worcestergal

Thanks! I checked out your blog and it is very well done. I’m looking forward to your updates.

I don’t know, but I will call Scenic with that question. Good idea, thanks.

I just called Scenic to confirm luggage limits for the flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap and was told that the “normal” international limit of 23 kg applies for checked baggage. The representative said that carryon limits were “normal” as well - and I have no idea what that means! I am curious if any of you have had experience with this.

Great suggestions! Thanks so much to you all.

No way will I bring enough for two outfits per day! I will make sure that I avoid the overweight luggage fees, as well. My fellow passengers are just going to have to get used to me wearing the same things. I’m sure there will be plenty of other excitement on the trip. 🥴

@ljandgb Thanks for the suggestion. We will definitely bring extra toiletries. And, @Rebel54, I love the idea of cool towels. I’ve ordered some from Amazon.

That sounds perfect. Thank you. We also start in Hanoi for a few nights, then HaLong for a couple, back to Hanoi before flying to Siem Reap. I image that we should be able to find similar laundry deals at one or more of the hotels. I am happy to pay a bit and not have to deal with washing anything more than underwear. 😁 Thanks so much for your help!

Thanks. That’s very helpful. Sounds like I don’t need dressy shoes for evenings. And, I expect this will be much more casual than Seabourn, which does make it a bit easier.

Thank you very much for the references. I’ve reviewed them all and there is lots of great information. I'm still a bit up in the air as to how much of everything to take and what kind of footwear to bring. Hopefully, it will not be too difficult to wash clothes regularly (or have the hotel or ship take care of it). I don’t want to overpack, which I know I have a tendency to do!

We will be on a Scenic Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia trip starting in early March. We have been really looking forward to it for so long, but now that it’s almost here I am starting to worry about what to bring. What kind of clothing and footwear do you suggest? If you’ve done a similar trip, what do you wish you’d brought and what did you regret bringing? Any tips for this first time visitor to SE Asia? This is also our first time on a river boat (we’ve had many ocean cruises on Seabourn), so any suggestions for appropriate dress on Scenic would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

We stayed at the Alt for one night after our cruise. It was comfortable and convenient.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I did plan to check out ToursByLocals. However, since there are so many guides on that site, it is great to get some firsthand recommendations.

Considering the discussion about non-Seabourn guides, we have had excellent luck with getting private guides from ToursByLocals, Context and Viator. However, on our last cruise, we were left high and dry when our private guide, hired thru Viator, did not show up at the dock in Giardini Naxos (Taormina). We were supposed to be met there at 8:30 and I found that at 8:15, we received an email saying that the guide was sick and we would receive a refund. Just something to be aware of… On a more pleasant note, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with private guides in Morocco. Our cruise next year has 2 nights in Casablanca and I was thinking about arranging an overnight to Marrakech. Has anyone done that? Thanks!

Considering the discussion about non-Seabourn guides, we have had excellent luck with getting private guides from ToursByLocals, Context and Viator. However, on our last cruise, we were left high and dry when our private guide, hired thru Viator, did not show up at the dock in Giardini Naxos (Taormina). We were supposed to be met there at 8:30 and I found that at 8:15, we received an email saying that the guide was sick and we would receive a refund. Just something to be aware of… On a more pleasant note, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with private guides in Morocco. Our cruise next year has 2 nights in Casablanca and I was thinking about arranging an overnight to Marrakech. Has anyone done that? Thanks!

@pontac Thanks!

@franski Thanks so much for your advice (and warning!). We will be VERY careful with what we bring. 20k is certainly doable.

After reading several other posts about luggage weight limits, I started wondering about restrictions for our trip in March. Our Scenic trip tarts in Hanoi, then we have a couple of nights on HaLong Bay, a return to Hanoi, then a flight to Siem Reap. Scenic has not informed us of luggage weight restrictions for the Hanoi/Siem Reap flight or anything about needing to downsize luggage for the trip on HaLong Bay. Do any of you know what the rules are for this situation? I have called Scenic, but was not able to get any more clarification. Thanks!

Yes, @franski, that’s what I thought from my research. I will take care of those closer to February (when we leave). Thanks!

Yes, we fly to Hanoi first, then we have a flight to Siem Reap. Then, we re-enter Vietnam on the cruise. I will check with Scenic about whether we need to get a Cambodian one, since we are flying in. I figure that we will need two single entry visas for Vietnam.

Thank you both. I will plan my wardrobe accordingly. Sounds like a good excuse to buy a lightweight mid-calf dress or two. Next question: was Scenic helpful with Vietnam visas, or are we on our own? I will back with more questions as the time gets closer, I’m sure.

Thanks! I have to admit, I was taken aback, at first, when you mentioned wearing thongs to the dining room. (Not a pretty picture!) Then, I realized that the Aussie meaning for the word is way different (and covers - or not! - a very different part of the body) than American usage. Definitely, the thought was worth a chuckle. We are going with some friends and one of them is really concerned about the heat. How was it this time of year?

Thank you so much, @markperth . I really appreciate your comments. They make me even more excited for our cruise in March. I am curious about what kind of clothes you needed and how convenient the laundry facilities were on the boat. Would you comment about those?

We are starting the Scenic tour on March 4. I am looking forward to hearing all about your experiences. I hope you will write about them!

Thanks so much for checking, Fran. That sounds like you hit all the highlights and it’s pretty much what we are looking for. I will check out the ToursByLocals guides and contact one. Thanks again! Barb

Thanks so much @franski. I have used ToursByLocals in the past and I have been pretty pleased with the guides. Some are definitely better than others, though, so it would be terrific to have a firsthand recommendation.