Live from the Viking Neptune World Cruise 2022-23

[Mich3554]

4 hours ago, Dcsfuture said:

I heard there was a shuttle provided to HCM city from the ship. Would love to confirm that as we are doing what you suggest. In any event we’ll make it happen. 

It dropped and picked up from in front of the opera house.

[mstadleraz]

3 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

@Clay ClaytonYou asked Dave and I last year for suggestions on excursions, tours & guides for the SE Asia cruise. Unfortunately, the WC is only stopping in HCMC in Vietnam, but we can highly recommend a young fellow named Xuan (pronounced like “sue-un”) at https://www.tourwithxuan.com. We had eight people from the cruise who toured with him first at Hoi An, & then in HCMC. He’s from the Mekong Delta a few hours outside HCMC. His email: tourwithxuan@gmail.com.

 

Also at TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293925-d12204583-Reviews-Tour_With_Xuan-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html

 

 

 

We had Xuan as a tour guide. He was fantastic. A group of four, we toured the Delta and Saigon (HCMC). Best two days in SE Asia. We are the photo of four sitting having a drink in Saigon when you click the above link...

Edited August 26, 2023 by mstadleraz

[BobCatter]

10 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

That would be a good thing to note in the description 😂

You could always call and ask since it doesn’t say. 

[mstadleraz]

23 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We were there in April and they had already set up the temporary grandstand and repaved the streets. It takes over a month to prepare for the May race. Here is a picture of the temporary grand stands and finish line from The Rock.

Like your upcoming cruise. We are headed to Antarctica in January with pre-cruise stop in Iguazu Falls and post cruise stop in Patagonia - El Calafate. Enjoy the cruise...

[Clay Clayton]

10 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

@Clay ClaytonYou asked Dave and I last year for suggestions on excursions, tours & guides for the SE Asia cruise. Unfortunately, the WC is only stopping in HCMC in Vietnam, but we can highly recommend a young fellow named Xuan (pronounced like “sue-un”) at https://www.tourwithxuan.com. We had eight people from the cruise who toured with him first at Hoi An, & then in HCMC. He’s from the Mekong Delta a few hours outside HCMC. His email: tourwithxuan@gmail.com.

 

Also at TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293925-d12204583-Reviews-Tour_With_Xuan-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html

 

 

 

Thanks!  Did you do the included tour in HCM?  Like you we have three days so trying to decide how to get the biggest bang for our time there.  
 

We are thinking about taking the included tour, spending the night on our own (thank you Hyatt points!), the next day, and then taking the shuttle back on the evening of the second day. Still figuring out what to do on the third.  Was there anything fun/interesting near the port?

[Paul73]

The port is in an industrial area with nothing in the immediate vicinity.  I went running in several ports and this one is pretty desolate.

[SJD117]

10 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Thanks!  Did you do the included tour in HCM?  Like you we have three days so trying to decide how to get the biggest bang for our time there.  
 

We are thinking about taking the included tour, spending the night on our own (thank you Hyatt points!), the next day, and then taking the shuttle back on the evening of the second day. Still figuring out what to do on the third.  Was there anything fun/interesting near the port?

Clay, I second what Linda said — you can’t go wrong with Xuan. Read the Tripadvisor reviews and get on his schedule! He was very flexible with our group on both tours we took with him (in HCMC and Hoi An) — they were tailored so we could see what we wanted to see. Xuan speaks great English and took us to nice atmospheric restaurants for lunch. Top notch in all respects.

 

As to your Qs: We didn’t take the included tour, and there’s nothing of interest near the port.

[Heidi13]

14 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Previous World Cruisers we have just made our first pass through the excursions and I'm hoping you can help me understand a couple of things. 🤞

 

As I read the descriptions of the 3 included tours to Rome they appear to mostly be transport to Rome and a system of shuttle buses for those who wish to get from the Vatican to the Coliseum or to Piazza del Popolo. Two are 8.5 hours long while the third is 10 hours-any idea how it is different. The descriptions all make mention of lunch (usually after lunch go do this) but it's not clear if lunch is included or just time or suggestion if when to have lunch. There is also mention of having to make some detailed selections about which of the particular tour you want after we are  onboard. How does this work?

 

We are considering the Uluwatu Temple and Dinner which says the BBQ dinner is on the beach. Can anyone advise about this dinner? We don't usually do excursions with meals preferring to spend the money likely a better meal in a restaurant rather than a banquet type. Do you recall how seating is handled?  
 

Do you know if it's possible to book the included tour to Ho Chi Minh City but spend the night on our own and come back the next day with another tour group. I'm gonna presume not but figure if I don't ask they can't say yes.  Another alternative is to book our own transportation back. 
 

In Istanbul, does the included Bosporus Cruise use the public ferry or a private boat?

 

The two tours in Jeddah are very similar but one is focused on women's role. Would men be out of place on this one?

 

Were different excursions added onboard. We find it surprising that some excursions we expected aren't offered. Capri in Naples, Mont St Michael in Honfleur, etc. 

 

TIA!

 

Clay - In Saigon, you should consider that they have numerous commercial berths that can be 1/2 hr to 1.5 hrs from the city. The previous WC got one of the closer berths, but i have always docked further down the river, about 1.5 hrs drive.

 

The docking location may impact the shuttle service and in many cases the berth is not known until the pilot boards.

[Clay Clayton]

Another question for y'all.  Sorry.

 

In Bora Bora, our friend, @VAGAL has highly recommended doing Le Truck-here is what she said:

Bora Bora - DIY to Playa Matira.  Took La Truck (seats 8-10 people, was $5 back then.  Beautiful beach, there is some shade under the trees, water is waist deep forever, saw lots of stingrays, drank beer, hailed a taxi and stopped at Bloody Mary's on way back to ship

 

Below is the description of the included tour on Le Truck which sounds similar but doesn't look like it includes stopping  at the beach or being able to stop and have a drink at Bloody Mary's.  (Of course according to their website they are currently closed for renovations so this may be a moot issue). But in case they reopen, did any of you do this included tour and advice?

Ride an Open-Air Truck Through Paradise -- Take in the crystalline turquoise waters, lovely small villages and abundant mountains, and learn about it all from your local guide. There are many photo stops along the way as we drive to the district of Faanui and scenic Faanui Bay. Here, you will see the ancient ceremonial site of the Faanui marae, Bora Bora’s biggest Polynesian temple, with a typical raised ahu altar. Continue your scenic drive and pause for a photo stop at one of the island’s famed restaurants. Here, you will have a chance to strike a pose in front of Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant. A longtime island favorite of Hollywood royalty, it is the quintessential tiki bar with its thatched roof, open sides, white-sand floor, wooden slab tables and stools made of coconut stumps.

[Clay Clayton]

More questions!

Our friends who were on the 21/22 WC (ended up going east rather than west) have told us about the many special events that Viking held when in ports multiple nights.  Additionally, Bloggers on Neptune's 22/23 mentioned the rooftop event in Mumbai for example. Can y'all advise if there is any consistency of when these are offered?  We are considering overnighting off the ship in Mumbai (to go to the Taj) and in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

If we have a choice we would rather not miss the special events. So knowing which of the nights they are typically held in a double overnight port would be most helpful. 
 

As always thanks for your advice.

[mstadleraz]

17 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

More questions!

Our friends who were on the 21/22 WC (ended up going east rather than west) have told us about the many special events that Viking held when in ports multiple nights.  Additionally, Bloggers on Neptune's 22/23 mentioned the rooftop event in Mumbai for example. Can y'all advise if there is any consistency of when these are offered?  We are considering overnighting off the ship in Mumbai (to go to the Taj) and in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

If we have a choice we would rather not miss the special events. So knowing which of the nights they are typically held in a double overnight port would be most helpful. 
 

As always thanks for your advice.

They had special events for both those ports if I remember correctly. However, the off ship activities were worth missing the Viking events; especially the Taj Mahal...unless you plan on returning to India.

[mstadleraz]

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said:

Another question for y'all.  Sorry.

 

In Bora Bora, our friend, @VAGAL has highly recommended doing Le Truck-here is what she said:

Bora Bora - DIY to Playa Matira.  Took La Truck (seats 8-10 people, was $5 back then.  Beautiful beach, there is some shade under the trees, water is waist deep forever, saw lots of stingrays, drank beer, hailed a taxi and stopped at Bloody Mary's on way back to ship

 

Below is the description of the included tour on Le Truck which sounds similar but doesn't look like it includes stopping  at the beach or being able to stop and have a drink at Bloody Mary's.  (Of course according to their website they are currently closed for renovations so this may be a moot issue). But in case they reopen, did any of you do this included tour and advice?

Ride an Open-Air Truck Through Paradise -- Take in the crystalline turquoise waters, lovely small villages and abundant mountains, and learn about it all from your local guide. There are many photo stops along the way as we drive to the district of Faanui and scenic Faanui Bay. Here, you will see the ancient ceremonial site of the Faanui marae, Bora Bora’s biggest Polynesian temple, with a typical raised ahu altar. Continue your scenic drive and pause for a photo stop at one of the island’s famed restaurants. Here, you will have a chance to strike a pose in front of Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant. A longtime island favorite of Hollywood royalty, it is the quintessential tiki bar with its thatched roof, open sides, white-sand floor, wooden slab tables and stools made of coconut stumps.

The tour for us was not that good. Not because of the tour operator. The weather did not cooperate as we had heavy showers. The Bloody Mary's and Bloody Mary were very good. Not the best we have had but above average...

Edited August 26, 2023 by mstadleraz

[SJD117]

48 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

More questions!

Our friends who were on the 21/22 WC (ended up going east rather than west) have told us about the many special events that Viking held when in ports multiple nights.  Additionally, Bloggers on Neptune's 22/23 mentioned the rooftop event in Mumbai for example. Can y'all advise if there is any consistency of when these are offered?  We are considering overnighting off the ship in Mumbai (to go to the Taj) and in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

If we have a choice we would rather not miss the special events. So knowing which of the nights they are typically held in a double overnight port would be most helpful. 
 

As always thanks for your advice.

 

Do not miss the Taj. A special event aboard the WC wouldn’t begin to compare.

[SJD117]

28 minutes ago, mstadleraz said:

The tour for us was not that good. Not because of the tour operator. The weather did not cooperate as we had heavy showers. The Bloody Mary's and Bloody Mary were very good. Not the best we have had but above average...

 

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said:

Another question for y'all.  Sorry.

 

In Bora Bora, our friend, @VAGAL has highly recommended doing Le Truck-here is what she said:

Bora Bora - DIY to Playa Matira.  Took La Truck (seats 8-10 people, was $5 back then.  Beautiful beach, there is some shade under the trees, water is waist deep forever, saw lots of stingrays, drank beer, hailed a taxi and stopped at Bloody Mary's on way back to ship

 

Below is the description of the included tour on Le Truck which sounds similar but doesn't look like it includes stopping  at the beach or being able to stop and have a drink at Bloody Mary's.  (Of course according to their website they are currently closed for renovations so this may be a moot issue). But in case they reopen, did any of you do this included tour and advice?

Ride an Open-Air Truck Through Paradise -- Take in the crystalline turquoise waters, lovely small villages and abundant mountains, and learn about it all from your local guide. There are many photo stops along the way as we drive to the district of Faanui and scenic Faanui Bay. Here, you will see the ancient ceremonial site of the Faanui marae, Bora Bora’s biggest Polynesian temple, with a typical raised ahu altar. Continue your scenic drive and pause for a photo stop at one of the island’s famed restaurants. Here, you will have a chance to strike a pose in front of Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant. A longtime island favorite of Hollywood royalty, it is the quintessential tiki bar with its thatched roof, open sides, white-sand floor, wooden slab tables and stools made of coconut stumps.

Bora Bora isn’t that big. Do what we did when we stayed there in 1987 — rent bicycles and ride around the island! It’s about 15 miles around as I recall. Great way to see the place.

[BobCatter]

Where was the ship when being tendered to Moorea? Which side of the island?

[Clay Clayton]

1 hour ago, mstadleraz said:

The tour for us was not that good. Not because of the tour operator. The weather did not cooperate as we had heavy showers. The Bloody Mary's and Bloody Mary were very good. Not the best we have had but above average...

So you were able to do more than take a picture?  

[friendlyfifer]

2 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

More questions!

Our friends who were on the 21/22 WC (ended up going east rather than west) have told us about the many special events that Viking held when in ports multiple nights.  Additionally, Bloggers on Neptune's 22/23 mentioned the rooftop event in Mumbai for example. Can y'all advise if there is any consistency of when these are offered?  We are considering overnighting off the ship in Mumbai (to go to the Taj) and in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

If we have a choice we would rather not miss the special events. So knowing which of the nights they are typically held in a double overnight port would be most helpful. 
 

As always thanks for your advice.

I take it you mean the Taj Hotel at the waterfront in Mumbai. We stayed there some years ago and were very disappointed. It was very busy with a business like feel to it. The room was poorly appointed and the food nothing special. If you mean the Taj Mahal, I wonder how you are to get there and back before the ship sails. Anyway we are very jealous of your WC plans. I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.

[LindaS272]

6 minutes ago, friendlyfifer said:

If you mean the Taj Mahal, I wonder how you are to get there and back before the ship sails.

You’ll see this has been covered in several threads here. Several folks booked private tours and had no trouble making it back to the ship.

[SJD117]

29 minutes ago, friendlyfifer said:

I take it you mean the Taj Hotel at the waterfront in Mumbai. We stayed there some years ago and were very disappointed. It was very busy with a business like feel to it. The room was poorly appointed and the food nothing special. If you mean the Taj Mahal, I wonder how you are to get there and back before the ship sails. Anyway we are very jealous of your WC plans. I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.

There’s only one Taj, and it’s not a hotel. The real Taj is an homage to love.

 

 

Edited August 26, 2023 by SJD117

[Mich3554]

3 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Another question for y'all.  Sorry.

 

In Bora Bora, our friend, @VAGAL has highly recommended doing Le Truck-here is what she said:

Bora Bora - DIY to Playa Matira.  Took La Truck (seats 8-10 people, was $5 back then.  Beautiful beach, there is some shade under the trees, water is waist deep forever, saw lots of stingrays, drank beer, hailed a taxi and stopped at Bloody Mary's on way back to ship

 

Below is the description of the included tour on Le Truck which sounds similar but doesn't look like it includes stopping  at the beach or being able to stop and have a drink at Bloody Mary's.  (Of course according to their website they are currently closed for renovations so this may be a moot issue). But in case they reopen, did any of you do this included tour and advice?

Ride an Open-Air Truck Through Paradise -- Take in the crystalline turquoise waters, lovely small villages and abundant mountains, and learn about it all from your local guide. There are many photo stops along the way as we drive to the district of Faanui and scenic Faanui Bay. Here, you will see the ancient ceremonial site of the Faanui marae, Bora Bora’s biggest Polynesian temple, with a typical raised ahu altar. Continue your scenic drive and pause for a photo stop at one of the island’s famed restaurants. Here, you will have a chance to strike a pose in front of Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant. A longtime island favorite of Hollywood royalty, it is the quintessential tiki bar with its thatched roof, open sides, white-sand floor, wooden slab tables and stools made of coconut stumps.

It poured most of the time we were in French Polynesia, so that really colors things for me.  We stopped at the Bloody Mary Bar (there is a list of celebrities who have visited it), but did not partake.  We did do a snorkeling excursion out on an island, and did go to an area where we got to snorkel with rays.  Soggy, but enjoyable.

[Mich3554]

2 hours ago, mstadleraz said:

They had special events for both those ports if I remember correctly. However, the off ship activities were worth missing the Viking events; especially the Taj Mahal...unless you plan on returning to India.

We took off for Delhi from Cochin, so got to do the Mumbai rooftop event too as we got into Mumbai at the same time as the ship.  The rooftop event was incredible.

[Mich3554]

37 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

You’ll see this has been covered in several threads here. Several folks booked private tours and had no trouble making it back to the ship.

We flew out of Cochin, returned to meet the ship in Mumbai a few days earlier.  We only missed Goa.

[friendlyfifer]

23 minutes ago, SJD117 said:

There’s only one Taj, and it’s not a hotel. The real Taj is an homage to love.

 

 

Taj is an international chain of hotels with its most renowned property in Mumbai. There is only one Taj Mahal.

[aungrl]

2 hours ago, SJD117 said:

 

Bora Bora isn’t that big. Do what we did when we stayed there in 1987 — rent bicycles and ride around the island! It’s about 15 miles around as I recall. Great way to see the place.

 

2 hours ago, SJD117 said:

 

Do not miss the Taj. A special event aboard the WC wouldn’t begin to compare.

Clay, I couldn't agree with this more.  There's literally nothing they could do on the ship that I can think of that would be a good enough reason to miss the Taj.  It's impossible to put into words what makes it so special, but you guys have to  go.

[Heidi13]

4 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Another question for y'all.  Sorry.

 

In Bora Bora, our friend, @VAGAL has highly recommended doing Le Truck-here is what she said:

Bora Bora - DIY to Playa Matira.  Took La Truck (seats 8-10 people, was $5 back then.  Beautiful beach, there is some shade under the trees, water is waist deep forever, saw lots of stingrays, drank beer, hailed a taxi and stopped at Bloody Mary's on way back to ship

 

Below is the description of the included tour on Le Truck which sounds similar but doesn't look like it includes stopping  at the beach or being able to stop and have a drink at Bloody Mary's.  (Of course according to their website they are currently closed for renovations so this may be a moot issue). But in case they reopen, did any of you do this included tour and advice?

Ride an Open-Air Truck Through Paradise -- Take in the crystalline turquoise waters, lovely small villages and abundant mountains, and learn about it all from your local guide. There are many photo stops along the way as we drive to the district of Faanui and scenic Faanui Bay. Here, you will see the ancient ceremonial site of the Faanui marae, Bora Bora’s biggest Polynesian temple, with a typical raised ahu altar. Continue your scenic drive and pause for a photo stop at one of the island’s famed restaurants. Here, you will have a chance to strike a pose in front of Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant. A longtime island favorite of Hollywood royalty, it is the quintessential tiki bar with its thatched roof, open sides, white-sand floor, wooden slab tables and stools made of coconut stumps.

 

The le truck tour in Bora Bora is definitely memorable, but for all the wrong reasons. It is aptly named, being about a 5-ton truck (chassis & cab) with a wooden box bolted to the chassis. Seat are very close together and solid wood. In 40-yrs of cruising, this was probably the most uncomfortable tour ever.

 

If Viking's included is the Le Truck tour, it is a fairly standard tour in Bora Bora that circumnavigates the entire island, so normally stops at the public beach, as they have to drive past it.