Update from Celebrity re: Samsung Galaxy Note

From Celebrity's website: Celebrity Cruises will no longer allow Samsung Galaxy Note 7 cell phones onboard our ships. This decision was made in light of recent incidents and safety concerns raised by Samsung about this particular device, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recent ban of the phone from all airplanes. We ask that guests who own a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 not bring the device on your cruise. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and looking forward to welcoming you aboard.

Southeast Asia Cruise Itinerary

Merrytimers Southeast Asia Cruise 2017

14 day cruise February 11-25, 2017

Celebrity Cruises:  Celebrity Millennium 

Join the Merrytimers for this cruising adventure from Hong Kong to Singapore, including Vietnam and Thailand!  

Cruise Itinerary

Sat. Feb 11	Hong Kong, China - embark
Sun. Feb 12	Hong Kong, China – depart 8 pm
Mon. Feb 13	At Sea
Tue. Feb 14	Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam – arrive 7 am
Wed. Feb 15	Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam – depart 1 pm
Thur. Feb 16	Hue/Danang (Chan May), Vietnam – 8 am – 7 pm
Fri. Feb 17	At Sea
Sat. Feb 18	Ho Chi Minh (Phu My), Vietnam 7 am – 8 pm
Sun. Feb 19	At Sea
Mon. Feb 20	Bangkok/Laem Chabang, Thailand – arrive 8 am
Tue. Feb 21	Bangkok/Laem Chabang, Thailand – depart 6 pm
Wed.  Feb 22	At Sea
Thur. Feb 23	At Sea
Fri. Feb 24	Singapore – Arrive 7 am
Sat. Feb 25	Singapore – Arrive 7 am and Disembark

STEP: The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The recent attacks in Belgium and Paris may make you question whether it is safe to travel to Europe or elsewhere in the world.  I am still planning to travel, but today I enrolled in The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so that I will be quickly alerted to travel warnings and alerts when they are issued.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. nationals who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign

Country (formerly known as Travel Registration). Enrollment allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the U.S. Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.

Using STEP is like having insurance. It’s something you hope you’ll never really have to use, but it’s nice to know that it will be there in an emergency. You can register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program on the web or with the app.

When you sign up, you will automatically receive the most current information from the U.S. Department of State about the country (or countries) where you will be traveling or living. You will also receive updates, including travel warnings and travel alerts so that you can make informed decisions about your travel plans and activities.

When you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, the Department of State will be able to assist you better in the case of an emergency, such as if you lose your passport or it is stolen while you are abroad.

The travel and contact information you enter into STEP will make it easier for consular officers in U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to contact you and your loved ones during an emergency.

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong

Following 150 years of British rule, Hong Kong was ceded back to China in 1997.

Celebrity Millennium is scheduled to dock at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal opened on the East Kowloon waterfront in 2013. A refurbished airport, the terminal has two alongside berths, with support facilities to accommodate simultaneous berthing of two mega-cruise vessels (gross tonnage of up to 220,000). There is also a café, a gourmet restaurant, a wine bar, an expansive duty free shop and a large rooftop garden.

You'll need to take a taxi or shuttle to reach nearby attractions such as Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon Walled City Park, Chi Lin Nunnery / Nan Lian Garden and Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar. Ten minutes away, Festival Walk shopping complex features many international brands.

Things to Do include:

·         Walk along Kowloon waterfront.

·         Have tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

·         Take the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island and witness the fantastic view of the city’s skyline.

·         Take the tram to Victoria Peak, the tallest mountain in the city at 1700 feet.  Take the funicular to the top for spectacular views.

·         Visit the Floating Fishing Village, there is great Chinese food in the area.

·         Take a food tour.

·         Rent a junk boat.

If you are spending a few days, go to Macao, easily accessible by jet boat.  The former Portuguese colony is a gambling mecca and the trip by boat takes about an hour.  Be sure to try egg tarts, one of the local specialties.

Great restaurant:  Tim Ho Wan in Kowloon. Try the steamed shrimp.

The New York Times just featured 36 Hours in Hong Kong
The article includes great information for a short visit; check it out! 

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand

The port of Laem Chabang is located about 90 minutes from Bangkok.  Traffic in and around Bangkok is horrible. 

If you don’t want to go into Bangkok, a Jack Nicklaus golf course is located near the port at the Laem Chabang International Country Club.  The town of Pattaya is only 10 miles away and was an R&R stop during the Vietnam War.  There’s an elephant village here, Pattaya Elephant Village.

Bangkok is exciting and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Ken and I were lucky enough to travel here during our "half way around the world" cruise a few years ago.  We stayed at a hotel overnight so that we could enjoy two days and one night in this amazing city.  Be aware of the dress code to enter the Grand Palace and Temples.  Some in our group were turned away; in particular I remember one lady that was wearing capris and they were not considered to be appropriate.  I think now, though, they have skirts, shawls, etc. to give you if you are not dressed appropriately... but I can't guarantee this!

Some top attractions include:

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo.  Both are located in the same walled compound. The Grand Palace has been the residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782, when King Rama I (founder of the Chakri Dynasty) ascended to the throne.

Wat Phra Kaeo is renowned as the most important and beautiful Buddhist Temple in Thailand.  It houses Phra Kaeo Morokat, the Emerald Buddha, which was carved from a single block of emerald.

Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha.  This majestic reclining Buddha is covered in gold leaf and measures 150 feet.  Wat Pho houses more than 1000 Buddha images.

 (you can see just a bit of the Emerald Buddha above us... there was no way that I could get Ken and me and the entire Emerald Buddha in a photograph (at least with the camera that I had)!

Canal Tour along the Chao Phraya River; you will see family homes and temples that dot the river.  You will witness Thai everyday life, such as locals ferrying rice. 

Thai food is delicious, varied, and inexpensive.

Here I am at a Thai restaurant with tables made for Americans!  We were seated on the floor, but there was a put beneath us for our legs!  In addition to a delicious Thai dinner, we enjoyed a traditional folkloric show.

A good and safe place to purchase souvenirs is Johnny’s Gems..