Voyager of the Seas Picture Review Singapore to Shanghai June 2012

[jstducky]

Have lots of fun!! :)

 

By the way, I'm a Bruin too.

 

Bruins!!! Woo hoo!!

 

And all the way out in Singapore!

 

I still work in Century City, so I'm only 3 miles from the campus. But even since I graduated, the campus has changed sooooo much!

[daisyaday46]

Thanks for letting me know.

 

Makes all the effort of writing the review and posting the pictures worth it!

 

Special thanks for the great photos. I joined the ship at Shanghai but my husband and son were there from Singapore. You managed to get my hubby in three of your photos....(post 10 on the deck and the two in the dining room at 262). Cheers .......Kay

[Iluvcruising2]

Special thanks for the great photos. I joined the ship at Shanghai but my husband and son were there from Singapore. You managed to get my hubby in three of your photos....(post 10 on the deck and the two in the dining room at 262). Cheers .......Kay

 

Wow. Amazing coincidence. :)

[jstducky]

1 night isn't enough! Stay 3 nights at least!

 

Plenty to do in Singapore. :)

 

Here is our official tourism website.

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/experience.html

 

Ok, now we're seriously considering cutting short a day with my family in Bangkok and doing 2 nights in Singapore post cruise rather than 1.

 

The thought is to do the following in our time:

 

Singapore Flyer in the afternoon time

Night Safari at Singapore Zoo

Marina Bay Sands Hotel SkyPark - in your opinion, is this worth it?

Botanical Gardens

Chinatown

Orchard Road

Raffles Hotel grounds, souvenir store and Long Bar

Clarke Quay

 

do you think that's a pretty good list of what to do while in Singapore?

 

Also, do you think a Singapore river cruise is worth it or necessary?

 

Thanks!

[p_toasty]

hello can i ask, did you have to book to see the ice show? If so how did you go about it?

Thank you and still loving the photos :)

[Iluvcruising2]

hello can i ask, did you have to book to see the ice show? If so how did you go about it?

Thank you and still loving the photos :)

 

For our cruise, we did not have to book to see the ice-show.

 

Once on board, pay attention to the cruise compass and the related letters they put in your state room.

 

There were 4 ice-shows for the cruise. The ship pax was divided into 4 groups and we were all told to attend the ice show that was designated for our group. The ushers did check the sea pass cards, so I think it would be good to go for your allocated show.

 

Also, if you want good seats, go early to queue.

[Iluvcruising2]

Ok, now we're seriously considering cutting short a day with my family in Bangkok and doing 2 nights in Singapore post cruise rather than 1.

 

The thought is to do the following in our time:

 

Singapore Flyer in the afternoon time

Night Safari at Singapore Zoo

Marina Bay Sands Hotel SkyPark - in your opinion, is this worth it?

Botanical Gardens

Chinatown

Orchard Road

Raffles Hotel grounds, souvenir store and Long Bar

Clarke Quay

 

do you think that's a pretty good list of what to do while in Singapore?

 

Also, do you think a Singapore river cruise is worth it or necessary?

 

Thanks!

 

My thoughts.

 

The Singapore Flyer is best done in the evening, about 6:30pm to 6:45pm. One round is about 45 minutes. Sunset in Singapore is about 7pm. So the idea is to go up while the sun is setting and you can watch the sunset and get to see some city lights.

 

Night Safari is good. If you have time, do the Zoo as well. By the time you're here, I think the pandas loaned from China should be ready for viewing.

 

Botanical Gardens is good - go to the Orchid garden within the Botanical Gardens. I believe you have to pay a small entrance fee ($5 SGD) but it is worth it. The rest of the Botanics is free.

 

If you want something more cultural, I'd suggest Chinatown and Little India.

 

Orchard Road is just a big shopping street. Worth to take a look but nothing really spectacular, unless you are really into shopping and stuff.

 

You may want to try the Gardens by the Bay - http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

 

Here are some photos from the recent visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

http://www.asiaone.com/static/multimedia/gallery/120912_daytwo/

[Iluvcruising2]

News footage of the visit by the royal couple.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19567370

[Iluvcruising2]

The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is worth a look.

 

I think it costs $20 per person just to go up.

 

If time permits, you may want to consider having lunch at one of the restaurants located at the sky deck. That way, you can also enjoy the great views because you get to walk out onto the verandahs.

 

You can check the Marina Bay Sands website for the restaurants.

 

I have only lunched at Sky on 57. Their set lunches are not bad. 50SGD for 3 courses and 60SGD for 4 courses, all before service charge and taxes. Lunch is only from 12 noon to 2:30pm.

 

http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Restaurants/Celebrity-Chefs/Sky-on-57/

 

Obviously, if you have a bigger budget, then you can have dinner at one of those restaurants at the Skypark. :)

Edited September 13, 2012 by Iluvcruising2

[Iluvcruising2]

Singapore River Cruise - in my opinion, not worth doing since you have limited time.

[jstducky]

Thank you for this information, this is terrific! I really appreciate you taking the time.

 

Thanks for the suggestion for the Gardens by the Bay. That looks fantastic. Do you think that doing the Gardens by the Bay and the Botanical Garden as well is too repetitive? Or are they different enough? How much time would you suggest for each? A couple of hours? Is the orchid area at the Botanical Gardens where the Diana orchid is?

 

Thank you for the suggestion of lunch on the SkyDeck at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I will need to try and figure out what would be best for us timewise. Do you think if we did lunch, reservations would be required since the hotel is so popular?

 

And I appreciate the suggestion that the river cruise isn't worth it. Exactly the kind of advice I am looking for. Is Clarke Quay at night worth it? I've also read that Newton Circus at night could be fun. Which would would you recommend?

 

Also, where is the Merlion statue located and is it worth seeing in person?

 

Again, I appreciate all the advice.

[bluefirefly]

Fantastic review!! Not many Asia reviews here!! And since i'm from HK it was nice to see people cruising there. lol

 

My dad took us to the Star Cruises for 2 day 1 night? Didn't remember much either i was too young or it was pure crap

 

I always thought there is NO cruise from HK, but i guess i was wrong. Even though you had to use a tender you still got there!! lol When the new cruise terminal is open maybe we can have bigger cruise ships in.

[cruisingpluto]

OP - thank so much for your review! i'm from NYC and i've always wanted to do this itinerary. too bad it's so far and out of the way for me.

 

i hope to see more reviews from you!

[dandtgeddes]

Gidday, just caught up with this thread again and I see you answered my question, post 340, thank you.

 

Again your photos and review were fab, the link was even posted on our roll call!

 

God bless you:)

 

TraceyG

[Iluvcruising2]

Thank you for this information, this is terrific! I really appreciate you taking the time.

 

Thanks for the suggestion for the Gardens by the Bay. That looks fantastic. Do you think that doing the Gardens by the Bay and the Botanical Garden as well is too repetitive? Or are they different enough? How much time would you suggest for each? A couple of hours? Is the orchid area at the Botanical Gardens where the Diana orchid is?

 

Thank you for the suggestion of lunch on the SkyDeck at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I will need to try and figure out what would be best for us timewise. Do you think if we did lunch, reservations would be required since the hotel is so popular?

 

And I appreciate the suggestion that the river cruise isn't worth it. Exactly the kind of advice I am looking for. Is Clarke Quay at night worth it? I've also read that Newton Circus at night could be fun. Which would would you recommend?

 

Also, where is the Merlion statue located and is it worth seeing in person?

 

Again, I appreciate all the advice.

 

The Botanics and Gardens by the Bay are different. Doing both would be fine.

 

The National Orchid Gardens are located within the Botanics.

http://www.sbg.org.sg/centralcore/nog.asp

 

I have not been there recently but I would think that visitors can see all the Orchids named after the VVIPs, including the late Princess Diana as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (i.e. Prince William and his wife)

 

The Botanics is quite a big place to walk around. But since you don't have that much time, perhaps 1.5 hours would suffice.

 

The Gardens by the Bay would also take 1.5 to 2 hours. Get into the 2 paid conservatories. You would need to buy tickets for that. I think both conservatories are worth a visit but if you are really short on time, then choose Cloud Forest (the one featured in the BBC video).

[Iluvcruising2]

Fantastic review!! Not many Asia reviews here!! And since i'm from HK it was nice to see people cruising there. lol

 

My dad took us to the Star Cruises for 2 day 1 night? Didn't remember much either i was too young or it was pure crap

 

I always thought there is NO cruise from HK, but i guess i was wrong. Even though you had to use a tender you still got there!! lol When the new cruise terminal is open maybe we can have bigger cruise ships in.

 

Singaporeans love HK.

 

Many of my colleagues and friends visit HK at least once a year to shop and eat. It helps that there are many flight connections between Singapore and HK.

 

I read that the new cruise terminal centre would be ready sometime in 2013 - next year!!

[Iluvcruising2]

Thank you for the suggestion of lunch on the SkyDeck at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I will need to try and figure out what would be best for us timewise. Do you think if we did lunch, reservations would be required since the hotel is so popular?

 

And I appreciate the suggestion that the river cruise isn't worth it. Exactly the kind of advice I am looking for. Is Clarke Quay at night worth it? I've also read that Newton Circus at night could be fun. Which would would you recommend?

 

Also, where is the Merlion statue located and is it worth seeing in person?

 

Again, I appreciate all the advice.

 

Marina Bay Sands can get quite busy. So, I reckon making a reservation would be useful.

 

Clarke Quay at night is nice. I like to walk around there. Most of the restaurants are decently priced, not exactly cheap but not a rip-off either.

http://www.clarkequay.com.sg/malls/website/index.aspx

 

Newton Circus is definitely a Singapore institution. The downside is that the hawkers there are very discriminatory. If they see that you are a foreigner, some of them go all out to sell you their food at ridiculous prices. You may also be hassled a bit here and there. Overall, Newton Circus is best to go if you have a local person bringing you there.

 

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/dining/restaurants/newton-food-centre.html

Edited September 14, 2012 by Iluvcruising2

[Iluvcruising2]

The Merlion statute is beside One Fullerton. Is it worth seeing it in person? My view is not, given that you have limited time. It is just a statute sprouting water. ;)

[Iluvcruising2]

Have you considered going over to Sentosa Island?

 

I've heard that the Maritime Experiential Museum at Resorts World Sentosa is quite good, though I haven't been there myself.

 

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/TheMaritimeExperientialMuseum

 

There is also a Universal Studios there. However, that would take a whole day.

[jstducky]

Have you considered going over to Sentosa Island?

 

I've heard that the Maritime Experiential Museum at Resorts World Sentosa is quite good, though I haven't been there myself.

 

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/TheMaritimeExperientialMuseum

 

There is also a Universal Studios there. However, that would take a whole day.

 

 

Thank you for the suggestion of Sentosa Island. I will have to look into it. I assume you take a ferry over? Does it take a long time.

 

I'll check out the Maritime Experiential Museum and see if my husband may be interested in it.

 

The Universal Studios doesn't really interest me too much since I there's Universale Studios here in Southern California as well.

 

Geez, so much to do and so little time!

[Iluvcruising2]

Thank you for the suggestion of Sentosa Island. I will have to look into it. I assume you take a ferry over? Does it take a long time.

 

I'll check out the Maritime Experiential Museum and see if my husband may be interested in it.

 

The Universal Studios doesn't really interest me too much since I there's Universale Studios here in Southern California as well.

 

Geez, so much to do and so little time!

 

You don't have to take a ferry over to Sentosa these days. Taxis can get you there. Also public buses etc.

 

http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/

 

Resorts World Sentosa is an integrated resort built on the island.

[lilybob]

Iluvcruising2.......I just found your review. Wow, great job! Your pictures and details are fantastic. I'll probably have some Singapore questions down the road as we will be there next April on LOS. Some on our roll call (including me:eek:) are a little wary as all of the cabins are sold out already. We are being told it is a large group but not a charter. Keeping our fingers crossed. Thanks again for the time and effort posting your review!

[Iluvcruising2]

Iluvcruising2.......I just found your review. Wow, great job! Your pictures and details are fantastic. I'll probably have some Singapore questions down the road as we will be there next April on LOS. Some on our roll call (including me:eek:) are a little wary as all of the cabins are sold out already. We are being told it is a large group but not a charter. Keeping our fingers crossed. Thanks again for the time and effort posting your review!

 

Glad you enjoyed it.

 

Which Legend sailing will you be on?

[lilybob]

Glad you enjoyed it.

 

Which Legend sailing will you be on?

 

We are on the repositioning cruise that leaves Singapore April 5th. Many of us are being told it is a code red and no further bookings are available for the Singapore to Dubai leg. A few have found you can still book it if you book Singapore to Rome. We were planning to spend a few pre-cruise days in Singapore as it looks like a fantastic city

[Iluvcruising2]

We are on the repositioning cruise that leaves Singapore April 5th. Many of us are being told it is a code red and no further bookings are available for the Singapore to Dubai leg. A few have found you can still book it if you book Singapore to Rome. We were planning to spend a few pre-cruise days in Singapore as it looks like a fantastic city

 

Sounds like a fantastic cruise to do.

 

Yes, please spend a few days in Singaporepre pre-cruise! :)

[i am beginning to sound like my country's tourism ambassador.]