World Cruise 2023 - Occasionally Live from the Island Princess

[CruzinNoony]

To: We_Like_To-Cruise, Thank you for your great review of your day in Singapore.  Despite the problems, you saw a lot of the city.  We have started cruises in Singapore and spent several days touring before we sailed.  Gardens By The Bay was definately a highlight for us.  We also loved Chinatown and all the Hawker stands in the city.  Your photos were beautiful!!

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/10/2023 at 5:56 AM, CeCe_ said:

 

I didn't read through the entire thread.   I have the same concern.   We love new ships and have never been on one as old as the Island yet.  

 

We book by itinerary and destination.  Although older, we have had very few (insignificant) issues with the Island Princess.  You will get more information if you read through the first few pages of this thread.

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/9/2023 at 11:55 PM, wowzz said:

Pre-covid Singapore had over 19 million visitors a year, and is a significant part of the economy. It's a major tourist destination in its own right, but many Europeans use it as a staging post for a few days, before flying on to other Asian destinations.

 

 

Thanks for your comments.  But according to online data, tourism ranges around 4 percent of its GDP and does not seem likely to change much in the near future:

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1079842/singapore-tourism-direct-contribution-to-gdp/

 

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/10/2023 at 3:43 PM, sunny88 said:

Following your trip, just wonderful. Thanks for the report and pictures.

 

Question, does Island Main Dinning Room accept the reservation?

Some of the Princess ships do not honer the reservation.   We ran into that situation on Sky.  

 

We have had a reserved time and table every day since day two of the cruise.  There were no issues with that.  In fact it was encouraged to help cut down on the long lines for tables during the first couple of weeks of the cruise.

[We_like_to_cruise]

Penang, Malaysia

 

This is our substitute port after Langkawi, Malaysia was scrubbed due to an issue with access from the port to the town.

 

The Island Princess docks at Swettenham Pier in colonial Georgetown, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.  Setting out for the day, we pass the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, paid for by a Penang millionaire to commemorate the queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  Each foot of the sixty foot tall building is said to represent a year of her reign.  My picture is not tilted; the structure has been leaning ever since World War II due to bombings in the area.

 

No sidewalks, we walk and share the busy road with motor scooters and cars. We follow the water and about a half hour later arrive at the Chew Jetty.  These are Chinese family owned wooden homes and businesses aligned on one narrow pier stretching out into the water.  Although there are a few other similar floating villages, this is the only one currently open to the public.  “Chew” is the surname of the family and this jetty was originally built in the mid 1800’s.

 

It is already nearly 80 F (27C) early this morning and very humid, so the periodic sea breezes feel good.  The weather will get even warmer during the rest of the day. 

 

Our timing to the clan jetty was good, near the end of our visit a busload of pax unloaded onto the already busy and narrow passages.  

 

Walking through Georgetown, we view some of its numerous wall murals and steel rod sculptures.  (There is a map with over 50 of them).  The intricate details and carvings of Khoo Kongsi temple entice us to visit followed by a stroll around the Khoo clan Sixteen Houses (now boutique residences.)   Chowrasta Market hosts only a few fruit and vegetables stalls and clothing shops so we continue onward to Chinatown and Little India.

 

In Chinatown, an outdoor stall selling “elephant harem pants” attracts DW.  Unlike others she had seen, these pants had elastic at the ankles and both wide elastic and a drawstring at the waist.  All of the items on display were marked XXL, too large for DW’s petite frame.  The shopkeeper hurries into the back to get a “small” which also is marked XXL and again too large.  Once more she disappears and returns and opens a new box of merchandise.  “Small!” she exclaims.  Hmm, also marked XXL, but surprisingly these do fit DW.  Although priced at 25 Malaysian Ringgit (equal to $5.53 at the current exchange rate), she is happy to take $5 in US dollars.  The pants were a popular purchase; we saw numerous women wearing them back onboard.

 

Along our journey we pass two interesting religious sites.  The Kapitan Kling mosque with its dome shaped minaret is the oldest in Penang, built in 1916.  This was a replacement for the original mosque built in the 1700s by Indian Muslim settlers.  The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple reminds us of a smaller version of the one we saw in Singapore.

 

Finally to end the day we explore some of Penang’s more esoteric food snack offerings.  Pass the salted egg yolk peanuts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[CruzinNoony]

Thank you for another great review!!

 

[GonzoWCS]

6 hours ago, CruzinNoony said:

Thank you for another great review!!

 

Yes thanks for taking the time on your vacation!

 

Cheers

[We_like_to_cruise]

Phuket, Thailand

 

(Phuket is pronounced poo-ket)

 

Our online research (whatsinport.com) advised cruise ships visiting Phuket tender to Patong Beach during the high season of Nov. to April.  With that in mind, last month we booked a combination Thai / hot coconut oil massage at a very highly rated professional establishment.  And, it is only an eight minute walk from the tender port.  And, the hour massage is 500 baht, less than $15.  Sounds like a great plan, but …

 

A couple of days before reaching Thailand we learn our tender port will instead be the Aao Makam Deep Seaport.  This is on the complete opposite side of the island and 45 minutes away. By car.  We scramble to make new plans and review our choices.  Fortunately the ship offers an excursion “Patong Exploration” which is essentially transportation to the beach.  At Patong Beach you are on your own.  It is a good way for us to use up some of our onboard credit. Perfect.

 

That morning we dutifully wait in the Explorer’s Lounge for all assembled to be called to board the tenders.  These are large 300 passenger port supplied vessels that can get many of us on and off quickly.  Except – the winds are strong and the tender must change position and switches from loading on the port side of the IP to the starboard side.  After over two hours wait our group is called.  It is about a 20 minute bumpy ride to shore.

 

We meet the rest of our group – about a dozen of us altogether – at a large 60 passenger coach bus.  So of course we have plenty of room to spread out.  One perk of this trip is we do have a “guide” on the bus.  Jenny loves her country, loves Phuket, loves Patong Beach and loves her job.  The time passes quickly.

 

At our destination Jenny announces we should be back at the bus at 4:30 pm.  We remind her that announcements and signs stated the last tender left at 4 pm.  And it is still another 45 minutes back to that tender dock.

 

 “Don’t worry; the ship will wait for us.” 

 

(I had visions of the dozen of us camped out at Jenny’s tonight trying to figure out how to get to our next port of call, Colombo, Sri Lanka.)  

 

We are dropped off at the south end of Patong Beach only a short walk to our appointment.  Whew, we make it with minutes to spare. 

 

Sixty minutes later, muscles kneaded and skin glistening, we are de-stressed and relaxed. 

 

We head to the beach walking down (in)famous Bangla Road the notorious Patong party nightspot. Even during this sunny afternoon the place was crowded and hopping.  Outdoor beer bars, weed / cannabis stores, go-go bars, clubs, discos, strip clubs and the ubiquitous massage parlors.  Unlike the reputable establishment we frequented, many of these offer, ahem, “additional services.”

 

As we walked past “Happy Massage” some of the provocatively dressed women entice me to visit. 

 

“We will make you happy!”

 

“But, I am happy,” I replied with a smile, putting my arm around DW.

 

They giggled but I am not sure if they were laughing with me or at me! 

 

We spot Ronald McDonald offering the traditional Thai greeting, the wai, and, oh dear, “Weedly Wonka” . 

 

The beach is large and we have swim suits and towels.  But the water looks a little iffy so we walk along the shore instead of swim. There is also some time for sun bathing and cold Thai beer and freshly made coconut smoothies.

 

Everyone meets promptly by 4:30 pm (yay) and Jenny announces we will be stopping at a souvenir shop on the way home.  The shop is actually a very large very upscale jewelry store with aisles of jewelry and professionally dressed employees.  Silly me, I forgot that every Princess excursion has a stop for shopping. 

 

Our group was the last to board the tender at close to 6 pm.  The return ride was smooth and we were happy to see the Island Princess patiently waiting for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[Tyskie]

@We_like_to_cruise

Thank you for sharing your adventures !  

Would love to see a picture of DW "elephant pants" 🌞

[Denali2003]

Hello.  For those who are currently on the Island.  I was wondering if you could do me a favor?  When you go to the dining room, can you ask if they have a separate Vegan menu?  We will be on the Island and May and would like to know if they have the Vegan menu.  The Regal Princess had it in 2021.  It's amazing actually.  Just like the regular dinner menu, there is a different one each night.  I did email Princess' Dietary Specialist and they replied that Princess does not have a separate Vegan menu.  I replied that they do / did.  I do have photos of the menus.  Even the non-vegan people we were cruising with and the people at the table next to us ordered off of it because the food sounded good.  They all loved it.

[We_like_to_cruise]

23 hours ago, Tyskie said:

@We_like_to_cruise

Thank you for sharing your adventures !  

Would love to see a picture of DW "elephant pants" 🌞

 

They are nicknamed that, as they often have images of elephants on the textile:

 

https://www.amazon.com/elephant-pants/s?k=elephant+pants

[We_like_to_cruise]

20 hours ago, Denali2003 said:

Hello.  For those who are currently on the Island.  I was wondering if you could do me a favor?  When you go to the dining room, can you ask if they have a separate Vegan menu?  We will be on the Island and May and would like to know if they have the Vegan menu.  The Regal Princess had it in 2021.  It's amazing actually.  Just like the regular dinner menu, there is a different one each night.  I did email Princess' Dietary Specialist and they replied that Princess does not have a separate Vegan menu.  I replied that they do / did.  I do have photos of the menus.  Even the non-vegan people we were cruising with and the people at the table next to us ordered off of it because the food sounded good.  They all loved it.

 

Sure, I will be happy to ask tonight.  I think it sounds appetizing.

[We_like_to_cruise]

Addendum to Phuket tour-

 

I realize I did not make something clear.  Our tour guide Jenny did not go rogue.  She had the full cooperation and permission from the ship to extend our tour.  Many other tour groups also had extended return times due to our late start that morning.  We saw another group in the gift shop.  Although we were the last group to board, it was only by a few minutes.  We did not keep the ship waiting just for us. 

[gottagocit]

Do you know how many fellow passengers will be with you the entire work cruise vs those only doing segments that are sometimes sold?

[We_like_to_cruise]

13 hours ago, gottagocit said:

Do you know how many fellow passengers will be with you the entire work cruise vs those only doing segments that are sometimes sold?

 

That is difficult to answer as we have lost and gained passengers at every segment.  Someone at guest services told me 1700 would be on the ship on our final leg from Ravenna to Fort Lauderdale.  But, I have heard some contradictory statements from staff, so am not sure how accurate that really is.

[We_like_to_cruise]

Sabbatini’s 2

 

This was our second visit to Sabbatini’s; our first with its new menu.  Food and service were excellent and we loved some of the new choices. The Ossobuco was as good as any I have had previously enjoyed in Italian restaurants in my hometown of N.Y.  (Although I did have to ask for a marrow spoon). 

 

We enjoyed our dinner with a nice bottle of wine from the extensive wine list.  So much delicious food that we couldn’t finish it all.  Our server happily bundled up our leftover meat into a handmade decorative bird shaped aluminum foil container. 

 

You would be surprised how tasty an ossobuco sandwich is the next day!

 

There was no possible way we could eat dessert.  But the host / manager encouraged us to return another evening to enjoy a coffee and dessert. 

Grazie mille !

 

Pictured is:

 

Insalata Mista

Ribollita

Burrata Caprese

Penne Primavera

Lobster Tortelloni

Ossobuco Milanese

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you can read the attached menu.  I could not find a pdf from Princess with the new menu and these are pix I converted to pdf.

 

menu1_2.pdf

 

menu2_2.pdf

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[Mflem1278]

I was wondering what, if any, vaccinations you had to have for the world cruise.  It is on my bucket list, but I am still working so it is going to be awhile before I get to do the world cruise.  I am sooo enjoying your posts.  Thank you!

 

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/13/2023 at 9:28 AM, Denali2003 said:

Hello.  For those who are currently on the Island.  I was wondering if you could do me a favor?  When you go to the dining room, can you ask if they have a separate Vegan menu? 

/

Yes, the MDR confirmed they do have a Vegan / Vegetarian menu every evening.  I will get a copy and post it later, probably after Dubai.  :)

[We_like_to_cruise]

Colombo, Sri Lanka

 

 

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island in the Indian Ocean south of the lower tip of India. 

 

An industrial port, we must take a shuttle bus to the outer gates.  A la water shuttles, we must pick up a shuttle ticket and wait in the Princess Theater until called.  I glance out the balcony and there are dozens of buses waiting for us.  So, after only a brief wait, we board the bus and are dropped off at the outside of the port.

 

This morning we meet a private driver for our tour.  Lalith is 34 and a lifelong resident.  His relatively new vehicle is clean and comfortable and the AC works great.  He has some destinations in mind and we confer to agree on our plan for the next six hours.

 

Some of the sites we visit include:

 

Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and Museum

Seema Malakaya Temple

 Independence Square

Dharmayathanaya

Viharamahadevi Park

Beira Lake

Galle Face Green

The Lotus Tower

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)

Pettah Market

St Anthony's Shrine

 

It is nice to have the luxury of staying as long or as little time at each site and to change plans on the fly. 

 

Buddhism is practiced by over 70% of the population, so we see Buddha statues everywhere – temples, parks, and for sale in the state owned souvenir shop.

 

Although we were forbidden to walk from the ship to the outer port gates, apparently the reverse is not true.  While waiting for a return shuttle, the gate attendant gives us walking directions (turn left and then right). 

 

Fifteen minutes later we are outside the ship, enjoying some cold water and cold face towels provided by the Princess staff. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 15, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[wowzz]

5 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

Colombo, Sri Lanka

 

 

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island in the Indian Ocean south of the lower tip of India. 

 

An industrial port, we must take a shuttle bus to the outer gates.  A la water shuttles, we must pick up a shuttle ticket and wait in the Princess Theater until called.  I glance out the balcony and there are dozens of buses waiting for us.  So, after only a brief wait, we board the bus and are dropped off at the outside of the port.

 

This morning we meet a private driver for our tour.  Lalith is 34 and a lifelong resident.  His relatively new vehicle is clean and comfortable and the AC works great.  He has some destinations in mind and we confer to agree on our plan for the next six hours.

 

Some of the sites we visit include:

 

Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and Museum

Seema Malakaya Temple

 Independence Square

Dharmayathanaya

Viharamahadevi Park

Beira Lake

Galle Face Green

The Lotus Tower

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)

Pettah Market

St Anthony's Shrine

 

It is nice to have the luxury of staying as long or as little time at each site and to change plans on the fly. 

 

Buddhism is practiced by over 70% of the population, so we see Buddha statues everywhere – temples, parks, and for sale in the state owned souvenir shop.

 

Although we were forbidden to walk from the ship to the outer port gates, apparently the reverse is not true.  While waiting for a return shuttle, the gate attendant gives us walking directions (turn left and then right). 

 

Fifteen minutes later we are outside the ship, enjoying some cold water and cold face towels provided by the Princess staff. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Lanka is a fantastic country, with so much to see. I assume you will be there for more than one day. 

[CeCe_]

Are you required to take health vaccinations to Asia Countries?  such as Hepatitis A, Malaria, etc...

[wowzz]

9 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

Are you required to take health vaccinations to Asia Countries?  such as Hepatitis A, Malaria, etc...

Not if you are going to the normal tourist destinations.

[SargassoPirate]

12 hours ago, CeCe_ said:

Are you required to take health vaccinations to Asia Countries?  such as Hepatitis A, Malaria, etc...

Generally, about the only vaccination required by some countries is yellow fever.  I haven't checked to see if that has changed for quite a while because I'm not due for a yellow fever booster yet.

 

You can check the CDC website for recommended vaccinations for travel outside the US.  I tend to err on the side of caution and if a vaccination recommended for certain areas in a country, I'll opt for the vaccination whether I have plans to travel to that area or not.  Malaria carrying mosquitos do not observe political boundaries, for example. I also enjoy excursions that include a meal off the ship - such as at a beach resort or with a local family.  Therefore, I get a hepatitis vaccine.

 

My best advice would be to find a local travel medicine clinic/provider in your area, but go armed with the CDC information.

 

 

[HotRoot]

I believe yellow fever is now only needed once - no boosters.  

[wowzz]

We have travelled to the Far East on numerous occasions. Never needed any vaccinations or malaria tablets, but, as is always the case,  check with medical professionals,  rather than taking the  advice of random strangers (like myself !).