MS Zaandam - Singapore to Hong Kong - Asia "Ports" Review by wyatthawaii

Welcome To CruiseCritic.com | Stay on CruiseCritic.com Go to Cruise Critic UK Close X

Member Reviews
Home > Member Reviews > wyatthawaii's Port Reviews of Singapore, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Saipan

wyatthawaii's Port Reviews of Singapore, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Saipan
Zaandam cruise in March 2012

Member Name:	wyatthawaii
Cruise Date:	March 2012
Embarkation:	Singapore
Destination:	Asia
Member Review:	wyatthawaii's Zaandam Review

	Singapore Port Rating: We had 1 1/2 days to see Singapore and it wasn't enough! We stayed in Chinatown and walked all over the city. We particularly enjoyed the hawker centers and had some amazing food. Try to visit the Botanical Gardens and the National Orchid Garden if you have the time. The cruise port was only two stops away on the MRT, making it very simple to find the ship. If you stay in town and take the train to the port, keep in mind you'll need to go down to the first floor to drop off your luggage (no signs telling you this.) Otherwise you'll have to drag everything onto the ship with you as we did.
More Singapore Reviews	Singapore Port Profile	Singapore Forum



	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Port Rating: We actually stopped in Koh Samui, Thailand first (not on the list.) We were there in 1999 and really enjoyed the laid back feel of the place. No longer - this island is jammed with hotels and bars and construction is everywhere. We took the song thaew around the island with a few stops and did some shopping in Na Thon, but mostly we were disappointed in the changes. The coffee shop that is right at the end of the pier has free wi-fi and some decent food, so make that a stop if you need to check your emails and Facebook! Be prepared for very hot and humid weather and carry lots of water. The tender to the port was almost unbearably hot with no ventilation, so try to sit near the door.
More Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Reviews	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Port Profile	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Forum



	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Port Rating: Our next stop was at Laem Chabang - one of the biggest ports you will ever see! We visited Bangkok in the past, so we decided to go into Pattaya instead. I booked a taxi online in advance and they were waiting to take us into town (we had a group of six.) We went directly to the Bali Hai pier in town and boarded a ferry to Koh Laan for the day - very easy and cheap. Once we arrived on the island, we took local transportation to a less crowded beach where we swam and enjoyed the shade of a little tree. You can also pay extra and get chairs and umbrellas. Before leaving the island we visited a beachside restaurant where we had a great seafood lunch and beer for a reasonable price. Our taxi was waiting when we arrived back in Pattaya and took us back to the ship. Our impressions of Pattaya weren't very good - it's a very big, crowded city. Some passengers went into town in the evening and had a good time, but that isn't our idea of fun. The second day at Laem Chabang was a waste - no really good options except for Pattaya, so we stayed on the ship. I think this port is best if you go into Bangkok and stay the night, otherwise it's just too far away from everything.
More Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Reviews	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Port Profile	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Forum



	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Port Rating: No, not another day in Thailand - the list is very limited and Sihanoukville, Cambodia is not an option you can choose. Yes, we were in Cambodia and research paid off for this port. Instead of the same old tired bus trips offered by the ship, we booked a moped tour online and brought along six other passengers we happened to meet in the first few days. The ship will tell you that foreigners can't rent motorbikes, but that isn't true. We went with a company called Stray Dog Adventures and Shiran was the best tour guide ever. We took the ship's shuttle into town, then took local transport to the moped shop. Once everyone was comfortable, we set off for the local beaches and skirted the traffic in town. Our destination was Ream National Park and there was lots of scenery along the way. We stopped at a seaside restaurant for coconuts, went for a swim in the park and had a great seafood lunch before returning to town. Our group was the envy of the other passengers when they found out what we did! We didn't visit the market here and we heard it was very crowded, hot and dirty. Passengers who just took the shuttle into town didn't have a very good experience. Because of our moped trip, we're planning to return to Cambodia in the next year or two before it gets ruined by development. Plan ahead for this port and you won't be disappointed!
More Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Reviews	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Port Profile	Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Forum



	Saipan Port Rating: This list of ports is pathetic! No, we didn't go to Saipan - we were in Phu My, Vietnam. There is absolutely NOTHING at this port, so unless you make plans you will have nothing to do. We organized a group in advance to take a bus trip to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon that almost duplicated the shore excursion... but cost a lot less. It was a long day on the bus to a crowded city with very few tourist attractions. We had a good lunch and saw what there was to see, but it's not a place I would visit again.
More Saipan Reviews	Saipan Port Profile	Saipan Forum

Thank You For Signing Up!