florence11 Posted August 28, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hi We are going on Millenium in Jan 2014, our first stop is 3 days Dubai, 3 days Singapore then we cruise to Lombok, Komodo, Bali, Malaysia and Thailand. We really need help on currency can we just use American dollars or would it be better with local currency? Also are we allowed to take a bottle of gin or cinzano bianco on board (my sister in-laws favourite) or peach schnapps? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstducky Posted August 28, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Here's a thread going on about local currencies in Far East ports http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1889651 Having just returned from an Asia cruise that ended in Singapore where we spent a few extra days, and then flying on to Bangkok for a few days on my own, here's what I'd recommend - Singapore - I didn't see a single vendor that accepted USD. Every sign everywhere was for SGD. So, I'd recommend you exchanging into SGD. If you arrive into the new Marina Bay Cruise Center, on the second floor, at the top of the escalator once you pass through customs you'll see a money exchanger and an ATM. Easy way to get SGD. There's also money exchange booths all over town. Thailand - so super touristy places may be willing to take USD, but less likely these days that it used to be in the past. You'd be best to exchange for Thai baht. If you're in Bangkok, you won't find a taxi driver, BTS station or MRT station that will take anything except for Thai baht. There may be rare instances where street stalls take USD, but again, not worth wasting your time searching for places that except USD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted August 28, 2013 #3 Share Posted August 28, 2013 We did the same tour in January this year - as jstducky is writing SGD for Singapore - the other places USD or SGD - we might have paid a bit more using USD rather than local currency - but easier with a limited number of currencies. This is a short 'highlight video' from our cruise: The video does have active link to other short videos from the cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goya Posted August 31, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Thinking of maybe going on the same cruise. In Thailand you need baths, I have been there many times. But if you are left with some money, you can exchange it in the other ports. I need help for the excursions, dont know if we should get a privat guide or not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathy9 Posted August 31, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 31, 2013 This is a short 'highlight video' from our cruise: Great video...thanks for sharing Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ent704 Posted September 1, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Did you use any private tour. Guides in Kuala Lumpur. Or penance? If so who? We are looking for tours either with the ship or private tour Guides. What do you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted September 1, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Here is a short overview We did Singapore on our own The following was arranged through Celebrity - I sensed that local tour operators were not experienced enough - with the risk of being late for departure. Lombok Island Tour Komodo Dragon adventure and Kampung Komodo/Pink beach Bali Way of life Kuala Lumpur on you own (bus arranged through celebrity) Penang Island tour Phuket, no tour - we did walk through Patong beach You can get more details at my blog - including videos from the tours http://gemsofsoutheastasia.blogspot.dk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dszlam Posted October 26, 2013 #8 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Hi, we will be doing the Celebrity Gems of Indonesia on January 19th, 2014.. I would appreciate hearing on how you would rate the tours that you took through the cruiseline. we are debating whether to take private tours. We would also like to know why you chose the cruiseline tours. Thanks for the help. Here is a short overviewWe did Singapore on our own The following was arranged through Celebrity - I sensed that local tour operators were not experienced enough - with the risk of being late for departure. Lombok Island Tour Komodo Dragon adventure and Kampung Komodo/Pink beach Bali Way of life Kuala Lumpur on you own (bus arranged through celebrity) Penang Island tour Phuket, no tour - we did walk through Patong beach You can get more details at my blog - including videos from the tours http://gemsofsoutheastasia.blogspot.dk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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