ssawjo

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

You can also review your booking confirmation and see if all of the perks that you are paying for are listed on the document.  

1 hour ago, Norseh2o said:

Amazon on Insignia November-December, 2019.  In the 25 days, we enjoyed the Caribbean ports, loved the lazy travel on the Amazon, visited pretty Manaus (nice town, but not sure about calling it the "Paris of South America" as we had been told),  we were surprised by the size & beauty of the river.  We saw & smelled smoke from fire(s) in Brazil on some days & the back patio of Terrace was closed in the evenings. We were advised to not use balconies, leave curtains drawn & lights out evenings and night time.

 

On the positive side, no rainy days, enjoyed the spa inside and outside most days, the food was exceptional, the port stops and onboard activities better than expected, the staff, crew and guests were the best in all of our travel.

 

We saw 1 bug on the ship while on the Amazon.  We hope to book the same trip again in 2025 or 2026.

 

 

Why were you advised to not use your balcony, leave curtains drawn and the lights out?  Pirates or due to the insects?  Just curious.  I doubt pirates though.

3 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Hi Bill,

In some countries (certainly Russia), hotels are obliged to see and photocopy visas / passports of international visitors and can get visits from officials wanting to check them. 

Not saying that's the case in Vietnam, but it is quite a bureaucratic country

 

Shipmates who missed the last tender of the evening in Ha Long Bai managed to get a hotel OK despite having only ship-issued visas, but that might be because the hotel took pity on them

 

JB 🙂.

Good point.  I recall that in Italy, France, and elsewhere, the local police came by the hotel each evening, collected passports, and returned them to the next morning.  Not sure if they are continuing that practice.  So, depending on what Goldconnection finds out, I may get an evisa instead.

8 hours ago, cruisinsusin said:

Thanks to @Ifplenore and @John Bull. I had reviewed the official government site but still wasn’t clear about cruise stops as opposed to air/ land entries or embarkation/ disembarkation. We have 3 different stops on our Celebrity cruise- does that require 3 e visas or would one for the first port stop suffice? We are not doing overnights away from the ship but do have private tours at 2 of the stops.

I agree with you that it is all rather confusing.  I am not an expert but my reading is that you can come and go within VN at different ports of entry within the validity of the evisa, 30 days.  I hope someone can clear all of this up for us.

4 hours ago, Mrs. Claypool said:

 

 

However, we were told that if we wanted an overnight visa or longer, we should contact the front desk.  Perhaps that would have increased the price?

This is an excellent question.  We are overnight in HCMC (Saigon) next February on the Oceania Riviera.  We were thinking of staying overnight in HCMC and, instead of trooping back to the ship, staying in the city, exploring the night life, dinner, and getting up early to do another tour.    BTW, Oceania is charging $69/pp and is included in the total cruise fare.

Maybe it depends on the cruise line if they will charge "extra" for an overnight stay.  I really can't see Immigration chasing us down and deporting us.  

Bill

Just read several articles that the Myanmar govt. has decided to bomb it's own citizens and suspended elections from this coming August to who knows when.  It is my opinion, FWIW, that Oceania, and other cruise lines will  NOT be calling at Yangon anytime in the near future.

Just took the plunge and booked a rather pricey balcony cabin on the Emerald.  Looked for the Discovery but it is sold out.  Visited the Panama Canal (old locks) many years ago on the new, at the time, Sun Princess with our then kindergarten son.  It will be exciting to see the new locks, and the total eclipse of the sun of course!  Thank you Marne-c and help32550 for your work on getting this done.

Now off to tell the DW what I just did! LOL

Bill

I was told by local TV personalities that today is also National Burrito Day!  Enjoy!

48 minutes ago, CastleCritic said:

Prague..going to put this separately since it wasn't even the same trip as the above, but again..a really fascinating city.

 

AMA had put us up at the continental? intercontinental? anyway a few blocks from the "powder tower", they use multiple hotels so experience will obviously vary a bit. (odd trivia, as I said in another thread the AmaStella arrived in Nuremberg the same day+dock we did and also had a excursion to Prague...there were 6 of us, and 12 of them...did AMA combine buses, guides, cruise director or hotel? nope!). I liked the hotel but it might be the smallest one Ive ever stayed in it had a bed it was quiet..what else did I want?

 

So the first part of this likely wont matter since again I went there from Nuremberg, not any of the directions you will.  We saw the palace of justice (along with a few shipmates where were hitching a ride with us to the train station/center of town before GETTING BACK ON THE SHIP AND GOING BACK THE WAY WE CAME) alone with a few sites from "German authorities of the mid 1900s" before heading towards Prague with a stop in Pilsen (if youre thinking beer...eyep) for lunch on your own and a small amount of tour.

 

Arrived in Prague about 6 and they brought our luggage up and then we met the group for basically orientation, (where is old town, where does that free drink voucher you were given get honored, few restaurant reccomendations (everyone spoke good English).

 

Next day only planned activity, choices were a bus to the castle then walk back down and then through old town or...walk from the hotel to the castle talking about everything on the way (the active option...yep that was me...and the guide...and that was it, the others went on the van).  This really I thought was the best option, we slowly made our way through town talking about history both short and long (she was my again about 45 and was one of the demonstrators during the fall of communism, a story she tells me on the spot where it happened) and ended up at the castle.  She had been instructed to bring me back down but I didnt really see a point so I cut her loose then paid for an admission ticket to the charged entrances in the castle and did that then went back on my own. You DEFINTELY want a Map, a GPS, or a guide in Prague, especially after hours, I managed to get minor lost about 3 times over the weekend (though just make it to the river and a few public squares and its not that hard).. But I made it back to the hotel this time with only a few miscalculations.

 

Last full day was on our own, I just sort of did a few things I had seen including the national(?) museum then ate another good dinner and went to bed.  There's a lot to see and the tour guide or hotel could probably set up or suggest some more formal ones.

 

Then I flew home, AMA provided a driver, and a guide for the airport (which wasnt really necessary since he basically just walked in and pointed at the empty Lufthansa desk).

 

I definitely recommend Prague.  There is a channel on YouTube called "the honest guide to Prague" which are two locals who talk about the good and bad of the city, and especially if you like food or drink are a good watch (as is knowing about some of the less great things) that I would recommend.

 

 

This is our schedule re: Prague - 

Day 18, VILSHOFEN ­ REGENSBURG ­ PRAGUE ­ DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and enjoy a stop in Regensburg. After a local highlights tour, head to Prague where you will check into your hotel, The Art Deco Hotel. (B) Day 19, PRAGUE. Discover fairytale Prague and its magical church spires via a city tour or a hike to Prague Castle. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive and vibrant cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B) Day 20, PRAGUE. Beer has been an important part of the Czech Republic since 993, when the first brewery was established. Beer is vital to the country’s national identity, so much so that the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. Join a beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes Czech beer some of the best in the world. (B) Day 21, DEPART PRAGUE. Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight. Early morning on Lufthansa to Munich.(B)

The hotel is supposed to be really nice according to Trip Advisor.  Day 20 seems a little bit worthless.  I do like beer and would enjoy the beer tasting but how much beer can one drink in a day.  I will look for other things to do/see (will review YouTube) that day.  

Any restaurant recommendations?  I may look at Tours by Locals for someone for an evening tour.

Thanks for all of your help and great information.

12 minutes ago, CastleCritic said:

Ah, well from recollection here is my take on it,

 

Class C Room...(AmaPrima) in some ways I found this a side grade from the first floor D/E class rooms.  its basically the same size except you have lost a small amount of space to the Balcony (its not really, its just a sliding glass door).  But having that glass wall to look out of can be a VERY good thing.  The location is a mixed bag, its so far back that you dont really have many people walking past your rooms, but I found that on third deck it was far enough back that machinery noises could be an issue at times (and again Im used to knowing when the bow thrusters come on down on the bottom deck, though the 110M AmaDante (Seine) was REALLY quiet on 1st deck...so much so I didnt even know we were underway at times),

 

Vilshofen charming little place, there will be a first night beer and pretzel festival right at the dock and sufficient free time to explore it before leaving the next day.

 

Passau, I did the castle hike, (see the name....) which bypasses much of the city walk so choose accordingly.  This will be a surprisingly busy port considering its size.

 

Linz...a city we were told didnt really want tourists...more of a launching point for excursions further afield. I did Salzburg with a stop on the way in a small town here "sound of music" was filmed (you would hear a lot about that on this excursion). Loved Salzburg, its the castle I chose to buy a print of to add to my collection. I hope you have better weather than I did , foggy didnt do this drive justice.

 

Weissenkirchen...this day ended up being a little adjusted due to weather for us, I was supposed to hike up to the castle ruins where king Richard was held on his way back from the crusades (yes this is a theme, I think it stops here).  But it rained too much and the guides didnt think it was safe so we just did the town walk instead.  The itinerary lists Melk Abby on this day as well which we actually did the next day, REALLY cool place...doesnt let you take pictures inside. When I went it was  "wine cruise"  and actually we docked in both Weisenkirchen for a day and Durnstein (where the castle was) for a day which came at the expense of Bratislava a few days later so I have no feedback on that.  And instead there was a winery tour in here.  the printed itinerary has Melk, Durnstein and Weisenkirchen listed all on the same day.

 

Vienna...very very long day here with a lot of choices of things to do.  This is the one time in my now 4 AMA cruises that there was a paid excursion option (Schonbrunn or a concert) after the main one for the day.  I think other cruise lines spend multiple days here, its definitely possible, there is a lot to see.

 

Bratislava...again I had a changed itinerary we skipped this, didnt even see it from the river as we went through in the dark

 

Budapest, probably because we were coming from Vienna and not Bratislava the day before we were behind where you would be at this time,  this was my first experience of getting off the ship, onto a bus and then meeting the ship in Budapest.  Chose the castle hill hike (ok I guess Weisenkicrhen wasnt the last time...) which more than focusing on the castle itself was more focusing on that side of the river whereas the normal tour splits its time between both.  My group was offered some time to see things on the other side of the river but decided it was too tired and just walked to the ship (which was a 2 mile walk)...at least that day AMA had a REALLY unfavorable docking location...but walking through Budapest at night does NOT suck.

 

And then it ended the next morning after finding a sister ship had arrived from Giurgiu and was tied up along side...the rest you will have to wait until the end of the month for!  Looking at the itinerary you will have what will be for me as embarkation day as a second day in Budapest (as will some portion of my shipmates as the Amamagna will be doing the full 14 day cruise with me joining it for the "gems of Danube" portion on Sunday in Budapest.

 

until then I leave you with one of my favorite pictures...sticking to my theme...kinda

Vilshofen, unfortunately, will be our last stop, as we are boarding in Giurgiu.  I hope they have what you described as I love beer and pretzels.  This will be at our stop in Passau.

Not much I could do about location of cabin but we'll deal with any noise.  

I will take into consideration your comments about the other stops.  We have not made any tour selections yet.  I have seen/heard that Budapest is amazing at night.  Expecting Vienna to be a long day.  DW is a "Sound of Music" lover, so this tour will be on the top of her list.

I will look at things and see what interests us.  Thank you for your notes/opinions.  They are appreciated.

2 hours ago, CastleCritic said:

Understood AmaBella is the one Danube/Rhine class of AMA ship I wont have been on after this trip, I think AmaStella (same class) was the ship that was chasing my ship down the Main (AmaPrima) the last time I was in that area, saw it in port the last two days but I never saw the inside of it.

 

I can say that the other two 135M class ships were pretty much the same. They are good ships to be on, I just really wanted to see the AmaMagna.....

 

What room category are you in?  And in general what are you interested in seeing/anything you've done in the past that you thought this cruise might do?

 

Like I said I did Vilshofen to Budapest already (though we didnt do Bratislava (wine cruise change)  so...cant say for that one).

 

We are in category C.  Have never visited the countries on the Grand Danube 14 Day Cruise, so everything will be new.  Not sure what to expect but we are really looking forward to it.  I like more historical things/sites and my DW is more cultural, so we will probably be doing different tours, which is fine.  We are doing a pre-cruise in Istanbul and a post cruise in Prague.