Mrs. Claypool

There is also some excellent advice on the same topic in the thread called “Cash In Vietnam” on this forum.

My strategy is to pretend I’m going to eat and drink and shop in my home town. Then I bring along enough money for that purpose. Since prices in Vietnam tend to be less expensive than in the US, this should cover your expenses with some room to spare.

Oh, I understand. Then you’d probably better contact HAL and ask for their advice.

Are you staying at a South Korean hotel any time before or after the cruise? If so, you could input the name and address of the hotel. This has always worked for me in the past when applying to various countries and was never questioned. In fact, I did the exact same thing about two hours ago on my Vietnam evisa application, since we’ll be staying for two nights at a hotel in Hanoi before we set off on our Mekong River cruise. I’ll let you know if it was a successful strategy this time!

Bring back the dinner time wandering violin trio in the dining room! Emily

Secret Food Tours (secret food tours.com) runs two private tours in Seoul: a daytime tour and a barbeque dinner. We haven’t done a Secret Food tour in Seoul, but the one that we took in Singapore was excellent.

The Serenity’s itinerary shows that it will be cruising the Atlantic coast in July/August. there will be a total eclipse of the sun on August 12, 2026 off the coast of Spain and Portugal. I wonder if Crystal is planning to position the Serenity to take advantage of the occurrence?

Crystal Serenity: January to May: 2026 World Cruise segments June: Western Mediterranean July to August: Atlantic Coast (Spain, Portugal, France) and British Isles September: Eastern and Western Mediterranean October to November: Western Mediterranean, Atlantic Crossing, and Caribbean December: Caribbean and Panama Canal Crossing Key Dates to Remember: August 27, 2024: Individual cruise segments for the first two calendar quarters will begin rolling out. First week of December 2024: All remaining 2026 itineraries will be available to book.

Take a look at MyTaiwanTour at mytaiwantour.com. We have used them in the past and were very pleased with their services, prices and communication. Just all around nice, honest, reliable folks. The one-day tours that they describe on their website are all longer than the one that you were planning on. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they could personalize a shorter tour for you.

There are lots of Molton Brown lotions, shampoos and fragrances.

Our Mekong cruise resembles the one that Tom Crews describes in his second example— several days in Vietnamese ports, two days in Cambodian ports, and then several days in Vietnamese ports to finish off. As Tom advised above and as our cruise company confirmed, we will need to apply for a multi-entry visa. We were also told that when filling out the multi-entry visa application, we only need to include the initial point of entry and the final point of departure from the country. Which in our case would be the airports in Hanoi and HCM City.

When you’re on board, just go to the Seabourn Square, preferably sooner than later, and ask whether there will be a “Shopping With the Chef” during the voyage and when it will take place. You can sign up at that time. In our experience, whether or not it takes place depends on the port, the weather, the chef, etc. It may be scheduled, it may not be scheduled, and it may be canceled at the last moment. But it is a real treat if you are fortunately enough to experience it!

I was on the first Vancouver/Alaska voyage last month and when I asked about the magic show, I was told that it was going to be discontinued during the entirety of the Alaska season. Emily

I highly recommend the universally-respected Xuan (pronounced Soon) of “Tour With Xuan”. He is a kind and careful person who will give you the best personalized tour experience of Ho Chi Minh City at very reasonable prices. His website at tourwithxuan.com will give you a good idea of what he can provide. He will quickly respond to your questions before you arrive. Xuan picked us up at the pier and brought us back, after a really remarkable day.

We took the Signature Massage once, and we were not overwhelmed by it. And at the end of the session, the young woman gave me a meaningful look and said, “You realize that I only did ONE side of your body?” Which I took to mean that if I wanted the other side done, I would have to pay for it! So on principle, I have remained lopsided until this very day. 😁

Both Tauck and Uniworld provided us with a luxury experience in all aspects of our cruises. So I would be comfortable making any future choice based on either the itinerary of each ship or, as you are doing, the available class of cabin.

I have sailed on both Tauck and Uniworld and they both provide a wonderful experience with excellent food and service. So you really can’t make a bad choice. Personally, I’d go for a larger cabin and a balcony, especially if the price is right.

I feel that Tauck lives up to the standard of “luxury”. We have travelled with them many times on land and on the rivers.

Yes— “Where have all the flowers gone?” No orchid sprays in the rooms, no vases on the tables in the Bistro or in the Waterside. The only flowers that I can remember seeing were two arrangements at the Reception Desk and on the tables in the specialty restaurants. I asked one of the Food & Beverage officers about the change. He murmured something about “Covid”, but never elaborated on it. Emily

We also flew into Cairo a day early last year for Uniworld’s Nile cruise. Uniworld booked us an extra day at the 4 Seasons, which was their hotel for the two tour nights in that city. Since we booked the hotel through Uniworld, they also arranged for us to be met at the airport and transferred to the 4 Seasons.

My husband and I have trouble tolerating the high decibel sounds that seem to be part of the show music on every cruise line nowadays. So we bought a pair of those noise-canceling ear plugs that the young people use when they go to rock concerts. Before we head off to the after-dinner shows, we pop them in and we can enjoy the music with clarity and without the loud and high-pitched noises.

If your excursion will involve getting out of the zodiac and walking around, wear a pair of waterproof shoes in case of a wet landing.

For years the Birthday Breakfast was the Holy Grail for my husband— one day we would sail Crystal on his birthday and he would be able to experience it for himself. But alas, no more! 😢😢😢 Emily

It looks like dinner at all the restaurants will be starting at 6:30 pm. At least for this leg. And speaking of this leg, there will be no Formal Night. I could have packed a little lighter if I’d cottoned on to that before we left. And after last week with only one showtime at 9:30 pm, now we have two showtimes— one at 7:00 pm and one at 9:30 pm. In other news, Hubert and Raphael have left, to be replaced by Scott and Rick. Emily

The designated spot for “Mobile App Pick-Ups”, including Uber, is at the corner of Waterfront and Burrard. Leave Canada Place, immediately turn right on Waterfront, walk 1 block, turn left on Burrard. The way is well-marked with blue and white street signs with arrows that say MOBILE APP PICK-UPS.