Asian highlights

Volendam Cruise Review to Other (Asia/Africa/Middle East)

goodcook

Contributor Level: Purser

Experience: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 0

Overall Rating:

4.2 out of 5

14 Night Far East Discovery (Singapore To Hong Kong)

Sail Date: December 06, 2017

Ship: Volendam

Cabin Type: Oceanview

Cabin Number: 2561

Traveled As: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review Summary

Overall a very interesting trip, with exotic stops, would like more time in Bangkok,This was definitely a high light, so much to see and love Thai food.glad we added days in the beginning and end to see bot Singapore and HongKong in depth

Embarkation

3 out of 5

There was a long wait but a nice young man advised us not to stand in line but go and sit or have some coffee somewhere within the shopping complex ,which we did

Ship Experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

we did not do the speciality restaurants as we like meeting new people and took our chances with different company each night, The main dining room was nicely redone but found the central part very noisy and difficult to have a conversation,personel was for the main very attentive, with only one notable exception of a wine steward who took forever to get us a bottle we requested.the food where some good choices with some faux pas here and there.

Ocean Bar

5 out of 5

The trio was excellent ,and responded to request much to my husbands delight, we enjoyed after dinner time with them as well as the occasional happy hour.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

we liked the exercise room great views well kept equipment.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Children's Programs

no kids with us we are 76 and 83

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

the staff was responsive and curtious responding to any request promtly one exception was a wine steward who failed to produce a bottle we asked for and finally appeared when the table was already cleared for dessert and insisted he poor the wine at that time which we firmly declined .

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

we liked the layout as I prefer mid size ships over the larger ones,

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

we where happy with our cabin, there was enough storage we liked the layout of the bathroom shower was a little slow to drain but had no problem

Ship Tip

ask for the tables in the far corner of the dining room the best place for conversation.

Thumbs Up

Ports Of Call

Singapore

4 out of 5

no excursion ,we did our own thing we where still in recovery mode from long flight, we did the gardens by the bay the Sands hotel with fantastic vies and the Heritage museum which had a lovely exhibit about the maritime silk road great docent to explain high lights. The heat and humidity took their toll on us as we are definitely on the wrong side of seventy and very healthy and active.

Thumbs Up 2

Ko Samui, Thailand

4 out of 5

no excursion walked into town had a lovely meal at a local restaurant caught up with email as Wi-fi was readily availeble

Thumbs Up 4

Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand

5 out of 5

To short you need at least 2 full daises you are 2 hours from Bangkok.no excursion we got a group together for transfer which was excellent and had Wi-fi on the van, water bottles, we chose a hotel close to the river and went on the express boat to the paclace complex,overwelimg architecture and very crowded but worth every minute, next day had enough time for another boat ride to a temple complex far less crowded and worth while,

Thumbs Up 3

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

3 out of 5

hardly worth the time unless you want to go to the beach

Thumbs Up 0

Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

4 out of 5

my husband did the transfer I stayed on the ship not feeling well, he liked it but found the time to short to get a good idea about the city

Thumbs Up 1

Nha Trang, Vietnam

3 out of 5

would not go back here

Thumbs Up 0

Hue (Da Nang), Vietnam

4 out of 5

much larger than expected, very vital and new construction, longest cable car ride over water. we went to Hoi Ann.lovely and quant as well as marble mountain bot well worth the visit,

Thumbs Up 0

Ha Long Bay City (Hanoi), Vietnam

5 out of 5

loved the scenery choose a morning boat excursion was told that haze covers the area in the afternoon amazing cave lovely boat ride.

Thumbs Up 1

Hong Kong

5 out of 5

Very modern with a great harbor we enjoyed several ferry rides, great public transportation but taxis are very reasonable and do not expect tips or even want them, we did Victoria peak took the bus up and tram down .also did the heritage museum great overview of HongKong from ice age on.went to Lamma island had some good seafood not much else to see but quaint town

Thumbs Up 3