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bobhsv

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Posts posted by bobhsv

    Laem Chabang Thailand overnight-what to do in area without going to Bangkok?

    in Asia

    Posted

    Hi Jen

    we are doing this Port with Millenium in March 2015 and would love to hear about how this tour goes.

    cheers

    Debi

     

    Hi Debi,

     

    Just returned back home. Re the Pattaya tour....absolutely fabulous. We were a small group of 6. Van was newish Lexus, clean and with a great driver. Water was available all day long (esky in the van). We had Mike as the tour guide. Such a nice man, very professional and extremely obliging. We are not 'garden' people, but the Non Nooch gardens and shows are amazing. Could have spent the whole day there. The lunch was also fabulous, with Mike getting us to the buffet area first, before any other large groups converged. eg...we were first to eat, food great, clean, hygienic. The rest of the tour was just as good. A day we could def repeat. So, totally recommend this tour and tour company, without hesitation. Pattaya is a nice area. Lots to see. Any questions, would be happy to answer.

    Jen:)

    Singapore...shuttle buses from port?

    in Asia

    Posted

    It is possible to get back to the port area using public transport. Take the MRT North-South line to Marina Bay, then use the A exit and walk to the bus stop on Marina Street, then Bus No 402 for 4 stops.

     

    Too late now for you, but it may help others.

     

    Taxis can be like gold-dust at peak periods or if it's raining.

     

    Thanks. This is perfect. btw I may have misled you...we are not in Singapore yet. What I meant was we are doing the southbound cruise, with Singapore our last port for 2 days before disembarking. You must of thought I was mad asking directions whilst already in port of Singapore:D:D

    Thanks again:)

    Singapore...shuttle buses from port?

    in Asia

    Posted

    Thanks for your reply. This is exactly what I have been reading re the lack of taxis. We may have to come up with another plan, seeing we are at the port already (2 days end of cruise). Pity Celebrity don't offer transport out of the port.

    Thanks again.

    Singapore...shuttle buses from port?

    in Asia

    Posted

    Does Celebrity offer a shuttle bus from the Singapore Marina port to any nearby hotels? We are attempting to book a tour, with instructions for pickup from any hotel close to the port....whatever they may be:D I am assuming Marina Bay Sands is one. There may be a closer one???

    Got an email from Carnival Australia

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    I have a Carnival Dream cruise in June and did a Carnival splendor cruise in June 12.

     

    I was told after the Splendor cruise that USA VIFP would never be combined with Carnival Australia?

     

    Hi there

     

    We sailed Carnival Splendor in 2011 from USA & were allocated a VIFP number afterwards.

    When we booked on Carnival Spirit for Feb 2014 (just sailed), we were allocated different VIFP numbers.

    I pointed out that we'd sailed on Splendor previously & even though I received email confirmation back from Carnival that our earlier sailing would be taken into account, I was dubious that would happen.

    Armed with the emails etc, if necessary I was ready to challenge the Guest Services assistant at check-in when boarding last week at the OTC in Sydney in the event we were issued with the first timers' blue cards.

    But lo & behold, we were handed the red card, the 2nd tier in the Carnival rewards program. Our USA VIFP number was on the card.

    In other words, overseas sailings on Carnival followed by Oz sailings, do all count.:o

    And I must say, Carnival turned it on for red card holders on the Spirit on our cruise - the scheduled 30 minute meet & greet with the Captain & senior officers,with free canapes & drinks, went overtime by 30 minutes & they were very generous handing out the drinks. It was a great function.:)

     

    Cheers

     

    Phil

     

    That's interesting. Pity we couldn't get the past passenger discount when we booked the Spirit last Friday:D Perhaps you actually have to step foot onboard the first aussie cruise. This is what they had indicated. Nice to know we will automatically be 'red' once onboard....and not after this cruise.

    Thanks for posting the info.

    Got an email from Carnival Australia

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    This is good news if Carnival AU cruises now count towards your Carnival USA VIFP days:)

     

    I have a Carnival Dream cruise in June and did a Carnival splendor cruise in June 12.

     

    I was told after the Splendor cruise that USA VIFP would never be combined with Carnival Australia?

     

    And why were we offered past princess/P&O guest deals on carnival AU?

    I know they all come under the same parent company Carnival USA but they may as well of offered VIFP deals for Aussie Carnival?

     

    Yes it is good news. I had actually rang the week before, asking re our Carnival USA bits, and the answer was no, not at the moment. When I rang on Friday, after receiving the Princess offer email, the Carnival rep surprised me with this news. I hadn't bothered to ask again....he was the one that bought it up. He stressed that we have to make this phone call after our first aussie Carnival cruise, it is not done automatically, and that they were in the throws of altering a few things to cater for us aussies. I am not sure when this 'union' begins, or if it is now current for those that have already sailed from both countries, as our cruise on the Spirit is 2015......but I am very happy:)

    My personal thoughts re this Princess email, is that it may just be a one off, to entice more customers over to their line.....a cunning business promo. Would be so nice if all eventually knitted together.

    Got an email from Carnival Australia

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    We have just booked the Spirit with this Princess past passenger email deal. Sailed on the Carnival Glory last year. No past passenger deal for this. We were told upfront to ring back after the aussie Spirit cruise, and our points from the Glory will be combined, and will be given the same VIFP number. You have to complete one Carnival aussie cruise first for this to happen.....and you have to ring and organise this 'join' before booking future cruises. No mention of the Princess, P&O etc being joined.

    I must say....one thing I did notice was Carnival's phone manner. Nicest, cheeriest people I have spoken to when booking cruises...not that others are off, but their manner did stand out way above the rest.

    Boarding time for Millenium in Hong Kong

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted · Edited by bobhsv

    Our cruise on Millenium has two days in Hong Kong before departure. I have read elsewhere that the boarding time for the 2nd day is 3pm, re the drill etc. The ship is listed to leave at 8pm, and some of us have organised full day tours on this day. 3pm seems very early, esp when we have boarded the day before.

    Can anyone verify the latest boarding time for this second (last) day. Thanks.

    Global Entry?

    in Australia & New Zealand

    Posted · Edited by bobhsv
    more info

    Read this.....

     

    http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5555.asp

     

    http://www.customs.gov.au/travellers/smartgate/us-global-entry-program-trial.asp

     

    It is current info on our customs web site, stating that the trial began in Nov 2012. This info appears not to have been updated, so must still be current and correct (being from an official customs web site).

     

    It states that visas are still needed. You will find that the process of entering will be much quicker via the smart gate. Of course you need the e passport to do this. It doesn't mean that you bypass any customs inspections though. Hope this helps.

    Cruising Weather New Zealand in December

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Thick jackets will depend on your ports. For example, Dunedin will be cold, mainly till around 11am or so. Wellington is usually windy, light spray jacket there possibly, and forget the umbrella here due to wind. Milford Sound is also cool, but the ships usually hand out extra blankets and hot drinks near the pool area. The north island will be warmer, but you may still need a light jacket.

    If you are Syd back to Syd, then I suggest to def pack the jacket. I always do (Nov/Dec/Jan), and always have used it in Milford and Dunedin. No need for gloves/scarf/beanie. Pack a light waterproof spray jacket as well incase of rain in other areas.

    Celebrity looks after passengers after Millennium cruise cancelled

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    It's not so much that mechanical cancellations are not covered. For example, if your flight was cancelled due to a mechanical failure and you had to wait 24 hours for the next re-booking, I expect you would be covered for that delay.

     

    However, the issue is about that one carrier along the way has cancelled their portion, it doesn't give rise to covering cancellation of the entire trip. (Even though from your perspective it may be the main purpose.)

     

    Glad you understood what I was talking about:) I realise that in this case, Celebrity have gone above and beyond in taking care of their clients...and this is where it stops. It is a pity we cannot get insurance to cover this flow on effect though.....which was my point ie is it available? I imagine if we could, the premiums would be extremely high. Lucky that, in perspective, not many cruises are cancelled, hence most enjoying a trouble free holiday. Always good to have a backup plan for situations like this, such as your hire car suggestion of the west coast.

    Celebrity looks after passengers after Millennium cruise cancelled

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    Again, the flights and accommodation are the main other costs and substantial, and there can be other costs as well. Celebrity is not reimbursing these, and insurance may well not either.

     

    Read this thread from the main Celebrity boards, particularly the one reference from a fellow aussie. I find this revelation re insurance bothering. Wondering if there are any aussie companies out there that do cover for mechanical cancellations re cruises or flights. Imagine flying (or about to fly) overseas a week or so before a cruise, the cruise is cancelled due to mechanical....it appears insurance companies will not cover for anything even slightly related to this eg your flights, your excursions etc etc. This could cost individuals or families untold thousands of out of pocket expenses.

     

     

    http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1901455

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