Quantum of the Seas 9-Day Singapore to Shanghai Questions

[Capt. Linebacker]

Hello. We will be going on a 9-day Quantum of the Sea cruise departing from Singapore to Shanghai with stops in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and mainland China. This will be our first cruise to Asia. How different will the on-board experience be from a typical North American/European cruise?

 

What can I expect on the ship in terms of language? What percentage of passengers speak English? Will the entertainment, announcements, etc. mainly be in English or/and Chinese?

 

How different is the food? I have heard they change up the food to accommodate the region. How much of it stays the same? If you have been on a cruise like this before I would appreciate any advice or recommendations.

[Ashland]

Hello. We will be going on a 9-day Quantum of the Sea cruise departing from Singapore to Shanghai with stops in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and mainland China. This will be our first cruise to Asia. How different will the on-board experience be from a typical North American/European cruise?

 

What can I expect on the ship in terms of language? What percentage of passengers speak English? Will the entertainment, announcements, etc. mainly be in English or/and Chinese?

 

How different is the food? I have heard they change up the food to accommodate the region. How much of it stays the same? If you have been on a cruise like this before I would appreciate any advice or recommendations.

We just did the Mariner in March Singapore-Shanghai. It was different than the cruises we usually take with RCI...but nothing we couldn't deal with..the itinerary was amazing.

 

Don't worry about the language still all anouncements were in english first and we found most all the crew spoke english (no problem at all) We had thought that the crew would be mainly asian but this wasn't the case. Most (passengers) on our ship were asian (lots's of Aussie's too) but not as many asians as the round trip asia cruises..that's the big difference.

 

Food offerings were maybe a bit more asian but still the basic RCI food available everywhere. We had no trouble finding american food especially in the diningroom and WJ etc. etc.

 

The only negative is that you may find some of the asian cruisers a bit pushy and don't understand waiting your turn aspect.

 

The ship was very asianized (but this may be different for your ship) as far as the promenade goes..pub changed to a liquor store and very highend converted shops...the casino was always packed and the smell of smoke was horrible at times.

 

I would have to give some thought as to ever sailing the asian market but the itinerary makes it worthwhile.

 

We loved Singapore (4 days pre-cruise)/Vietnam (wish we would have been in Vietnam overnight)..not enough time in Hong Kong and didn't like Xiamen at all . Loved Shanghai (we have been there before on a land only trip) we spent a week post cruise..our favorite.

 

Wow I just checked your sailing and so glad we went on Mariner when we did (March 7, 2015)..had a midship portside hump JS for our 8 nighter and paid under 3k...I hope you enjoy Quantum !!!!

Edited May 15, 2015 by Ashland

[timtam2]

I agree with everything the previous poster said - I did Mariner Singapore to Shanghai in 2014 and it was fabulous - over 50% of the passengers were Westerners - lots of Aussies, Brits and many Europeans - it was great fun. And no worries with the food at all. Enjoy! I am doing the Quantum cruise prior - 3 nights R/T from Singapore and wish I could have extended to do the 9 nighter also - the price has dropped incredibly this week!

Edited May 15, 2015 by timtam2

[sglove_cruise]

Hi

 

I'm booked on the 9 days cruise from Singapore - Shanghai on the Quantum. Could you share with me your experience on how rough/smooth were the waters enroute?

 

Thanks for any info.

[gavyray]

A month ago did Fremantle to Singapore via Phu My which is where we get off in Vietnam after leaving Singapore this time.

On voyager of the seas no noticeable movement the whole time except for leaving Phu My for a couple of hours. It was a slight rolling and that is all so not expecting any worse than that this time. Phu My town about 30 minutes away by taxi from port. Looked like quite a nice beachside town as we cruised past it on leaving.

Can walk to end of dock about 400m and haggle taxi cost about $80US for a couple of hour round trip as we wanted them to wait for us. We decided not to go in as we felt that was a bit steep.

Vietnam visa was organised on boat automatically whether u got off or not $6US.

[sglove_cruise]

A month ago did Fremantle to Singapore via Phu My which is where we get off in Vietnam after leaving Singapore this time.

On voyager of the seas no noticeable movement the whole time except for leaving Phu My for a couple of hours. It was a slight rolling and that is all so not expecting any worse than that this time. Phu My town about 30 minutes away by taxi from port. Looked like quite a nice beachside town as we cruised past it on leaving.

Can walk to end of dock about 400m and haggle taxi cost about $80US for a couple of hour round trip as we wanted them to wait for us. We decided not to go in as we felt that was a bit steep.

Vietnam visa was organised on boat automatically whether u got off or not $6US.

 

Thank you gavyray for sharing your experience. :-)