WARD801

My wife and I visited Southern France in May 2015 (not via cruise) and travelled by rental car and did visit the Pont du Gard - a trip highlight. Almost all rental cars in France are manual so will need to know how to drive a stick. I hadn't driven a manual in many years but will say that they have improved tremendously since I learned as a kid (I am 58 now). Very easy, and like a bicycle, you don't forget. I STRONGLY recommend renting a canoe and paddling under the Pont du Gard. Very easy and the best views of this magnificent structure. There are several services that rent canoes from the town just upstream, you paddle down, then they pick you up in a van and take you back to your car. Do this even if you want to visit the visitor center and walk up top.

My wife and I recently returned from the Jan 6, 15 day Singapore to Hong Kong cruise on Journey - wonderful trip. We booked all of our excursions privately. These included an overnight from Bangkok to Angkor Wat, day tour of the Mekong Delta, and an overnight on a luxury Chinese Junk on Halong Bay. All of these arrangements were made ahead of time on-line, including flights and visas into Cambodia and special arrangements to catch up with the Junk at Halong because the overnights depart too early relative to our docking. Our experiences were all first class, private (with professional tour guides and drivers) and were significantly cheaper than Azamara's excursions. For example our trip to Angkor Wat, coincidentally on the same flights as the Azamara excursion, cost less than $1000 total for my wife and I when Azamara charged $1500 per person. The highlight of our trip was the overnight on Halong Bay and Azamara didn't even offer that as an option because of the timing conflict (we docked at noon and the overnight boats all leave between 12:30 and 1 due to their timing for customers coming from Hanoi). I made the suggestion to Azamara to book entire boats so they could offer overnights. One final point, and with all respect to Azamara since we LOVED the cruise, is to not rely on their concierge - the one on our cruise did not know the destinations, private tour options, or even how to negotiate for reasonable taxi fares. My best resource was Trip Advisor ahead of time.

My wife and I were in Singapore early January this year for the first time as the starting point for a 15 day Azamara cruise ending in Hong Kong. We loved the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Botanical Gardens (especially the Orchid Gardens), and the food - all levels. The Hawker Centers for street food, Chilli Crab (we went to Mellben), and super upscale Iggy's on Orchard Road. We did not make it to the new Bay Garden/Park but heard great reviews. The Night Safari was a bit of a disappointment. Marina Bay was very impressive although we did not get up to the top. Very fun time there although I personally prefer the chaos and grit of other Asian cities that Singapore does not have. As an American I think I am in the minority with that opinion.

Cabin 7004 - Club Ocean Suite

Journey

January 2014 - Singapore to Hong Kong

We have already booked a future cruise in the suite

A little anchor noise but you're on a ship

Huge Balcony

Great views, forward facing makes for great views, wind not an issue mostly, you do bounce a bit more being at the front of the ship