jayde43

Spend the money and avoid any potential headaches. After all, you are spending a bunch of money just to get to China

You are right about not wanting any headaches :D

My understanding is that because you enter from Hong Kong, but then your departure flight is not non-stop and goes to Hong Kong again, you would unfortunately not be eligible. You would need to get a visa.

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry I'm so confused. I asked my travel agent and she didn't know what I was talking about.

My cruise is a little different to what was mentioned above. I fly in to Singapore for a few days then cruise to Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong (2 days at sea) then disembark in Shanghai. I'm staying in Shanghai for 3 nights. My flight on the way back to Melbourne has a 5 hour lay over in Hong Kong. Would the 144 hour transit waiver apply to me or will I need to get a visa?

Thanks heaps for your help :):)

Will jump in. Many cruise lines offer pre and/or post cruise packages. You can sometimes find this info on your cruise line's web site and other times you might have to either call the cruise line (if you booked direct) of make an inquiry through your travel/cruise agency. Typically the packages will include 1 or 2 nights in a hotel and allt he necessary transfers. Our experience is that the cruise line packages are generally a lot more expensive then if you simply book your own hotel and make arrangements for your own transfers.

 

 

 

When it comes to Singapore, this is a very easy city for making your own arrangements. There are hundreds of hotels (in every category and price range) and taking a taxi from the airport to a hotel is very reasonable.

 

 

 

Hank

Thanks heaps Hank, for your reply [emoji4]

So many choices but I know from what friends who have been to Singapore have said that it’s pretty safe.

Happy travels ⚓️[emoji568]⚓️[emoji925]

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Our cruise will be ending in Shanghai on what I understand is the Eve of Chinese New Year - Sunday Feb, 3 2019. We would like to spend at least one day/night in Shanghai before heading back to the US. Does anyone know if we should have any concerns about getting to the airport due to traffic disruption related to celebrations on Chinese New Year?

 

Thanks!

 

Mike

Hi Mike,

I'm not sure if you have already joined the roll call, but Hi, I'm Debbi we are on the same cruise.

I'm staying for 3 nights in Shanghai and from what I understand it should be not as busy as normal. But I could be wrong.

Chat soon,

Debbi :)

Great review Dszrew :)

Delraydoll, how do you book a pre-cruise package? It sounds interesting :)

Thanks heaps for all the suggestions. I keep on looking and getting confused 🤷*♀️.

Will look at Lavender hotel [emoji1215] ⚓️[emoji568]⚓️[emoji925]

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We stayed recently in the Ritz Carlton but while it is a beautiful hotel the location is a bit out of the way (great views though). We have stayed on Orchard Road in the past and would stay in that location again. We admired the Marriot on our last trip. I felt very safe wandering around Singapore, often only with my teenage daughter and if we were there longer I might have been comfortable letting her shop by herself in the day time in the Mall that was close to our hotel.

Thanks heaps I’ll have a look into it ⚓️[emoji925]⚓️[emoji568][emoji1215]

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Thanks for your reviews I will look into the hotels. I’m going solo so I’m thinking they might be above my budget. Any other suggestions may help [emoji4]

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I've seen a number of recommendations on the Asia Ports of Call board https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=70 for the Royal Plaza hotel on Scotts Rd in Singapore. This is in the heart of the shopping district and close to the Orchard MRT station. I've done a number of trips to Singapore in the past, tagging along on DH's business trips, and always felt safe wandering around by myself even at night.

 

 

 

I've only been to Shanghai once, again on one of DH's business trips and we stayed in fairly expensive hotels, so probably not what you are looking for. However if you can find a reasonable hotel near the Bund then that would be a good location. I felt comfortable wandering around by myself during the day.

Thanks heaps for the link and suggestions.

I will definitely look into all of them [emoji4]

Have a great day and safe cruising ⚓️[emoji925]⚓️[emoji568]

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Can anyone help [emoji4]?

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I was on the Pacific Jewel last Anzac Day and everything was organised by the crew and there were readings by passengers.

It was a very special and emotional experience that I will cherish.

⚓️[emoji568]⚓️[emoji925]

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Hey all,

I'm travelling on the Celebrity Constellation 20th January - Singapore to Shanghai. I have friends on the cruise but there could be some time I have alone in Singapore (maybe) and definitely in Shanghai.

Any suggestions of locations to stay in both locations that are safe and also reasonably priced would be great.

Thanks in advance :)

Hi Debbi,

 

we hope you guys are doing well also. I meant to ask you whether you did the airplane or helicopter ride at Airlie Beach. If so, how was it?

 

I wish we were back at the Martini Bar! What was that martini again?

Hey David, yes wish I was back at the Martini bar tooo!!

No unfortunately we didn't get to do anything exciting at Airlie Beach. Did shopping at the market but that's about all.

I'm really enjoying your post and I stole the above photo hehehe.

Hugs to all.

Debbi

Oh yay David this is great so far. Look forward to seeing more.

Hope you’re all well and happy.

See you on the high seas again soon.

Debbi ⚓️[emoji925]⚓️[emoji568]

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How funny is Steady Eddy, he was on our South Pacific cruise. So wrong yet so funn :D:D

We are well, had a great Comedy cruise on the weekend. Need a rest now, LOL.:D

Which comedians were on it? I'm looking at doing a sampler with my parents next year.... Wonder if they would like that...

Thanks again for the link :), unfortunately out of our price range... Found another company just waiting to hear back. :o

Give this mob a call.

http://www.helireef.com.au/heart-reef-whitehaven-ultimate-indulgence/

Thanks Mic, I was gonna drop you or Rosie a message if I didn't get a reply on here.

Hope you are well :*

Hi there,

Just looking for some advise of what company to use for a Helicopter Flight from Airlie Beach over Whitehaven beach?

We had found the one we wanted to do with GSL but they sold all their flights to our ship so if we want to do it we will have to pay $200 extra for the privilege.

We want to do a 2 hour tour - 30 minute flight with 1.5 hours on Whitehaven Beach with lunch if possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers :)

Great tips [emoji568]⚓️[emoji568]⚓️

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Might check with Optus, will have the unlimited internet onboard but was just wondering for smsing or voice usage [emoji336][emoji336]

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Hey all,

I have been trying to find a thread for this and I wasn't successful. (apologies if there is one here).

We are doing a cruise in January on the Solstice from Sydney up to Cairns.

Since we don't leave Aussie waters (except for a 2 hour drop anchor in Willis Island), will be able to use our mobiles on board without incurring international roam charges.

Thanks for your help

Happy travels.

If you've got a tablet/iphone/ipad try downloading an app called Sleep Pillow. It's a white noise machine I use and it's excellent. Lots of different noises including a fan. Not the real thing, but pretty good. Doesn't cool you down though;)

 

Phil

We got off her just over a week ago.

Did not notice anything old or outdated on her, she still looked fresh, clean and tidy.

We had an Aqua cabin and it was not showing any major signs of wear and tear, staff were great too and they opened a new Tiffany store on board on our second to last day! Right by the World Class bar.

I may have made a small purchase ;)[/quote] Ooooh Tiffany's. How was the range they had onboard? And how were the prices compared to land base stores? Thanks in advance :)

Thanks everyone, the price is exactly the same now after the sale. So I'm glad I waited hopefully there will be a better sale, once it opens on mycruisephotos.com site. Is the price on there in USD?