2aussiegolfers

On 11/8/2019 at 8:56 AM, won2go said:

From what I can find online the Vietnam  eVisa is only acceptable for arrival at designated international airports and NOT cruise ship ports. Can anyone confirm that an advance eVisa will be valid for cruise ship arrival?

We got multi entry eVisa, I just put the first day we visit and the last, it is checked and emailed within a few days so I suspect they will contact you if there is any issues.

On 10/25/2019 at 11:43 PM, expattraveler said:

My wife and I are taking the December 21st leg from Singapore to Hong Kong.

 

The information shared from your experiences and recommendations on this forum is invaluable for us.

 

Very much appreciated!

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will be on this cruise also, 

Reading these comments is a great source of information :)

On 10/31/2019 at 12:03 PM, Videopark said:

My ship departs at 11 PM. Can we assume we can still get on board around Noon?

Hi Videopark,

My ship departs at 11pm also, our documents say check-in starts at 2pm.

On 10/30/2019 at 3:19 AM, Westiesheepie said:

Viet Nam recently announced the reduction of visa fee for cruise passengers to $5 for US citizens. How much does Seabourn charge for arranging this visa? And do I still need to get a Cambodian visa if I do not intend on leaving the ship? 

Hi Westiesheepie, 

We are doing this cruise in December, we have eVisa's for Vietnam, which I sourced myself but we could not get eVisa for Cambodia, I rang and spoke to Seabourn and she said we need a visa for Cambodia even if we are not leaving the ship and that we can get this Visa on the ship, she just put a note on our seabourn account.

Hope this helps you.

20 minutes ago, Isklaar said:

 

 

Seabourn organised ours on the same itinerary on Ovation Dec 2018- January 2019.

A visa was required for all, even if not leaving the ship. The visa is large, taking up a full page of a UK passport and rather pretty. 

 

We are on Ovation Singapore to Hong Kong later this year, do we need to get visa's for Cambodia, if we are not planning to get off the ship that day. I know some ports wont let ships enter unless everyone has visa's.  As mentioned before the visa companies recommended by Seabourn, all state we need one, but I thinking its a "just incase you might need it" type of recommendation.

Any thoughts ?

Hello fellow foodies,

Just a question slightly off topic, could anyone suggest where I could find out when or if there will be a “shopping with the chef” on our Singapore to Hong Kong cruise.

I can find cooking classes in the shore excursions, but we would like to experience “shopping with the chef” if they still do this.

7 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

Hello, mate from down under.  At this moment, I have more "confidence" predicting how to pack and/or weather next January than the unpredictable rioting in HK, often distorted & twisted in news and social media, depending on who you believe ... DW and I go to raw, unedited social media to watch & decide for yourselves, without necessary listening to the news commentary.  i.e. This past weekend, 20+ homemade Molotov cocktail (petro bombs) were launched at one of the local HK police stations by (peaceful ??) multiple demonstrators (rioters ??) in a matter of seconds. 

 

There is another call-out for this Sunday, this time - the destination from TST's waterfront (popular tourist landmark ... near the Star Ferry) is the West Rail Station ... with the HK Airport Express's Kowloon Station nearby (which has been frequently closed temporary due to "public gathering events" (codeword = demonstrations / riots) 

 

Back on topic directly (with these background) - 

1.  Part of the problem for any travelers, is getting to the airport (HKIA) by any means, authorities has been advising those with departing flights to get to the airport at least 3 hours prior, just in case.  HKIA has an indefinite court injunction and is generally well-guarded, especially when certain "protest" plans are known to LE & police ... access strictly enforced.  

 

2.  HKIA is on the Lantau Island - getting there, by any means, can be a last minute challenge.  We used to count on taking the A21 that run along Nathan Road to/from the airport ... not anymore, although no plans to visit anytime soon with the current unrest.   A direct cruiseline airport transfer, generally more expensive & comparable to a taxi ride, is probably a "safer" way to get there upon disembarkation for same day/afternoon/evening travel ... hangout air-side, the airport faciliies are excellent - plenty of eateris, restaurants, shops & places to sit/relax, lounge access & free WiFi (not ideal but.)  

 

3.  There are 2 hotels near HKIA, one is walkable & the other is a 10 minutes shuttle ride away.  But, if you are staying overnight there - getting into town & back, isn't going to be fun or easy, unless you are flexible with sightseeing & ready to head back ASAP should events "unfold" quickly.  

 

4.  Staying on the HK island side isn't necessary going to be any better - the "gatherings" can pop up anywhere & the crowds are known to disperse and branch out to multiple shopping malls, MTR stations and setup random road blocks, stopping traffic and tossing "objects" randomly.  If there is trouble ahead, turn & leaving, don't stop to "sightsee" or watch, and keep your smartphone/camers/vidoes out of sight, please !

 

Of course, HK might be safer by then - it's anybody's guess at this point.  

Check with Aussie's official government travel advisory for the latest & ask the cruiseline about their contingency plan(s) if any. 

 

Here's a news video that I like to share (of course, you might find similar and/or opposing ones on BBC News or CNN Int'l, in addition to local SCMP or CCTV Int'l from China, etc. - you decide whom to believe & endorse) - "Violent protests continue in HK" by 7News Australia (Robert Ovadia) - posted / shared on YT - search for this on their news, written from a "foreign" journalist's points of view covering the events on the ground. 

 

http://7NEWS.com.au - also on FB & Twitter

In general, "foreigners" seen as visitors/travelers are not at risks or prone to be attacked, as these groups/fractions are looking for global support for their "beliefs" - "laowai" are considered to be sympathetic and not to be offended.  

 

Waves of restaurants, stores & retail closings are happening already and more are expected in the coming months - plan your visits accordingly and please use the MTR links and tourism links to stay updated during the stay of changes, hours & what's subject to closure.  Macau (next door) is open & very safe, it's not a bad idea to consider (short) staying there instead.  Safe travel & happy cruising. 

 

Thank you

a very helpful reply.

12 hours ago, mking8288 said:

One of the many news items from the HK-based SCMP today (Saturday's online edition): for a taste/sample of what has been going on lately -

IMHO, of course - demonstrations no longer peaceful & non-violent, protests that would be classified as riots ... some would consider some of the facts as being terrorism (borderline ??) 

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3032654/hong-kong-protests-petrol-bombs-thrown-mtr-station

 

In any event - looking ahead at the Kai Tak cruise terminal schedule for the coming weeks only / near term only - only a handful of ships are making a port (overnight) stop in H.K.  I am strongly advising, urging fellow CC'er planning to go ashore to download & pre-install the MTR Mobile App - see this link below - for the latest public transit status, station closure & alternative transport options - in view of recent "incidents" & no longer confined to the airport or Central/TST or Prince Edward Station in Mong Kok.

 

Another Sunday of public gatherings that turned confrontational, non-peaceful and violent, what else can I say or don't know what to think of the near future.

 

Many MTR subway stations vandalized before, repaired & reopened and again, damaged & firebombed today, again - now shutdown or closed temporary.  It's in various news media - go view to decide for yourself.  If you travel around, use this live MTR App while visiting:

http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/mtr_mobile.html

 

Safe travel, happy planning & enjoy the cruise, wherever you go.  

Hello

We have never been to HK before, we disembark our cruise, in HK early January, then we have 2 days before we fly out, just wondering, if anyone could advise,

1. If we should stay near the airport, or

2. Change our departing flights to the same day as disembark, or

3. Stay in HK on the harbour as originally planned and hope for the best.

Thank you 

We are to join the Odyssey in Auckland on the 6th January, so we made a special trip to white bay cruise terminal to see the ship, so excite, this will be our first Seabourn cruise.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Never seen one :(

Flamin June, you should write a book. Your posts are so descriptive and evocative. Am thoroughly enjoying them and eagerly opening my iPad in the morning to look for another. Will be sorry when you disembark.

So totally agree, I feel like, I am standing, watching this happen, the wording just draws you in...

Thank you Flamin-June

Flamin_June, we are thoroughly enjoying reading of your travels so well written and descriptive. Thank you.:)

We did this cruise last year for New Year, absolutely loved it, the staff, the food, the restaurants, and a different island every few days, we did have a verandah cabin, but the thing to remember is you only sleep in there if you spend too much time in your cabin you miss lots.

There was lots of family's from the US, that meet from different state for a get together type holiday. We didn't have any rowdy groups, which made the trip all the more enjoyable. Met some lovely people.

It can be expensive depending on what time of the year you go, we were in Christmas New Year holiday time, so we expected to pay more, to keep the costs down look at the different times of the year the prices are a lot lower. If you have the flexibility on when you can travel, use it.

If you are a golfer they do great golf days on all islands, take your pick.

Enjoy the cruise, highly recommend it to see all of the Hawaiian islands not just one.

:)

 

Dining

 

Restaurant 2 still doesn't work - and is evidently going to be replaced early next year.

 

We also found the Restaurant not great for couples any more. We enjoyed our meals there much more on hosted tables. A large number of the couples we spoke to preferred to eat in the Colonnade or Patio Grill, to the point that on at least 3 nights, of which we're aware, passengers were being turned away from the Colonnade as it was full. Meanwhile the Restaurant was never more then 2/3 full.

Hello all,

We are new to Seabourn and looking forward to our first cruise January.

Can I ask what is wrong with Restaurant 2?

We were looking forward to the food of Seabourn, we have read so much about, just getting a little concerned, when we see a few posts like this saying it doesn't work.

Or is it only on the 7 day cruise it doesn't work?

Thanks in advance :)

Can someone share their experience with doing an international transfer at the Sydney Airport continuing on to Auckland. My wife and I fly into Sydney from the US and arrive at 7:50 am and need to book a flight to continue to Auckland and we are arriving in Sydney on Virgin Australia. How much time between flights should we need? Do we need to collect our Bags and Recheck them? Does that require Customs and Immigration?

Would appreciate any insight provided.:eek:

Hi Focusedcruiser,

International transfer, you should always allow for delays, landing at 8.50am is a busy time in Sydney airport, in saying that I have had a quick look at direct flights from Sydney to Auckland in the next month and the earliest flight would be around 9am with Air NZ a Virgin partner.

For baggage IMO if you advise the staff at the check in counter in the US that you would like it checked through to NZ they can do that for you. As long as your onward travel is with Virgin or a partner airline.

I think you will find that any airline that doesn't partner with another airline you would have to collect your baggage and check in again.

Hope this is helpful to you, happy travels

:)

Hello,

We are first time SB cruisers, we are to pay our final payment at the end of September 2014, but are not sailing until 6th January 2015, out of Auckland NZ.

If anyone has a referral credit that fits in with these dates please email me on cbo36078atbigponddotnetdotau.

Thank you :)

Thank you to all for the offers of coupons, we have made arrangements with Loncan.

Thanks again :)

Hello,

We are first time SB cruisers, we are to pay our final payment at the end of September 2014, but are not sailing until 6th January 2015, out of Auckland NZ.

If anyone has a referral credit that fits in with these dates please email me on cbo36078atbigponddotnetdotau.

Thank you :)

We'll be on the Jewel over New Year's. I did book something for New Years Eve, but only because I was afraid it might be a little harder to get what I wanted that night.

That's a good idea Cupcake, we should consider that., thanks:)

We have always just "winged" it and never a problem. Have not been on the POA and it might be different so hopefully someone call tell you.

 

Wonderful time of the year to do Hawaii and hope you have a great cruise:)

Thanks kcwingwalker,

we are hoping to do that, but with it being a peak time not quiet sure.

We are looking forward to seeing Hawaii, we have never been before and very different weather to our Sydney weather at that time of year.

Thanks again:)

Hello,

I have never had to pre book dining on our cruises other than when we are on the ship, but just wondering if its needed, there is only two of us. So do you I need to pre book speciality restaurants on POA on a Dec/Jan cruise or can we just "wing it" ?

Some thoughts on this would be helpful.

Thanks in advance

:)

My husband did one on the Big Island last month. 7:15 is the time you meet up with your golf pro. Then your group goes to the golf course together. I believe he said they took taxis. The pro provides water and takes pictures of your swing that you can buy later. He seemed to enjoy it.

Thank you :)

We will be spending 4 days in Oahu after our cruise in January, this will be very handy since neither of us have been to Hawaii before... Thank you again:)

Hi all,

We are looking at booking some of the golf tours, I'm a little confused at the times on the POA website for booking. I hope someone can answer these questions.

It says 7.15am, when I go to book it, but, is that the time we leave the ship or is that the tee time they are booking us, because it says we don't dock till 7am.

also do POA provide the transport to the golf course or do I have to organise that myself.

I know these sound strange questions but I just don't know, thanks in advance.:)