debshomespun

Friday was our last full sea day.

There was a very nice luncheon at the buffet:

Roast turkey and pork

Chocolate fountain

A variety of fresh fruits

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The evening show was an acrobat team from Russia,

Yulia & Allen Reva. They are very good

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On our arrival in Kota Kinabalu, the captain checked out the port area before we got off, he is on the right

There was a nice welcoming band and performers

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Kota Kinabalu

We did a private excursion through Amazing Borneo Tours that took us to the Mari Mari Cultural Village with lunch.

The suspension bridge we walked across to enter the Village

We toured 5 houses:

An authentic tribal show:

Lunch:

Traffic was very busy for a smaller town. Their population is 600,000.

At the port, there were 2 vendors set up for local souvenirs.

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Our day in Boracay.

Absolute Paradise!!

This is a tender port. Being elite, we were able to meet at Tuscan, and were taken directly down to the tenders. When we arrived, there were women passing out nice necklaces from the Philippines tourism Dept, (like in Hawaii when they pass out the lei). Was a nice welcoming touch. They also had a local band playing to welcome us

We took a tuk tuk to White beach. Like this one:

They wanted $20. US$ for the 4 of us and I asked them how much in pesos. $300, which is only $6. US$.

Once on the beach, there are many local vendors trying to sell you sunglasses, hats, jewelry, and just tell them no. Also, they have many tours there. We decided on a 3 hour "island hopping & snorkle". They started at $4500. Pesos and I got them down to $3000. Pesos ($60 US) for 4 people. We went out to a snorkle spot, was somewhat rough and only 1 of us snorkeled. It was just ok, some coral and a few fish.

This was our little boat.

Then we went up the coast to a small beach, Puka beach.

Spent about half hour there and then back on the water. The scenery is beautiful

We then went all along the island to the other end near the ship. We were going to go to a bat cave, but to go it, would have been $200 pesos ($4.00) more pp, and we didn't care to do that. They took us back to the White beach.

We spent some time on the beach, and walked through some of the shops. Souveniors are very inexpensive here and you can bargain with them.

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Hi Debbie,

 

This has been such valuable information.

You mentioned you took the cable car. We were thinking of doing this on our own after checking in at the airport.

If we were at the cable car ride that you took would we be able to do it in 3 hours. Going up.. looking around and then coming back down? We would like to blow some time in the morning before taking a mid afternoon flight.

 

By any chance did you take a car with the transparent floor? We wanted to know if it was worth it.

 

Thank you so much

Jon

I don't know how far the airport is from the cable car. The traffic is horrendous, and not sure of the time it would take to get to/from the cable cars and Airport. The 1 way ride on the cable car is 30 minutes. That would be 1 hr just in the cable car. The big Buddah is at the other end of the cable car, along with plenty of shopping. Even if you just did the round trip cable car, time would be close, in my opinion.

We did not do the glass bottom car. We have done many cable cars around the world and never paid for the extra with glass bottoms. I don't know the difference in price as this was included in our excursion.

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Excellent updates! Would you do the Hong Kong tour again or would you do something else if you could redo the day?

 

Gorgeous sunset pics too! :)

 

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We enjoyed our day, other than having to wait for all the people to get back to the bus. We don't normally do excursions through the ship. We have been spoiled by private excursions and having only our group on excursions (numbers vary depending on how many of us travel together).

The cable car ride had fabulous views. Well worth the time.

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Our day in Manila, Phillipines:

We had originally booked a tour through the ship, again because of the traffic. The Tagatay tour. This is 2 hours by bus and after all our other tours having been a great distance to travel from port, decided we didn't want to sit in a bus for 2 hrs each way. Also, the port is right in town. Very easily accessible. We walked out on our own and went to Rizal Park, about a 15-20 min walk

We then took a cycle ride with a side car to the walled city of Intramuros. Once there, they cannot enter, so we got a bicycle guide to show us around

We then walked back to the ship. We were gone for 4 hours and probably walked about 5 miles. At the terminal, there were a few souveniors being sold by locals

There was a beautiful sunset tonight

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In Hong Kong, We docked at the Kai Tak cruise terminal. There is nothing around there. Lots of construction. If you walk anywhere, it a very long walk just to get out of the terminal area.

Because if traffic and time constraints, we decided to do a ship excursion. Lantau Island and Ngong Ping 360 w/vegetation lunch at Po Lin Monastery. We took a tour bus from the terminal through the city and over to the Island. Then, we had to switch tour buses to continue up to a small fishing Village, Tai O

We then went to the big Buddah

Lunch was next

A little shopping on our walk over to the cable car ride to take us off the island (beside the airport) and got the bus back to the ship.

The tour was 7 hours, a long day. There was traffic everywhere. That is why we went with a ship tour. We didn't experience traffic on our own.

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Debbie,

Did you leave out of Singapore at 5 or at 6 pm?

Did you have to pay any extra fees to use ports?

Thank you!

J

We left Singapore at 6:00. Once we boarded, we could not get back off. We have the premium drink pkg and didn't have to pay anything. I'm not sure if there was an extra tax on drinks or not.

Finally went to a show tonight. The Millennium Singers & Dancers. Performed the musical West End, Boogy Woogie

Had some rough seas today and mostly rainy

Up tomorrow is Manila, Philippines. We were taking s tour, but cancelled, as we are tired of riding a bus so long to get there, 2 hrs each way. Going to go out on our own into the city.

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Debbie,

Thank you for making these live posts.

1. Do you recall if there were any changes to your itinerary in leaving Singapore or Saigon?

2. As well, do you recall when the muster drill was?

3. Did you have a meet and mingle meeting? If so when was this scheduled?

4. Finally, I know you are on a sea day on your way to Halong Bay however I am very curious about your tendering in Halong Bay. When it commences, what the procedure was and how much you were charged for port fees? Could you please post this information after you Halong Bay experience?

Thank you

Jon

1. We left Ho Chi Ming/Saigon at 7:00pm, originally scheduled to leave at 8:00.

2. Muster Drill: 5:15

3. No meet & mingle. Not enough signed up. Our roll call was not very active.

4. Answered above

We may have an itinerary change after we leave Hong Kong, as there is a typhoon currently passing over the Philippines, and heading our way . . . Captain has told us he will do another report Saturday morning when we arrive in Hong Kong.

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This is the Goddess of Mercy. There is not a female Buddha. ;p Thanks for the postings. We will be on this cruise in Dec 2018.

http://ladybuddha.org

This is where I got my information. Apparently it is referred to as both. Sorry if I called her female Buddah, it would be Lady Buddah

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Thanks, Debbie, for the update on the crew and bands :D

 

Is it okay in Vietnam to visit the temples with shorts and tops or do you have to cover your knees and shoulders?

Yes, it is ok to wear shorts and a shirt in Vietnam into temples.

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Today we docked in Chan May

We arranged for a private tour with Andy and our guide was Tom. (http://www.hoianprivatetour.com). Met them at 8:00, and they took us into Hue Da Nang city for our tour. First stop: Dragon bridge

Then we went to a marble factory, then to a temple.

Into Chinatown and walked lots

Several of these women

Finished at the Female Buddah overlooking the Sea

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Did you walk to get outside the gate, or was there a shuttle?

We walked about 700 meters, 10 minute walk, but there was a shuttle available. We brought the shuttle back. He will be outside the actual port gate, out beside the road with a sign and your name on it.

They had desserts for the Captain's Club event. They were delicious chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate truffles.

 

We then went to lunch in the MDR

 

Chicken and beef Satay

 

BBQ chicken

 

Turkey Panini

 

Fish crepes

 

Banana creme brulee

 

3 of us had the dessert. Everything was delicious.

 

 

 

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Cost as $75. USD. Excellent day!! If doing the Trishaw ride, take extra to tip the driver, about $5.

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Pictures from our excursion with Xuan.

The local market

The Trishaw ride

Scooters were EVERYWHERE

Lunch

The war museum

The Post office

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This is the best private excursion we have done! Yesterday, we visited Ho Chi Minh City and booked a private excursion with Xuan, contact him here:

http://www.tourwithxuan.com. We arrived at our meeting point 10 minutes early and Xuan was eagerly awaiting for us. He had a private driver in a newer SUV for our party of 4. Our first stop was a local market. We had the opportunity of walking through the narrow alleyways. It was a great experience to see many fresh produce there. Then, we visited Thien Hau Temple before taking the trishaw ride around the city. Our next stop was to enjoy Vietnamese coffee on a floating boat called "The Coffee Ship". Then, it was time to enjoy some local cuisine for lunch. After lunch, we visited the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, the former CIA headquarters, City Hall, Rex Hotel, and the Opera House. It was truly a great day to see the interesting sites in the city. We had such an amazing day. We were able to see many sights most Westerners would never get to see. Xuan is very personable, knowledgeable, and speaks excellent English. He is very passionate about his country and his love for sharing his knowledge is through his excursions.

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They had desserts for the Captain's Club event. They were delicious chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate truffles.

We then went to lunch in the MDR

Chicken and beef Satay

BBQ chicken

Turkey Panini

Fish crepes

Banana creme brulee

3 of us had the dessert. Everything was delicious.

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Captains Club party was 12:15 in the afternoon for Captain's Club members, select through elite plus. Estimation of about 100 people attended. They only announced the senior officers and 5 outstanding crew members for October. The cruise director Paul did done singing.

Captain Nicholi

Cruise director Paul

Drinks

Hor duervs

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Music bands are house band is The Real Deal, Ged Parker singer, dance band Groovy.

Cruise director is Paul, I'll have to get his last name

Rain this morning so we went to the gym at 7:30. Very busy. Some people will leave their towels on a machine or treadmill, go use something else, then come back. Next time, I will move their towel 😯. We used a few machines, then went down to decks 4&5 and did 8 laps.

Next, up to buffet for breakfast, which we brought down to eat on our balcony.

The sun is trying to sneak out from behind the clouds. A large cloud is in front of us.

At 12:15, we have the Captain's Club Celebration in Cosmos Lounge.

May try the slot pull at 2:00.

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A few more pictures from our day

 

 

The "family" car. Notice the child doesn't have a helmet on

 

 

 

Inside the Post office

 

 

Scooters are EVERYTHING

 

Tomorrow is a sea day, and Thursday, we go to Danang.

 

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A few more pictures from our day

The "family" car. Notice the child doesn't have a helmet on

An electricians nightmare

Scooters are EVERYTHING

Tomorrow is a sea day, and Thursday, we go to Danang.

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Vietnam visas were done through the ship. The room stewards put them on the bed the night before we arrived. Cost is $6.00 each, I think. No charge yet on our account.

The immigration officials (3 of them) were just outside the ship and stamped our Visa. It is a small paper with our name and passport # on. When we returned to the ship, Celebrity reps were checking to be sure we had them. Will need them again Thursday in Danang.

We are doing a private tour again, arranged through our friend's son's contact.

When we got off the ship, there were a few guides offering tours, maybe 10-15. We arrived at 7:00, and we got off at 7:30. If you don't arrange Anytime ahead of time, you would need to get off early together a guide. Nothing with in walking distance of the ship. They did have a small tent with a few souveniors in, but we didn't look.

After we arrived back at the ship, we we're exhausted, so went to buffet for dinner.

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Next stop was the war museum. Very interesting.

After the museum, we stopped at the post office.

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