Live from the Ocean Princess - April 29 to May 27, 2011

[paul929207]

Day 8 – At Sea

No sign of the pirates today. Lots of other ships sailing up the coast of India with us.

Day 9 – Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay)

No shuttle. Taxis are available at the pier.

We were told that it was a mile to a mile and a half to Fashion Street, which is a market for all sorts of clothing. We were lied to. We walked over an hour to get there, but we made it. To get back to the ship, we opted for a taxi. These are interesting in Mumbai. First, few if any speak any English. Fortunately, I had taken a picture of the entrance to the pier area (and failed to erase it when told to). I showed it to the driver and he nodded, so we got in and he started the meter. This brings us to the second interesting thing, the meters are old and cannot be adjusted for fares increases, so there is a card to convert the meter amount to the actual cost. The meter said 5.4 rupees (about 12 cents), but the card said 89 rupees (US$2.00). And that was with the guy getting lost in the pier area trying to find the ship.

[kuldalai]

So for this cruise Singapore to Rome which countries :

 

1. Did YOU have to get Visas for ?

2. Issue Tourist Visas on arrival ?

3. Do Princess get the Visas on arrival and charge to on-board account ?

 

We are doing similar cruise on Ocean Princess 17/10/12 Rome to Singapore, and have been told we need to get our own Visas for Egypt & India, and that Princess will get them for Jordan .

 

Any feedback appreciated .

[paul929207]

So for this cruise Singapore to Rome which countries :

 

1. Did YOU have to get Visas for ?

2. Issue Tourist Visas on arrival ?

3. Do Princess get the Visas on arrival and charge to on-board account ?

 

We are doing similar cruise on Ocean Princess 17/10/12 Rome to Singapore, and have been told we need to get our own Visas for Egypt & India, and that Princess will get them for Jordan .

 

Any feedback appreciated .

For US citizens, India is the only country that required us to get a visa in advance. I am not sure which country issue visas on arrival that are charged to our account. I believe that Oman, Jordan and Egypt do.

[JohnLauben]

Is there anything you can do on your own in Cochin, or would you even recommend it? Can't wait to hear about what you did there.

 

Cochin seemed to be an OK port. Didn't seem to be a whole lot to do or see here. I was on the tour to the Taj Mahal; so, we only had about 2 hours to see things. A lot of time is taken up negotiating traffic (as in all of India).

[JohnLauben]

Just returned from the 3 day/2 night shore excursion to the Taj Mahal. Fantastic but very tiring. Traffic here is a whole 'nother experience. I'll provide details when I get home, due to the slowness of the internet on board. A very worthwhile, albeit expensive, shore excursion.

[daryleann]

We are on this ship in July, so were wondering about the laundry facilities. We were on a Renaissance ship so know they had only one laundry aboard. NCL has removed all theirs. HAL included soap free. Could you look into the facilities on board and let us know what monies it takes, what is included, etc?

Thanks for the help.

 

And thanks for the postings. This is one trip I have on my wish list...

[cruiserus]

How has the weather been so far? Was India really hot? If you were out and about in India where you hassled by beggars everywhere? I had heard this was the case, and I would like to kinow what to expect whenever we get there.

 

How has entertainment been so far? Having been on the Ocean before, I do know that the Princess productions are scaled down to fit on the small stage/dance area in the lounge. What other types of entertainment have been offered? Any local group brought on while in port?

[MAZANDSTEVE]

We are on this ship in July, so were wondering about the laundry facilities. We were on a Renaissance ship so know they had only one laundry aboard. NCL has removed all theirs. HAL included soap free. Could you look into the facilities on board and let us know what monies it takes, what is included, etc?

Thanks for the help.

 

And thanks for the postings. This is one trip I have on my wish list...

 

 

We are just off this ship. There is a laundry room with washers, dryers and irons. The washers and dryers are $1 (4 x 25c) each. And free soap for washers, just press the little button above.

[Hoyaheel]

What about laundry by the bag - I cannot remember if Princess offers this? We did our own when we were on Pacific in Alaska, but our cruise in the Black Sea will be pretty port intensive so it might make more sense for us to send it out. Thanks!

 

I'm glad you didn't see any pirates!!! But seeing other ships can be exciting - my husband lives for that:p

[MAZANDSTEVE]

What about laundry by the bag - I cannot remember if Princess offers this? We did our own when we were on Pacific in Alaska, but our cruise in the Black Sea will be pretty port intensive so it might make more sense for us to send it out. Thanks!

 

I'm glad you didn't see any pirates!!! But seeing other ships can be exciting - my husband lives for that:p

 

 

Yes they did the laundry bag too.

[daryleann]

Mazandsteve - thanks for the info! will plan on taking quarters... and standing in line. On 19 day cruise, I bet there are lots of people wanting to do the same thing. Perhaps getting up real early (when it opens) will be successful - it was the last time. Came back after bfst and a lady nastily told me to go to the end of the line. I told her that I would like to get my clothes out so she could have a washer ;) (BTW - I was early - they weren't just sitting)

[MAZANDSTEVE]

Mazandsteve - thanks for the info! will plan on taking quarters... and standing in line. On 19 day cruise, I bet there are lots of people wanting to do the same thing. Perhaps getting up real early (when it opens) will be successful - it was the last time. Came back after bfst and a lady nastily told me to go to the end of the line. I told her that I would like to get my clothes out so she could have a washer ;) (BTW - I was early - they weren't just sitting)

 

 

We found afternoons were the quietest, there were lines from 7.15am, we know, as I mentioned in another post, we had a cabin nearby the laundry room and they lined up right outside our door waking us up on sea days.:(

[ckl001]

Day 5 & 6 – At Sea

Like everyone else we are thrilled to hear the Bin Laden is dead.

I haven’t posted much since we are at sea and each person finds their own activities among those offered, or does nothing. If there are any questions about what is offered, let me know and I will try to expand.

This afternoon, we will enter waters where there is a chance of pirate activity. While it is highly unlikely that they will attach a ship with about 1000 people, our Captain is making sure we are prepared. This afternoon, we will have a pirate drill. We did the same thing in 2009 when there were pirates in the Seychelles. All passengers will go to their cabins, close the curtains and drapes and sit on the floor away from any window.

 

Tomorrow, about 125 passengers will disembark for a two night overland excursion to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Delhi. So we will have more employees than passengers on the ship for a few days

 

Hi Paul,

Just checking with the pirate drill about going into you cabin and sitting on the floor..... Do you have to sit on the floor? What happens if you can not get down to the floor or get up? Do they have an alterative?

 

Chez

[paul929207]

What about laundry by the bag - I cannot remember if Princess offers this? We did our own when we were on Pacific in Alaska, but our cruise in the Black Sea will be pretty port intensive so it might make more sense for us to send it out. Thanks!

 

I'm glad you didn't see any pirates!!! But seeing other ships can be exciting - my husband lives for that:p

At least once they offered a bag for $20.

[paul929207]

Hi Paul,

Just checking with the pirate drill about going into you cabin and sitting on the floor..... Do you have to sit on the floor? What happens if you can not get down to the floor or get up? Do they have an alterative?

 

Chez

You can sit on a chair or on the bed. The concern is that in the event of an actual attack, the ship may be making sharp turns at high speeds.

[paul929207]

You can sit on a chair or on the bed. The concern is that in the event of an actual attack, the ship may be making sharp turns at high speeds.

Day 10 – At Sea

This is the first of two sea days on the way to Muscat, Oman.

Day 11 – At Sea

 

Day 12 – Muscat, Oman

Oman is located in the Southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a population of nearly three million. Muscat, the capital, has about 200,000 residents. Until 1970, the country was isolated from the rest of the world. The roads were all dirt paths, and the city gates in the wall around Muscat were closed at sundown. When Sheik Qaboos took over in 1970, he started a modernization program, which included modern medical facilities, new airport, paved roads, etc.

There is a shuttle to the port exit (about ¾ mile) and another to the Muttrah Souk (about 3 miles from the ship). Both are free.

We took the shuttle to the souk and did some shopping. We went early as the temperature is supposed to be 97 today. It felt like the temperature would have to go down to get to 97. It is supposed to be a dry heat, but it was still miserable at 8:30am.

[paul929207]

You can sit on a chair or on the bed. The concern is that in the event of an actual attack, the ship may be making sharp turns at high speeds.

Day 10 – At Sea

This is the first of two sea days on the way to Muscat, Oman.

Day 11 – At Sea

 

Day 12 – Muscat, Oman

Oman is located in the Southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a population of nearly three million. Muscat, the capital, has about 200,000 residents. Until 1970, the country was isolated from the rest of the world. The roads were all dirt paths, and the city gates in the wall around Muscat were closed at sundown. When Sheik Qaboos took over in 1970, he started a modernization program, which included modern medical facilities, new airport, paved roads, etc.

There is a shuttle to the port exit (about ¾ mile) and another to the Muttrah Souk (about 3 miles from the ship). Both are free.

We took the shuttle to the souk and did some shopping. We went early as the temperature is supposed to be 97 today. It felt like the temperature would have to go down to get to 97. It is supposed to be a dry heat, but it was still miserable at 8:30am.

[kruisey]

You can sit on a chair or on the bed. The concern is that in the event of an actual attack, the ship may be making sharp turns at high speeds.

 

 

Wow I might have missed out at being chased by a pirate ship due to my cancellation of this trip.;):D

Enjoying the posts:)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

You can sit on a chair or on the bed. The concern is that in the event of an actual attack, the ship may be making sharp turns at high speeds.

 

From other threads I have read, re cruise ships passing through this area, they join a convoy and are escorted through with Naval Ships , that are supplied from countries that come from all over the world.

 

Paul ,

We all realise that you may be entering an area, from where you can not "broadcast" for security reasons, so look forward to posts when you get through.

 

[JohnLauben]

Toured Muscat this morning. Much nicer than I expected. Visited 2 museums, the Sultan's (working) palace and a souk (shopping "mall"). Temperature was a balmy 106 degrees Fahrenheit. And gasoline is just below $1 a gallon!

[grandmaa]

Toured Muscat this morning. Much nicer than I expected. Visited 2 museums, the Sultan's (working) palace and a souk (shopping "mall"). Temperature was a balmy 106 degrees Fahrenheit. And gasoline is just below $1 a gallon!

Glad you are enjoying your cruise. Temperature here in Sunny Southern California is in the 70's and we are paying $4.17 to $4.89 gallon for gas today! Ouch!!

[cowgrrl]

Thank you for this. We're looking at doing the reverse (Rome to Singapore) in a few years & information is hard to come by.

 

I'd love, when you have time afterwards, to hear your opinion on the Taj Mahal option. The route we're looking at has you leaving from Dubai & joining back up with the cruise in Mumbai. Its a big expense but I don't know that I could pass up an opportunity to see the Taj Mahal.

[paul929207]

Day 13 – Dubai

Today and tomorrow, we are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was formed in 1971 when 7 small emirates decided to unite for self-protection. The country has a population of nearly 4.5 million. About 1.5 million live in Abu Dhabi, the capital and tomorrow’s port. Nearly 1.25 million are in Dubai.

At 8:45am, the temperature was 92.

Princess offered a shuttle to a shopping mall for $6.00 per person each way. We took a taxi to the Gold Souk for about $25 round trip. We wander thru the many shops and picked up a few little things, but no jewelry.

Dubai is the home to the tallest building in the world – Burg al Khalifa. At 2,680 feet, it is over 1,000 feet taller than the next tallest.

Several interesting ships are docked nearby. First is the Queen Elizabeth 2. She is permanently docked here, or at least until someone figures out what to do with her. Then there are the three private yachts docked behind our ship. Two of them are former 120 passenger cruise ships, which are now owned by the two sons of the Emir of Dubai. The third and large yacht is owned by the Emir.

[JohnLauben]

Today is the first time that PRINCESS has visited Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The captain reported that a ceremony was to take place at 11:00 AM; I missed it since I was ashore.

 

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are really nice, clean and safe cities. Hot too! But, since they are also new/modern cities, they really aren't very interesting (unless you like mosques). 6 sea days ahead. Our next scheduled port, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was cancelled before leaving home. So, our next scheduled port is Aqaba, Jordan. Petra is nearby (think of where Indiana Jones found the Holy Grail).

 

Also for the statistics ... there are 4 children on board this cruise (so far as I have noticed) from 2 different family groups.

[paul929207]

Day 14 - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is on the Persian Gulf and the largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It has a population of about 1,500,000, but only about 20 percent are nationals.

There was a free shuttle to a mall in town.

We took a private tour to Al Ain, the former residence of the Emir. The palace was built in 1937 and contained suites for his wives and children as well as rooms for preparing food and entertaining guests. We then visited the nearby Oasis, with its lush vegetation including many date palms. The next stop was the Al Jahili Fort which has many pictures of live in the vast desert. Finally, we visited a camel market where these animals and others are bought, sold and traded.

At 2:00pm the temperature was 102.