Enroh

We are looking at heading off to Hong Kong in October ... we will spend a few days with family in Shenzhen and then trying to decide what we should do for the other 2 weeks. We have stayed in Hong Kong a few times and could spend a few days there ... 2 weeks would be a week (or more) too much.

One option that we have been looking at is to take a 14 cruise from Hong Kong to Hong Kong ... stops in Manila (10 hours), Kotakinabulu/Borneo, Malaysia (10 hours), Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (6 hours), Singapore (11 hours), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (8 1/2 hours), Da Nang, Vietnam (11 hours), Sanya, China (7 hours), Hong Kong ( 24 hours).... 7 stops (63 1/2 hours in 7 cities) + Hong Kong + 5 cruising days. With the limited time in the 7 cities you probably will be forced to the ships excursions in order to see anything (we are fit and prefer to explore cities on our own) so the cheap cruise could be expensive after adding in tips and excursions. Has anyone taken this cruise and able to comment on this cruise ... or able to refer me to a cruise forum site?

Should I be looking at going to 2 or 3 cities on our own and spending 3 days at each city?

Kathie

IMO, those cruises are for people who don't want to experience the places they are supposedly visiting. Choosing three cities and visiting independently will be much more rewarding. Four nights (which is three full days) is a nice amount of time for a first visit to a city or a return visit to a favorite. From Hong Kong, there are so many easy options just a few hours by plane.

Cicerone

I could not agree more with Kathie that this cruise is not really any way to “see” any of these places. 10 hours in a country is not sufficient for a visit, IMO. Also, other than Singapore, none of the cities on your list are really that interesting, IMO, compared to other areas of the countries themselves. HCM is by far the least interesting place in Vietnam, Manila is the least interesting place in the Philippines, Brunei is quite boring, and with the small amount of time you have in Kota Kinabalu you really won’t have time to see the countryside areas. I think you will end up shopping and eating mostly, which seems like a waste of money. While Danang is pretty physically with its beach, it does not offer the cultural depth of a place like Hue. But in any event in Danang and Singapore, you will be rushing around trying to fit in everything in 7-10 hours, It’s hard for me to imagine a more rushed yet boring itin.

You also want to watch the weather in Vietnam, the Philippines and Borneo in October, as it can be rainy, see weather websites and make sure you are OK with the possibility of rain and windy seas. October will be quite rainy in Danang and farily so in HCM. Late October would be better for the Philippines and somewhat better for Vietnam, but you would have more chance of rain in Borneo as the monsoon is moving in that direction.

For older people who are not mobile, perhaps this would be a pleasant way to spend 2 weeks, but for younger people who like to see something of the culture and countryside, I would not recommend it. I think you should pick 2 places (or perhaps a nearby third) and actually see them in more depth.

Enroh

Thanks for your input, I agree that we should be looking at spending more time at 2 or 3 stops. Comments on Cruise Critic from those taking this cruise are mainly negative ... only positive comment was that the excursions were well organized; although, that was offset by complaints of the cost of those excursions and the lack of assistance to those who wanted to venture out on their own.

One stop that we will make is Singapore .. any recommendations on 1 or 2 other stops?

Kathie

Bangkok is my favorite city, so I'll recommend it. Hanoi is very interesting. Consider Penang - the historic Georgetown area (stay at the E&O Hotel)... so many options. Tell us more of what interests you.