Recommendations for Phuket excursions

[NMTraveller]

Any recommendations on Phuket excursions would be appreciated.

[whattodo]

I would like to know as well. We will be on RCCL Spectrum. To my surprise, ship excursions are about the same prices as non-ship tours. I booked Phang Nga Bay by wooden motorboat. It's an 8-hour tour including lunch for $75. They also have the same tour by long tail boat for $70. I can't find pictures to see the difference between these 2 types of boat.

I won't have local currency. Do shops or cafes and street vendors accept US$?

[lfplenore]

7 hours ago, whattodo said:

I would like to know as well. We will be on RCCL Spectrum. To my surprise, ship excursions are about the same prices as non-ship tours. I booked Phang Nga Bay by wooden motorboat. It's an 8-hour tour including lunch for $75. They also have the same tour by long tail boat for $70. I can't find pictures to see the difference between these 2 types of boat.

I won't have local currency. Do shops or cafes and street vendors accept US$?

No USD will be accepted in Thailand. The local currency is the Thai Baht. ATM fees are steep (220 Baht is about $6.32 US right now). If you open a Charles Schwab checking account (free to do), they will provide you with a debit card. ATM fees are reimbursed. It’s the cheapest way to get cash. 
 

As for excursions, Sarawut Sarawut is recommended by many. You can find him on Facebook. 

[whattodo]

Ifplenore, thank you for valuable info. 🙂 

[lfplenore]

5 hours ago, whattodo said:

Ifplenore, thank you for valuable info. 🙂 

You are most welcome. Incidentally, go with the long-tailed boat. It is a traditional Thai style boat. We live in northern Thailand for much of the year, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[CAcruzfunatic]

We just returned from a back to back sailing on the Spectrum of the Seas and our last port was Phuket.  We did a 9 night sailing to Vietnam and Bangkok and then a 5 night with the last port of Phuket.   We did the Phang Nga Bay by wooden motorboat excursion and enjoyed the day!   We had planned a portion of the day in Bangkok in a longtail boat so decided to do the other boat here.   I have attached a photo of the boat we traveled in, which was comfortable, not super windy, and protected from the sun.   I have also attached a photo of a longtail boat we saw.  Not sure if this the one the cruise line uses.  There were all different sizes of longtail boats we saw during the tour.  It was a long drive but were all happy with the day.  Have a fantastic trip!

[CAcruzfunatic]

We had no issue exchanging USD for Thai Bat in Phuket when we got off the ship.   There was an exchange right along the beach where we were dropped by the tender.   Not sure it was the best rate but we weren't exchanging a bunch of money.  Just always like have some local currency if you want to buy a drink or something else. 

[whattodo]

CAcruzfunatic, thanks for posting pictures of long boat and wooden motorboat along with tips to exchange money. 

I'm still looking for Penang excursion. Traveling with mom, she is not that interested in temples and monuments. Penang Hill seems to be a good compromise except ship's only excursion there is to Teddyville. We rather spend time elsewhere instead of teddy bear museum. I'll keep looking.....

 

[NoCaNiNaCast]

On 3/12/2023 at 4:59 AM, lfplenore said:

No USD will be accepted in Thailand. The local currency is the Thai Baht. ATM fees are steep (220 Baht is about $6.32 US right now). If you open a Charles Schwab checking account (free to do), they will provide you with a debit card. ATM fees are reimbursed. It’s the cheapest way to get cash. 
 

As for excursions, Sarawut Sarawut is recommended by many. You can find him on Facebook. 

I saw several Sarawut Sarawut. Which one is he? Do you have a WhatsApp number? Thanks. 

[lfplenore]

Sarawut Sarawut can be reached on WhatsApp at +66 636 094 881

[NoCaNiNaCast]

On 8/25/2023 at 6:05 PM, lfplenore said:

Sarawut Sarawut can be reached on WhatsApp at +66 636 094 881

Thanks. 

[edinburgher]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:59 AM, lfplenore said:

I booked Phang Nga Bay by wooden motorboat.

We visited the same location from Phuket and enjoyed it.