Just back Millenium 2 week Aisa Imersion Tour

I'm doing the identical itinerary in February.

 

Can i ask how long it took from going down to collect a tender ticket to arriving at the port in Halong Bay on day one?

 

Were there any delays getting on or off the ship at any ports due to immigration?

 

I'm specifically wondering what time to arrange to meet our tour guide at Laem Chabang (in Thailand we're doing Bangkok on day one and the area around Pattaya on day two because i really want to see a monastery and museum there)?

 

Anything you recommend or don't recommend doing at any of the ports?

 

Also not asia board related but did any of the food onboard stand out as being either really good or pretty poor?

 

Thanks for any help.

Hi ,we are doing the same cruise in October and see you have booked tours in Bangkok with a tour guide meeting you at the port can you tell me which company you have booked with please Olwen & Peter

We used BKK Tours in Bangkok. They will only meet you at the pier in Laem Chabang if you book a two day tour with them. We did do two days with them. We also stayed at the Eastin Grand in Bangkok as per BKK Tours recommendation. If you only want one day, you will have to meet them in Bangkok. I would highly recommend them. Ms Air ( who is the owner) was a great guide and took us to very interesting places. She was also flexible because the second day we overdosed on temples so she took us to an elephant sanctuary.

Send me your e-mail and I'll share our itinerary with you. It has all web sites, costs, pickup time etc. I think you'll find it very useful.

Happy Planning,

Capt Ron

Hi Capt Ron

Not sure if you are still checking this thread. If you are and could send me the details you mention above, I would much appreciate it as I am doing the same trip next year. kay dot gerken at capita dot co dot uk

Thanks

K

Hi Capt Ron,

I thought I would add this as you have been so helpful to us. I prepared a comparison of currency today with a little idea of Purchasing Parity based on Beer, Coffee and the Economist Big Mac comparisons. It is hard to keep all the currencies straight. Hope this helps others out.

Regards,

Jon

CANADA

- $1 CDN = .748 USD

- $1 USD = 1.34 CDN

- $1 GBP = 1.23 USD

- $1 GBP = 1.64 CDN

- 10 CDN = $7.48 USD

- 10 USD = $13.38 CDN. (My friend from Philly says Canada is on Sale so come up and spend your money

-

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer. $5.37 CDN

- Big Mac. $4.51 USD

- Coffee. 3.03 USD Latte

- Transit $10.25 CDN. $7.65 USD

SAN FRANCISCO

- $1 CDN = .748 USD

- $1 USD = 1.34 CDN

- $1 GBP = 1.23 USD

- $1 GBP = 1.64 CDN

- 10 CDN = $7.48 USD

- 10 USD = $13.38 CDN. (My friend from Philly says Canada is on Sale so come up and spend your money

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - $7.56 CDN

- Big Mac - $5.06 USD

- Coffee. 1.95 grande - $5.08 Latte USD

- Transit - BART ONE WAY $8.95 USD SFO to Downtown

SINGAPORE

- $1 CDN - 1.05 SGD

- $1 USD - 1.41 SGD

- $1 USD - 1.71 SGD

- $10 SGD will cost $9.48 CDN

- $10 SGD will cost $7.09 USD

- $10 SGD will cost $5.77 GBP

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - 8.09 CDN

- Big Mac - $3.89 USD

- Coffee - Latte 4.91 USD

- Transit EZ Link $10 one day +$10 for card = $14.10 but you get $7.10 for card back. USD

BANGKOK

- $1 CDN - $26.2 Baht

- $1 USD - $35 Baht

- $1 GBP - $43 Baht

- $10 Baht will cost $0.38 CDN

- $10 Baht will cost $0.29 USD

- $10 Baht will cost $0.23 GBP

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - $2.94 CDN

- Big Mac - $3.35 USD

- Coffee $2.89 Latte USD

- Transit - MRT 18 stations - 120 Baht = $3.43 USD

VIETNAM

- $1 CDN - $17,078 Dong

- $1 USD - $22,842 Dong

- $1 GBP - $28080 Dong

- $10,000 Dong will cost $0.59 CDN

- $10,000 Dong will cost $0.44 USD

- $10,000 Dong will cost $0.36 GBP

What it will buy

- Beer - Depends on city $0.61 -0.77 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.66 USD

- Coffee - n/a

- Transit - n/a

HONG KONG

- $1 CDN = 5.80 HGK Dollars

- $1 USD = 7.76 HGK Dollars

- $ 1 GBP = 9.54 HGK Dollars

- $10 HGK dollars will cost $1.72 CDN

- $10 HGK dollars will cost $1.29 USD

- $10 HGK dollars will cost $1.05

What will it Buy

- Beer - Depends on region $5.89 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.48 USD

- Coffee Grande $4.38 Latte $5.14 USD

- Transit - MRT $65 HGK $8.50

BALI

- $1 CDN - $ 9,960 IDR. - Indonesian Rupiah

- $1 USD - $13.323 IDR

- $1 GBP - $16,375

- $10,000 IDR will cost $1.00 CDN

- $10,000 IDR will cost $.75 USD

- $10,000 IDR will cost $.61

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - $1.19 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.33 USD

- Coffee 2.25 Grande - Latte $3.00 USD

- Transit - Car and Driver for day $40 USD

CAMBODIA

- $1 CDN - $ 3033 KHR. - Indonesian Rupiah

- $1 USD - $ 4057KHR

- $1 GBP - $4986 KHR

- $10,000 KHR will cost $3.30 CDN

- $10,000 KHR will cost $2.46 USD

- $10,000 KHR will cost $2.01 BPS

What will it Buy

- Beer - $0.58 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.33 USD

- Coffee n/a

- Transit - Car and driver for day $25 - $35 USD

CHINESE YEN

- $1 CDN - 5.16 CNY

- $1 USD - 6.9 CNY

- $1 GBP - 8.48 CNY

- $10 CNY will cost $1.94 CDN

- $10 CNY will cost $1.45 USD

- $10 CNY will cost $1.18. GBP

*Pint price from Pintprice.com

**Big Mac from Economist

*** coffee.. various.. not consistent.

**** transit.. looked up...

Hi Capt Ron,

 

I thought I would add this as you have been so helpful to us. I prepared a comparison of currency today with a little idea of Purchasing Parity based on Beer, Coffee and the Economist Big Mac comparisons. It is hard to keep all the currencies straight. Hope this helps others out.

 

Regards,

Jon

 

CANADA

- $1 CDN = .748 USD

- $1 USD = 1.34 CDN

- $1 GBP = 1.23 USD

- $1 GBP = 1.64 CDN

- 10 CDN = $7.48 USD

- 10 USD = $13.38 CDN. (My friend from Philly says Canada is on Sale so come up and spend your money

-

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer. $5.37 CDN

- Big Mac. $4.51 USD

- Coffee. 3.03 USD Latte

- Transit $10.25 CDN. $7.65 USD

 

SAN FRANCISCO

- $1 CDN = .748 USD

- $1 USD = 1.34 CDN

- $1 GBP = 1.23 USD

- $1 GBP = 1.64 CDN

- 10 CDN = $7.48 USD

- 10 USD = $13.38 CDN. (My friend from Philly says Canada is on Sale so come up and spend your money

 

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - $7.56 CDN

- Big Mac - $5.06 USD

- Coffee. 1.95 grande - $5.08 Latte USD

- Transit - BART ONE WAY $8.95 USD SFO to Downtown

 

SINGAPORE

- $1 CDN - 1.05 SGD

- $1 USD - 1.41 SGD

- $1 USD - 1.71 SGD

- $10 SGD will cost $9.48 CDN

- $10 SGD will cost $7.09 USD

- $10 SGD will cost $5.77 GBP

 

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - 8.09 CDN

- Big Mac - $3.89 USD

- Coffee - Latte 4.91 USD

- Transit EZ Link $10 one day +$10 for card = $14.10 but you get $7.10 for card back. USD

 

BANGKOK

- $1 CDN - $26.2 Baht

- $1 USD - $35 Baht

- $1 GBP - $43 Baht

- $10 Baht will cost $0.38 CDN

- $10 Baht will cost $0.29 USD

- $10 Baht will cost $0.23 GBP

 

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - $2.94 CDN

- Big Mac - $3.35 USD

- Coffee $2.89 Latte USD

- Transit - MRT 18 stations - 120 Baht = $3.43 USD

 

 

VIETNAM

- $1 CDN - $17,078 Dong

- $1 USD - $22,842 Dong

- $1 GBP - $28080 Dong

- $10,000 Dong will cost $0.59 CDN

- $10,000 Dong will cost $0.44 USD

- $10,000 Dong will cost $0.36 GBP

What it will buy

- Beer - Depends on city $0.61 -0.77 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.66 USD

- Coffee - n/a

- Transit - n/a

 

HONG KONG

- $1 CDN = 5.80 HGK Dollars

- $1 USD = 7.76 HGK Dollars

- $ 1 GBP = 9.54 HGK Dollars

- $10 HGK dollars will cost $1.72 CDN

- $10 HGK dollars will cost $1.29 USD

- $10 HGK dollars will cost $1.05

 

What will it Buy

- Beer - Depends on region $5.89 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.48 USD

- Coffee Grande $4.38 Latte $5.14 USD

- Transit - MRT $65 HGK $8.50

 

BALI

- $1 CDN - $ 9,960 IDR. - Indonesian Rupiah

- $1 USD - $13.323 IDR

- $1 GBP - $16,375

- $10,000 IDR will cost $1.00 CDN

- $10,000 IDR will cost $.75 USD

- $10,000 IDR will cost $.61

 

What will it Buy

- Pint Beer - $1.19 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.33 USD

- Coffee 2.25 Grande - Latte $3.00 USD

- Transit - Car and Driver for day $40 USD

 

CAMBODIA

- $1 CDN - $ 3033 KHR. - Indonesian Rupiah

- $1 USD - $ 4057KHR

- $1 GBP - $4986 KHR

- $10,000 KHR will cost $3.30 CDN

- $10,000 KHR will cost $2.46 USD

- $10,000 KHR will cost $2.01 BPS

 

What will it Buy

- Beer - $0.58 CDN

- Big Mac = $2.33 USD

- Coffee n/a

- Transit - Car and driver for day $25 - $35 USD

 

CHINESE YEN

- $1 CDN - 5.16 CNY

- $1 USD - 6.9 CNY

- $1 GBP - 8.48 CNY

- $10 CNY will cost $1.94 CDN

- $10 CNY will cost $1.45 USD

- $10 CNY will cost $1.18. GBP

 

*Pint price from Pintprice.com

**Big Mac from Economist

*** coffee.. various.. not consistent.

**** transit.. looked up...

Thanks that was great, thanks again for adding to this post. I will check in from time to time to see questions are asked,

Happy Planning all,

Capt. Ron

(Next stop Egypt)

Capt. Ron,

How much did you pay for multiple entry visa for Vietnam. There is a debate going on that it is $155USD. Do you remember what you paid.

Regards

Jon

Hi Capt Ron,

Was able to find out through Embassy and through Celebrity the visa issues.. seems different by nationality. Different prices for all however it still seems to be cheaper for most by doing it through Celebrity.

Regards

J

Hi Capt Ron,

 

Was able to find out through Embassy and through Celebrity the visa issues.. seems different by nationality. Different prices for all however it still seems to be cheaper for most by doing it through Celebrity.

 

Regards

J

A agree just let the cruise line handle the Visas, after all you're on vacation and don't need to stress

Happy Planning

Capt. Ron

Hi, we are thinking of taking an Asian Cruise in 2019 but I am intimidated that I do not speak any other languages. Was this a problem anywhere?

Started cruise in Hong Kong, then Vietnam (Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon) then Bangkok ending in Singapore, 2 weeks. Willing to answer questions now that we've returned today. Ask away if you have any questions while it's still fresh is my mind. Also spent 5 nights in Seam Reap touring the area and Angkor Wat temples.

Capt. Ron

Hi, we are thinking of taking an Asian Cruise in 2019 but I am intimidated that I do not speak any other languages. Was this a problem anywhere?

We went on the Asia south bound cruise with Celebrity Cruise also on the Millennium and have just returned a couple of weeks ago. We did not have a problem in any of the countries we visited including Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. All spoke reasonably to very good English. To help you it would be a good idea to try researching your destinations and book private tours to ensure you get the best out of each of the ports of call.:cool:

We are now back from the Southbound Asia Immersion Cruise on the Millennium about 2 weeks and would like to thank everyone on CC who helped with itineraries and tour company recommendations and to say we had a great time in a wonderful part of the world.

Many thanks :cool:Dave and Sandra,Maureen and John Kathy and Billy from Liverpool UK

Hi ,we are doing the same cruise in October and see you have booked tours in Bangkok with a tour guide meeting you at the port can you tell me which company you have booked with please Olwen & Peter

We were on another Celebrity sailing last December. We had a great prviate guide, lady named Sasa. She picked us up in Laem Chabang in a nice van and drove us back the same evening. No need with her for an overnight stay. You can reach her at: natadeee@windowslive.com

We are now back from the Southbound Asia Immersion Cruise on the Millennium about 2 weeks and would like to thank everyone on CC who helped with itineraries and tour company recommendations and to say we had a great time in a wonderful part of the world.

 

Many thanks :cool:Dave and Sandra,Maureen and John Kathy and Billy from Liverpool UK

Hi Bluewezzie ! Capt Ron has been amazing with all his information and tips but you guys have just got back and I am too living in the UK (North Wales) so some pretty recent advice would be appreciated. I have today booked the Southern Asia Immersion Cruise for Feb 2018 - we have sailed with Celebrity 4 times so I won't have any questions with regard to the actual cruise but maybe the ports/tours.

Did you arrange any private tours ? Any that you would confidently recommend? How was the heat/humidity? We are going to add at least four days at the start (HKG) and four days at the end (Singapore) so we are really interested in the other ports/destinations.

I have cut and pasted many of Capt Ron's recommendations into a single Word doc and will spend a good amount of time considering his experiences/advice - maybe you have something to add?

many , many thanks.:)

Sue

Capt Ron,

I would like to thank you for having set up this thread. Your information has been bang on. We have customized our vacation with some of the excursions you did and in other cases have gone our own way which was exactly what information we needed.

Word of mouth information helps provide confidence that we are making good decisions. Without your help I would not have questioned some of the advice I have seen on other threads. Namely researching the Visa issue needs to be done by each individual as the cost depends on your nationality and seems to be constantly changing.

Some prices are increasing. Indochina has indicated their prices have gone up across the board as of January 1st 2017. If doing the Ha Long Bay cruise there are two things one needs to remember:

1. You may have an additional port usage fee however you would have this fee no matter what you were doing for the day. The point being that one should add this to their budget.

2. The cost of the visa is important due to the fact that you need a visa that will permit you to stay overnight if you are taking the overnight Ha Long Bay tour. This price changes dramatically whether or not you are American. At this moment it seems that for non-Americans that the best game in town price wise it Celebrity. I contacted them on the weekend and they will help with obtaining a Visa that will permit an overnight stay. We are told you do not have to be going on a Celebrity overnight excursion to get this visa. (This was verified twice). I am Canadian and this is what is working best for us at the moment.

The main thing with all information it is important to do your own personal verification.

The other huge variable is the cost of airline flights. I was lucky as I met an Australian travel agent a number of years ago who has guided me on flights internal to South East Asia. She was able to give me advice on one flight, Hong Kong to Siem Reap to keep looking as the prices I found were in her opinion overpriced. In the end she was correct. I dug a little more and found a cheaper flight.

Finally for flights from Canada to the cruise, I looked for two months, I found the itinerary I wanted in terms of the airline and connections however for the flights I wanted were not opening up the economy seating. I was patient and in the end used another website that provides a booking service at a nominal fee. In the end I save hundreds and go exactly the flights I wanted at the economy rates that on other sites were not showing as open. Know your prices and be persistent. All this being said I know at some point the prices might drop or go up however I had to have my flights from Canada to Singapore and Hong Kong to Canada in place so that I could plan around the rest of the vacation.

Capt Ron, I again want to thank you for your time. You have saved me a load of time. You have been a gentleman by providing your time and advice. I will pay this forward and am paying this forward by helping others out where I can. I will post how things work out when I return in January 2018 (we leave November 30, 2017 and return January 1st 2018)

Regards,

Jon

How did you enjoy your Asia cruise in December. Was it also an "Immersion" cruise ?

Ours is coming up in December. We are still planning the last few excursions and our pre and post cruise. The cruises in signature are all upcoming.

We have done Asia cruise in Feb and are doing again this year in Dec.

With weather HK is usually 17 to 20 Celsius in Dec. and about 15 to maybe 18 in Feb.

Never had big rain then that is the summer months (caught in typhoon once). Layering is best.

Singapore hot sticky and humid all year round night is less humid but warm.

We have used Thai Tour Guide for three days last trip in Bangkok and will use again, great Enlglish speaking guide safe driver and very clean van. Look on Trip Advisor. In Bali we used Bali Magic our guide we called Moose was amazing he was even going to take us to his house for dinner.

Very well priced for a full day where we wanted, just my husband and I.

Thought I would bump this post up a little bit,

Keep it going people

Happy Planning

Capt. Ron

We are hoping to do a similar cruise on Millenium next February with 2 days in Bangkok. I see a few people have left the ship and stayed overnight in the city, is this the best thing to do or can you do 2 single day trips from the ship?

We are hoping to do a similar cruise on Millenium next February with 2 days in Bangkok. I see a few people have left the ship and stayed overnight in the city, is this the best thing to do or can you do 2 single day trips from the ship?

Bangkok is a long drive in, like 2 hours one way. Most people stay over night in Bangkok as the 4 hour + round trip is pretty hard, staying over night gives you more time to sight see in and around Bangkok. Hotels in Bangkok are not expensive either so staying makes a lot of since.

Happy Planning,

Capt. Ron

This is such a great thread and I have enjoyed reading each post as the information has helped us in planning our upcoming Asia cruise. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences.:)

This is such a great thread and I have enjoyed reading each post as the information has helped us in planning our upcoming Asia cruise. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences.:)

Agreed! Ron has been great and we will be testing out many of this recommendations in the next two and a half weeks.

Capt Ron, we're new to cruising and are doing a Princess cruise stopping both in Cambodia & Vietnam. In your opinion, is it best/cheaper to organise the visas yourself or do it through the ship. I understand as an Australian and travelling by sea, we are not eligible for an on line visa, is this correct? Any help would be very much appreciated.

Capt Ron, we're new to cruising and are doing a Princess cruise stopping both in Cambodia & Vietnam. In your opinion, is it best/cheaper to organise the visas yourself or do it through the ship. I understand as an Australian and travelling by sea, we are not eligible for an on line visa, is this correct? Any help would be very much appreciated.

I recommend that you let the ship handle all your Visas needed while cruising. They do it all the time, very simple, they have a system and know exactly what's needed etc. Visa cost charged to your on board account. No stress, no fuss, relax and enjoy. The experts on board take care if everything. Didn't know you could cruise to Cambodia.

Happy planning

Capt Ron

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Capt Ron,

 

I would like to thank you for having set up this thread. Your information has been bang on. We have customized our vacation with some of the excursions you did and in other cases have gone our own way which was exactly what information we needed.

 

 

Word of mouth information helps provide confidence that we are making good decisions. Without your help I would not have questioned some of the advice I have seen on other threads. Namely researching the Visa issue needs to be done by each individual as the cost depends on your nationality and seems to be constantly changing.

 

Some prices are increasing. Indochina has indicated their prices have gone up across the board as of January 1st 2017. If doing the Ha Long Bay cruise there are two things one needs to remember:

 

1. You may have an additional port usage fee however you would have this fee no matter what you were doing for the day. The point being that one should add this to their budget.

 

2. The cost of the visa is important due to the fact that you need a visa that will permit you to stay overnight if you are taking the overnight Ha Long Bay tour. This price changes dramatically whether or not you are American. At this moment it seems that for non-Americans that the best game in town price wise it Celebrity. I contacted them on the weekend and they will help with obtaining a Visa that will permit an overnight stay. We are told you do not have to be going on a Celebrity overnight excursion to get this visa. (This was verified twice). I am Canadian and this is what is working best for us at the moment.

 

The main thing with all information it is important to do your own personal verification.

 

The other huge variable is the cost of airline flights. I was lucky as I met an Australian travel agent a number of years ago who has guided me on flights internal to South East Asia. She was able to give me advice on one flight, Hong Kong to Siem Reap to keep looking as the prices I found were in her opinion overpriced. In the end she was correct. I dug a little more and found a cheaper flight.

 

Finally for flights from Canada to the cruise, I looked for two months, I found the itinerary I wanted in terms of the airline and connections however for the flights I wanted were not opening up the economy seating. I was patient and in the end used another website that provides a booking service at a nominal fee. In the end I save hundreds and go exactly the flights I wanted at the economy rates that on other sites were not showing as open. Know your prices and be persistent. All this being said I know at some point the prices might drop or go up however I had to have my flights from Canada to Singapore and Hong Kong to Canada in place so that I could plan around the rest of the vacation.

 

Capt Ron, I again want to thank you for your time. You have saved me a load of time. You have been a gentleman by providing your time and advice. I will pay this forward and am paying this forward by helping others out where I can. I will post how things work out when I return in January 2018 (we leave November 30, 2017 and return January 1st 2018)

 

 

Regards,

Jon

Jon I’m assuming you are back. I would love to hear updated info and recommendations. We have this booked for 2020 so am just starting to copy/paste/take notes and dig in on the research for tours.

Can you share your experiences and suggestions? Thanks!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums