TonRin

Personally, this strikes me as a change for the Asian market. They cruise differently than us Americans, so it makes sense that things are done differently over there.

How do they cruise differently????? They book in advance and pay in advance, they turn up and embark, they eat, swim, go on excursions and then disembark.. Probably the only things they do differently is they gamble more and go to bed earlier! Absolutley no difference to Americans at all!

The extras for me are ok with no kids... I know there is a Canadian family on the same cruise as me with 4 kids.. Their costs will be crazy!

I wonder of it's just the Quantum???? Maybe they are targeting the Asians!

Sad if that's the case.

Guess we will see!

Hope this works!

As of today it started! Your one of the lucky ones!

It seems that RCI are as of right now, are charging for the use of North Star AUD$28.00 per go and you have to book it with very limited spots.. Whats even stranger is it seems they are charging AUD$33.28 for the 1 minute COMPLIMENTARY ride on the Ripcord... How can this be! Guess the inclusions list is dwindling rapidly on RCI.

They start charging a fee to use the lifts soon!

Great.

Anyone know why you cant pre-order the photo packages on Quantum at all? It seems to be the only one that says it's unavailable. Weird!

Cheers

If it's really hot, try a Lifesaver. They are awesome..

Midori x 2

Malibu x 2

Pineapple Juice

Shake with crushed ice, then pour over block ice in a tall glass!

At night, try a Mudslide! Yummo!

Enjoy!

Just out of curiosity Ray, what happened on formal night? Did anyone get dressed up at all did you notice?

I have heard the Chinese don't really bother too much about it.

Thanks

Our first cruise was B2B out of Singapore. It was ever so easy. We were asked to come to the board room on the debarkation morning and we were given our new cards. there were only 6 couples there so it was pretty easy. Everyone that is in your party has to be there, though. We got off the ship for a few hours to get some gear and when we got back to the terminal at 10:45 we just waltzed on in like royalty, getting guided straight to immigration and onto the ship in about 5 mins. (I did look back a couple of times and if looks could kill...well).

We did stay in the same cabin so nothing was moved. We just enjoyed the ship to ourselves for about an hour. Staff are usually really friendly towards you if they notice your back again.

We are doing a B2B again in March on Quantum. I'm sure it will be just as fun!

Cheers

Yes Ray, it is an eye opener. We learnt from our first cruise to just make our elbows stick out a bit further in the buffet area... And don't bother with the casino! All good.. And smile.

It's my holiday too, no use getting frustrated. Just enjoy it. I'm so looking forward to seeing the ship.

Cheers

Thanks Ray for the great review. My wife and I are sailing on Quantum in March on B2B's out of Shanghai. Our second leg is to Busan & Fukuoka so it was interesting reading about them. My wife is Filipina so I am pretty used to the Asian way of life. I doubt there will be many Westerners on our cruises but I will make the most of it.

Cheers

Great review so far Kim. We sailed on mariner out of Singapore in 2014 and had a great time. Will be interesting to hear what you thought of Malaysia. We found it interesting, but 1 day was plenty. Wish you had been on our cruise, we had a group of about 20 from CC that spent a lot of time together during the cruise. We had a blast.

Brings back so many memories seeing your photos. Great work!

We are sailing on Quantum out of Shanghai in March for 13 nights (B2B). Can't wait!

Cheers

I think he's asking a fair question based on how we dine off the ship. I don't tip the waiter at Chili's if I eat at Applebee's. Giving him the information kindly, tincoll, that his gratuities are spread out among all eating establishment servers, I'm sure, would have sufficed.

 

So, please leave your prepaid gratuities as they are. Your money is distributed to many people serving you in various places throughout the week. Happy cruising!

Sorry if I offended, but seriously.. I have been on 1 cruise and I knew how the tips worked before I left home. After 8 cruises, surely you would know how it worked, wouldn't you?

We have prepaid the gratuities on our next cruise however if we decide to for example not eat in the main dining room at all during the cruise is it possible to get refined all or part of our prepay to OBC or is it just gone for good at that point? I have every intention on tipping the cabin attendant and other just don't want to tip the dining room staff and never use them.

For the number of cruises you have been on according to your signature, you really have to ask that question! Sheesh..

I'm flabbergasted.

You will have to eat somewhere.

It's our first cruise, and quite short so we won't be doing on board shopping or spas or restaurant upgrades, so I'm not sure we'll spend much other than drinks.

Yeah right!! :rolleyes: Good luck with that.

Wait till you see the watch sales... :eek:

Marina Bay Sands has awesome Club Rooms and the Club Lounge for Breakfast is unbelievable!

Worth the money!

Cheers

You're on holidays... Who cares where you go.. Sheesh!

Amazed how some people let things get to them.. I read a review the other day, someone complaining the buffet had too much Asian food on it.. Seriously, what do they expect.. They are in Asia.

Should have just charged them for the extra cruise.. Should have all their credit card numbers and then left them there!

Unbelievable!

Ashland,

One of the couples we met on that cruise was from Lexington, Kentucky..

Very nice people!

Cheers

I really don't mind if I am the only Westerner on Quantum in March... The non-Chinese staff will love me! :p

Lucky I like Asian food, and I will be able to stand anywhere on the promenade and see the show over the top! :rolleyes:

Can't remember if I asked you Ashland, how was debarkation in Shanghai?

Did you hang around in Shanghai after the cruise?

Cheers

What a difference a year makes.. We were on Mariner in Feb 2014 out of Singapore. Whilst it was packed with Asians, we knew what to expect. We were in Asia after all. Food was great everywhere we ate. Never had an issue at all. The Escargot in Garlic Butter were the best.

This was Linda's first cruise as Activities Coordinator, so not sure if she was on the cruise you guys are all talking about, and Gordon was the CD. They were great. Always things to do and places to be. It seemed everywhere you turned Gordon was there! In 10 days I would say I saw Gordon at least 100 times around the ship. He even sat and had a drink with our group on one of the nights at the Pool Bar for a chat. He organised our Meet and Mingle and stayed with us for about 2 hrs that day. Great bloke! He had a good voice too.. Sang a song at the Going Home Party.

I guess my issue is I don't have anything to compare too though as this was our first cruise experience. But we had a ball, made some great friends and saw some awesome places. My wife is Filipino so I know how the Asian ways are. I learnt to just push back and smile in the Windjammer. They learnt to accept it.. I am a 6ft, 290lb man though, so there options were limited I guess.

I hope we have the same experience on Quantum in March 2016. Just need to have patience with the Asians. They are beautiful people and if you grew up in a house with 30 relatives all vying for that once piece of bread on the table, you would push in too. Hard to break that habit...

My opinions!

Cheers

How was embarkation out of Shanghai?

Were there many Westerners onboard?

Where did you go?

Any dramas with anything?

Usual questions! We are sailing on Quantum in March for 13 nights!

Cheers

Guess I have 5 months to lose 45lbs or I will only be a spectator!

Incentive enough I guess!

Cheers

We didnt do Phuket but we did do KL and Port Klang. We did a private tour which was at our own pace bt we didnt set sail till 5 pm so had more time. Seriously KL didnt do anything for us. My opinion, only 3 things to see.. Batu Caves, KL Tower and the Kings Palace gate! You will get photos of Petronas Towers from the drive around town.. And KL Tower you can just turn up and go up. Petronas Tower you have to pre purchase and if your late you miss out with no refund I am led to believe. Batu Caves was interesting. Alot of steps but worth the climb. Watch for the monkeys, they can be vicious. The Kings Palace Gate, you cant go in but you can see the palace from the gate. Give the guards on horses a monetry tip and they will let you take photos with them and you can pat the horses. No tips, and as you go to take the pic, they will turn away. Even the horses turn away. Funny to watch.

Again not sure about kiddy skating. Im sure they wont mind but not sure if they will have little skates and helmets or not!

Not really many American customs on the ship other than the tipping really we found. Alot of Asians will typically eat, sleep and gamble.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Definately look at the Roll Call like Jonathan says and register for a meet and mingle if you cruise is 7 days or longer. You have to get 25 people to have a meet and mingle party though. I still have some great friends that we sailed with that we met through Roll Call and meet and mingle.

The shows will be great. They were awesome on our cruise. Just get there early as most Asians are punctual!

Also be prepared for some pushing in the Windjammer buffet and casino. Think about having 20 brother and sisters fighting for the same piece of bread at dinner and you will understand how Asians live.. I am married to a Filipino so I know.. Not all, but some will seem pushy.. Just smile and laugh it off. Its your holiday. Dont let them get to you no matter how frustrating the situation is..

Most tenders will be away by 8am.

Hi Thombird,

I cant answer all your questions but I'll try on a couple. You dont need to tip anyone if you dont want too. I was on Mariner with my wife in early 2014 and we tipped a few people on the first day. I tipped my room attendant, i tipped a great filipino bartender I met in the schooner bar and I tipped the MDR maitre-de who came in very handy later in the cruise when i wanted a table for 13 people. Once i tipped these guys, service was excellent. Some call it bribery.. Who cares.. I got what I needed from them, and they got more of a tip. Us Aussies arent used to it, but simply just keep some smaller US notes and give them out if your happy with the service.. If you can afford it.. If not, dont. Most staff will bend over backwards for you anyway.

Im not sure about the duel credit cards.. I had a CC on my booking but still paid the final bill in cash. Easy to do. One booking is one CC i think.

I didnt have any kids, so cant help you with the kids club sorry.

What itinerary are you doing? We did Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam on B2B cruises. If you have any other questions, ask away!

Cheers