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Thanks everyone for your prompt replies. It will help us a lot when we get to Vila.

Has anyone heard of changes in Vila - trial of dedicated lines for taxis/buses and the markets inside the port gates.

The article I read also stated that taxis would charge high fees - like $130 for half day.

We will be on the pacific pearl leaving Sydney 25th July- and normally when in Vila we are try and find some other cruisers on the dock and share a taxi into town or to where we can get small boat to hideaway island ( I think that's the island with the underwater post office)

Not sure if this has started yet or planned - if any one has any information it would be appreciated.

Robin:)

On my first couple of cruises I also had swollen ankles / lower legs and would get a red rash (golfers Vasculitis)....best thing I have found is "dry brushing" it worked for me. Use a natural bristle brush - got mine from the chemist - and start at your feet and work your way up towards your heart, circular motions. Then have a shower. Sounds weird, but really did work. Google "dry brushing".

Good luck, and enjoy your cruise.:)

Hello everyone, most people seem pleased with the explorer, we are going to New Zealand in march 2016 and I can't wait.

As we have not long booked and prices seemed to have gone up significantly we are in an ocean-view cabin....we have been lucky enough to have a balcony on most other cruises and I am not sure we have made the right decision.

Has anyone stayed on deck 3... Yes deck 3..we also have never stayed on this level - we normally only go there to get off the ship on a tender!!

I want to be able to see out, and at the price we paid we will be able do another cruise later in the year as well.

So, I suppose I just want any feedback on the ocean-view cabins, my SIL & BIL have a promenade room - so any information on either would be great.

Any tips for finding a place to sit and chat would be good too.

There is thousands of threads on gratuities, however I thought that on Australian based cruises the prices were built into the fare...not that I have an issue with the tips as such, just wondering.

And lastly...thanks everyone.

Robin.

Hi TIna G, we are going on the sapphire in 2weeks to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, singapore - I have read about covering up shoulders and knees. Will it be appropriate to wear long shorts and tops with sleeves during the day and I will take a wrap and some cotton long pants to go into the temples, mosques? I also may wear summer dresses and put the pants under when needed - the dresses are not strappy.

My partner is going to wear those pants that zip off and become shorts.

I am looking forward to this trip and we always take our good clothes to go to dinner and it is one time I can take that "formal" dress. I know lots of people don't dress for dinner anymore but we enjoy that side of the cruise.

Any tips for this trip would be most helpful.

Robin

Thanks kjets for your reply, we are not going to Sihanoukville this time, sounds like an amazing place.

We are not taking any ship tours at the moment, have organised a couple through cruise critic to Saigon and koh Samaui, we are a bit unsure of the others, but hope to do a lot of research in the next couple of weeks. The only problem with this cruise like many Asia ports the ship is a long way from the cities, we will be happy to explore locally and are even thinking of a train to KL..

Our first cruise was to the pacific islands and the first few nights were really rough, I was surprised that I was not sea sick when the waves were up at our window on one of the upper floors. There was not too many people about that night. I wear travel bands the whole trip, and take travel calm also, may need to take it everyday if it is bad. As we have 8 stops it will be good to get off those days.

I do have questions for you, but will try and keep it short, will post these in a few days, mostly about tendering and perhaps get some tips to help us enjoy the cruise. This is an adventure for both of us and we just love being on the ship and meeting new people and getting some much needed time together.

Hi kjets, hope you enjoyed your cruise on the sapphire, we are going on her in February for 15 nights. Having never been to asia before and at this stage have only planned a couple of private tours. The ports are slightly different than your trip, however do you have any suggestions for a couple of newbies to this area!!

Also we are right up the front of the ship, under bridge. Is it going to be rough??

Any suggestions ideas appreciated.

Thanks

Thank you for taking the time to write while on your cruise. As others have said there was very little information on the Sapphire in Asia.

I check everyday for updates from you.

Your post about the rough seas was a little concerning for us as we are right up the front of the ship. How is the sea now? I know it's hard to predict from one cruise to the next.

Looking forward to your next updates.

Robin

Does anyone know if the unlimited soda page & more includes bottled water?

Do we need to purchase for both people in the cabin?

We will be on the sapphire princess Feb 23 for the 15 day Asia cruise.

I have looked at the link on the princess site and cannot locate this information.

Just over 100 days to this cruise...yay....

:)

Hi everyone, I also have had this rash when on a cruise and when I am in holidays doing lots of walking.

Check out the web for "golfers Vasculitis" I am pretty sure that is what you may have.

All the best.

Cruising Asia 23rd February for 15 days.

We have booked c100 at the bow of the ship

Hard to find any information.

Has anyone been in this cabin?

We have been mainly in the middle of the ship, but so wanted this trip and thought we would give this cabin a go.

Any hints, tips on the sapphire would also be appreciated from other cruise critic members now this beautiful ship has been taken away from the states to this area.

I can't answer your questions yet, but we are going on the carnival spirit on the 3rd march, so I will be able to give you all the info after that.

As soon as you can, book in online and you can select a boarding time, the earlier the better of course. You may not be able to get into your cabin straight away, but lunch is a great start, then explore the ship and enjoy.

I found some good videos on utube of the ship/cabins/amenities.

The planning is all part of your holiday.

Enjoy:):):)

We are going on Carnival Spirit 3rd march 2014. A couple of questions about this ship.

1. Is it true that you can't smoke on the balcony for this ship (hope this is a yes)

2. Have signed in on the roll call - would be good to see some more fellow travellers here

3. How do I get one of the pods in the serenity area, all my research shows that they get taken and people won't share/vacate for anything!!

4. Fellow traveller is gluten free - can we just advise MDR once on board

5. I have heaps more questions, but this will do for now

Thanks to everyone on this site, even us Aussie travellers get some great tips.:):):):)