Tahitian Princess World Cruise 2009: Angkor Wat

I was on the fence regarding organizing an Angkor Wat overland after the trouble I had with Egypt. But a fellow cruise critic member really helped out. She was very experienced and got a bunch of great quotes. Once I did some research on them I was hooked. I had to do the overland. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Originally we were going to book as a group. However the payment method was illegal for residents of Colorado. Go figure! What are the odds? So we looked into alternatives and really lucked out that the Beijing tour operator had exactly what we wanted to do and took Paypal. We used the same travel agent, Zenobia and tour operator, J Yang Tours, as mentioned in the Great Wall Overland post.

Itinerary to Cambodia
Hotel: Angkor Palace Resort and Spa
Cost per person: $914 twin share

Arriving into Ho Chi Minh City Tuesday 17 March 2009
March 17th Tue Arrive Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap
Proposed Flight - VN807 1225/1345
Transfer from the PORT to the airport for flight to Siem Reap.
Transfer from Siem Reap Airport to Angkor Palace Resort for check in.
Lunch at hotel.
Visit to Kravan, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Neak Pean and Preah Khan temples.
Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Palace Resort. (Lunch/Dinner)

March 18th Wed Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit to South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, Royal Enclosure and Ta Prohm temples.
Lunch at Blue Pumkin Restaurant.
Visit to Angkor Wat temple.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Elephant ride up to Phnom Ba Kheng Hill and view sunset.
Cost – To Be Advised
Dinner and enjoy Khmer Traditional Dance Show at local restaurant.
Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Palace Resort. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

March 19th Thu Siem Reap - Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville
Proposed Flight – PG991 0810/0900
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you will be meet and transferred to Phnom Penh city for a visit to the National Museum, Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda.
Transfer to Sihanoukville Port (no guide). Transfer to Sihanoukville will take 4 hours. (Breakfast/Lunch)

INCLUSIONS:
FLIGHTS: International flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap,
including taxes.
Internal flight in Cambodia from Siem Reap to Phnom
Penh, including taxes.
ACCOMMODATION: 2 night’s accommodation at Angkor Palace Resort with
breakfast daily
TRANSFERS: Transfer Port-Airport in Ho Chi Minh City,
Airport- Sihanoukville Port, and all other transfers as per
itinerary
GUIDE: A private car with an English speaking guide in each city
TOURS: Entrance fees as stated in the itinerary
MEALS: Lunch and dinner as stated in the itinerary
EXCLUSIONS:
• Visa Fee
• Gratuities to guides & driver
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses

This last day is in question. I don't know if we can get the 8 a.m. flight that is proposed. If not we will not see Phnom Penh. My guess is that the Princess tour has this flight booked up. We are booked on a later flight which would get us there about noon but we would have to drive right to the ship.

So in this case the ship's tour, while it doesn't see as much in Angkor Wat, does have sights in an additional city. However, I'm not sure why the ship's tour leaves so late as it does not start until 3:30 p.m. on the first day. By that time we will have covered alot of ground in Cambodia.
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Princess Tour:

Fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia on a 3-day, 2-night adventure. Explore the ruined palaces and temples at Angkor Wat. Visit Phnom Penh, once hailed as the ?Pearl of Asia.? Tour the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
$1700 per person, shared room

DAY ONE ? SAIGON / SIEMREAP
Drive to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your approximately one-hour international flight to Siemreap. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight lodging.

DAY TWO ? SIEMREAP / ANGKOR WAT
After breakfast, board your motorcoach and set out on a full day of sightseeing.

WHAT YOU VISIT
Angkor Thom ? Your tour begins at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, a 10-square-mile city built by Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. At the heart of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon Temple with its 54 carved towers. View The Terrace of the Leper King, The Terrace of the 12 Elephants, the Baphoun and the Royal Palace.

Angkor Wat ? This temple complex, the finest surviving example of Khmer art and architecture, went undiscovered until the late 19th century. A vast moat defends the wat and its massive, fortified walls are carved with scenes depicting Khmer history.

Ta Phrom ? Rainforest and massive fig trees shroud this superb temple near Angkor Wat. The atmospheric 12th century temple was a Buddhist monastery.

Citadel of Women ? The name of this 10th century red sandstone temple is modern in origin and alludes to its delicate carvings. In fact the temple was dedicated to Shiva.

Preah Khan ? Built by Jayavarman VII to celebrate his 12th century defeat of the Cham invasion, this massive temple, like nearby Ta Phrom, is still shrouded with trees and vegetation.

SHOPPING
Browse for souvenirs and crafts during a visit to the Central Market in Siem Reap.

LUNCH
Sample Cambodian cuisine during lunch at a local restaurant.

DINNER & ACCOMMODATION
Dinner and overnight lodging is again your hotel in Siemreap. A dinner buffet of Cambodian dishes is accompanied by a performance by Apsara dancers.

DAY THREE ? SIEMREAP / PHNOM PENH / SIHANOUKVILLE
After breakfast and checkout, transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. After sightseeing and lunch, board an air-conditioned motorcoach for the drive to Sihanoukville where you rejoin the ship.

WHAT YOU SEE
Royal Palace ? Completed in 1866, the palace is home to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni. Your tour visits the palace's Throne Hall.

Silver Pagoda ? This temple in the royal palace complex houses two national treasures. The Emerald Buddha is a small 17th century Buddha made of Baccarat crystal. The Maitreya Buddha is a life-size figure encrusted with diamonds.

National Museum ? The museum is home to the world's largest collection of Kmer art.

LUNCH
A buffet lunch is served at a hotel in Phnom Penh.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Following lunch, board your air-conditioned motorcoach for the approximately 3 1/2-hour drive to Sihanoukville, where you rejoin the ship.

SPECIAL NOTES
This tour must be reserved at least 30 days prior to the cruise and is non-refundable after booking. Any booking cancelled within 30 days of the voyage (i.e. bookings cancelled on the Cruise Personalizer) will be accessed cancellation fees on your shipboard account.

An individual visa is required for travel to Cambodia and Vietnam. These visas are purchased upon arrival in each country; two passport photos will be required.

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is subject to closure without notice. If the palace is closed, a visit to the National Museum will be substituted.

Your fare includes the following:

* Sightseeing as described subject to timing
* Transportation via motorcoach and plane
* English speaking guide
* Accommodations in Angkor Wat
* Meals as stated
* Entrance fees

Your fare does not include the following:
* Refreshments
* Telephone calls
* Laundry
* Gratuities
* Room Service