jacketwatch

We had scheduled a cruise out of Tianjin for Nov. However it was cancelled as RCI agreed to do a private charter for this vessel. I would have paid it as we wanted to go early to China and were happy with the ship and the itinerary, especially Okinawa. We did rebook another cruise on this ship (Ovation of the Seas) and got some OBC as well.

When I checked the consular website I'm almost glad I did not have to apply as there were a lot of details, details and details!

susiesan

No or free visa for Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan., Phillipines
$25 VOA for Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Sri Lanka
$50 e visa for Myanmar.

There are plenty of other places in SE Asia to visit for very little cost.

Even thought the cost of the VN visa has skyrocketed from Americans, getting the VOA is $135 vs either $185 or $220 from embassies or consulates. That's a no Brainerd decision.

jacketwatch

Well I would like to see more of SE Asia and wanted to see Hanoi but not now. Its not the money so much as its the feeling of being ripped off.

Malaysia sounds pretty good. Is it ever cooler there or is it like Singapore, hot and hotter?

CounterClifton

Such a shame. Hopefully both countries reassess and fix this up for Americans and for Vietnamese, who I'd expect would have an even harder time affording fees like these.

Hanoi turned out to be not just our favourite city in SE Asia, but of anywhere we've been. Pity that people have to give it a miss.

jacketwatch

So it seems as if it's a diplomatic spat. Let's hope as CC says it's resolved amicably.

susiesan

It's not a diplomatic spat, it's being bragged about on the US Ambassador to Vietnam's, Ted Osius, FB page as a diplomatic victory. He states that it will now be easier to visit Vietnam. Huh? This also affect ABV (American born Vietnamese) who may want to go and visit family. They used to get a visa exemption but not anymore. They also have to pay these higher fees. From what I can figure out the only people who will benefit are American expats living in Vietnam who can get a visa once a year instead of once every 3 months and business people who travel there multiple times a year. Visas have now become cheaper for those 2 groups.. But there are probably far more tourists than expats and business people.

jacketwatch

So it appears that business people benefit. How surprising. .

susiesan

Another article:
http://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vie...t-3462537.html

E mail for Vietnam Tourism Association:
[email protected]

I have sent a few emails but don't know if officials in Vietnam will get and/or read them or if they even care.

jacketwatch

I sent a pm to Osius on his FB page. I don't expect an answer but if I get one will post it.

jacketwatch

That article says they expect US tourist number to double for the previous yr. Hmm. We'll see after that drastic price increase. However even if it stays the same or drops the revenue will be a lot more unless the drop is major.

LancasterLad

Interesting...

http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/...ors-65756.html

...good luck.

susiesan

The best way to get someone's attention is to hit them in the pocketbook. Tourist visits and their revenue go down, some gov't minion goes oops. Unintended consequences. Better change it back. of course, this will probably take a year if iVN recognizes their mistake.

jacketwatch

I wonder how this will impact cruise passengers. Last March we had two stops in VN and the cruise co. charged us a nominal fee for the visa so no worries. However now if we had to pay an xtra $500.00 I doubt we would get off the ship or probably decide on another cruise that did not stop there.

jacketwatch

Better yet what if you all already booked for a future cruise and now are hit with this???

LancasterLad

<<<Better yet what if you all already booked for a future cruise and now are hit with this???>>>

Aren't most of the cruise ports hours away from anything worth seeing? Not worth the expense of a Visa.

I'd make sure I was on an All-Inclusive cruise. While most folk were ashore on their expensive long day tour, I'd be enjoying a bit of peace and quiet onboard, propping up the bar.
Cheers.

jacketwatch

Not really. Some are about say 2 hrs. Away like HCMC and BKK but many are in town like Tallinn, Stockholm, most of the Caribbean ports. Far more than not really.

Most cruises now have a booze package so you can drink all day for a fee.

Some people like port days to enjoy quietitude on the ship.

susiesan

This from the article about the jacked up visa fees:

"On August 29 Vietnam began to issue one-year, multiple-entry visas to US citizens for US$135, up from single-entry visas that cost only $5 for cruise tourists and $25 for others."

So unless an exception is being made for cruise pax they also will now pay $135 for the visa for a few hour visit. I wonder if the cruise lines are informing their pax about this change? Doubt it.

jacketwatch

I called Princess today. No answer as its a holiday and the the # they gave me to call as the person I spoke to did not know was not available today. I will f/u.

LancasterLad

<<<Not really. Some are about say 2 hrs. Away like HCMC and BKK but many are in town like Tallinn, Stockholm, most of the Caribbean ports. Far more than not really.>>>

It was the SE Asian ones that I meant. I'm a small ship cruiser, so unless the ship can get in close then it won't get my custom. Caribbean ports are fine, but on a bad day they can be swamped with mega ships, no fun with that. Sailing into Venice is amazing.

Keep a close eye, and the included booze packages come at minimal cost. Heineken not Fosters.

jacketwatch

Well on our SE Asia cruise the other stops were Brunei, Sihanoukville, Nha Trang and Koh Samui and as I recall we tendered one but as for getting to the tours it was not long. Bangkok was 2 hrs. from the port but we decided to go to Pattaya instead, less than an hr. away to see the Sanctuary of Truth temple. All wood, very nice.

We are not big drinkers so a booze package is not for us. Between both of us it's max 3 drinks per day. I do make it a point for a local brew in every port. Caybrew in the Caymans is right up there on my list. Can't remember how long ago I had a Fosters though it did not make much of an impression.

Yep Caribbean ports can be a mess, esp. during high season. Still better there then vs. Chicago in Jan. .