Is there a difference between a Caribbean and Asian Cruise

[FTP2014]

Only done several cruises in the Caribbean.

 

Is there a difference between a cruise in the Caribbean and Asia.

 

# Deck party ?

# Entertainment onboard ?

# Sailaway party ?

# ...

[ping1]

I understand that smoking is really popular in Asia.

 

Question: does anyone have any experience regarding smoking on an Asian cruise? smoking on balconies allowed? smoking in casinos unbearable? do passengers "line up?" Is the entertainment in English? When we went on an immersion cruise in South America, our cruise director spoke in Spanish and followed up with a couple short sentences in English.

[whataboutport]

Good questions, I would like to know as well. I would love to take an Asian cruise sometime in the future. But since Asian cruises visit several countries, I wonder what is the main language they would use for announcements, etc. I would assume that the demographics would be more varied.

[ghstudio]

Good questions, I would like to know as well. I would love to take an Asian cruise sometime in the future. But since Asian cruises visit several countries, I wonder what is the main language they would use for announcements, etc. I would assume that the demographics would be more varied.

 

we noticed no change in smoking on board on two cruises last year from Singapore. Announcements were in english, generally followed in some other language(s). As far as demographics, yes, it was a much more heterogeneous group...folks from all over the world....similar to what we found on our south america cruise with Celebrity....although in South America, they occasionally made announcements in spanish first.

[TommyD3]

If you sail on Celebrity everything is the same. English is the primary lanquage worldwide on Celebrity. The limited smoking venues are the same. The only difference will be ashore. Obviously that just depends what country you are visiting. The Celebrity tours are all offered in English.

 

Sent from my LG-E980 using Forums mobile app

[happygran]

I've been looking at an Asian cruise too and was also wondering what the differences were, especially with regards to the passenger mix. Different cultures etc.

 

Is there a significant difference in the 'feel' of the ship, and if so, does it impact on the enjoyment of the cruise, or add to it?

[cdbaum]

Um, location mostly?

[Christine Frances]

We just did a B2B 28 nts in Asia and we found the passenger mix very international and a well traveled group of people. Everybody was super interesting to talk to. I don't think the "feel" on board was any different and any other cruise we have been on. South America, Asia and Northern Europe itinerary's are more for the ports rather than the cruises that are a winter getaways in the Caribbean. As for smoking on shore, we noticed more smokers in Paris than on this cruise.:confused: We've been to Asia on a 2 week land tour of China and 3 cruises and I would highly recommend it.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Christine Frances

[Lastdance]

I think one of the biggest drawbacks is the pollution in so many of China's cities. However, if you haven't been there, you need to go. Asia is fascinating!:) I also agree with the other poster...lots of smoking in Paris!

[Dick in Falls Church]

And, the primary language being spoken in the ports!

[4774Papa]

Smoking policy is regulated by the cruise line, no matter were in the World the cruise takes place.

Celebrity's smoking policy is rater restrictive, with no smoking on balconies.

 

We have cruises in Australia, which included a stop in Bali. The cruise was no different from one in Europe, South America or the Caribbean.

[ghstudio]

And, the primary language being spoken in the ports!

 

That varies...english (and likely other languages) are spoken in the tourist shops and you can almost always find english speaking guides. As you get away from tourist areas, you may find it more difficult if you don't speak the language, but it seems everyone knows some english, knows how to point to something on a map or understands when you walk into a restaurant and point to what someone else is eating (which I used all the time in Japan many years ago).

 

In china, english is required in the schools (some other countries as well) so if you really get into trouble, look for a kid around 10-12 who can help. their pronunciation is not good, but you'll be able to communicate. That helped us in China a couple of times.

[Project_gal]

One of the things often overlooked about Asian cruises is that they are usually winter cruises. The winter conditions are a major difference between Caribbean and Asian cruises. Colds and 'flu are more likely to be prevalent in the areas visited on an Asian cruise and, combined with the polution, respiratory conditions are a likely result. Unprepared passengers have been known to not pack enough warm clothes. Tours can be long and tiring. All these things combine to result in a higher rate of sickness among cruise passenger and it is as well to make sure that you travel prepared.

[lara68]

We have been on several Celebrity Asian cruises and several Caribbean. There really is no comparison. While the onboard policies concerning smoking etc. is the same the itininaries make the cruises very different. From our experience the Caribbean cruises were relaxing and really not port intensive. For the most part, the demographics were younger and mostly Americans. The sightseeing much the same.

 

The Asian experience is a real cultural education. Since you are traveling so far to places you might never visit again, you tend to go on excursions that are longer but so exciting. We have always taken celebrity excursions and they were always excellent, and spoken in English. The days are long as the ship isn't always able to dock close to many of the main places of attraction. The demographics are older and more international. You will find many seasoned cruisers on these trips and it's always fun to hear of other wonderful places to visit in the future. The nature of these cruises also make them typically longer in length. If you have never been to Asia it's a real wow experience. You just need to know what to expect and it's typically not a laid back experience. Hope this helps!

[scotslizzy]

I have been looking at Asia cruises and the problem is the olong journeys between the port and the attraction. I am still looking into this but one port mentions a 3 hour journey into Ho Chi Min City !

 

Not exactly a fun way to do things so might be better to do a land based tour ,although I like that Celebrity takes you to differetn places .

 

Waht to do eh mmmmm

 

Scotslizzy

[lara68]

yes, Ho chi minh city is far from the port, but definitely worth seeing. When we did that particular cruise, we did it on Azamara. The ships are much smaller and therefore able to dock closer to the cities.

[caladezi]

 

In china, english is required in the schools (some other countries as well) so if you really get into trouble, look for a kid around 10-12 who can help. their pronunciation is not good, but you'll be able to communicate. That helped us in China a couple of times.

 

Very true, but their English sure beats the heck out of my Chinese!

[swigso]

Only done several cruises in the Caribbean.

 

Is there a difference between a cruise in the Caribbean and Asia.

 

# Deck party ?

# Entertainment onboard ?

# Sailaway party ?

# ...

 

No :D:D:cool:

[wander]

lara68,

Glad to read your post, I was beginning to wonder about some of the responses. I have done a number of Asian and Caribbean cruises, although not on Celebrity, and they are very different experiences.

 

Yes you are on a ship, maybe even the same ship, and many things about shipboard life are the same onboard, reasons for taking the cruise and shoreside activities are very different however.

 

Passengers - the whole passenger atmosphere/attitude seems to be different - even for the same folks. For the Caribbean the emphasis seems to be on having fun -sun, sand, sea, party boats in ports, maybe buying jewelry onshore, relaxing, escape from stress, worry and maybe even thinking. Escape from the cold weather is another reason.

Yes, you are on a ship, maybe even the same ship, and many things about shipboard life are the same. However, in Asia the interest in ports is very different, usually to learn about different folks and cultures, seeing sights you learned about in school and on television, etc. Except in places like Phuket for example, sun, sand and surf are not a point of interest.

 

Now OF COURSE, the statements are above are not set in stone. There is a mix on various cruises.

 

Tours - ship and private. Very different options and interests for the most part.

 

I have enjoyed both sites for cruising, although as I get older (yes, it is happening!) I now tend to prefer land trips for the Caribbean and cruising for Asia. (I have been fortunate enough to have several extensive land trips in Asia when younger - much to see that is not readily available from the Ports.)

 

Just my thoughts.

[TxnAquarian]

I have been looking at Asia cruises and the problem is the olong journeys between the port and the attraction. I am still looking into this but one port mentions a 3 hour journey into Ho Chi Min City !

 

Not exactly a fun way to do things so might be better to do a land based tour ,although I like that Celebrity takes you to differetn places .

 

Waht to do eh mmmmm

 

Scotslizzy

 

 

 

Which is why I wouldn't book Celebrity to Asia....as much as I LOVE Celebrity. There are certain itineraries in which smaller ships add to the port experience. When we cruised Asia, we did so on a Regent ship once and a Crystal ship once, and docked right in the heart of most of the ports - requiring very little travel time once onshore. One of the most amazing experiences I have had on 30+ cruises was sailing up the river and docking literally in the middle of Shanghai - larger ships, such as those of Celebrity, dock at Baoshan, an industrial port far from Shanghai. So as much as I prefer to sail with Celebrity, I won't choose them for specific itineraries.

 

 

 

Michael

[ghstudio]

Not sure of the itineraries but we were on the Millenium in Vietnam with overnights in saigon and hanoi. We hired a private guide with another couple and they drove us from the ship to town...we stayed overnight at a hotel...and returned to the ship the next day. Yes, it cost a bit more for the private tour/hotels, but it was still considerably less expensive than the smaller ships....and we saw more because we didn't rush back to the ship for dinner, etc....we saw the vietnam nightlife.

 

In hindsight, we probably should have given more consideration to the smaller ships...but the trip was expensive enough :) back to back in aqua class.