sashimijo

We wanted so much to go into Saigon but our RCI ship (Mariner March 7, 2015..7:00am-5:00pm) isn't offering the DIY on this cruise and I'm so worried about the time factor..So do you think it's something we could arrange with a taxi driver for the round trip ?..Of course I understand to give no money until we get back to the ship..Will it be worth it ?...So uncertain about this particular port.

Hi Ashland,

My bad, I meant Bà Rịa... and thanks to Bpos for clarifying.

Though we chose not to visit HCMC, I still think it is doable to organize your independent tour when you get to Bà Rịa or whatever town that your shuttle bus drop-off is. You just have to be mindful that you have limited time so you got to know what you want see and make sure you leave HCMC not later than 2:30pm. Good luck.

Thank you all who responded to my Phu My port query in Oct. We were on the Diamond Princess Cruise...and did DIY tours on all ports. There were free bus shuttle service from ports to nearest drop-off at all ports. And from there we organized our own transportation. We felt safe and there was no problems at all. Just make sure you agreed on a price and places to visit and time of return. When we were at the last port Phu My, we didn't bother to venture out to HCMC. Instead we took the time to hang around Barai and had a great time exploring the town, shopping, eating & a massage.

Yes, we did "Saigon on your own" from Legend of the Seas. We were dropped off and picked up outside the Rex Hotel

Hi Suekay,

We would like to see Saigon on our own too. Did you pre-arranged for pickup before arrival at port? We will be sailing next week with Diamond Princess. We would like to know if there is any cabs at the Phu May port that we can hire to take us to Saigon. Any information you can provide will be much appreciated.

SJ

Hello all,

Does anyone know if there is any taxis at the Phu May port? We would like to DIY to Ho Chi Minh city. Not planning to join the Princess tour.

Thanks.

SJ

We had a Vietnamese visa through the ship. We didn't have to send our passport ahead of time - just a special visa that we got onboard. We did have to pay a small fee ahead of time though.

 

Chan May port is in the middle of nowhere and quite a distance to Hoi An. We had a minivan pick us up and it drove us through Danang to Hoi An - about an hour or so. We had a rushed but pleasant trip to Hoi An. Others only went as far as Danang to the beach, had a massage, etc. We did enjoy Hoi An, but it was rushed. We also stopped in Danang on the way back to see a Cham sculpture museum.

Thanks Tansy Mews.

Did you pre-arrange for the pickup or did you find the van at the Chan May port?

We are booked on Diamond Princess for Oct 22 sailing. We would like to know if there is any taxis or buses at 1) Chan May and 2) Phu May that we can hire? Or do we have to pre-arrange a private car to pick up at port gate? If so, approx how much is the fare? Also do we have to pay port fee at each port of call if we are on our own? The one place we want to see is Hoi An. All we need is the transportation to Hoi An, once there we can find our way. Thanks in advance for all information.

SS