Last few years I used to see cruise ships headed for patong every morning,sometimes two or three a day. Where have they gone? I've only seen two in the last month. Are they all going to Panwa port now or have they just stopped coming due to the crap they endure once they arrive on shore?

I liked watching the different ships arrive at dawn.

I rang a friend in Sihanoukville in Cambodia a few weeks ago.

At the time of the call, he told me there were two US Navy ships in port there, with many personel allowed shore leave.

In the past, these US Navy boats may have come to Phuket, but chose not to on this occasion.

Unfortunately, you would probably have to conclude it's "due to the crap they endure once they are on shore" because Phuket has a lot more to offer than Sihanoukville.

Yesterday morning (24th) there was 3 docked off Patong..

Standard that in low season they're mooring in Panwa.

There's a cruise schedule for Phuket here:

(It doesn't seem to cover US navel ships in Cambodia unfortunately.)

http://www.cleancruising.com.au/port.asp?port=THHKT

I note the QE2 will be back on 10 Jan 15.

It seems most park on the eastern side of the Island these days.

I must go on another cruise, I see at least one ship has bumper cars now!

I've noticed quite a few cruise ships this last week passing by Kata beach. Going to Patong early morning (06.00) and returning earrly evening (18.30). I saw 2 cruise ships anchored in Patong bay last week.

There's a cruise schedule for Phuket here:

(It doesn't seem to cover US navel ships in Cambodia unfortunately.)

http://www.cleancruising.com.au/port.asp?port=THHKT

I note the QE2 will be back on 10 Jan 15.

It seems most park on the eastern side of the Island these days.

I must go on another cruise, I see at least one ship has bumper cars now!

QN_03.jpg

"It doesn't seem to cover US navel ships in Cambodia unfortunately." - I can't remember the last time I have seen US Navy personel ejoying the nightlife here, not that I go out everynight, but just haven't seen them here for a while.

Perhaps why we haven't seen US Navy personnel and vessels is due to the big scandal that had the Singaporean based company falsifying billing into the millions of dollars and giving bribes to top brass. IIRC, Thailand was in the equation in this scandal.

All ashore for,Patomg ????

What a let down...., cheap and tacky comes to mind.....

Best to lift anchor and head for another part of the island.....

For the next couple of months, Star Cruises (Superstar Libra) is making a weekly stop in Phuket (Patong Bay). Arrival Mondays at noon, departing around midnight same day.

There's also a Costa ship that seems to visit Patong at about the same time. I don't recall the ship name or schedule though.

One look at the crowds on the beach and you'll know there's a ship moored out in the bay.

Caribbean cruises also do a three day trip from Singapore stopping in Patong.

Would be good if you could get on at Patong and do the cruise the other way around.

Caribbean cruises also do a three day trip from Singapore stopping in Patong.

Would be good if you could get on at Patong and do the cruise the other way around.

Cannot board in Patong. Best we could do with Star Cruises was board in Singapore and depart in Patong.

Saw a few boats yesterday afternoon. Many tuk tuk pukes triple parked, blocking traffic while loading/unloading their victims.

I hope they bring there own deckchairs and umbrella's.

Perhaps why we haven't seen US Navy personnel and vessels is due to the big scandal that had the Singaporean based company falsifying billing into the millions of dollars and giving bribes to top brass. IIRC, Thailand was in the equation in this scandal.

And don't forget the infamous taxi mafia / tuk tuk blockade of the port a few years ago.

There's a cruise schedule for Phuket here:

(It doesn't seem to cover US navel ships in Cambodia unfortunately.)

http://www.cleancruising.com.au/port.asp?port=THHKT

I note the QE2 will be back on 10 Jan 15.

It seems most park on the eastern side of the Island these days.

I must go on another cruise, I see at least one ship has bumper cars now!

QN_03.jpg

"It doesn't seem to cover US navel ships in Cambodia unfortunately." - I can't remember the last time I have seen US Navy personel ejoying the nightlife here, not that I go out everynight, but just haven't seen them here for a while.

If I remember correctly, in the past the US did not allow their ships to r&r in Phuket due to a 'non-elected government'. That was after the last coup. Not sure if that's the case now, but may be a reason.

Members steelpulse, DrDave and iSabai have all put forward good reasons why there hasn't been any US navy ships here for a while. It's probably a combination of all of them.

iSabai - do you know if that is US policy?

Caribbean cruises also do a three day trip from Singapore stopping in Patong.

Would be good if you could get on at Patong and do the cruise the other way around.

"Would be good if you could get on at Patong and do the cruise the other way around." - I would say that would be a very, very popular cruise with the wealthy Thai's here, because as soon as the ship reached international waters - the casino/s could open.

Members steelpulse, DrDave and iSabai have all put forward good reasons why there hasn't been any US navy ships here for a while. It's probably a combination of all of them.

iSabai - do you know if that is US policy?

I believe so, but I don't know how concrete or extensive it is. Going strictly from memory as I said. After Thaksin's removal, the US refused to send the ships here as a bit of a diplomatic slap on the wrist, and/or diplomatic nudge to encourage them to move towards free elections. Probably both.

Members steelpulse, DrDave and iSabai have all put forward good reasons why there hasn't been any US navy ships here for a while. It's probably a combination of all of them.

iSabai - do you know if that is US policy?

I believe so, but I don't know how concrete or extensive it is. Going strictly from memory as I said. After Thaksin's removal, the US refused to send the ships here as a bit of a diplomatic slap on the wrist, and/or diplomatic nudge to encourage them to move towards free elections. Probably both.

Don't worry we've got an Indian warship here today. Looks like it holds about 6 people.

When the Korean Cruise ships hit Patong , Very pretty girls some of them...

most of the passengers head straight for Juncylon or to the new Noodle shops food court upstairs at end of Bangala,

very nice up there as well cheap clean and cool great AC up there and has beer for sale as well....NICE

on another note ...

Was thinking of taking GF and kids for a short holiday cruise,

is there any cruise lines that departs from Thailand cruise around asia and return to Thailand??

5 day trip out of Phuket ???

I know i know google is my friend...i just found something like this i guess.....

NOT CHEAP either...hmmmm

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise/Cruise-Search?port=112072

Perhaps why we haven't seen US Navy personnel and vessels is due to the big scandal that had the Singaporean based company falsifying billing into the millions of dollars and giving bribes to top brass. IIRC, Thailand was in the equation in this scandal.

Big US Navy ship coming in on the 22nd of this month, due to depart again on the 29th. So all the speculation was just that, idle speculation.

Also every day big cruiseships docked in Patong.

Was about to post this on the weather thread, better here.

Patong a short while ago:

Don't forget the QM2 is due in about the 10th of next month.

(I mistakenly called it the QE2 in a previous post)

since the cruise liner plan 12 -18 month in advance, many dropped Laem Chabang and Thailand from their rosters because of the political turmoil and marital law.

since everything has calmed down, Thailand is not back on the destination list, but it'll take a little time for it to come back to the levels it was... the same time it took to drop down.

since the cruise liner plan 12 -18 month in advance, many dropped Laem Chabang and Thailand from their rosters because of the political turmoil and marital law.

since everything has calmed down, Thailand is not back on the destination list, but it'll take a little time for it to come back to the levels it was... the same time it took to drop down.

Strange, since they are lining up at Patong beach every day.

Nice boat:

Nice boat:

DSC00133.JPG

I read in another thread about the Phuket boat show. I might go and have a look, but I don't think I could aford one of these.

Nice boat:

DSC00133.JPG

Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas. 3,100 pax.

Don't forget the QM2 is due in about the 10th of next month.

(I mistakenly called it the QE2 in a previous post)

Apologies.

Apparently the QM2 is due in Phuket on the 30th of Jan.