LIVE from the Ocean Princess - 28 days from Rome to Singapore 10/15 - 11/12/2011

[Waynetor]

Some more random observation from the Ocean Princess:

The brain teasers that are available in the library are the same as the ones offered last year.

The Club restaurant on port days was open for breakfast, no lunch, and afternoon tea 3:30 – 4:30. I mentioned before there was no cookie and milk lady but did see her today starting her rounds about 3:45.

The washrooms in stores and restaurants in both Egypt and Jordon leave a lot to be desired by western standards. Often there was no soap and someone is there to sell a strip a toilet paper as you go in.

Some people in our group to Luxor were looking to purchase wine but were told that wine can only be purchased in restaurants and bars. Probably explains why those that had beer for lunch were offered a chance to buy a canned beer to go.

I had seen quite a few camels in Jordon. On the way from Safaga to Luxor I expected to also see them but besides a dead one at the road side, I only saw one group of 3. I‘m not sure about the drivers, security person and guides on the Princess buses but ours had a very long day. Our guide said he was up around 2:30 am in order to get ready and meet the driver and then drive to Safaga from Luxor in time for the 7:00 am meeting. They then turn around and drive back to Luxor, do the tours, and drive back to Safaga drop passengers off and drive home again to Luxor. Our guide got off in the suburbs of Luxor so we only had the other 2 for the full day.

Once back on board at Safaga there was an Egyptian Culture show in the lounge. Most of the buses got back to the ship around 9:00 pm so that was late for the 1st show and most people were either too tired after 2 early days or were eating but the second show that I went to was unfortunately very poorly attended with only about 30 people in the lounge. The show which lasted about 40 minutes had 3 young ladies doing belly dances, other dances and a male whirling dervish which was excellent.

Sailing through the Red Sea it was for the most part we were the only sign of life. I did not see any land, no birds or sea life, no planes and just one ship off in the distance. Yesterday we sailed past Yemen and saw quite a few ships and for a short time we had an Indian navy vessel escort. Looks like ships try to stay in a close proximity to each other. At one point this afternoon I could see 9 ships off one side and another off the other side all heading the same direction as us. The remote threat of pirates does not seem to be affecting anyone’s enjoyment of the cruise. Tonight after dinner they had staff dressed in pirate outfits for photos with the passengers.

According to our on board lecturer as we get closer to Oman we likely will be seeing lots of dolphins and possibly Humpback Whales. There are about 800 Humpbacks in the area that do not migrate like Humpbacks in other areas. This morning I did see a glimpse of 3 dolphins as well as some Flying fish. Tonight we change time again and will then be 8 hours ahead of Eastern time.

[Waynetor]

A special note for any Canadian’s thinking of doing a similar itinerary. In order to get off the ship in Dubai you will need a visa. (This is a dispute between Canada and United Arab Emirates and only affects those with Canadian passports.) There is the option to get the visa before leaving Canada but this is not necessary. The evening we left Sharm El Sheik we received a form in our cabin that needed to be filled out. Basically we could turn down the visa application which means we stay on board that day or provide agreement to have Princess process the visa application with a cost of $125 US subject to minor changes due to currency. You need a passport photo that you can bring with you or they take one on board for a fee. Looking over the list of tours in Dubai we have decided to stay on board but know some Canadians that are getting off.

[cruisingallover]

Dubai is not to be missed. Pay the money and get off the ship. You may regret staying onboard later.

[Sundried]

A special note for any Canadian’s thinking of doing a similar itinerary. In order to get off the ship in Dubai you will need a visa. (This is a dispute between Canada and United Arab Emirates and only affects those with Canadian passports.) There is the option to get the visa before leaving Canada but this is not necessary. The evening we left Sharm El Sheik we received a form in our cabin that needed to be filled out. Basically we could turn down the visa application which means we stay on board that day or provide agreement to have Princess process the visa application with a cost of $125 US subject to minor changes due to currency. You need a passport photo that you can bring with you or they take one on board for a fee. Looking over the list of tours in Dubai we have decided to stay on board but know some Canadians that are getting off.

Thank you Waynetor for that information.

 

We are on the Ocean Princess in April and stopping in Dubai and had a lot of conflicting

information from Princess that we need to pay $ 250.00 each to Ottawa Embassy for a visa before getting on the ship in Singapore.

Did notice the wording has recently been changed in our cruise personalizer document section that states just what you have written.

Your information was very helpful.

 

Sundried

[Aussie Gal]

Dubai is not to be missed. Pay the money and get off the ship. You may regret staying onboard later.

 

 

I disagree. I don't think it is worth paying the visa fee. We spent 3 days there back in 2008 en route to our home and we felt it was just one hot building site. We stayed down at the beach and the water was so hot, we couldn't go for a swim There is not a lot to see, even the city tour didn't have a lot to show us. Our highlight was having afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab on one of the top floors.

 

As you have been to Luxor and Jordan and seen the desert, then there is nothing new in Dubai for you.

 

Jennie

[icat2000]

Some more random observation from the Ocean Princess:

The washrooms in stores and restaurants in both Egypt and Jordon leave a lot to be desired by western standards. Often there was no soap and someone is there to sell a strip a toilet paper as you go in.

.

Always a good idea to take small hand sanitiser and a packet of tissues for when your travelling to countries that facilities may not be up to standards at home. However, I have seen some pretty crappy public toilets in Australia too :D

[lovevacadays]

Always a good idea to take small hand sanitiser and a packet of tissues for when your travelling to countries that facilities may not be up to standards at home. However, I have seen some pretty crappy public toilets in Australia too :D

 

Oh my goodness. You should have seen the bathroom I was just in at Petsmart in Irvine - horrible!:D

 

I'm really enjoying reading this thread. So interesting to hear about this type of cruise.

[Pia1913]

Saturday morning in the middle of nowhere and the beginning of sea day number five. Guess what we are missing; yep, another hour. I’m not sure exactly where we are now timewise, but I think we are 8 hours ahead of EST. Seas were pretty rough last night; wiggling like crazy with strong winds. The lost hour could be the reason for the gym being empty this morning and/or the A/C. It was like a sauna in there. OK here in Panorama; I post from here most mornings. And our very personable captain stops to visit as he walks through every morning.

 

 

I think we are preparing for Halloween, because the movie Twilight is being shown all day (early AM until forever) on stateroom TV. Two morning lectures again; “Cultures of the Pacific Ocean” and “The Fall of Egypt and the Slow Fall of Rome.” Another pub lunch is being offered in the steakhouse and a “must see” designer watch bonanza. Someone will see the “must see” but I can assure you it won’t be us.

 

　

The remainder of the day has a talk on Muscat; our port for Oman. Either we’ll see it live or watch it on TV. This port will be another first for us. There’s an afternoon showtime of Duo Yabba again, which we missed the other day and I understand was 2 men playing the pan flute and lots of other types of flutes. Tonight will feature another production show; “What a Swell Party.”

 

And there you have it. See you later.

[regnig]

Awe Pia, miss the "designer watch bonanza"! :eek: I didn't think they let you off the ship without a receipt from purchasing at least one. :rolleyes:

 

Continue to enjoy your cruise, we are!

 

Barb

[earljr]

crappy public toilets/QUOTE]

 

 

 

A pun? :D:D

[tequilasunrise]

Thanks for this thread. As work doesn't allow us much time away from home at the moment, we are greatly enjoying living vicariously through you :D

[ssbeagle]

I bet you will be happy to see some land again. I enjoy the sea days but it sure feels good to walk around on solid ground again.

[hokiefans]

Saturday morning in the middle of nowhere and the beginning of sea day number five. Guess what we are missing; yep, another hour.

 

Hi Pia!

Reminds me of our Transatlantic on the Ruby with you! We found losing an hour a day rough after a while. We are really enjoying reading your LIVE! Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experiences.:p

denise

[Pia1913]

Sunday morning, and the day before Halloween. Boy, did that wind howl last night, and the ship vibrated too. We were rocking to and fro during the show and those singers and dancers didn’t miss a beat. Kudos to them all. This morning the sun is shining and seas are calm.

　

We kept rounding the Oman coast during the night and expect to enter the Gulf of Oman later this morning. FYI, the Gulf of Oman is a strait, and not an actual gulf, that connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, which then runs to the Persian Gulf. That is my geography lesson du jour. Though I love sea days, six in a row can get a bit tiring. We are definitely looking forward to land tomorrow.

　

Three “sort of” Halloween movies today - “Beetle Juice and Young Frankenstein,” “The Sixth Sense,” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Rocky Horror is at 10 PM, so don’t know how many will be around for it. Then again, I wonder how many passengers are age appropriate for it anyway. 　

Two more lectures today; “Ancient Asia: Genghis Khan, the Mongols, and the greatest Empire in the World” and, “Culture Smart: India. This one is all about Indian culture in preparation of our arrival on November 4th. There will also be a question and answer session on U.S. Immigration Law; Facts and Myths. The show tonight is a return of Chilli Gold, so perhaps a movie ensuite is in order.

 

 

That’s it for now and I’d love to know why my font keeps changing.

[Love.II.Cruise]

Pia - thank you so much for this live thread. I laughed when you said they were showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show! :eek:

[kuldalai]

For this specific itinerary cruise we are booked for Rome tO Singapore in October 2012.

 

Are there any Aussies reading this on the current cruise, or who have done this cruise in the past ? as I am struggling with conflicting Visa info from Princess, Visa websites and Embassies .

 

Egypt - Internet says Visa on arrival, Embassy implies get Visa before leaving Aus ?

 

Jordan - Appears OK provided one arrives and departs from AQABA ? Both Embassy and Princess say free Visa granted at Aqaba , presumably on arrival ?

 

India - Everyone needs to get a Visa for India ? So much for Australia and India both being in the Commonwealth .

 

All other ports of call No Visas required for Aussies or Visa on arrival . ?

[DonahCBrown]

Just a quick update from us before we head out tomorrow for our private India tour. We've had lots of confusion here on board in spite of having gotten clearance from the home office prior to our departure. This AM when I went to inquire about when we could pick up our passports (after having to give them copies of our full itinerary, the permission slip from the home office and our tour company in India's contact info a couple of days ago) I was given a letter that basically assumed we were leaving the ship and not returning!! After this got squared away, I had actually forgotten to ask about when I could pick up the passports, so made a return trip and was told it would be tomorrow 'early' - better be, as we have a tour at 8:30 AM...

 

The only reassuring thing is that Capt. Bilton knows what we are doing, so I am hoping if it goes south, he'll intervene and let us back on board in Mumbai! Getting a little nervous about it all, I must admit, but it is all in place now, so off we'll go. Will make a full report on our return, as we're not taking any of the electronics with us on this jaunt.

[paul929207]

Donna, hope you have a great time in India. It is a wonderful country, but don't expect things to run smoothely. Just relax and enjoy.

[ssbeagle]

Hi Pia!

Reminds me of our Transatlantic on the Ruby with you! We found losing an hour a day rough after a while. We are really enjoying reading your LIVE! Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experiences.:p

denise

 

That's one of the main reasons I like to take a cruise that goes from east to west because then you gain an hour every day. It's so much easier and less tiring.

[Pia1913]

Caryn: We'll get our chance going the other way shortly. ;)

 

Kuldalai: Lots and lots of Aussies aboard, but don't know if they read CC.

 

FYI: We are not going to Agra, but will do tour in the AM with D and D before they fly out. See you in the AM.

[icat2000]

India a great place to travel. Spent three weeks in the Rajasthan Region in 2009. Love it. Great sites, loved the food and sure its a little chaotic but you get used to it.

 

When I went to see Agra it was foggy in the morning we travelled to the site but lucky we had time in the afternoon to see it. It is spectacular. I read however that its starting to lean. Hope that wasn't after I had visited :D

 

Have wonderful time in India.

[Aussie Gal]

For this specific itinerary cruise we are booked for Rome tO Singapore in October 2012.

 

Are there any Aussies reading this on the current cruise, or who have done this cruise in the past ? as I am struggling with conflicting Visa info from Princess, Visa websites and Embassies .

 

Egypt - Internet says Visa on arrival, Embassy implies get Visa before leaving Aus ?

 

Jordan - Appears OK provided one arrives and departs from AQABA ? Both Embassy and Princess say free Visa granted at Aqaba , presumably on arrival ?

 

India - Everyone needs to get a Visa for India ? So much for Australia and India both being in the Commonwealth .

 

All other ports of call No Visas required for Aussies or Visa on arrival . ?

 

We did a similar cruise in 2008 on Oceania's Nautica from Hong Kong to Athens. Oceania does not organize any visas so we had to get our Indian Visa, our Jordanian Visa and our Egyptian Visa. They were all easy to get and we didn't part out too much money.

 

Princess are much more accommodating and if they say they will organize the Jordanian visa, then take them at their word. In the case of Egypt, it was an easy visa to get so I would get it before you leave just for peace of mind.

 

We did a West African cruise on the Ocean Princess last year, and we had to get a Visa for Senegal. It cost us $600 to have our passports sent to London and we were only in Senegal for one day! Another Aussie couple were on board the Ocean and they hadn't bothered to get the Visa for Senegal as they decided it was too much money and they would rather stay on board than pay out that amount.

 

Princess got it for them on arrival and it only cost $50 for the two of them!

 

Hope this helps a little.

 

Jennie

[margord]

Pia,

 

Enjoying this cruise with you.

 

Marilee

[Kiwi Kruzer]

They are just approaching the coast of Dubai as I post.

 

Have a great time on your adventure into India folks.

Looking forward to hearing about it when you get back.

 

Oh and Happy Halloween:D:D

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

Last time I saw a ships bridge cam from here you could see QE2,

but she appears to have been moved.