Is the Voyager too "Asian" for us to Enjoy?

[Maverick911]

Just off a Cruise from Singapore where the majority of guests were of Chinese origin. Having toured China we weren't that surprised at much of what went on.

 

But beware that the Chinese travel in family groups and don't speak quietly. It was not uncommon to see a baby having it's nappy changed on the dinning room table. Most won't pay the extras so anything not paid for like the shows will be busy but the bars not so. They seem to eat later ie 11pm so the buffet restaurant will be busy at night. The worst part for us is the lack of manners so don't be surprised when your pushed out of the way or queue jumped.

 

Don't like to tar everyone with the same brush but these were are observations and other Europeans on our cruise.

[roquejo]

I spoke to my travel agent this morning to book the Voyager of the Seas on a cruise from Sydney to Singapore in 2017. She had concerns over the "Asianization" of the Voyager in the last year or so and wondered if we would enjoy it.

 

She said the crew would be 90%+ Chinese and the food, entertainment and activities would be more suited for Asian travelers than Americans.

 

My husband and I don't have any problem with exploring new and different cultures from ours, in fact we love it, but are we being naive? After all this is a 14 day cruise! Will there be serious language problems when speaking with the crew and other passengers? Will language be an issue with trivia and other activities? Will it be all Asian style food? Will the shows be in English? Will the casino be mostly Baccarat?

 

She has me worried.....should I be?

 

I am long booked at this cruise since May 2015. I am quite familiar with Voyager having sailed it 3 times already.

 

Unlike Quantum and Mariner where they are based in Asia all year round, Voyager has dual personality depending on whether it is in Asia or Australia.

 

My direct answer will be it will be mostly international crew and western style that you are used to in the US for the end of Australia season. It is only after it reaches Singapore that the crew and style will change for the Asian season.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited February 16, 2016 by roquejo

[WaveSplasher]

It's normal when people switch from one culture and experience another culture that is way beyond what they have usually seen. That is how i look at those reviews.

 

Personally i went on RCL cruising from the US. That was the cruise that started out my addiction to cruising. Then came the Mariner. We knew the Mariner was different from the US. And sure it was. There were many things different and things that we had seen when cruising from the US wasn't there on the Mariner. RCl in Asia caters to the Asian market and I don't blame them.

 

I'm going on the Voyager First Leg Repositioning from Hong kong to Singapore. As an Asian, I'm fully aware of the changes made to the ship and the demographics onboard and having been on the Mariner which i like it.

I believe the Voyager will work out fine for me. I have never done this sort of reposition cruise before so it will be interesting and definitely an eye opener. If it all goes well, I'm looking to book the Oviation(reposition leg From Singapore to Sydney)

 

I hope it works out fine for you as well. Good luck and I hope you don't experience nasty stuff like what Maverick had mentioned.

[cruisexlife]

There's a difference between "travel" and "vacation". Vacationing would be a beach trip, or a trip to Punta Cana. This cruise would be traveling. You will need to adapt to the local culture, and forget your own norms in order to not only enjoy it, but experience it 100%. You have the added bonus of it starting in Australia, but even then, there will be differences.

 

However, if you enjoy experiencing cultures and enjoying customs, then you should have a great time. Try and experience everything the best you can, you will most likely figure out that you like/enjoy the culture. Don't let this Travel ("vacation") Agent sway you otherwise, you're in for a great trip. :D

[direptor]

It's normal when people switch from one culture and experience another culture that is way beyond what they have usually seen. That is how i look at those reviews.

 

Personally i went on RCL cruising from the US. That was the cruise that started out my addiction to cruising. Then came the Mariner. We knew the Mariner was different from the US. And sure it was. There were many things different and things that we had seen when cruising from the US wasn't there on the Mariner. RCl in Asia caters to the Asian market and I don't blame them.

 

I'm going on the Voyager First Leg Repositioning from Hong kong to Singapore. As an Asian, I'm fully aware of the changes made to the ship and the demographics onboard and having been on the Mariner which i like it.

I believe the Voyager will work out fine for me. I have never done this sort of reposition cruise before so it will be interesting and definitely an eye opener. If it all goes well, I'm looking to book the Oviation(reposition leg From Singapore to Sydney)

 

I hope it works out fine for you as well. Good luck and I hope you don't experience nasty stuff like what Maverick had mentioned.

 

Good to see a fellow SG onboard. Will be with you on the 11th Oct VOTS sailing. Wondering how the demographics of the ship would be for this cruise.

[AdGuyMG]

Well, after reading the following two reviews, I think it's a legitimate concern, PC or not.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2282536

 

I read this review it sounds like some of the reviews I've read for the New York cruises.

 

The Passengers

Being familiar with both western and Asian cultures, I thought I would not experience much culture shock. Wrong. Nothing could prepare me for people eating with their feet up on their chairs in the Windjammer; or the teeth-picking, loud belching (in my face), cursing, pyjama-wearing on formal night in the MDR; or the constant yelling anywhere from the Promenade to Giovanni’s. Let’s not forget the pushing, line-jumping, not letting people out of elevators before entering, etc.

[JudyA01]

I also wonder what would be the demographics of Ovation of the Seas, in particular the Sydney to Singapore on 23 Jan 2017.

 

Any insights to the demographics of Ovation for the Sydney-NZ-Sydney on 15 Dec sailing?

 

Thanks,

Judy

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited February 20, 2016 by JudyA01

[reedy8]

Hi, I did a similar cruise, Singapore to Perth (tho the Explorer continued on to Sydney via New Zealand) and the staff were from various different nationalities, Tunisian, Philappino, (opps spell check required there!) Indian and all had excellent English skills. The passengers were almost entirely caucasian, lots of Australians of course. The entertainment was western.

I think the issues that were highlighted by your travel agent are issues that occur mostly with cruises that originate and end in Asia where ships like the Mariner that was in the first review have been adapted to suit Asian tastes, though in discussions with Singaporean friends they too find sailing with mainland chinese out of Singapore or Shanghai somewhat stressful with the cultural differences.

There was very little asian food on our cruise (except Izumi of course) , pity as I love it

I would think a cruise from Oz to Singapore would have a very high percentage of Australians.

[bhealy]

We just sailed on the Mariner, Singapore to Shanghai. We were concerned after reading the reviews, but it ended up being very similar to all the other cruises we have taken. The only difference we noticed were the signs in Mandarin, more Asian food and a larger casino. The passenger mix was very diverse with there being more Australians and Germans than any other nationality. The future cruise personnel strongly suggested that westerners should not take the cruises that start and finish in China.

[Trekker954]

Last year we did an Australia cruise that did span Chinese New Year. I saw more Chinese at our ports than Ozzies. While this cruise began and ended in Sydney, we had quite a large number of Chinese on board. Obviously, everything was in English and the food typical for Royal.

 

However, I did want to mentioned the smoking as well. I also travel extensively for business to Asia countries. The Asia culture tends to smoke alot. Even on our Australia cruise, we had the Royal housekeeping floor supervisor knock on our door and ask us to call her if we saw our neighbor smoking as were reported by their room stewart. Our trouble with our cabin neighbors were they always started their group parties in their room around 11 until 3am. By then we were trying to sleep. I know they smoked, but never actually saw them, but did smell it.

 

I would listen to your TA. I would totally avoid cruises if most on board were Asian because of their smoking habits and lack of following the rules. I have heard that those that begin or end in Asia will be mostly Chinese staff and entertainment will be in that local language.

 

Its one thing enjoying the culture for an excursion, but another thing when its 24/7 on a sailing with many sea days.

[WaveSplasher]

.

 

I have heard that those that begin or end in Asia will be mostly Chinese staff and entertainment will be in that local language.

 

Its one thing enjoying the culture for an excursion, but another thing when its 24/7 on a sailing with many sea days.

 

Agree with the chinese staff. I had lots of them on my Asian Cruise, round-trip from Singapore. Though the entertainment was all done in English,even the daily night shows that RCL offered including guest entertainers. Chinese translation was shown on the screens to the side of the stage. There were definitely bars around that have Chinese singers, but there were also singers who sang in English(Mostly Empty). Activities were mostly done in English as well.

 

Maybe this is a round-trip from Singapore and not a round trip from China. I'm not sure about China though but i will expect it to be different.

 

Check out the review of the Quantum in China by fellow cruise critic members.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2280393&highlight=quantum

Edited March 19, 2016 by WaveSplasher

[Iluvcruising2]

I would think that the Australia to Singapore leg of the cruise would be less Asian than the Singapore to China leg.

 

We have sailed from Singapore to China twice, once on the Legend and once the Voyager (before she was refurbished). See my picture reviews (links in my signature). I thought the cruises were good. More Asians on board, of course, compared to the cruises we take out of Europe. But by and large, it was the same Royal Caribbean product, more or less.

 

Well, give it a try and spend more days in Singapore! :):)

[YOUTUBE]AHzrfe2jF8A[/YOUTUBE]

 

PS: I have never sailed on a round-trip from China cruise. I did hear that the experience could be quite different from a round-trip Singapore or even Singapore to China re-positioning cruise. The main reason is the different passenger profile. I don't want to offend anybody here but let me just say that as a Singaporean Chinese, I am not planning to take a round-trip China cruise anytime soon.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Iluvcruising2

[wolfegizmo]

We were on the Beijing to Singapore cruise three years ago.

RCCL actually called us after final payment and told us that it would be a Chinese immersion cruise. They mentioned that English would not be the first language spoken, that the entertainment would be for the Chinese, and so on.

Well, remember this was after final payment so they knew who was booked!

There were about 800 Australians, 400 British, 400 Americans and a mix of other countries. I think there were about 10 Chinese! Only English was spoken and none of the entertainment was Chinese!

We had a fabulous cruise and we met many wonderful people!

[Tigerlily75]

I wouldn't hesitate to take a cruise out of or to Singapore, I would hesitate to/from mainland China. Very different cultures. There was a very detailed review I remember reading of Mariner with mostly mainland Chinese passengers and the reviewer found it quite difficult to cope, it can be quite the culture clash.

 

Beijing has actually been running educational campaigns for their citizens on how to behave when travelling, it has become such a problem that they are sadly gaining a bad reputation.

 

My level of discomfort would be differences in hygiene standards. No problem for Singapore, which would surely win cleanest city in the world!

 

And I agree that Sydney - Singapore will probably be majority Australans.

 

Not that Australians always have the best reputation, bunch of drunken yobbos sometimes ;), but on a longer cruise you wouldn't find much of that, older demographic, not a party cruise!

 

I wouldn't hesitate to take the cruise.

[Iluvcruising2]

I wouldn't hesitate to take a cruise out of or to Singapore, I would hesitate to/from mainland China. Very different cultures. There was a very detailed review I remember reading of Mariner with mostly mainland Chinese passengers and the reviewer found it quite difficult to cope, it can be quite the culture clash.

 

Beijing has actually been running educational campaigns for their citizens on how to behave when travelling, it has become such a problem that they are sadly gaining a bad reputation.

 

My level of discomfort would be differences in hygiene standards. No problem for Singapore, which would surely win cleanest city in the world!

 

And I agree that Sydney - Singapore will probably be majority Australans.

 

Not that Australians always have the best reputation, bunch of drunken yobbos sometimes ;), but on a longer cruise you wouldn't find much of that, older demographic, not a party cruise!

 

I wouldn't hesitate to take the cruise.

 

Thanks for shouting out for cruising from Singapore. I have cruised a few times and met many nice Australians on board.

[Tigerlily75]

Thanks for shouting out for cruising from Singapore. I have cruised a few times and met many nice Australians on board.

 

Thank you, and you're welcome, I really loved Singapore and can't wait to go back. We visited for the first time last year, and just loved it, so much to see and do, clean, safe, friendly people. But the best part of course - the food!!!

 

For the OP - forget fancy restaurants, hawker centres is where it's at. You can eat like a king for under $10. Some of the best food I've ever eaten.

 

We actually booked flights to Singapore and home from Hong Kong with the intention of cruising on Legend of the Seas, Singapore - Hong Kong. Because the timing meant full payment for the cruise, I still needed to save a little more before booking it. I made back up plans in case the cruise sold out meanwhile, and became so excited about the back up plans that we never booked the cruise! We did Singapore - Seoul - Hong Kong. We had an awesome time. I love Asia.

 

I miss kopi!

[Iluvcruising2]

Thank you, and you're welcome, I really loved Singapore and can't wait to go back. We visited for the first time last year, and just loved it, so much to see and do, clean, safe, friendly people. But the best part of course - the food!!!

 

For the OP - forget fancy restaurants, hawker centres is where it's at. You can eat like a king for under $10. Some of the best food I've ever eaten.

 

............

 

I miss kopi!

 

Ah yes, food. I fully agree with you that the one of the most unique features of Singapore is our local hawker fare. I am a big advocate of that too.

 

The BBC Travel channel has said that the Hainanese Chicken Rice is worth a 15 hour flight. On this blog post, I share some videos of the chicken rice that I have been eating.

 

Other than chicken rice, we have plenty of local hawker fare and here are some videos to show you what I eat.

 

Compilation video.

[YOUTUBE]vgFS4TPwIC0[/YOUTUBE]

 

At a hawker center, having breakfast.

[YOUTUBE]Gsk1lP_AyXE[/YOUTUBE]

 

Having some food at Newton Food Center, including satay, char kway teow, young coconut and chendol.

[YOUTUBE]qlxP5P3JiY4[/YOUTUBE]

 

Enjoy!

[villauk]

The future cruise personnel strongly suggested that westerners should not take the cruises that start and finish in China.

 

We were also advised this by a Royal FC rep. She actually told us we'd be better booking a Celebrity sailing.

[The_Big_M]

Any insights to the demographics of Ovation for the Sydney-NZ-Sydney on 15 Dec sailing?

 

I'd expect about 75% Australian/New Zealanders.

 

Rest from the rest of the world.

[The_Big_M]

The future cruise personnel strongly suggested that westerners should not take the cruises that start and finish in China.

 

That's an unnecessarily alarmist statement.

 

It's probably true if in the same way someone should say Westerners shouldn't visit China full stop. If you think that's a valid statement, then the RCL one may make sense. But if you think people are different, some like variety and some like conformity, then it would apply to some Westerners but far from all.

 

Having first hand experience, with about 10% westerners onboard, I didn't hear any complaints or regrets from the westerners about being onboard. And it's certainly not less safe or anything significant to suggest "westerners should not take that cruise."

 

However, if you're the kind of person who's had 20 cruises in the Caribbean, never gone outside the US and don't like the idea of anything different then it's probably good advice.

 

For anyone else, yes, it's different. So it's then just a call as to whether the usual factors (itinerary, price, timing, reason for visit and so on) appeal or not.

[Tigerlily75]

Ah yes, food. I fully agree with you that the one of the most unique features of Singapore is our local hawker fare. I am a big advocate of that too.

 

The BBC Travel channel has said that the Hainanese Chicken Rice is worth a 15 hour flight. On this blog post, I share some videos of the chicken rice that I have been eating.

 

Other than chicken rice, we have plenty of local hawker fare and here are some videos to show you what I eat.

 

Compilation video.

[YOUTUBE]vgFS4TPwIC0[/YOUTUBE]

 

At a hawker center, having breakfast.

[YOUTUBE]Gsk1lP_AyXE[/YOUTUBE]

 

Having some food at Newton Food Center, including satay, char kway teow, young coconut and chendol.

[YOUTUBE]qlxP5P3JiY4[/YOUTUBE]

 

Enjoy!

 

I think I may have watched your videos before, no doubt I found your channel via these forums, did you also do one on Australia Dairy Company? I kept a list of places to go, and we went to Australia Dairy Company in Hong Kong. The scrambled eggs really were great!

 

And yes, chicken rice is worth a 15 hour flight, lucky for me it's only a 7 hour flight :)

[Iluvcruising2]

I think I may have watched your videos before, no doubt I found your channel via these forums, did you also do one on Australia Dairy Company? I kept a list of places to go, and we went to Australia Dairy Company in Hong Kong. The scrambled eggs really were great!

 

And yes, chicken rice is worth a 15 hour flight, lucky for me it's only a 7 hour flight :)

 

Are you referring to this one? Thanks for watching my videos! Glad they are useful.

[YOUTUBE]Ppz3n12qMIo[/YOUTUBE]

[Expat Cruise]

I spoke to my travel agent this morning to book the Voyager of the Seas on a cruise from Sydney to Singapore in 2017. She had concerns over the "Asianization" of the Voyager in the last year or so and wondered if we would enjoy it.

 

She said the crew would be 90%+ Chinese and the food, entertainment and activities would be more suited for Asian travelers than Americans.

 

She has me worried.....should I be?

 

You should change travel agents because your agent does not have a clue here. Your cruise is not going to China if is not a China cruise. The largest percent of the crew will be from the Philippines. Royal has a push Worldwide to hire crew member from the Philippines. They are adding 30,000 new members.

 

The majority of the passengers will be from Singapore and Australia and the cruise will not be tailored to the China Market. It will be like most other Royal cruises but with a Asian flair around the Food. Still you will find all your normal Western dishes.

 

It is true the Royal cruises leaving from main land China target the China Market but not this cruise.

[Desertbelle]

You should change travel agents because your agent does not have a clue here. Your cruise is not going to China if is not a China cruise. The largest percent of the crew will be from the Philippines. Royal has a push Worldwide to hire crew member from the Philippines. They are adding 30,000 new members.

 

 

 

The majority of the passengers will be from Singapore and Australia and the cruise will not be tailored to the China Market. It will be like most other Royal cruises but with a Asian flair around the Food. Still you will find all your normal Western dishes.

 

 

 

It is true the Royal cruises leaving from main land China target the China Market but not this cruise.

 

 

I certainly wouldn't change travel agents because she's concerned about me. She's been my TA for about 15 cruises and I it doesn't make much difference to her what cruises I choose, and I like that she's paying attention to my best interest. Even among the people on this thread there are yea's and nay's about this cruise.

 

I agree that a cruise leaving from Sydney heading to Singapore is likely to be a fairly "normal" cruise and we are still weighing this cruise against a Celebrity cruise that does the same ports but returns to Sydney instead of going on to Singapore.

[cassamanda]

I really have been biting my tongue whilst reading this thread and will try to continue to do so:rolleyes:

 

We are also doing this cruise with Voyager in April 2017 and it will be the first cruise for my son and his partner. We are expecting a "normal" cruise.

 

Firstly let me say that as far as itinerary goes, there is just no point in repeating the same cruise you are doing with X. The only additional port that the Voyager cruise takes in is that of Darwin.

 

We recently cruised on Legend from Singapore to Fremantle and had a fantastic time. We enjoy visiting Singapore, as many Aussies do. Great food, shopping, places to see, extremely clean where you get severely fined fir littering, cheap transport and friendly people ( oh and yes they are Not Chinese - they are Singaporeans.). Just dont go there in September as the air pollution is extreme due to smoke drifting across from Indonesia.

 

Cruises starting and finishing from China are different and are targeted at the high roller Chinese gamblers. This is where RCI sees where the current market is and that is why Quantum and Voyager class ships were deployed there. Many of the bars are closed and the Casino is expanded on those cruises.

 

Voyager of the Seas spends most of its time in Australian waters sailing to the South Pacific islands catering for the younger Aussie demographic. The bars are fully manned by english speaking Phillipinos, Indonesians and the like. The pool parties are on and there is No Smoking in the Casino or on balconies when cruising out of Australian ports.

 

You may get a smattering of Chinese holiday makers on Voyager out of Australia but these people will be much more reserved in the behaviour.