Itinerary struggles, Indonesia

Well, we clearly didn't perform due diligence on these ports prior to final payment so I hope that someone has some interesting experiences or suggestions.

Lembar, port for Lombok, Indonesia

Celukan Bawang, Indonesia

The cruise originates in Benoa, Bali so it's particularly difficult to find things to do in these 2 ports as they appear to be essentially Bali deja vu.

Probolinggo, Java

Thanks Paula

Hi,

We have lived in Indonesia for many years and have a house in Bali. Lombok is a great Island and has some wonderful scenery. Here is a link you might find helpful.

http://www.lombok-tourism.com/lombok_day_tours.htm

As for Celukan. We live in Bali for part of each year and I'm not familiar with the area of Celukan. I looked on the map and it looks like you could be driving distance to West Bali National Park (Menjangan). We have snorkeled all over the world (including the Great Barrier Reef) and this is our top spot. Not sure what tours the ship offers but if you let me know I can give you my opinion.

As you start the trip in Bali let me know if you would like any information or help on what to see or do in Bali. If you would like a driver with a car I can help you with a great driver who can take you anywhere you want to go at a great price. If you do this right these two port could be highlights.

Karen.

ese ports prior to final payment so I hope that someone has some interesting experiences or suggestions.

Lembar, port for Lombok, Indonesia

Celukan Bawang, Indonesia

The cruise originates in Benoa, Bali so it's particularly difficult to find things to do in these 2 ports as they appear to be essentially Bali deja vu.

Probolinggo, Java

Have travelled to Ubud, Denpasar, and lots of attractions near ports on 2 different occasions. Strongly suggest you book an independent tour operator who can help you decide what sights you will be happy seeing. My husband and I have used Indy Nyomen on 2 diferent trips and have 2 other cruise friends who have booked him for private full day tours at $75/day. He is conscientious, knowledgeable, very personable. Please contact me for details but he can be reached at: indypuspa@yahoo.com. You'll definiely want him you to take you to Ubud, he cultural capital of Bali for authentic woodworking, batik making, local cultural shopping, but also temples, waterfalls, good places to dine, etc. Enjoy him, e is great.

We are looking at the segment from Hong Kong to Dubai. We are familiar with the SB product but have questions about some of the ports which perhaps past or current sailors could answer.

-Where is Quest docking in HKK?

-Will SB provide shuttle buses from the port into the city of Saigon?

-There is no overnight excursion listed for Bangkok. Will SB offer [for a fee] transfers into Bangkok as the port is quite distant from the city.

-Where will Quest dock in Singapore?

-Could anyone suggest a venue for beach activities in Langkwai?

Sorry that I posted this in the wrong topic. I meant to start a new thread and will repeat my post. However, it allows me to note that we have twice previously stayed in Bali, including Ubud. We love the land, the people and their culture. It just seems that these ports involve long treks. We are looking at other Asian ports...but will miss visiting the Jimbaran Puri! Thank you for your kind and enthusiastic replies.

We'll be in Bali for 3 nights in early December and would love to have the name and contact info on the car and driver. We were in Bali maybe 10 years ago and are long time Seabourn cruisers. Our email davidroyal@frontier.com.

Thanks

Probolinggo tour is of course Mt Bromo offerred by Seabourn. Have looked at doing this independently but given the timing, the distance and the complexity of the 3 modes of transport decided to go with the ship.

Likewise for Borobodur a few days later - see my Borobodur independently thread below. For those interested and who responded there we decided in the end to go with the vastly more expensive ship's tour rather than risk being left passportless and alone as the Odyssey headed to Singapore at 1800 hours.

If you're going to be late be on the Seabourn bus we discovered years ago returning from Hanoi. A lot of advice received that we would have no risk and were we going the other way would have done independently. I did a lot of homework and found several operators who would do Borobodur for $75 to $95 per head if anyone is interested.

I'd also be interested in the Bali driver's contacts as we'll have a couple of days there ahead of the cruise - my first time in Bali since 1971 on a very different budget then and with a hair length I can only just recollect. I anticipate changes.

My email is alyattes@hotmail.com if you'd be so kind. Thanks.

We are interested in cruising Indonesia in January 2014, but we are worried and confused about the rainy season. How bad does it get? Does it mean non-stop rain? On the other hand most cruise lines sail at this time of the year! Please, enlighten me on this!!!!!!

We are interested in cruising Indonesia in January 2014, but we are worried and confused about the rainy season. How bad does it get? Does it mean non-stop rain? On the other hand most cruise lines sail at this time of the year! Please, enlighten me on this!!!!!!

Remember,there is no such thing as bad weather,only inappropriate clothing.

Tell that to someone sitting at the pool at a beach resort in a raincoat!

Tell that to someone sitting at the pool at a beach resort in a raincoat!

The dress code seems a little stiff at that Hotel.

The wet season in Bali is Dec, Jan, Feb. Having said that it usually only rains at night or about 3.00 in the afternoon and the afternoon rain may last an hour. This time of year is much more humid. Would it stop me going on a cruise at this time of year. No, because most cruise lines cruise around Asia at this time of year. It is not the wet season in all parts of Asia at this time of year, in fact in some parts of Asia January and February are the best times to visit. June, July and August are the best times to visit but most cruise lines are busy in Europe or the Med at that time of year.

Anyone stopped at Lembar port on a recent cruise with Odyssey. We aren't much interested in the ship tours here and homework dictates a private lookaround mainly in the south and west of the island BUT where does the Seabourn dropoff bus, if there is one, take you. If it's Lembar town we'll book a local outfit to look after us. If it goes to Mataram we may well just go there and taxi around a bit.

Does the tender take a long time ?

Any recommendations for a local operator ??

Thanks

We were on this itinerary in December and can make some suggestions. We found it difficult to obtain private transportation in most ports as local agents provided taxis and drivers at inflated rates. If you can arrange in advance for a driver to pick you up, they can come to the ship, otherwise you may be limited to what is offerred at the higher price.

The only port where we took a shuttle was in Probolinggo and it went to the busy center of town where there were shops and large stores but virtually no tourists. We walked around and shopped and found the people very friendly. We enjoyed the experience but it may not be the right choice for everyone and it was very warm and humid that day.

At Celukan Bawang, there were several drivers available in the park next to the port for $50 - 60 a day to take you into Singaraja or around the area. There were no taxis available. We headed for Pemuteran Village for a beach and snorkeling day at Reef Seen (www.reefseenbali.com). You may be able to arrange for pick up at the ship if you contact them in advance. It's also a good place to stop if you have a driver, they have a turtle hatchery and small beachfront restaurant that is very good.

I don't believe there was shuttle service in Lembar and we opted to take the shore excursion to Mataran which worked out well.

We also recommend the shore excursion to Borobodur as it is a long drive from the ship in heavy traffic and you could risk missing the departure on your own.

Many thanks GB Travelers. We've booked the Seabourn Mt Bromo and Borobodur tours, the latter for the reasons I give above. I've been on a Seabourn cruise where people who did it on their own (Hanoi) were left behind and had a horror story getting to the next port, fortunately also in Vietnam, 2 days later. We're in Bali for a couple of days before the cruise so a sea day in port for Celukan Bawang looks good. I spent a few days in Surabaya in 1971 on my way overland so that box got ticked.

Looks like I'll do some more digging and find a local operator for Lombok as we want to see a few other things than offerred by the ship. Quick look around Mataram, maybe a temple or two and a late picnic lunch from the ship on one of the beaches to the west of Lembar sounds about right with a driver for the day - there are 4 of us so should work out OK.

please help in narrowing done the best temples to see in Ubud area ( we are staying in denpasar for 3 days and have a driver). What s there in Probolingo?

My favorite temples in Bali (southern half of the island) Ubud are Tanah Lot and Uluwatu. From Ubud to the north, Besakih is worth the day trip and you can also visit Batur. None of those three are Ubud proper though there are lots of non-temple things to do around Ubud if that's the concern.

For Probolinggo, we are using an outfit headquartered out of Nusa Dua for a day tour to both Bromo and the waterfall. I've posted details about that tour in the roll call for the 11/23 sailing and I'll be covering it on my blog post-cruise.

I like Goa Lawah too.

Both Tanah Lot and Uluwatu are gorgeous at sunset but also crowded then. As they are sea temples, access is somewhat regulated by tides. I used to stay at the old Le Meridien by TL which was great because I could walk over in between the tourist waves.

I've been to Bali/Lombok etc two years running in the Dec-Jan period and it rained almost constantly every day. I'll never go back there at that time of year. This applies also to the islands to the east, such as Komodo and Maluku as well as West Papua.

Hi karen:

Will be in benoa for 1 full day, any insights. Car & driver might be great.

Jim & millie

PS COMMENTS FROM ANYONE APPRECIATED

Hi Jim and Millie,

Here is the e-mail address of my driver. Just let him know when you arriving on Seabourn at the port and he will be there to pick you up. I would suggest a traditional dance performance. Then on to Ubud to view the rice paddies and temples. You could do Tanah lot temple on the way back to the ship depending on the time. Ketut can be very flexible and if you let him know your interests he can take you to more temples or art studios in Ubud. I like the dance he took us to as it is under an hour and that is perfect to get to see the Balinese dance without getting overloaded and bored. The dance performance starts at 10.00 a.m.

ketut Yudi <ketutyudibali@yahoo.com>

Hope this helps. Just let him know that Ibu Karen recommended him.

ese ports prior to final payment so I hope that someone has some interesting experiences or suggestions.

 

Lembar, port for Lombok, Indonesia

 

Celukan Bawang, Indonesia

 

The cruise originates in Benoa, Bali so it's particularly difficult to find things to do in these 2 ports as they appear to be essentially Bali deja vu.

 

Probolinggo, Java

Probolinggo: Scams galore for young backpackers: Get local transport to bus station for Cemoro Lawang (Mt Bromo volcano, holy mountain) but they will always drop you at travel agents to collect commissions! Once at bus, fake ticket collectors will come to bus and demand money and tell you to get off if you do not pay, disregard. Pay once you get to highest point in Cemoro Lawang. Walk over Sea of Sand (caldera) past Hindu Temple to 250 steps up the crater. Watch fake entrance tickets to National Park, genuine tickets are pink and numbered.

For seniors: BROMO ADVENTURELAND (info@bromoadventureland.com) and pay at end of trip, which is essential as Princess did not go to Ujung Pandang (Makassar) due to storms. Semarang is only port on Princess Indo cruise without tenders. English speaking driver with newer vehicle, private tour. Volcano is blowing gas at moment, driver takes you to Penanjakan Peak viewpoint. Can also see Mt Bromo from hotels in Cemoro Lawang.

Lombok: Take private taxi at pier and negotiate, US$50 for car, ask to see clay pots, hand weaving and Senggigi Beach. Longer trip to vulcano and waterfall, that vulcano stopped flights from Bali.

For info, we did a ship tour off Azamara to Borobudur and Prambanan and had a great experience which included being stuck in the manic traffic on the way back in a three bus convoy with police escorts forcing their way through, often on the wrong side of the carriageway, and even a minor collision between one of the buses a a police vehicle. It was a hoot!!

It did mean though that we were hours late getting back to the ship, but being a ship tour they waited for us and kept the buffet open also. Would have been a disaster on a private tour.

Other passengers visited Borobudur by train, without Prambanan, and had no such problem.

Both sites are well worth visiting, especially Borobodur in the mist. Pretty special.

Semarang harbour to Borobodur: August 2016 - I am wondering if the new toll road (jalan toll), which bypasses two towns, has made the police escorts unnecessary, even for independent tours with their smaller vehicles as every millimetre counts in that traffic!

Semarang: The massive Borobodur Buddhist temple is the reason ships go to Semarang, book an independent tour via BINTANG INDONESIA (info@bintang-indonesia.net) and you get a private tour with lunch, coffee and toilet stops. Bring toilet paper and watch out for "squatty potties".

No prepayment required! Less important for Semarang as it has a pier and you do not need to get tendered off, like at all other ports of Princess' Indo cruise, but essential at every other port.

We did not go to Ujung Pandang (Makassar) due to a storm, so I could have lost US$140 booking with the recommended indoglobaltours to the Buntimurung National Park: Slippery paths, rubbish everywhere, locals pay US$2, tourists pay US$20, no ranger employed, only dead butterflies in souvenir shop! After reading that online I decided not to pay anyway, lucky!