Taxi Information at Ports

[lovethesun22]

Travelling Dubai......Cochin.....Goa.....Kualar lumpar.....penang.....

 

Do you advise to take ship excursions or is it like the Caribbean are there plenty of taxi's in port to take you out and about ?

 

Thanks

[paul929207]

Taxis were readily available in Dubai. They took US$

[SMCruiseControl]

Travelling Dubai......Cochin.....Goa.....Kualar lumpar.....penang.....

 

Do you advise to take ship excursions or is it like the Caribbean are there plenty of taxi's in port to take you out and about ?

 

Thanks

 

We just recently booked the same cruise (Mariner of the Seas, Dubai to Singapore, May 21) and were wondering the same thing. The ship's excursions actually look pretty reasonably priced, but we haven't made any arrangements yet. Thought we might talk to others at the Meet and Mingle and see what they are doing.

[rccl_lover]

We just recently booked the same cruise (Mariner of the Seas, Dubai to Singapore, May 21) and were wondering the same thing. The ship's excursions actually look pretty reasonably priced, but we haven't made any arrangements yet. Thought we might talk to others at the Meet and Mingle and see what they are doing.

 

Snap....was hoping someone could enlighten us before we travel. We like to do our own thing if we can

[SWANOZ]

Travelling Dubai......Cochin.....Goa.....Kualar lumpar.....penang.....

 

Do you advise to take ship excursions or is it like the Caribbean are there plenty of taxi's in port to take you out and about ?

 

Thanks

We did the ships tour at Kuala Lumpa due to distance,traffic and fear of getting back late. One of the ships buses was about an hour late and of course they waited for them. Penang lots of taxi drivers there they have an itinerary already to go. Not hat expensive I would do the taxi there but you do have to bargain before you go with them and set the price before you go. Hope this helps Jennifer

[lovethesun22]

We did the ships tour at Kuala Lumpa due to distance,traffic and fear of getting back late. One of the ships buses was about an hour late and of course they waited for them. Penang lots of taxi drivers there they have an itinerary already to go. Not hat expensive I would do the taxi there but you do have to bargain before you go with them and set the price before you go. Hope this helps Jennifer

 

Thanks Jennifer, really helpful. Would be great now if someone could give us some advice on Goa ?. :)

[Donna_In_India]

Travelling Dubai......Cochin.....Goa.....Kualar lumpar.....penang.....

 

Do you advise to take ship excursions or is it like the Caribbean are there plenty of taxi's in port to take you out and about ?

 

Thanks

 

Dubai: Depending on how long you have in port and what you want to see the Hop On Hop Off bus is a good option. You will see all points (newer sections with malls, Burj Al Arab hotel, etc. area a distance from port). Taxis are available and reasonably priced though. Research and decide what you want to see (souks, malls, Burj Khalifa, creek area/old Dubai, etc.) so you can plan your itinerary.

 

Goa: Taxis available. Might want to see Old Goa and Panaji/Panjim - local markets, etc. Negotiate for taxi!

 

Kochi/Cochin: main tourist area is very compact and you can see most by walking. Take rickshaws for 2-3 people.

 

I've just come across an interesting site for tours - toursbylocals.com. The prices are for a group of people (6-8) not per person so I think they are an excellent value. Key to making the most of your day is planning! Of course, you need to allow for traffic and the unexpected! Happy Cruising!

[Murrumbeena]

We did the ships tour at Kuala Lumpa due to distance,traffic and fear of getting back late. One of the ships buses was about an hour late and of course they waited for them. Penang lots of taxi drivers there they have an itinerary already to go. Not hat expensive I would do the taxi there but you do have to bargain before you go with them and set the price before you go. Hope this helps Jennifer

 

There is a well organised taxi stand at the port.They display prices for taxis into KL as well as several tours,you pay the at the booth and they in turn pay your taxi driver on return to port,this way they 'guarantee ' you will be back on time!

 

In Goa there are 'millions' of taxis and Tuk Tuks at the port offering tours,but you need to negotiate you price,

 

Dubai heaps to taxis they are all metered but inexpensive,the HOHO is available from the port and there are several tour operators also at the port offering 1/2 & full day tours.

[lilybob]

Thanks Jennifer, really helpful. Would be great now if someone could give us some advice on Goa ?. :)

 

Alternatives to the beach that we enjoyed were visiting Old Goa to see a few of the historic churches like Se Cathedral and Bom Jesus and a visit to the historic Fontainhas district of Panjim for the architecture and a visit to a temple. Lunch in Goa at Mum's Kitchen for Goan cuisine was a highlight. The food was delicious.

 

http://www.mumskitchengoa.com/

 

We booked our tour through Goa Magic. They met us at the gate and returned us to the ship in time. Our guide was Mr. Mahale. We were a party of four and the price was 3250 Rs pp ($60.) Lunch was extra and something that we wanted to do. We were very pleased with our day in Goa. It was beautiful and the Portuguese influence quite different from the other stops in India. It was a Sunday so some of the shops were closed but traffic a little lighter perhaps.

 

Enjoy your visit there!

[lilybob]

As others have stated, the Big Bus tour is a good way to see Dubai and there are two different routes. The metro is also a good alternative to get between the downtown area of Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall/Dubai Fountains and Mall of the Emirates (indoor ski slope.) If you are touring Dubai on your own, purchase your tickets to Burj Khalifa At the Top online from 30 days in advance as the cost will be much less and they often sell out. There is now a connecting bridge between the Dubai Mall Metro Station and the mall which is welcoming if the temps are too high for you. Don't forget to visit the creek area with the old souks and ride across on an abra.

 

Kuala Lumpur has many alternatives to being dropped off at a shopping mall or the stalls along Petaling St. The Petronas Towers are great (tickets required to go up to the observation area and will also take up at least 45 minutes of touring time,) Merdeka Square, the Bird Park, as well as the Islamic Art Museum, temples, National Monument etc. We used Leng from Tours by Locals who met us at the port and returned us in plenty of time and were pleased with our private tour.....though on the pricey side, but Port Klang is almost an hour from the city so you have to factor transportation in to the mix.

[lilybob]

Travelling Dubai......Cochin.....Goa.....Kualar lumpar.....penang.....

 

Do you advise to take ship excursions or is it like the Caribbean are there plenty of taxi's in port to take you out and about ?

 

Thanks

 

Though we don't usually take the ships tours, we did The Backwaters of Alappuzha in Cochin and really enjoyed it. The scenery was fabulous and seeing every day life going on around you as you cruised along the backwaters in a traditional houseboat was great. There were only two other couples in our group as well as a guide. This part of the tour lasted a couple of hours followed by lunch at the Marari Beach Resort. The resort was also quite nice with a beautiful beach and a variety of delicious food. We were on the cautious side with food and drink when off the ship and didn't have any problems;). A few others on the ship did a similar backwater trip in a canoe organized by the ship, and they were also quite pleased. The backwater trips could probably be organized on your own but being unfamiliar with the area we didn't want to take the chance. If we were to return again, we would explore this option. Have a great time!

[Ontario Cruiser]

20 of us want to take taxis from Port Klang to the nearest train station so that we can go to the Batu Caves. Does anyone know if there are a lot of taxis at the port and what they would charge?

Thanks Ontario Cruiser

[Cassicruiser]

20 of us want to take taxis from Port Klang to the nearest train station so that we can go to the Batu Caves. Does anyone know if there are a lot of taxis at the port and what they would charge?

Thanks Ontario Cruiser

 

I'd like to know the exact same thing. Also would it be better to get a taxi to the train and then the train to Batu caves, or just get taxis to Batu Caves and back?

[Ontario Cruiser]

I'd like to know the exact same thing. Also would it be better to get a taxi to the train and then the train to Batu caves, or just get taxis to Batu Caves and back?

What ship are you on. We are on the Ocean Princess (Oct 14). I think that it would be faster by train Ontario Cruiser

[Cassicruiser]

What ship are you on. We are on the Ocean Princess (Oct 14). I think that it would be faster by train Ontario Cruiser

We're on Celebrity Millennium - 5 January 2014. As you're before us, it would be wonderful if you could come back to this thread and report back if you remember.