Cruise from Shanghai to Singapore
Many cruise lines have discovered the hidden potential in Asia. This is a population that mostly loves to cruise, gamble in casinos, drink, and shop – which is very economical and profitable for the cruise lines, which have even started to build ships dedicated to the Asian market, especially the huge Chinese one. Of course, Western audiences can also enjoy cruises in Asia, especially the longer sailings of 10-14 nights that reach a variety of exotic countries.
Below is a description of a 10-day cruise on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas ship. The description includes entertainment options both in ports and on the ship. In each destination of the ship's itinerary, you can go on independent tours or you can join tours organized by the ship. The cruise departs from the Baoshan port in Shanghai, China. From there, the ship sails to ports in Okinawa Japan, Hong Kong, and two ports in Vietnam. The cruise ends in Singapore, at a port close to the Marina area and the city center. You can, of course, combine a trip of several days in Shanghai or in Singapore before or after the cruise.
Cruise destinations - itinerary
Departure from the Baoshan port in Shanghai and arrival at ports in Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. A total of 5 sea days and 5 diverse and successful ports.
Cruise itinerary map
The trip from the city to the port in Shanghai takes less than an hour. It is worth booking a private transfer or taking a taxi. A company for shuttles and organized tours in Shanghai is Shanghai Lander .
Upon arriving at the passenger terminal, you hand over your luggage to the ship's staff, who
ensure it is delivered to your room by evening. Note that sometimes you receive
the luggage after dinner, so it is recommended to keep with you a carry-on
bag containing a change of clothes, swimwear, toiletries, and more. Rooms
are usually available in the afternoon.
After boarding the ship, it is recommended to take a
tour of its various parts, get to know the decks and attractions, and get an impression
of the different options. Starting at 11:30, you can eat lunch
at the rich buffet, Windjammer, which is located on deck 11. Additionally, before
sailing, there is a mandatory muster drill in which all passengers must take part.
Sea days on the cruise
On sea days, you can relax and do whatever you wish
on the giant ship. Every evening, sheets are placed on the passengers' beds containing
the variety of activities and their times for the next day, so it is worth reading them
carefully to make the best use of your time. For example, pool activities,
sports competitions, fitness classes in the well-equipped gym, movie screenings,
trivia quizzes on various topics, and more.
Dinner on this day
is a festive meal with formal wear, a tie and jacket (don't be alarmed,
formal wear is not mandatory, but it is worth arriving at least with a tie
and a long-sleeved shirt for men). In addition, in the evening, there is a festive cocktail party with
the captain, where you can also take photos with him on the red carpet, in the main atrium of
the ship.
♦ Port day - Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa Island is located
about 640 kilometers south of the main Japanese islands and covers about 1,200 square kilometers.
The island has a fascinating history: most of the ground battles
in the Battle of Okinawa took place on Okinawa Island during World War II, by
US Army soldiers who fought with the goal of conquering the island and establishing an
operational base there, in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan. The battle, which lasted over 80 days,
claimed the lives of over 100,000 Japanese soldiers and another 12,000
American soldiers. In addition, many civilians were also killed: about a quarter
of the island's population!
The Americans eventually conquered the island and ruled it until
1972. Since then, American forces have remained on the island, but the government returned to the hands of
the Japanese government, and a cooperation agreement was signed between the countries.
In the jubilee year
of the end of WWII, the Japanese erected a joint monument in memory of the
Japanese and American soldiers who fell in the battle for the island.
In recent years,
Okinawa has become a focus for tens of thousands of tourists,
most of them from Japan. To this day, you can find on the island sites that illustrate the
local culture and the lifestyle of the residents. In this port, it is recommended to join
the guided tours offered by the ship, and especially to get to: Shurijo
Castle Park – an impressive fortress that belonged to the ruler of the Kingdom of
Ryukyu. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, the castle, which
served as a base for the Japanese army, was destroyed. The castle was restored in 1992, based on
photographs, documentation, and local eyewitnesses.
It is also nice to visit the traditional gardens, Shikinaen royal garden, located on a small hill, south of Shuri Castle. The gardens were built in the 18th century and feature a small lake, 2 islands, and charming vegetation. Pleasant for a short visit.
For those looking to get to know the
contemporary lifestyle of Okinawa, it is worth also going to the capital of
the prefecture, Naha. In the city center, you will find plenty of shopping options,
restaurants, and entertainment. Along the main streets, you will find a wide variety of
souvenir shops, boutiques, and more.
♦ Port day - Hong Kong
Hong Kong enjoys the status of a "Special Administrative Region" under China. Although it is subject to Chinese rule, it enjoys a great degree of autonomy and is endowed with its own legal system, currency, customs, and immigration. The nature of the city is also very different from the Chinese one – Hong Kong is more Western, energetic, vibrant, and friendly (but yes, also more expensive...). Its residents speak fluent English.
You can book a day trip here from the Viator website to interesting attractions on the island of Hong Kong and Kowloon, where they will also pick you up and return you to the cruise port:
Hong Kong provides many beautiful views - during the day
or in the evening, you will not get enough of the modernity and diverse sites in the city.
You will find a breathtaking view at the highest peak in the city, Victoria
Peak. After a very steep ascent in an antique funicular, you will reach
a tower located at the peak that offers a wonderful perspective on the city and
Kowloon. At the peak, there is a short circular path that allows for many viewpoints
of the area. A 360-degree view awaits you at Sky Terrace
428, the highest observation deck in Hong Kong, located 428
meters above sea level.
In the evening, when the skyscrapers are lit up, it is pleasant to walk along the promenade of Victoria Harbour, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
The promenade begins at the historic clock tower of the
city, located near the main Star Ferry pier
and continues along a long and vibrant promenade that also includes the
beautiful Avenue of Stars where, similar to Hollywood, stars
mark the names of the famous local actors and their statues. This is a vibrant promenade full of
street performers and various events.
About these sites, and many others
in the city, you can read more extensively in the article:
"Hong Kong – The Manhattan of
the East".
♦ Port day - Hue/Danang- Chan May, Vietnam
The ship stops
at two ports in Vietnam, and this is the first and northernmost of them, located
in the center of the country. The port is an hour and a half drive from a variety of
attractions in the area, so it is important to coordinate a ride or a guided tour
in advance. One of the main attractions in the vicinity is the temple and antiquities site
Mỹ Sơn. This is actually a complex of Hindu temples, located about 70 km
southwest of the city of Danang. In the valley, there are many temples built on a valley
that is about 2 kilometers wide and surrounded by two mountain ranges. The combination of
the green mountains and the red temples creates an unforgettable picture.
In the past, the temples served as a site for religious rituals and burial sites for royals
and national heroes.
In the 60s, during the Vietnam War,
great damage was caused to the place, and to this day there are still mines, giant
craters caused by bombs, and other remains from the battles.
In 1999,
UNESCO declared My Son a National Cultural Heritage site.
After
the visit to the temples, it is recommended to arrive for a visit to the city of Danang. This is the
third largest city in Vietnam, in terms of population size, and one of the main
port cities in the area. It is especially successful to reach the "Marble Factory Street"
where a large variety of art shops, most of which sell statues made
of marble. You can see the statues during their work in the workshops attached
to the shops.
The Marble Mountains surround the city from the south. It is recommended to take the elevator to the top of one of the mountains and from there walk along a variety of hiking trails among pagodas, temples, and caves and of course take panoramic views of the city and be impressed by its beauty and long, sandy beaches.
On this port day – which is short and involves long drives – it is worth joining
a guided tour, preferably not through the ship because in the ship's tours
intended for large groups of people, a lot of time is wasted on organization
and you see much less.
♦ Recommended tours in the city of Da Nang and its surroundings (for booking via Viator):
Also suitable for cruise ship passengers with pickup from the port.
Port day – Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This is the second port in Vietnam, which the ship reaches. Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam and in the past also served as the capital city. Saigon is the economic center of Vietnam and houses most of the commercial, shopping, and entertainment centers. On a day trip in the city, it is worth getting to the main attractions like the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the giant city market and more.
To
enjoy the best of Saigon on this port day, it is highly recommended to join a
guided tour. The experienced guides will be happy to make your stay in the city successful.
About these sites, and many others in the city, you can
read more extensively in the article:
"A trip to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam".
♦ Recommended tours in the city of Saigon (for booking via Viator):
Port day and disembarkation – Singapore
Singapore,
in three words: love at first sight. Not less.
The ship anchors
at the new and modern Singapore port, located
near the Marina Bay area, a modern and touristy area full of hotels, luxury shopping
centers, a casino, and entertainment.
Recommended hotels in Singapore are:
Marina Bay Sands
or:
Pan
Pacific Singapore
Cheaper:
The Residence at
Singapore Recreation Club
The most convenient and cheapest way is to travel
by taxi from the port to the hotel, in the Marina Bay area. It is a short trip of about ten
minutes. There is no need to book a transfer in advance. There are plenty of taxis. In Singapore
it is also recommended to use
the UBER service which is common there and significantly cheaper than standard taxis.
In Singapore, there are a variety of successful and diverse attractions. Therefore,
it is recommended to dedicate at least 4-5 days to it after the cruise, to see the
best of it.
About the variety of attractions and recommended entertainment places
in Singapore, you can read more extensively in the article:
"Family Vacation
in Singapore".
Singapore is divided into several districts, including the Chinese, Indian, and Malay districts. The residents, coming from different backgrounds and origins, live side by side in harmony and tolerance. Each district has its own culture, cuisine, holidays, and unique characteristics. The influences are evident at every step in Singapore and are interwoven throughout the history of this fascinating country. To be impressed by the special character of the neighborhoods, it is worth joining guided tours in the city about which you can read more extensively in the article: Recommended tours in the ethnic districts in Singapore.
In conclusion, a brief disclosure. Before my trip to the East,
I was very afraid that I would not connect with the style, culture, pace, food, landscapes.
Arriving in the East on a cruise was a great opportunity, on one hand, to get to know what
the East holds, the culture and the cuisine, but on the other hand, to return every
evening to the well-equipped ship, to the Western food and the pampering that only a cruise can
provide... Therefore, I highly recommend to anyone who wants to reach the East but
is afraid they won't connect with the different culture: a cruise is the ideal way
and in the end, believe me, you will be left wanting more.
Information about the cruise company Royal Caribbean
This is the second largest company in the industry. The company's ships are known
for the many facilities in them, such as: basketball courts, mini golf, rock climbing
walls, and even an ice skating rink. Cruising on the company's ships is suitable
especially for the active passenger who can run between the many activities
and impressive facilities without a dull moment. The company attracts passengers
aged 30-50 and many families.
The company's logo: the Viking Crown,
is famous in many ports around the world. Despite its name, the company has many itineraries
in addition to cruises in the Caribbean: it has a strong presence in Europe, Alaska
and other exotic destinations in the world.
In each of the company's ships, there is
a lounge called the "Viking Crown Lounge" located on the highest deck
of the ship and offering a panoramic view. Additionally, each of the company's ships
has a rock climbing wall, spa, and gym.
The company's ships from the classes:
"Oasis", "Freedom", and "Voyager" (including the Mariner of the Seas,
whose itinerary is described above) have a huge internal shopping center called "Royal
Promenade" where there are pubs, bars, a cafe, shops
and entertainment. In the area, colorful parades and "street shows" are held.
On these ships, in addition to the routine shows in standard halls,
impressive ice skating shows are also held.
The company has many activities
and a selection of party games with passenger participation, both by the pool and
in the various halls.
Royal Caribbean has an extensive and diverse program of
activities for children and teenagers called: Adventure Ocean, held in
large, designed, and attraction-filled children's and youth rooms.
On ships that have a "Royal Promenade"
there is a new type of room: rooms facing
the central atrium. These are actually internal rooms, which have a window facing the shopping
center. These rooms are extremely popular and together with the suites are snatched up
first.
Pampering on the ship
The Mariner of the Seas ship
is not one of the newest or largest of the company, however, it is pampering,
fun, and you can definitely find everything you want in it. The ship was launched in
2003 and is one of the ships in the Voyager-class and contains
up to 4,252
passengers. On the ship, there are 1,557 rooms, of which 939
are rooms with a window, 618
internal rooms, and 569 larger rooms. As mentioned above, like
its sisters in the series, on this ship too, you will find rooms with balconies overlooking
the central atrium of the ship, the Royal Promenade.
The impressive dining room
of the ship is spread over 3
decks, all of which have a theme based on
music, musicals, and notes. The names of the dining rooms are also in accordance, such as, for example,
the Sound of Music dining room on the fourth deck.
In addition to the dining
rooms, the ship has an impressive and large buffet open
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner: The Windjammer. In accordance with the Asian atmosphere, the buffet has a
whole section dedicated to Asian food – Jade, where Chinese,
Indian, and Japanese dishes are served.
All these dining options are included in the price
of the cruise and are not subject to extra payment.
In addition to them, the ship has two
specialty restaurants. One is Chops Grille, a steakhouse and meat restaurant
and grill. The second restaurant is Giovanni's Table, an Italian restaurant where
fresh focaccias, pastas, salads, and more dishes from the creator of
Italy are served.
Alongside Italy and China, the USA is also not neglected on the ship...
An authentic American diner can be found at Johnny Rocket's, where
hamburgers, milkshakes, and more are served.
Above all, on the ship, you will find 15
bars and clubs where you can spend time,
drink, listen to music, dance
and enjoy until the small hours of the night.
After all the calories and the
tasty dishes, it's time for some sports
and activities! The ship has activities
around the clock and everyone can find where to spend time. From bingo games
and trivia organized by the ship's entertainment staff
to fun competitions by
the pool, like Mr. Sexy Legs.
Families can also spend time in the
sports complex on the ship which includes mini golf, ping
pong, basketball court, climbing
wall, rollerblading arena, ice skating, and of course 2 large
pools, and an additional pool for children.
For children and teenagers, there are dedicated programs that include complexes for each age group. For example, 3-5 year olds will be able to spend time at the Aquanauts club and in activities like a treasure hunt, pajama party, and theater classes. On the ship, there are clubs for all ages, from six months to 17 years old, so that every child or teenager will find the activities suitable for their age.
