Costa Classica Far East Cruise Nov 2010

[Yulara336]

Not long to go just over a month before we sail!

 

We are going on the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, China cruise for 14 days leaving on November 6

 

Can anyone who has done this cruise please comment on the shore tours available from Costa. We are only looking at a few and the rest do ourselves at port

 

We are definitely doing the Singapore Zoo. My husband is doing the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, whilst me and my 5 year old son are doing the city tour that includes the water puppets. And in Sanya we are visiting the huge Buddha in Nanshan

 

Am I missing anything major or a MUST see. Bear in mind that we are travelling with a 5 year old that doesn't mind walking everywhere but a lot of the tours are out for 6 to 8 hours! They are also quite expensive compared to the other lines we have been on.

 

Also any comments about the Classica would be much welcomed, this is our first time on Costa but not first time cruising!

 

We are also staying at Hong Kong Disneyland at the end of our trip so don't want to get too worn out!

[kuldalai]

See the thread below "How is Costa Cruiseline."

[Yulara336]

Thanks but I wanted more of an experience from someone who has been to these ports...comparing this to Egypt isnt very helpful :)

[CtheW0rld]

for singapore, i visited little india, chinatown and the national orchid garden. all were great.

[Yulara336]

Would you recommend using the Costa Shore Tours or doing your own thing?

[G.M.T.]

In Singapore I would definitely recommend you do your own thing. There is an underground station right next to the cruise terminal, the underground is fast, clean and cheap (taxi are also fairly cheap).

 

There are several good excursion companies in Singapore and costa fraction of what Costa charges.

 

Ron

[georgegirl]

oh i will be leaving the ship the day you embark.

Only just over 4 weeks till i go and i am so excited.

Have a great time

[kuldalai]

Costa Shore excursions are priced in Euros and are very expensive . Why a boat based in Asia is not running on Singapore or Hong Kong $ as the on board currency defies all logic. Ownership of the line is irelevant to on-baord currency. Princess is a US line but its ships operating out of Australia use the Australian $ as the on-board currency . Crociere please note .

[kuldalai]

Singapore & Hong Kong are both cities with great Metros and public transportation, so do both these cities on your own and have a lot of fun .

 

Singapore - Harbourtown is the MTR station nearest the Cruise Terminal .

Should sees : Raffles Hotel (Long bar 1st Floor up the back, a great Souvenir Shop off the Ground Floor Court Yard. Raffles Museum 2nd Floor at the back - Free.) Chinatown - Pagoda Street from 10am daily - MTR China Town, Shopping on Orchard Road - MTR Dhoby Ghaut, Little India (mainly food & handcrafts) MTR Little India, Bugis Street Market - daily from 10am MTR - Bugis Street . Jurong Bird Park (allow 1/2 day - World Class) - MTR to Boon Lay then express bus # 194 to the Bird Park .

 

Hong Kong - You will be docked at Ocean Terminal on Kowloon side .

Nearest MTR is Tsim Sha Tsui on Nathan Rd . The Star Ferry alongside Ocean Terminal connects Kowloon to Hong Kong Island every few minutes.

 

Should sees : Shopping on Nathan Road , just walk from Ocean Terminal.

Stanley Market (on HK Island) Star Ferry to HK Island then walk over the overhead footbridge some distance to Central Square Bus Station for bus # 6 or 6X to Stanley Market .

Victoria Peak - Bus # 15C from Central Ferry Pier (on HK Island) to Lower Peak Tram station . Return down by bus # 15 under Galleria Shopping Centre on the Peak . Temple St Night Market - nearest MTR Jordan.

Lantau and Lamma Islands by ferry from Piers near Star Ferry pier on HK Island Central . Ocean Park express buses from Central Ferry Pier (HK Island) direct to Ocean Park . Bus # 629 at 0935, 0955 and 1015 daily.

Hong Kong Disneyland accessible by MTR to Sunny Bay .