Cruise Talk: far east cruise for 1st time, any advise on ports...............

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » far east cruise for 1st time, any advise on ports...............

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Topic: far east cruise for 1st time, any advise on ports...............

generals wizard
Just Boarded
Member # 1923

posted 05-08-2001 02:51 PM

Next week we are cruising on Superstar Gemini from Phuket to Phuket. It is the first time we have visited the far east so really don't know what to expect from the ports of call we will be visiting including Malacca, Singapore, Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Penang and Phi Phi island. We have tended in the past not to use the ships excursions and to taxi or local bus ourselves to the sights, shops, etc.

Can anybody help with info on what to expect / best use of our time in any of the ports we are to visit plus any hits on the best way to travel from the port to the attractions.

Thanks in advance.

Posts: 6 | From: UK | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

bmajor
First Class Passenger
Member # 1754

posted 05-08-2001 11:03 PM

Hi General Wizard,
We did this cruise last year,except we did Singapore to Singapore.Out of the 12 cruises we had done until then, Gemini would have to rate as the best!!!!!
Information about ports.......well heres how we found it......but you must realise that everybody gets a different experience ,depending upon how and what they choose to do....
Mallaca......You are tendered ashore to a fascinating old Portugese port........simply wander at your will around the old Chinese district, on your left. Very safe.....apart from traffic........
.then an absolute must..... hire a tri shaw for the thrill of your life.........our Trishaw driver was around in WW2 , when the Japanese were there, in fact his bike was a left over from the war and still in brilliant working order.All traffic has to give way to them and it was the most memorable trip we did.
NOTE... Negoiate a price first.
Port Klang. The port for KL. There a heaps of Taxis at the terminal, but be aware KL is a good 2hours drive away. You can negoiate a deal for the day ,but dont expect to see too much For our day with the driver (Cant remember exact cost but really cheap) we visited Butterfly Gardens, Downtown and a shopping centre on the way back. That took all day.....
Penang. Again heaps of Taxis wanting your business.......Insist on an English speaking driver and again negoiate the price first..........Places to visit.....fabulous Temples the largest reclining Budda and the incredible hill top Temple......get him to take you out to the beach resorts about 30 minutes drive from downtown.......the Rasa Sayang Resort is a must ....you can wander around at your lesuire........
Singapore.Well we had 2 days pre cruise there,and still not enough time to see it all.From your berth you can take the ferry across to Sentosa Island and ride the Monorail around the Island...just great....... Nathan Road for shopping ,but traffic can be hectic .....so dont miss getting back to the ship.
Phi Phi Island. Only added this year. This was where the James Bond Movie was filmed.
Believe it is stunning. If you get the chance we believe a canoe trip through the caves is wonderful ,but will depend on how much time you have there.
Phuket. We only had the day there, but again had a Taxi and driver all day for very little cost.A great experience is the elephant ride ,leaves from the hill just above the beach..
Very touristy and really comes alive at night .....so we are told......
What ever you choose to do you will enjoy.......just remember to negoiate your taxi fare first....and the taxi companies will quote in all currencies......so it might pay to check on the going rate.....rather than lose money by constantly changing from Bhat to Ringets or Singapore dollars..........etc etc
All the best
Enjoy........

Posts: 1371 | From: Orewa.New Zealand. | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

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