bleacher04

8 hours ago, franski said:

Didn't worry about Malaria... so didn't have anti-malarials with us...  but, take good bug spray. And use it liberally.  My feet & ankles got quite bitten - but I didn't realize it was happening... so am thinking it might have been sand fleas or another insects? 

 

We did Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom....I didn't notice the bugs being worse there than in the places we stopped along the river. Angkor Thom was more "green" than Angkor Wat, but not a lot of open water around so maybe that helped reduce the mosquito interactions?

31 minutes ago, terry&mike said:

We also did not take anti-malarials. We brought along, and used, a bug repellent cream that worked very well, and had no issues with bugs or bites. The one we use is by Sawyer and is Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, it can be found in camping/fishing supply shops, or online, and is rather pricey, but works incredibly well. Hubby enjoys kayak fishing here in Florida and it's his "go to" mosquito repellant. 

Thank you both.  We have a 30% DEET cream/lotion that works pretty well.

New question — malaria pills?  We have prescriptions for Malarone, my past experiences with other malaria pills has not been pleasant.  We’re going up to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat after the river cruise, and then cruising to Malaysia and Indonesia after that.

I’m not asking for medical advice — we’ve seen a travel doctor and I know this is a cruise forum on the internet LOL — just wondering about others’ experience with mosquitos on the Mekong.  Thanks.

On 10/16/2023 at 8:04 PM, franski said:

We didn't travel with AMA, but expect most details are the same.  The boat usually dropped anchor mid-river and we were tendered into shore. We did lots of local travel with local transport (tuktuk, motorcycle drawn carts etc...). 

 

A comment on money --> take lots of crisp $1 USD bills,,, lots of opportunity to spend them.  Whether it be a bunch of fresh bananas, some touristy magnets etc...  The local people really count on tourist dollars.  But  - the bills have to be crisp and new - they won't accept anything wrinkled or torn. 

 

Fran

Thanks Fran.  We have started the regular pilgrimages to the bank to try to get crisp $1 and $5 US bills.  Fortunately we keep a USD bank account.  But we’re going to take some VND as well, also for tips and small purchases.

So, we got our Vietnamese visas and we received our documents from Ama.  And we're vax'd up for polio, JE, and typhoid, with a scrip for malaria pills that I'm undecided on.

I was surprised how much bus travel their was for the daily tours, even with the "active walking" tours, but then I realized that docking along the Mekong is not going to be the same as docking on a big European river...

13 hours ago, hoosier2017 said:

We had already completed on line check in but docs came approximately 4 weeks out from the start of our trip.  We are mid October to November.  Happy to let you know what we experience when we return.  Visas arrived today so it feels like everything is coming together.  

I'd very much appreciate hearing your thoughts and any tips, @hoosier2017

Have a great trip!

4 hours ago, hoosier2017 said:

Bleacher04, the document from AMA says what I quoted.   

Thanks!  Did they send you these documents after you completed the online check-in?  We just did that on the weekend but have not received anything else yet (except the paid-up invoice).

18 hours ago, gnome12 said:

I got US$100 in new $1 bills and over 4 million Vietnamese Dong, worth at the time less than US$200. I did all of my tips in US$ in Cambodia. In Vietnam, I generally tipped 2000 dong which was pretty well equivalent to US$1. I came home with about $70 or so and a few dong. Generally, there is a different guide for each excursion, and I usually tipped $1  or 2000 dong each time. Sometimes there were 2 or even 3 in a day; I think I tipped more for Angkor Wat as the tours were longer. We rode an ox cart one day, and a tuk tuk on another; I tipped each of them, as well as the guide we had where we were going.

Thanks very much @gnome12 -- I prefer to tip in the local currency as well, whenever possible.  I don't think we can get Cambodian riel from our bank, but I know we can get Vietnamese dong.

Do you recall what type(s) of electrical outlets they had on the AmaDara?  And also the typical dress for dinner?  We are transferring to a Holland America cruise after this river cruise, so we will have some semi-formal attire with us, but would prefer not to "dress up" unless everyone else is.

Thanks for your help!

Paul

Hi All -- my wife and I will be sailing with AmaWaterways on the AmaDara on one of the their Mekong River cruises, Nov-Dec 2023.  Our first river cruise.  We're also doing the pre-cruise option in HCMC/Saigon and the post-cruise tour to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap.

I read a thread on this forum a few weeks ago where a poster commented about tipping guides and drivers each day, but I can't find it now (yes, I should have bookmarked).  I have no problem with the tipping, I just want an idea of how much cash to take!  (i.e. an estimate of how many different guides to expect over the course of the trip).  And what currencies?  I recall from a previous visit to Vietnam and Cambodia that US dollars were readily accepted.

Any other tips and comments are of course welcome!

Thanks!

Paul

17 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

I just heard from our friends, SailingDutchy, on the Westerdam.  They are well, no one is ill on the ship and they are nearing their 14 day time to be clear.  Just waiting for the decision as to where they will be able to debark, as the next segment has been canceled.

 

"Thank goodness for the great staff, fabulous food and free alcohol."  Plus they have been given free internet to contact family and friends.  And Martha attached a map of where they are.

 

 

.

Thank you Ann, for posting this update.

26 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Haha.  I thought it was a typo and he meant HMC!  Actually the port for HCMC is Phu My and I seem to remember it's about 3 hours away in a bus?

 

I did email again.  I imagine  the internet is very busy!!  And I wonder if perhaps they are not advertising that they are giving internet away - just to those who complain....

LOL Ann, my brain saw "Half Moon Cay" for HCMC the first time too 🙂  We were just there in November, Phu My port is about 90-120 minutes from Saigon (and the airport).

Satellite internet on the ship gets slower as the number of users increase, so I would bet it is crawling most of the time right now on the Westerdam.

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

What's HCMC?

Saigon

I've emailed Sailingdutchy, as I'm sure you have, but have not heard anything since last Friday.  Will let you know if I do.

6 hours ago, AllureOfVacation said:

Finally, HAL informed us by email!

 

15th of February: Yokohama!

2 hours ago, pictonite said:

Update:  The captain has informed us that we will disembark in Yokohama on February 15.  We are going with the flow.  We have an extra day in Halong Bay rather than two days in Hong Kong.  Right now Halong Bay sounds so much better for us!  We'll disembark passengers in Hong Kong on February 1, and new passengers will embark then.  Still loving the cruise.

Thank you for these updates.  So does this mean that the Feb. 15-29 segment will be Yokohama return, omitting all Chinese ports?

22 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

I was wondering what Seattle is doing about the present Westerdam itinerary - China seems to be "self-quarantining".  We have friends on board, but have not heard from them.

 

Can you imagine the fun the virus would have on a ship?!

 

A second case has been confirmed here in Canada - the wife of the first patient.

I was wondering the same thing; I was going to write to you, Ann, but obviously you have not heard from T&M either.

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

Well then, I will have my hopes up for our Noordam sailing later this year in Asia 🤞

 

Thanks Paul 🙂 

Hi Jacqui -- Tony and Martha are on the Westerdam right now... sailing towards Hong Kong next weekend 😧

They have several stops in China afterwards, including Shangahi and the port for Bejing, and in five weeks they are supposed to fly home from Shanghai.  I have not spoken to them lately; I'm not sure how this is going to play out...

And sorry for hijacking this thread...

We were on the Westerdam in Nov-Dec -- if you had the sea bass on the Tamarind menu last week, then you will have the wasabi beef tenderloin this week 😁

As Alphen noted above, including one page of Tamarind selections on the Pinnacle menu is only done on cruises in Asia.

Our son (mid-20's) has an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts, and has sailed with us several times with no issues (although I don't believe he's ever been to the Tamarind).  My sister is Celiac and a 4-star Mariner with HAL, and again no issues, including dining at the Pinnacle Grill and the Tamarind (and also Canaletto, although obviously the menu choices there are more limited for her).  As others have mentioned above, the MDR staff and the specialty restaurant staff have always been great regarding food allergies.

The only other caution I would add is to keep a close eye on the Lido Market staff, as sometimes they need to be reminded to use clean (non-gluten) tongs when handling food in allergy situations.

Oh, and on the Westerdam last month, plastic stir-sticks (olive spears) at the bar had been replaced by dried pasta; I asked and was told it was gluten-free pasta.  But you might want to check that again.

Well, we made it to Madrid!  Our flight arrived 45 minutes early this morning (naturally) so even less sleep on the plane than usual!  But after exploring for a few hours to soak up some sun, and then a little siesta this afternoon, we are ready to go tapas-bar-hopping this evening!

The fleece jacket and puffy jacket layers have already been put to good use here...

And one more echo for Helen’s comments about Jacqui’s amazing work.  As an engineer, I can say that her roll call spreadsheet is truly impressive!

Safe travel wishes to everyone who is flying tonight and tomorrow (and the next day)

We're leaving for Madrid on Saturday (April 6), arriving in Lisbon on the 11th.  I'm still wrapping up work so have not thought about packing yet!  But as Barbara said, the weather forecast is not what I was expecting; I might just use the clothing list from our last Alaska cruise, hahaha 😁

Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones!

Paul & Diane

15 minutes ago, Betty in Cozumel said:

We fly Air Canada (And Cathay Pacific) to Hong Kong from Toronto all the time and I would never do a one hour layover.  Take your time and go with the 4 hr layover.  The HK airport is wonderful with lots of things to see and do.  (But not as amazing at Changi airport in Singapore).

Thanks!

16 minutes ago, Philob said:

To go to the "outside" terminal you'll need to go through HK immigration and again coming back into the "airside".

 

Instead of wasting an hour going through immigration, best to stay on the airside.  You'll only have to go through security between the Arrival and Departure areas.  There's a small mall in the departure area. 

 

Have a good trip! 

Thanks!  We'll stay put airside...

1 hour ago, Philob said:

Unless get to stay on your plane and continue on to Singapore I'd chill out at HKG for 4 hours.

 

You'll have to go through security again before going to the departure side.

 

We had a similar choice both ways and opt'd for the 4 hour layover.   I had lounge privileges so we had some food & drinks.  Some lounges will have showers which might feel great after 15 hrs , but makes you very sleepy .

We will be changing planes.  And changing airlines, Air Canada to Singapore Airlines (although the SA flight will be a codeshare).

Better to take the safe choice I think.  And I will have lounge privileges, for after we get tired of exploring the terminal.

Hi Cruisers!  I think I know the answer to this already, but I am going to throw this question out anyway:

I will be looking at flights soon from Toronto to Singapore.  The obvious connecting airport is Hong Kong, and I see that Air Canada offers me the choice of a 60-minute layover, or a 4-hour layover.  This is our first trip to Asia, and I would never think of booking a 60-minute international connection through (for example) Frankfurt, but it would be really nice to arrive in Singapore at 8 pm instead of 11 pm.

Any comments from more experienced travellers?  Is Hong Kong "special" in some way that a 60 minute connection (after a 15hr45 flight) is actually do-able?  Or am I better off trusting my instinct and booking the 4-hour connection and just chilling in Hong Kong airport?

Thanks!

43 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Thanks for all your kind comments!  I think we have really enjoyed sharing all our experiences with our good friends on Cruise Critic.  Thanks to all of you.  

 

Just one one more day on the beautiful Nieuw Statendam and it will all be over for some of us, but others will sail on and others will be boarding for a wonderful cruise.  Bon voyage, all.

Thanks so much for all of your efforts, Ann!  It's been a lot of fun!

Safe travels home!

7 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

I told Sherita to run and get Snort to play with his friends!

 

i saw this in the Lido Bar - really the only drinks list I have noticed.  I think if I had it to do over again, I would be taking a bottle of wine from our package to Happy Hour!

 

Wow!  Dumping the Explore 4 package and its Signature Beverage card for a lower fare looks like an even smarter move now.  Although the savings will likely be spent on more wine packages...

Love the towel animal extravaganza!  Kudos to the crew for all of their work!

From Captain Albert's blog of December 14:

"The guests seem to be very happy, although I had one guest asking if there was any option to do a bit of sightseeing while on the way, so there was something else to see than just waves. I promised him that I would take it up with the head office and that we would do our best to have a large mountain on the route, next time we come this way."

I do hope this isn't anyone I know...