Shipsomnia 2016 - At Sea [Part 2]

Second day mostly will be at sea with the ship cruising along the Malacca Strait. What will be great than to spend the time suntanning or heading to the activities that are planned throughout the day.

Sailing with a cruise speed of 17.0 knots, traveling along the SW coast of Malaysia Strait, and by the late afternoon the west coast of Malaysia in order to arrive at 08:00 by Phuket Anchor Position. The ship has onboard communication services by yours truly - MCP NO (Maritime Communications Partner) which offers full support of GSM and CDMA standards platform.  Enabling users to make and receive voice calls, SMS, MMS, send and receive data, or access internet. There's onboard WIFI service throughout the service with a service fee cost ranging from 1hr, 3hr and full day usage.

Image by MCP - Maritime Communications Partner

Sunny and breezy makes it the ideal and perfect weather to be out in the sun.

The Aquarium - Concorde Plaza Deck 7

I spent the day going to the gym, running around the ship's jogging track and ended the day chilling inside this place (picture above). It's cool that they take the extensive décor to fit the theme of every location.

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Shipsomnia 2016 - The Search For Lost Rhythms [ Part 1 ]

Ahoy Matey!

I was invited to an exclusive event on board a cruise ship, Costa Victoria, that sails along the Malacca and Andaman Sea on a 5 days / 4 nights trip that made a stop in Phuket (Banana Beach) and Langkawi stopever (Resort World Langkawi). The main purpose of the event? There's a lot to say but firstly....

Would like to thank the event sponsor for inviting me on this maiden voyage. This is my first ever invitation as a travel blogger and onboard a cruise ship. Couldn't be more grateful and I'am thankful for it.

The event has a special slogan to it - The Search For Lost Rhythms. Without a doubt the first thing will be thinking about will be

Music, music and more music! Live performances with DJs spinning to the tune

That what I was excited too when reading their website on this voyage and could't be more happier than waiting till the day to arrive. 

Day started out when I head out to Harbour Front Cruise Terminal which is conveniently located near the MRT station and Vivocity. I had to come earlier as I don't even know how and what I was going to be expected with the boarding processes as this is my first time to encounter checking in a different kind of terminal. 

So checking in was very easy with number tagging collected after deposit my heavy luggage and a simple health questionnaire given out too. There was a lot of time left for me to roam around the vicinity of Harbour Front shopping area and Vivocity.  

COSTA VICTORIA (ITALY AT SEA) ~ Victoria-class cruise ship owned and operated by Costa Crociere. She debuted in 1996 and was refurbished in 2004. She was designed to reflect the spirit of Italy.

As the tide was low when check in was open, I waited around for 45mins - 1hr before even given clearance by the crew to being the process again. Even though it cause confusion, but even when this happened, it didn't stop the fellow shipsomniacs to be crazily hype with warm conversations among fellow crowds.

The complimentary room given during my stay is a double occupancy room with an outside ocean view cabin.

There's a TV, kettle, cups and the usual items which normally a person would stay in a hotel. Air-con has very good air flow. Thumbs up for that!

Each person were given a pamphlet of the activities of each day and where you should be at. I came inside the room around 7 pm plus and I couldn't resist walking around the ship. But first thing first, food! It's a must to visit the self-service buffet on Deck 11 as they cater to a wide variety of food that range from international cuisine to Italian home foods. We went for a quick bite as every passengers were required to attend a drill at 10 pm for those who embarked from Singapore. But fret not as there was a lot of time to eat. 

As the ship set sails from Harbour Front, the view from a cruise ship is really an awesome experience!

Activity for day 1

Within minutes the ship started to come alive

First day was all about familiarisation and I was quickly getting to where the facilities inside the ship. But what can not be forgotten about.... the code! Aye, keep to the code!

1. Befriend Others - thou shall not dance alone.
2. Respect Ye Ship - if you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it here.
3. Protect Yourself - use sunscreen and stay hydrated.
4. Walk the Plank! - [this was seriously reminded lots of time even before the festivities started] No drugs. no outside booze, no weapons, no stealing and no fighting. There's no parlay when it comes to these actions.
5. No smoking inside - please use ashtrays and not the ocean!
6. Have a Blast - let's party responsibly and have tons of fun!



p/s : sponsored by MadFreshEvents 

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Getting to Kuala Lumpur by train from Singapore

Taking a train to Kuala Lumpur is an ideal way to relax and enjoy the scenic countryside view. But there's a catch when taking a train from Singapore. Now the Malayan train operator, Keretapi Tanah Melayu ( KTM ) has made the journey starting point in Johor Bahru. There's various method to reach Johor Bahru Sentral but you still can get a train from Singapore as long you take the shuttle train from various timings.

For example, I have taken the morning train, shuttle train no.64 from 6:30AM (06:00) and reach JB Sentral at 6:35AM (06:35). From there I took another train, Express Rakyat train no.2 to Kuala Lumpur from 8:40AM (08:40) and arrive there at 4:00PM (16:00). Do take note that timings are based on 24HR.

I heavily recommend that you buy the ticket online with minimal fee charge as the most convenient and flexible way. You may search different train route and timings of your preference. Prices are based on SGD for Singapore - Johor Bahru, MYR for all other routes in Malaysia and cross border journey in Thailand.

https://intranet.ktmb.com.my/e-ticket/login.aspx - Your gateway to purchasing ticket online

You may search different train route and timings of your preference. But register first to proceed on purchasing the ticket for the payment and choosing the seat. Payment agent will be from Maybank Malaysia.

Prices are as follow:
Singapore Woodlands CIQ       -    Johor Bahru Sentral        ~  SGD 5   ( Free seating )
Johor Bahru Sentral                  -    Kuala Lumpur Sentral    ~ MYR 33 ( Air-con second class )

It will exactly look like this when have successfully purchase your ticket.

The inside of Shuttle Train no.64 for the Singapore Woodlands CIQ - Johor Bahru Sentral. *Do take note that video and photo taking is strictly prohibited at Singapore Woodlands CIQ as it is a restricted area.*

Arrival at Johor Bahru Sentral. With facilities of escalator and elevator at your convenience.

Breakfast at Johor Bahru Sentral is very convenient as there are variety of shop such as KFC, Starbucks, Rotiboy .etc.

Boarding the Express Rakyat No.2 from Johor Bahru Sentral - Kuala Lumpur Sentral

As this train there's a label and seat number, you're required to board the specific number in your train ticket.

Second class seating coach by PT . Industri Keret Api Indonesia ( INKA ). More info on this new coach at http://railtravelstation.com/2015/07/12/ktm-intercity-inka-asc/

 Too comfortable to resist till can make you fall asleep. Tray table are adequate and each side have a power socket.

KTM Class 26 Blue Tiger

While along the route, best part of a trip is without a doubt the buffet car.

Prices are kept affordable but it can quickly ran out of supply soon with the popularity of choices.

Arrival at Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

The ride is really smooth but at first part of the section from Johor Bahru Sentral to Gemas Railway Station, trains will have to comply the restricted speed limit of some sections and will be kinda rocky as it is still a single track along the route. From Gemas Railway Station onwards you can expect the train to be reaching higher tier speed at 110km/h thanks to the newly build double tracking.

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