Feedback on Atlantis 2009 HongKong to Singapore

[VanceSF]

I'm starting this thread to get feedback from those of you who were on this year's Atlantis Hong Kong to Singapore cruise.

 

Those of us going next year would really appreciate your input.

 

Some of my questions are:

What were the must see shore excursions?

 

What shore excursions were a dud?

 

How long was the bus ride to Hue? Was it worth it?

 

How convenient was the ship to Bangkok? We can book a hotel room for a few award points, should we do this? We do want to check out the night life.

 

Did the ship dock/tender at Nathon in Ko Samui?

 

Any recommendations for beaches in Ko Samui and Nha Trang?

 

Was there any problems getting reservations at Prime C or Aqualina? I don’t want to rush to the ship, just so I can make reservations if I don’t have to.

I know some of these are subjective questions, so please just share your thoughts.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Vance

[Hobie]

Vance,

Thanks for posting these questions.

I just booked the cruise today, and in my excitement came here to read that old existing thread.

 

I would also appreciate any advice and recommendations from you veterans of the 2009 cruise. Also interested in recommendations for tours and hotels in Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

Tom (RMS Olympic) if you read this, I think you have my e-mail. Hobie99@.... Please send me an e-mail with your recommendations, or just share here.

 

Thanks guys...

Hobie.

[bostonsammy]

Here are my thoughts...

What were the must see shore excursions?

My favorite was the Hoi An and Biking excursion in Danang. Hoi An is a must see and the bike ride was wonderful. I also liked the jungle safari in Ko Samui. In Ho Chi Mihn, I enjoyed the city tour with rickshaw ride.

 

What shore excursions were a dud?

The countryside excursion in Nha Trang sucked. Go to the beach instead.

 

How long was the bus ride to Hue? Was it worth it?

I heard that it was over 2 hours each way. I can't speak to whether it was worth it, but I would recommend Hoi An instead.

 

How convenient was the ship to Bangkok? We can book a hotel room for a few award points, should we do this? We do want to check out the night life.

It is a 15 or 20 minute cab ride. Yes, you should book a hotel. It is so hot in Bangkok, that you might just want to take a shower after touring before going out for the evening. It would be more convenient than going back to the boat.

 

Did the ship dock/tender at Nathon in Ko Samui?

I'm not sure. It sounds familiar.

 

 

recommendations for beaches in Ko Samui and Nha Trang?

In Nha Trang, you might want to book one of the private beach excursions to avoid the locals hounding you to buy stuff on the public beach. I don't think that was much of a problem in Ko Samui.

 

Was there any problems getting reservations at Prime C or Aqualina? I don’t want to rush to the ship, just so I can make reservations if I don’t have to.

No, it is pretty easy. I think they gaurantee everyone at least two visits during the cruise. I went twice to Prime C and loved it. Plus it has no extra fee. Just a $5 gratuity.

As for hotels in HK and Singapore, I highly recommend Hotel Panarama in HK and hotel Re in Singapore. the location of Hotel Re will require that you take taxis where you are going, but the hotel is inexpensive and taxis are cheap, so it is worth it.

 

 

[HotlantaCruiser]

I realized that I was remiss in not writing up a full review (as much as I like reading others', yet I never do a full one of my own). So while I'm working on it, I'll answer some of your questions:

 

What were the must see shore excursions?

Hoi Ann got rave reviews from those who went, and it didn't involve a 3 hour bus ride.

 

 

What shore excursions were a dud?

 

The animal excursion (park/safari/something) on Koh Samui was apparently just dreadful. The City tour in Saigon (HCM) was about what you would expect for a city that doesn't have a lot going on. The famous US Embassy building doesn't exist anymore (torn down) so you can't get your photo shot of the rooftop where the helicopter took off. The 1908 post office is neat, but the people's palace (?) looks exactly like it did in 1973, and it was very dated then, so again, neat to see, but not amazing.

 

How long was the bus ride to Hue? Was it worth it?

 

was 2.5-3 hours each way. long un-air conditioned bus, with only one opportunity for bathroom break (each way) . Most of the "imperial city" part of Hue was destroyed in the Tet Offensive, what's left is interesting, and I'm glad I did it. The best part of the tour was actually the stop at Thuy Duc's tomb. by tomb they meant something on the order of Central park, with lakes, small temples, walls, fortresses, etc. highlight of the excursions (other than Bangkok), and very unexpected. Honestly, the folks that went to Hoi Ann had a great time without the 3 hour bus ride, so I would call it a toss-up depending on your willingness to do the bus ride through the countryside.

 

How convenient was the ship to Bangkok? We can book a hotel room for a few award points, should we do this? We do want to check out the night life.

 

Ship VERY VERY convenient for bangkok. 20 minute cab ride (without traffic) from Silom (gay nightlife) to the Khlong Tooey (sp?) port. BKK nightlife ends at midnight-1:00 am, except for two discos, so not a problem either way.

 

 

Did the ship dock/tender at Nathon in Ko Samui? Tender

 

Any recommendations for beaches in Ko Samui and Nha Trang? The one main beach in Nha Trang was the most "convenient" and seemed to be the one people went to. Didn't hear of anyone who went to the resort (cable car) so can't offer any suggestions.

 

The main beach on the other side of Koh Samui (30 minute cab ride each way) was nice, but not the vision of Thai Lovliness I was expecting. it was less than I had been led to believe.

 

Was there any problems getting reservations at Prime C or Aqualina? I don’t want to rush to the ship, just so I can make reservations if I don’t have to.

 

 

No, no problems getting dinner in those rooms during the cruise. Specific nights, and/or on short notice could be a problem. Obviously certain nights were more popular due to timing of other activities (next day ports, etc). However, everyone who wanted to, got into both rooms during the cruise. Lots of people were able to go extra nights, simply because there were openings. Honestly though, the variety and quality of the menu in the main room was so good, most people didn't make a point to venture to the other rooms. It really was that good. We preferred Aqualina over Prime C, and we ate there twice. The gnochhi was amazing. Like, everyone who ordered it made everyone else try it, and all were converts.

 

the rules for booking Aqualina and Prime C seemed to change with the day. some days you could book any day you wanted, others they held fast to the today/tomorrow rule. My advice, just show up and try to book for whenever you want.

 

 

I'll post my review and link it here when I'm done.

[MDDCFlyer]

I am going on this cruise for 2010, and wondered if anyone saved the Atlantis activities plan from last year and can share?

[mjz]

In reviewing the shore excursions outlined on the Azamara website, I'm curious about the logistics involved in doing the beach destinations on our own instead via excursion.

 

Specifically, on Koh Samui, we'd like to visit Centara Beach. Instead of paying $89 per person to take the excursion, is it pretty easy to grab a cab at the pier and have them take us to the beach? Same question goes for China Beach while visiting Da Nang?

 

Thanks, Matt

[Malmö]

I am going on this cruise for 2010, and wondered if anyone saved the Atlantis activities plan from last year and can share?

 

We are also considering this cruise in December 2010. Any further comments and reviews would be most welcome. Thinking about adding a Taiwan visit at the end, assuming no problem travelling there and back from Hong Kong. :eek:

[HotlantaCruiser]

In reviewing the shore excursions outlined on the Azamara website, I'm curious about the logistics involved in doing the beach destinations on our own instead via excursion.

 

Specifically, on Koh Samui, we'd like to visit Centara Beach. Instead of paying $89 per person to take the excursion, is it pretty easy to grab a cab at the pier and have them take us to the beach? Same question goes for China Beach while visiting Da Nang?

 

Thanks, Matt

 

For Koh Samui:

We easily grabbed a cab at the Nathon pier to the far side of the island. No troubles at all (other than haggling on price. hehe).

I forget the name of the beach, but it was the "main one" that everyone went to. Only risk is getting one BACK to the ship in time, if you are going to an out of the way location.

 

China Beach: I'm not sure, as we did a tour that day. Cabs were everywhere at all stops, especially in Na Thrang and Saigon (HCM). I never heard anyone talk about having cab troubles.

[HotlantaCruiser]

We are also considering this cruise in December 2010. Any further comments and reviews would be most welcome. Thinking about adding a Taiwan visit at the end, assuming no problem travelling there and back from Hong Kong. :eek:

 

 

While the cruise was great with Atlantis, I would certainly question this cruise if you're doing a normal Oceania sailing. Since the ship only holds 684 Pax, there isn't a lot going on onboard, other than the ports. The casino is very small, and there is no "disco". Also, an itinerary this exotic is going to cater to a much older crowd. It would probably make Holland America look like a Spring Break cruise.

 

If that isn't a problem for you, then I would say this is a great way to see this corner of the world. However, if you've not sailed on a small(er) vessel before, I would certainly seek out other opinions before you book. The Itinerary is great, just be very honest about what you want in a ship, and what you do on board, and see if the Oceania product fits your needs.

 

Honestly, Bangkok is an amazingly tourism friendly city, and Saigon is as well.