Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

YVR_cruise_lover

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    59

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by YVR_cruise_lover

    Ha Long Bay

    in Asia

    Posted

    If you've been docked at Ha Long Bay before, can you tell me if it's better to book a private junk trip beforehand or just get off the ship and book a trip from someone on shore on the day?

     

    I'd rather not use the ship's tour so I'd like to hear people's experiences of DIY and I'd also welcome tour guide recommendations.

     

    Many thanks in advance.

     

    Just got back from Halong Bay last December. If you find enough people, you can hire a private boat for a longer cruise of the Bay, and cheaper than the ship excursion. The more people you can find, the cheaper the price. Just take the tender to shore, and try to negotiate for the best price. The person we used was Mike, and each of us paid US$30 for a 6 hour cruise for a group of 22 people. It was a wonderful cruise! Not to be missed.

    Port Review - Celebrity Millennium Dec 7-21, 2014

    in Asia

    Posted

    We have just returned from a South East Asia cruise on Celebrity Millennium. The following is a brief review:

     

    We normally planned our own excursions. But as each of us had $500 on-board credit, we joined a few ship excursions to use up the credit.

     

    Singapore – Day 1: Very tired after the long flight. Went to downtown and China Town taking public train after a late lunch. The train station was about 20 minute walk from the pier. Took taxi back to the pier. Day 2: Again took public train to see the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay. All within walking distance of one another. Not enough time to see all the places in detail.

     

    Bangkok – Day 1: Four of us hired a taxi to Pattaya for the entire day for about US$120. Went to Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya Floating Market, and Sanctuary of Truth. IMHO, the last two locations were not worth the time and money. Finally saw the Cabaret show by trans-gender performers in the evening. If you haven’t seen something like this before, it was kind of entertaining. Day 2: Took the ship excursion Grand Palace and Venice of East. The Grand Palace was quite pretty, but way too crowded to fully enjoy it.

     

    Ho Chi Minh City – Took the ship excursion Saigon on your Own. Visited Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, and Opera House. All within walking distance. Took a taxi to China Town. Quite disappointed as it was more like a wholesale market of different kinds of goods.

     

    Hue/Danang – Cancelled due to rough sea. Was planning to take the ship excursion Hoi An on your Own.

     

    Halong Bay – Day 1: Took the ship excursion Halong Bay by Boat. A very pleasant trip. Day 2: We rounded up 22 fellow cruisers and hired a private boat for a longer 6 hours cruise. Each paid US$30. It was a more extensive cruise than day 1, and went to different places. It was totally worth it, and was the highlight of the entire cruise. Definitely not to be missed. Did not go to Hanoi as it was a 3 hour drive each way.

     

    Hong Kong – There were free shuttle buses to 3 different malls from the port, with access to MTR. So you can go wherever you like. We are originally from HK, and have been there many times.

     

    I have posted a few pictures at the following link:

     

    Please email me at cwk6888@gmail.com if you have any question. I will try my best to answer.

×
×
  • Create New...