Thailand Port of Call: Phuket Shore Excursion
29 January, 2010For our port of call at Phuket, Thailand, the ship had tendered out at sea instead of docking at a pier like in Port Klang. To get to the mainland, you will need to secure a tender ticket for a boat to the Phuket beach. There are several timings available and each boat interval takes about 5-10 minutes. If you had booked a shore excursion like what we did, then they will arrange for you to meet your guide at a designated area and all the boat arrangements would already have been made.
The transfer to the mainland was a rather quick ride – about 5-8 minutes. Along the way, you will be able to see the local sampans as well as private yachts all along Phuket beach. Keep your tour sticker on or else once you arrive at the pier, you will be mobbed by touts selling their Phuket tour packages.
We had to walk a short distance to our tour bus for our shore excursion. There are many interesting sights along the beach as well e.g. mobile massage and manicure/pedicure tents. Do note that those colorful beach chairs are not free though – staff will come around to collect their rental fees.
This is Part I of III of our shore excursion at Phuket. Stay tune for more…
Comments (35)
Worldwide Travel Ideas
1 February, 2010 at 1:03 pmSounds like a great trip!
Some of the beaches there have problems with jellyfish, so check before you go wandering on a beach!
Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Sea Trip Summary
6 February, 2010 at 11:17 pm[…] Shore Excursion at Thailand’s Phuket […]
Phuket Phang Nga Bay Kao Ping Gun (James Bond) Island
14 February, 2010 at 10:31 pm[…] our travels. Check out About page to find out what this blog is all about.Continuing from our Phuket shore excursion, our next stop in the tour was a visit to Phang Nga Bay National Park. According to the shore […]
Sweetciji
11 July, 2010 at 9:22 pmI note you book the cruise excursion at phuket…was it worth it? Do you believe it’s safe to do it on your own like take a taxi and go around? Can I expect to get a taxi easily?
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
11 July, 2010 at 9:54 pmNot worth it at all – if u r first-timer to phuket, suggest just walk around Phuket town for some cheap food and shopping and water activities instead – a lot of time was spent travelling during this tour.
Sweetciji
12 July, 2010 at 11:15 pmWhat did you visit in phuket? Is phuket town within walking distance from the port or do we need to pick a cab? Is it safe to walk?
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
12 July, 2010 at 11:17 pmWe didnt have time to visit Phuket town – its within walking distance n shld be quite safe.
Gennaro
19 October, 2010 at 11:28 amThailand is one of my favorite countries to visit. Lots of beautiful beaches especially near Phuket. I didn’t spend much time in that city, but it looks like you had a nice day trip.
Khon Kaen
16 November, 2010 at 9:24 pmSpent my honeymoon in Phuket and now live in Khon Kaen. Love Thailand
Elizabeth G. Santos
25 January, 2011 at 2:04 pmThanks for the write-up on Phuket. I am taking a Royal Caribbean Cruise, where we’ll have a chance to visit Phuket. May I ask where in Phuket the ship will dock? Thanks.
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
25 January, 2011 at 3:37 pmThe ship does not dock at Phuket – it is tendered (meaning it is anchored in mid-sea off the Phuket coast) and there are boats that ship passengers to the coast.
Elizabeth G. Santos
26 January, 2011 at 9:31 amThanks so much. Will that be in Patong Beach, then?
Truly appreciate your blog, this is so very informative. Very much excited to be in the cruise with your worthwhile experiences, vividly told in words and photos. Keep on keeping up!
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
26 January, 2011 at 9:57 amHi Elizabeth – yes the ship will be tendered off Patong Beach. Thanks for reading this blog 🙂
Surin Beach Phuket
6 May, 2011 at 11:57 amThank you nice article. I am someone who really love phuket. Last month I’ve been to Surin Beach and like this place very much because this beach is quiet, white beaches and crystal clear waters. Surin Bay Inn is the great accommodation, i stay here. It’s just like a happy family, everyone there is so nice and hospital.
I am sure, i will come back. SEE YOU PHUKET
suritel
23 May, 2011 at 5:07 pmThank you nice article. I am someone who really love phuket. Last month I’ve been to Surin Beach and like this place very much because this beach is quiet, white beaches and crystal clear waters. Surin Bay Inn is the great accommodation, i stay here. It’s just like a happy family, everyone there is so nice and hospital.
I am sure, i will come back. SEE YOU PHUKET
Phuket Villa Rental
1 June, 2011 at 5:33 pmNice Article!, I have gone to Phuket on last year and stayed at Villa Sanyanga, this is a luxury villa for rent in Surin Beach Phuket. There are six bedroom, which can sleep up to 14 guests.
I thinks this is a wonderful villa for me and it will be the best choice for you, your family and friends.
I really love phuket. Let’ go to phuket. Have a nice weekend. 🙂
Phuket Yacht
9 August, 2011 at 5:13 pmThank you for nice post. Phuket island has so many fantastic beaches which will make a lot of attention from the tourists who visit the island.
Thai Bliss
1 September, 2011 at 6:46 pmI never go Phuket before but I really like the fresh air, with sand, beautiful sky and sea. I hope I will come once. And you article is very nice
cheggs
20 October, 2011 at 4:39 pmWell designed submit, properly looked into in addition to ideal for personally afterwards.
Jetstar Tips for Money Smart Holiday | Singapore Travel Blog
29 October, 2011 at 11:29 am[…] Wander around Old Phuket Town to see a unique blend of colonial and Chinese […]
Belle
12 December, 2012 at 11:59 amHi, had booked the cruise in Mar 2013 for my family 2A + 2C. I am looking at their shore excursion and called up the centre to check but I can’t get my reply. Hope you can help. When the ferry send us to shore, is it Patong Beach or others? According to one of the shore excursion to Patong beach need around 1 hour travel. I am thinking to bring my kids to the beach for water sport, is there enough play on that beach which the cruise stop? Thank alot.
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
12 December, 2012 at 2:23 pmthe beach where our cruise dropped us off is Patong beach (but that was 4 years ago) so it might have changed.
Belle
12 December, 2012 at 5:08 pmThanks for your reply. I will do somemore research and looking forward to this trip.
Jason
31 December, 2012 at 12:32 amHow do one secure a tender ticket for a boat to the Phuket beach ? Is it free by Royal Caribbean?
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
31 December, 2012 at 10:54 amyes its free – they will make announcement on which cabin to go down to take the boat at what time. No ticket needed – just bring your Royal Caribbean card (provided when you take the cruise)
Jason
31 December, 2012 at 5:03 pmThank you very much for your reply. My family and I will be taking the 4N cruise from 3rd Jan 2013. Your blog will be a very good source of information for us.
Wishing you a Happy New Year ahead. 🙂
Belle
16 January, 2013 at 1:58 pmHi Jason, can you share some info on your cruise trip which stop at Phuket beach. My list show Patong beach, is it at the main tourist area with all shop and sea sport which don’t need travel to other location? Thank alot.
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
16 January, 2013 at 9:01 pmHi Belle – if your cruise tethers off Patong Beach then you are in luck because that’s the main tourist area. But that also means lots of expensive tourist traps – so shop around for the best bargain.
barry smith
15 March, 2013 at 2:48 amWe arrive at Phuket on 7 April, 2013 on board the legend of the seas and are keen to visit Phuket Orchid Farm. There is not too much information, especially on the best way to get there and back. Any assistance in this regard will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
16 March, 2013 at 2:58 pmU will have to check with the Cruise if they offer some cruise excursions. If not, you can consider arranging with a local Phuket tour guide to meet you when your cruise arrives at Phuket.
barry smith
16 March, 2013 at 3:38 pmMany thanks, greatly appreciated, kind regards.
Emma Wray
6 July, 2015 at 7:33 pmLast month my husband and I visited Phuket island of Thailand. One of the places we really enjoyed was a Thai Cultural Theme Park – Phuket FantaSea. Every service area there was beautiful and neat. We enjoyed watching their beautiful, costumed parade culminating at an outdoor stage with a Bangok theme show. The place is really somewhat like Disneyland of Thailand! The highlight their main show held at a beautiful Palace of the Elephants Theater. I must say it was pretty amazing, I left overwhelmed by their beautiful culture. International buffet dinner was good, particularly the noodle soup. We remember it as one of our nicest outings in Phuket and do recommend it for a quality evening-into-the-night entertainment. Don’t miss it!
Sumit Bansal
23 October, 2015 at 4:05 amHi,I would like to know if the sea excursion by local tours r cheap or not,I will be on royal Caribbean n they r charging around 130 USD per person for phang nga bay,we r family of 12 including kids
Zhiqiang & Tingyi
23 October, 2015 at 8:27 pmexcursion offered by local tour operators are definitely cheaper than what the cruise ship charges. I dont have any recommendations – check tripadvisor forums for tour operators with good reviews.
Barry
26 December, 2016 at 6:27 pmIf you wish to Book shore excursions From Early April till End October every year the Cruise Ships Dock at Ao Makham Deep Sea Port. From End October til Early April to Cruise Ships Stop at Patong Beach bay and use Tender Boats to the temporary pier.