ssawjo

3 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Actually, it was yesterday.  Still, please drink responsibly.

 

Rpy

I guess I didn't drink responsibly LOL.

I believe that it is also National Bourbon Day!  Please drink responsibility. 

There was trivia twice a day, county fair, and other stuff.  

21 hours ago, mallie24 said:

Any thoughts on why cruise companies don't just cancel this port and substitute other locations prior to having to make final payments?

Good question and following.

I sympathize with you for the missed ports.  Lisbon is nice but I found Porto to be much more interesting.  If these ports are missed by a strike of some sort, then I always felt that all port charges for the missed ports should be refunded to the passenger, probably by OBC.  Why Oceania and some others (Regent, for example), don't do this is not fair.  Princess refunds missed port charges, or they used to.  Just easy money in the bank for the cruise lines.  

10 hours ago, Expat Cruise said:

What are you looking for a place close to the port, the airport or in another part of the city? We live north of Manila, so we know the area well. Everything is available from $20 to $2000  a night. But very nice places can be had for a few hundred dollars. 

Do you live up near Clark International Airport/Angeles City?  If so, we will need a mid-range hotel for one night.  It is true that prices are from very low to very high.  (Well, not that high.)  Which hotel would you recommend?  We will be there on Feb. 1, 2024, flying in from Puerto Princesa.  

Also, do you know of a car hire/rental/taxi that we can hire locally, with driver, that can take us around in the afternoon to visit some former POW sites?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

Bill

52 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Seriously ?? 🙄

Well, yes, the Government is bombing its' own people for one.  So, not sure what your "comment" means.

37 minutes ago, YWGcruisers said:

Yep. No one is going to Russia any time soon.  The same goes for Myanmar.  Oceania has already adjusted those cruises for the rest of the year and told us they will likely be amending the yearend sailing on the Riviera through Asia before this fall if conditions remain the same.

We are on the Riviera cruise that calls at Yangon in January 2024.  I booked a private tour, but it is refundable if we can't land.  It is a shame what is happening there.

2 minutes ago, FeelingCruisy said:

We are in the same boat.  Obtained the visa before covid, and canceled our land trip.  HOWEVER, I cannot confirm this, but China has since cancelled all active visas and if we were to go there again, the current stamp in our passports are no longer valid, so has to reapply.   This is just according to my friend who travels a lot to China.  I would definitely confirm this before attempting to go there again.  

Thank you that heads up.  Presently, I have no plans to go to the PRC until at least 2025.  My current 10 year visa expires in 2030.  I will check before any planning happens.

14 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

Technically, the licensed guide provides a group visa.  Our reservation in St Petersburg served that purpose when we were there for disembarkation, and since we had a multiple day tour (docked for overnights), we go a special document that let us disembark on subsequent days.  But that was then...it may have changed.

Yes, that is what I meant.  By "no visa required", I meant that the visitor does not have to obtain a visa if with a licensed guide.  And, I am afraid, everything has probably changed.

Thank you for your well written and comprehensive review.  We are on the AMA Bella from Giurgiu, Romania to Vilshofen  in two weeks.  With a pre cruise in Istanbul and post in Prague.  Smaller ship of course but the tours you did are the same as the ones we selected.  We are planning on the Vienna concert.  Glad you enjoyed the dinner/folklore show in Prague.  I was having my doubts about whether to go or not.  We'll go.  

23 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Do not think that is correct  unless you DIY'd the trip

If you used a licensed guide or ships tour  no VISA  required for Russia

You are correct.  We visited Moscow with a licensed tour guide and no visa required.

DW and I were to go to the PRC for about two weeks in 2020 but covid intervened.  We had applied for and received ten year visas which are still valid.  We used a visa service (CIBT), and it was expensive, but they were very helpful to make sure we had all of the proper entry documents.  Mailed our passports to them and they did the leg work. 

I don't recall any questions about Turkey.  We were there in 2016 for an overnight on a cruise.  I never mentioned it and they didn't ask.  Not sure how the PRC would find out someone was in Turkey unless they hacked the evisa system.  Wouldn't be surprised.  Also, never had to meet a PRC consular officer.  

We still want to visit but the current political situation makes traveling there dicey.  

11 minutes ago, Woodrowst said:

Can anyone who took an Oceania shore excursion from Safaga to Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings tell me if they provided a bathroom break on the long 3.5 hour drive each way?  I am assuming yes, but you know what they say about people who assume.....

 

Thanks!

We did a private tour but the same route.  There was a "rest area" along the way.  I would describe it as being very rustic.  Women should bring their own sanitary products, that is, toilet paper.  Long boring drive, a lot of check points, and speed bumps.  If it is an overnight, I strongly suggest saying overnight in Luxor.  You will not regret it.  Have fun.

Manhattan Cruise Terminal.  

19 hours ago, jebbs said:

Hi Bill,

It never crossed our minds to stay in HCMC.  We were 45 minutes to an hour from downtown, but we had a fantastic group of 7, strangers when we loaded the van, but really enjoyed each other’s company and melded well over the three days. The excitement of watching the crazy scooters and then another time seeing the stillness of early morning in such a large, metropolitan area were memories we won’t soon forget.  If you opt to stay in HCMC, Xuan will be happy to accommodate, I’m sure.  I believe, based on what he told us, that he lives closer towards the Mekong Delta. We were further out, on the east side ofHCMC. He would also most likely recommend a hotel…..there are many.

To go deep into the brush, jungle really, of the Mekong Delta was very enlightening.  Bill, I’m of a certain age that I remember evening news casts from Saigon, Agent Orange defoliant in the Mekong Delta, and all around nightly reports of young, US GIs.  Not looking to debate here, but that excursion was living history….in addition to our van, we used 4 additional modes of transportation that day, were entertained by singers, had a home cooked meal and could buy a few trinkets. A fantastic day for us.

Whatever you do, enjoy it!

Thanks for your response.  Yes, I am also of a certain age watching events every night on the news.  I will ask Xuan for a recommendation.  Bill

I emailed you.  Also, just cut/paste onto the roll call.

Bill

3 hours ago, DoulaAnn said:

VIETNAM EXCURSIONS

Okay, confusion on shore excursions is resolved.  I have booked the following trips and we are looking for up to six people to join us.  The names of the tours and links are here. 

All tours are:

4 people: $120/person

6 people: $100/person

8 people: $90/person 

 

Hue 2/5: Hue Shore Excursion           9:30 - 4:00  

https://www.tourwithxuan.com/hue.html

 

Nha Trang 2/6:   Nha Trang City Tour           10:30 - 5:00

https://www.tourwithxuan.com/nha-trang.html

 

Saigon 2/7: Mekong Delta and Ben Tre Excursion          11:00 - 6:30 

https://www.tourwithxuan.com/ben-tre.html

 

Saigon 2/8: Ho Chi Minh Shore Excursion                7:30 - 3:00 

https://www.tourwithxuan.com/hcmc-tour.html

 

2/18: Cu Chi Tunnels                         8:30 - 4:00

https://www.tourwithxuan.com/cu-chi-tunnels.html

 

2/21: Da Nang/Hoi An             10:30 - 6:00

https://www.tourwithxuan.com/hoi-an-da-nang.html

 

Costs will be paid by USD for the total of your tours when we arrive in Saigon. Cancelations will be taken until 31 days before the tour. 

 

If you look at the cost of the Oceania tours, look at the length of them and the fact they have significantly more people boarding the touring vehicle. You may find these to be cheaper or competitive, and they have the advantage of being flexible in each stop.

Ann, I think you posted this in the wrong place.

On 4/3/2023 at 1:56 PM, jebbs said:

Outstanding!

The highlight of our SouthEast Asia cruise!

A gentleman, easy to work with and Xuan accommodated all our requests!

Xuan is informed, enthusiastic, entertaining and a credit to his city and profession.

Our four days in HCMC were filled with excitement and adventure…..from the cool Chill Sky Bar and dinner on Friday evening, to a once in a lifetime adventure through the Mekong Delta all day Saturday, followed Sunday by the ultimate HCMC tour/adventure to markets, a trishaw escapade, delicious lunch, Bitexco SkyDeck, Rex Hotel beverage break, lunch, etc…a memorable, fantastic experience!

BOOK HIM!  You won’t regret it!

Hello, I was wondering if you stayed in HCMC or returned to your ship on Friday evening.  Asking because we will be there overnight but will be docking in Phu My.  I really rather stay in the city than doing all of that transiting.  So, question is if you stayed in HCMC what hotel did you stay at?  And did Xuan have no problem with picking you up at the hotel?  

We will be on a Xuan tour the first day from the ship on a private excursion.  Is the Mekong Delta worth it?

Thanks for your help.  Bill

2 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Is the port Dun Laoghaire?

The Dart station is very close to where the ship's tenders come ashore.  Day return tickets can be purchased from the machine inside the station.

It is a commuter train so will be very crowded between 7.30am - 9.30am and again from 4pm - 6pm.  Sunday service is almost non existant.

 

What about Saturday service?

54 minutes ago, JRIH said:

January 28 - February 12, 2024

We are on this cruise with you.  Our plan is to debark on Feb. 11 and use a local tour company to go to Bangkok, our last port.  We'll tour the city for a few days and then fly to Angkor Wat.  

If you are continuing on from Bangkok, my recommendation would be to find a reputable tour company and stay overnight in the city instead of traveling back and forth.  That way you will be able to experience the cities night life.  

Bill

12 hours ago, Mrs f. said:

Oceania just cancelled 3 days in  Myanmar for the Nautica May 10th cruise. Ship was supposed to be there May 15-17

What is Oceania doing regarding replacement of the port stop?  Sea days, another/different port of call, etc.?  Just curious, since I will have the same issue in January on the Riviera.

Thank you for your diary posts.  We are really looking forward to visiting Yangon.  If we do, we will stay in the city overnight in order to not have to return back to the ship using private tours.  However, the way things are going in country I do not see how Oceania will be calling there in January 2024.  They have already cancelled one port call and others will be probably cancelled.  

Did you have an opportunity to ride the Circle Train?

Thanks, Bill

On 4/17/2023 at 8:03 AM, NateUpNorth said:

Used Curacao Dreams in December 2022.
Personally would recommend. They also "take you on a tour" of the Island with A LOT of historical and current info.
If you have questions feel free to ask. 

Which tour did you take with Curacao Dreams?

On 4/15/2023 at 8:07 AM, Kristal Blade said:

Last night we attended the APT special event. An evening of Mozart and Strauss music, both orchestra and opera, in the Prince of Liechtenstein’s palace in Vienna.

I was glad I had packed something to dress up in for that event. Annoyingly it was raining so we had to gallop from the buses to the entrance and my feet got a bit wet in my blingy sandals.

 

Packing has begun, we head home on Monday.

Amastella has been a great introduction to river cruising for us.

Hello, 

Question:  By being glad you packed something to dress up in for the event, what exactly did you pack?  I am wondering for you and for a man.  We will be attending the same event in May off of the AmaBella.  Thanks, Bill