Who's been to Sihanoukville, Cambodia before??

Has anyone here been to Sihanoukville, Cambodia before??

If you have been to Sihanoukville before, what did you do there for the day?

Any ideas / suggestions are welcome :)

Has anyone here been to Sihanoukville, Cambodia before??

 

If you have been to Sihanoukville before, what did you do there for the day?

 

Any ideas / suggestions are welcome :)

We were there in August, 2011. We caught the bus from the wharf to the town, where there were lots of tuk tuk drivers there waiting for business. You choose which one you want and for the day, we went to the local market, then on to a resort area for lunch, which was very nice. After which, we went to a temple area. Our driver then took us to a local supermarket, where the boys bought some super cheap beers, then back to catch the bus back to the ship.

Good thing about the tuk tuk's are , they will take 4 people and the drivers and people in general are so happy and obliging. The children will try to sell there handcrafts to you.

It was a great day, in fact one of the better days of the cruise ports.

We were there in August, 2011. We caught the bus from the wharf to the town, where there were lots of tuk tuk drivers there waiting for business. You choose which one you want and for the day, we went to the local market, then on to a resort area for lunch, which was very nice. After which, we went to a temple area. Our driver then took us to a local supermarket, where the boys bought some super cheap beers, then back to catch the bus back to the ship.

Good thing about the tuk tuk's are , they will take 4 people and the drivers and people in general are so happy and obliging. The children will try to sell there handcrafts to you.

It was a great day, in fact one of the better days of the cruise ports.

As you get of the bus in town you will be mobbed but don't let this put you off - just move away from the bus area to over the road and engage a tuk tuk there - less hassle and stress.

Indeed a few people on our bus were so overcome with the melee in getting of the bus they got right back on the bus and went straight back to the ship.

Not sure what the going price is for a tuk tuk but check Trip Advisor - Cambodia forum for the latest.

I am sure you will have a great day - we did.

Good question Kiwi cruiser...wanting to follow this thread

We had a great day there, Hired a van & driver at the port, there are vans inside the port & outside the port gate.

We didn't go into town, our itinerary was a mix of what we wanted & what the driver suggested.

- series of waterfalls

- long-tail boat ride across to a little holiday island with little "weekend" huts & a bar, had a swim there.

- Ream National Park. Temples & such.

- a very grubby little fishing village just outside Sihanoukville. Now that really was an eye-opener, the Cambodia of old, and a surprising highlight of our tour.

Cost was a ridiculous $10 p/p plus $4 for the boat ride. We'd beaten the price down cos negotiating is fun. But gave a handsome tip cos they need the money more than us and cos it was a great tour.

This trip wasn't a huge distance, but too far for tuk-tuks.

USD accepted.

JB :)

On advice from a post on CC, we contacted the Don Bosco Hotel School. It is exactly what it sounds like- a hotel and a school to train youngsters for the hospitality industry.

They met us at the port with a van and took us to many of the same local sites- the waterfall, a temple, the market, and the beach where some went for a swim. Lunch was at the hotel and was excellent.

Bear in mind that Cambodia suffered greatly in the war and under the Khmer Rouge and is still impoverished. Our group of 12 agreed it was very worthwhile.

http://www.donboscohotelschool.com

2 photos from the lunch. 1 from the beach

I just realised that we will be in Sihanoukville on Christmas Day, will that make a difference??

Both times we were there we took a volunteer tour to the orphanage.

Keith

On advice from a post on CC, we contacted the Don Bosco Hotel School. It is exactly what it sounds like- a hotel and a school to train youngsters for the hospitality industry.

They met us at the port with a van and took us to many of the same local sites- the waterfall, a temple, the market, and the beach where some went for a swim. Lunch was at the hotel and was excellent.

 

Bear in mind that Cambodia suffered greatly in the war and under the Khmer Rouge and is still impoverished. Our group of 12 agreed it was very worthwhile.

http://www.donboscohotelschool.com

 

2 photos from the lunch. 1 from the beach

did you have to reserve them or are they are the pier.

did you have to reserve them or are they are the pier.

We are going in December mystick and we have booked them ahead of time. Not sure that they are at the pier unless you have already booked them.

We are going in December mystick and we have booked them ahead of time. Not sure that they are at the pier unless you have already booked them.

No personal experience, but everyone who's posted about it has done the same. ;)

JB :)

On advice from a post on CC, we contacted the Don Bosco Hotel School. It is exactly what it sounds like- a hotel and a school to train youngsters for the hospitality industry.

They met us at the port with a van and took us to many of the same local sites- the waterfall, a temple, the market, and the beach where some went for a swim. Lunch was at the hotel and was excellent.

 

Bear in mind that Cambodia suffered greatly in the war and under the Khmer Rouge and is still impoverished. Our group of 12 agreed it was very worthwhile.

http://www.donboscohotelschool.com

 

2 photos from the lunch. 1 from the beach

This sounds great.

I went on their website and it doesn't mention how to book tours. Did you arrange this through emails or is there a site to book tours? Thanks

This sounds great.

I went on their website and it doesn't mention how to book tours. Did you arrange this through emails or is there a site to book tours? Thanks

Go to the website and email them through the contact us link :)

did you have to reserve them or are they are the pier.

As far as I know, they only run tours by prior arrangement. Touring is not their primary function. When we were there, all agreed it was excellent.

Go to the website and email them through the contact us link :)

Thanks, will do that.

On advice from a post on CC, we contacted the Don Bosco Hotel School. It is exactly what it sounds like- a hotel and a school to train youngsters for the hospitality industry.

They met us at the port with a van and took us to many of the same local sites- the waterfall, a temple, the market, and the beach where some went for a swim. Lunch was at the hotel and was excellent.

 

Bear in mind that Cambodia suffered greatly in the war and under the Khmer Rouge and is still impoverished. Our group of 12 agreed it was very worthwhile.

http://www.donboscohotelschool.com

 

2 photos from the lunch. 1 from the beach

Just bumping up this thread. Do you mind sharing how much you paid for this tour? Thanks :)

Just bumping up this thread. Do you mind sharing how much you paid for this tour? Thanks :)

We were there on Christmas Day last year and paid USD $60 pp and felt we could have paid more as it was so well run and the food was amazing.

That sounds great. Thanks!

Another recommendation for Don Bosco (We were also there on Christmas Day too). It was a very special day not only because it was Christmas.

We also visited a temple, fishing village, waterfall and market. Just watch out for the occasional pushy female beggar at the temple....

We also visited a temple, fishing village, waterfall and market. Just watch out for the occasional pushy female beggar at the temple....

OMGosh Jeanette I had totally forgotten about that!

That lady and the children were grabbing one of the men on the bus who was trying to give them US $1 bills I think. He was trying to get onto the bus and they were pulling him off of the bus! We were behind him and wondered what was going on, Steve pushed through them and got him up onto the steps and in.

Totally forgot about that encounter. Never saw this again the whole trip. But then I never saw anyone else try to give money to any more beggars.

Moral of the story - don't take money out of your wallet and give to beggars!

Hi Tracey

Hmm scary....that man was my better half. Mel made it into the bus but stupidly still tried to give one particular lady some money for helping him up some steps. He put his arm out of the small bus window and nearly had his arm ripped off. Lesson learnt, I hope....

Otherwise a fantastic Asian adventure ☺

Unless you like begging and hoards of tuk tuk drivers following you around, stay on the ship. We were there in February and it was NOT good. Definitely third world.

Unless you like begging and hoards of tuk tuk drivers following you around, stay on the ship. We were there in February and it was NOT good. Definitely third world.

Just back and only saw two beggars! Were not pursued by tuk tuk drivers either! We did the Don Bosco tour and enjoyed the day very much.

We will be in Sihanoukville on Christmas Day, 2015 (Sapphire Princess).

I have contacted Don Bosco Hotel and confirmed the tour/Christmas lunch will take place this year and have booked for 2 persons.

They have sent me details of last year's itinerary and lunch (which they expect to repeat more or less), and have said they will contact me with full details nearer the time.

It all looks very agreeable.

An excursion ("Wat Krom, Villages & Market") offered by Princess Cruises says in the description:

For those taking this excursion, I'm wondering what types of small gifts might be appropriate for the children? ...actual school supplies? ...toys? ...candy? ...something else?