Clipper Odyssey Saigon to Hanoi

[MJC]

We're booked for this trip in September. Any recommendations for port activities, dress, etc. would be appreciated. We'll be spending a few days in Cambodia first. I'm sure we'll be wishing we had more time there. We picked it for the itinerary but I hope our room isn't too ratty after what I've read here.

Margaret

Radisson Diamond - Turkey
Hanseatic - Antartica and South Georgia
Wind Star - Virgin Islands
Royal Princess - Total Eclipse Baltic Sea
Paul Gauguin - Tahiti
Star Princess - Alaska

[Louise22]

I wouldn't fret over the condition of the ship. I have cruised twice on the Odyssey within the last two years and have a "Bali to Brunei" trip coming up in which the ship is leased by Zegrahms. Being an upper end company, I don't think they would be leasing a ship in such disrepair and with such poor service. I found the rooms lovely and the food wonderful. It is also very clean and well maintained. The Odyssey has been in Conde Nast Travel magazine as one of the top small ships. The person who has written those responses had some kind of "bone to pick" with the company. Posts were removed from another travel website. As to dress, I think you will find most people dress for captain's night but not too formally. Just a fancy blouse and pair of slacks or a dress. No tie for men unless you wish. Other nights you can wear pretty much what you are comfortable in. I myself wouldn't feel comfortable in shorts but I would wear capris. I have done quite a bit of cruising and I love the ship - I think it is gorgeous. You will have to make up your own mind.

[LindaKay]

I was on the Odyssey two years ago in Australia and "The Reef". The ship was very clean, the food was very good, the service was excellent. Clipper has a wonderful cruise experience with a great reputation. Their professional crew really enjoys sharing their knowledge of the area they are in. The memories I have of this cruise and other Clipper cruises are unique among the many cruises I have been on. If anyone was unhappy on our cruise, I didn't hear it.

[kbella]

Hi MJC,
We've cruised on 5 of the six ships you mentioned and will be on the Clipper Odyssey June 2, for the Japan Temple and Gardens cruise. Since this will be the first time on Clipper for us,we also will also be interested in the comparisons.
We chose this trip based on friends recommendations(+6 on Clipper Cruises for them) and the intinerary.
If we find anything truly horrible, will post on our return.
Happy sailings,
Kbella

[cruiselover20]

I wouldn't fret over the condition of the ship. I have cruised twice on the Odyssey within the last two years and have a "Bali to Brunei" trip coming up in which the ship is leased by Zegrahms. Being an upper end company, I don't think they would be leasing a ship in such disrepair and with such poor service. I found the rooms lovely and the food wonderful. It is also very clean and well maintained. The Odyssey has been in Conde Nast Travel magazine as one of the top small ships. The person who has written those responses had some kind of "bone to pick" with the company. Posts were removed from another travel website. As to dress, I think you will find most people dress for captain's night but not too formally. Just a fancy blouse and pair of slacks or a dress. No tie for men unless you wish. Other nights you can wear pretty much what you are comfortable in. I myself wouldn't feel comfortable in shorts but I would wear capris. I have done quite a bit of cruising and I love the ship - I think it is gorgeous. You will have to make up your own mind.


We were on it for two weeks in November, and it was very "ratty"....and I have no bone to pick with the company, it is just a fact.

[kbella]

Just returned from 12 days aboard the Clipper Odyssey Japan cruise. I did not observe one "ratty" element aboard this ship.It was a very port intensive cruise with excellent guides and lecturers.Our room was very nice and the crew kept the whole ship spotless.The food ranged from good to excellent.At dinner there were always 4 entre selections and you could mix and match to your liking.Special versions of the meals were prepared for pax on restricted diets.All you had to do was make your needs known and the staff bent over backwards to help.
Everything was very casual and I usually wore pants or capris to dinner. We did wear a little dressier version for the Captain's welcoming and farewell parties.
I am sure you will have a wonderful experience on the SE asia cruise.

[Louise22]

Thanks, Kbella for posting your cruise experience. I am glad you had a good time and found the Odyssey as nice a ship as I have with an excellent crew and food also.

[MJC]

Just returned from our cruise in Viet Nam, and it was fabulous. This is a very comfortable ship with an excellent crew. Our day trips were amazing and it was everything we could have expected. The food was superb. This is a wonderful itinerary, which we combined on our own with a stop in Cambodia. We couldn't have been more pleased.

We are in our 40s and in my opinion this was the best way to see the country. We are too old for the backpacker thing, and we don't like large group bus tours with the walker crowd. This provided us with a very comfortable way to travel to an exotic place. Our guides were all very fluent and we learned so much. This is a VERY active cruise with lots of walking and climbing, which we really loved. For the first time ever I didn't gain any weight on vacation. We climbed hills to pagodas, went snorkeling, visited caves, it was so varied every day. Even the bus rides were a welcome relief from the 100 degree heat.

Margaret

[Louise22]

Margaret - I am so glad you enjoyed your cruise. I love the range of activities offered on the ship also. I am sure you were pleasantly surprised with the ship after the comments of "cruiselover20". Still can't figure out what was her problem.

I'll be off to join the Odyssey in three weeks and am pretty excited about this trip. Not looking forward to the 5 flights to get to Brunei though.