan 19, 2018 on the Emerald Princess. We have booked a tour with Denis on a 5-8 hour tour, depending on ship arrival and departure times, We will be visiting Lianqueihue Lake, Todos los Santos Lake, Petrohuse Rapids/Falls,Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. There is already one group that is full (18 people) and a second group has just been initated. For more information or joining our group, search the Emerald Princess Jan 17, 2018 roll call

Louise

thanks...I think I was confused with all the Baltic states that I will be visiting, and I can't seem to wrap my head around what country is on Euro and what country is not.

thanks for the tips regarding local currency vs euros/$. I will feel more comfortable with buying local currency prior to our trip to avoid any unnecessary hassles and inconveniences.

Can anybody tell me if I would need local currency or do they readily accept Euros and/or Us $

Thanks

Danish Viking or any other person,

Do I need to carry the local currency or do they readily accept Euros and US $ ? My travel agent said that it is not necessary to carry local currency. How true is that ? I would need to buy bus and metro fares, some snacks and food. I do not plan to access any ATM machines.

Any insight would be helpful

Thanks

Thanks again Danish Viking!!

Louise

Hi Danish Viking,

Sorry but I need some clarification. I've read your earlier posts and looked at your directions and photos regarding the transit options to the cruise terminal, Oceankaj.

I am planning to take bus #26 from a bus stop near our hotel (Wake up Borgergrade) and taking the cruise bus # 25. My question is this... I get off at Osterport Station (not Osterport St, Slojfen) to catch the 25 bus....but at which point should I be following your photos? or are your photos to help those travelling to bus #27 and those coming form Norreport?

Thanks for any insight! Much appreciated!

Louise

Thanks so much for the detailed post above. I just have some more questions. I was thinking of forgoing the fortress visit and replacing it with a visit to Sibelius Monument. In this case my planned day would look like this:

1. Get off ship early and head to Sibelius Monument

2. Then to Rock Church

3. Then to Market Square where we will visit the sights around there (e.g. Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral) and grab a bite to eat before heading back to the ship.

My questions are: (a) is this do-able for the time we have in port? I would like a relaxing schedule, with plenty of time to return to the ship.

(b) Can you provide me with transit directions on how to get to each of these places (from point A to point B to point C etc.) and finally back to the ship?

© Is this sightseeing a good order to do the sights? I was thinking of Sibelius first, because it was the furthest.

Any insights/recommendations would be much appreciated. Your previous details/ links are invaluable!!!

Louise

THANKS JONZA!!!

Louise

Docked in LMA. Took #9 Tram to main train station. Walked down the main shopping street (past Stockman's etc.) to the Esplanade and then to Market Square.

Took the ferry from Market Square to Suomelinna Island and spent a couple of hours walking all over the island. We did not pay to go into any of the museums or attractions, but found plenty to see that interested us for our time there. Took the ferry back to Market Square.

Spent about 30-45 minutes persusing the various stalls in Market Square and then walked up the Esplanade to the Esplanad Cafe (Pohjoisesplanadi 37) where we purchased coffee/hot chocolate and korvapuustit (large cinnamon buns) for our lunch, which we ate at tables outside and enjoyed people-watching.

Caught the tram to the Church in the Rock and spent about 30 minutes there listening to a free piano concert. Walked from there to the Kaampi Chapel of Silence and then caught a tram back to LMA, arriving well before the ship departed

Hey GradUT,

I was thinking about the same sights as yours, so was wondering about the trams. Is it Tram 9 for all the sights (e.g. tram 9 to railway station) and where would you catch the ferry to Suomelinna Island ? Is this ferry ride part of te all day 8 euro transit pass?

What tram # is it to the Rock Church and where do you catch it? and what tram # is it heading back to the ship? How do I know if it is heading in the correct direction (e.g. to the ship)

Sorry for ll the detailed questions, but i am also nervous about taking public transit in foreign countries that do not have English signage.

BTW what time did you start your sightseeing and how long were you out for? Just wanted to get a ball figure of a timeline.

Thanks, Louise

PS is there a PDF for tram stops/schedule?

The musts sees in my opinion would be Glytoteket, Tivoli, the national museum, canal tour and Rosenborg in no particular order.

And if you ask me then Copenhagen Zoo and The Blue Planet can be added as well.

Bøf & Ost on Gråbrødre Torv, Bryggeriet Apollo next to Tivolis main entrance and a Italian restaurant called Pompei on Kultorvet and also Italian is Il Peccato on Axel Torv is the best restaurants I have been to in Copenhagen.

Danish Viking,

Thanks so much for the must sees and food places.

Louise

GradUT,

Again, many thanks for such a detailed email. Looks like he hotel is close to many good eats.

Can't wait to get there.

Louise

Thanks GradUT for the detailed information.

Thank you for copying and pasting the info for me. I am computer challenged, as you can see from my posts. How do you guys get the Quotes highlighted in blue?

Yes, you are right, neither you or Danish Viking know our interests, but I guess I just wanted to know what are the must see sights.

I usually pore over guide books, like the ones you suggested, but prefer to get some input from people that have been there already.

Cab you also suggest some food places? Like the local foods that should not be missed?

Thanks....Louise