On Day 3 of our 4-night Penang and Phuket cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, we arrived in Phuket. The ship anchored offshore from 8am to 8pm. Unlike Penang—where we docked right at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal and strolled straight onto land—this cruise to Phuket required tender boats to ferry passengers to shore. A small detail, but worth knowing before you go.
Captured this view of Patong, Phuket from our ship while anchored offshore.
The Tender Boat Experience
Fun fact: the clock went backward one hour when we arrived in Phuket. Extra hour of sleep? Yes please.
Tip: Sit near the front of the tender boat if you prefer stronger air-conditioning—it’s much cooler.
We grabbed breakfast at Windjammer first, then headed to the gangway exit. A tender boat was already waiting. Boarding felt safe, smooth and hassle-free. The ride to Patong Jetty took roughly 12–13 minutes. Completely stable too. I get seasick quite easily, but felt absolutely fine. Sit towards the front if you want air-conditioned comfort—the aircon units are located there.
First Steps on Patong Beach
The moment you step off the floating platform jetty and walk towards Patong Beach, expect locals approaching you. Taxi services, water sports, day tours, beach chairs—you name it. A beach chair costs about 200 baht, by the way. We skipped all of that. Just like in Penang, we went free and easy with a loose plan already in mind.
Near the jetty, Patong Beach feels relatively quiet and laid-back—but head further up and it quickly turns lively and packed with tourists.
And there’s our ship, Ovation of the Seas!
When you get to this part of the beach, expect to be approached about renting beach chairs—this is standard practice here.
Iced Strawberry Crunch Pure Matcha Latte with Jelly on the left, and Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea with Pomegranate Pearls on the right.
It was a scorching day. We spotted a Starbucks nearby and ducked in. The Strawberry Matcha Latte with Jelly was gorgeous. The aircon was even better.
Massage Time: Ridiculously Affordable
Well rested and hydrated, we walked to Limone Massage & Spa for a proper Thai massage session.
- 1-hour foot massage: 250 baht (≈ S$10)
- 1-hour neck and shoulder massage: 250 baht (≈ S$10)
That’s 500 baht total for two hours of solid massage work. Not a fancy place, but clean and comfortable. For the price, absolutely no complaints. If a cheap and good massage is what you’re after on your cruise to Phuket, this one delivers.
The iconic colourful sign at Patong Beach.
Bangla Road and Jungceylon Mall
After the massage, we walked about 300 metres down Thaweewong Road to snap a photo of the iconic Patong Beach sign. Then we strolled towards Bangla Road—the main nightlife strip in the area. During the day, it’s still buzzing. Tourists everywhere, souvenir shops, weed shops, cafes, bars and restaurants line both sides.
From there, we made our way to Jungceylon Shopping Centre, the largest mall in Phuket. Department stores, international brands, fast food chains and local Thai labels like Jelly Bunny, NaRaYa, Gentlewoman and VPADA. Decent selection, though prices aren’t jaw-droppingly cheap.
The Big C Extra Haul
The real highlight? Big C Extra. This is where we spent the most time—and money. We dropped 3,950 baht on snacks, food gifts and hair treatment products. I’ll share a detailed breakdown of everything we bought in a separate post.
Was Half a Day Enough?
Honestly, yes. Our cruise to Phuket gave us roughly 10 usable hours on land. We kept things simple—Starbucks, massage, mall, Big C. No tours, no rush. If you’re someone who prefers a relaxed, free-and-easy shore day over a packed itinerary, this approach works perfectly.
Wrapping up our day in Phuket and heading back to the jetty to board the tender boat to the ship.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Sometimes the best travel days are the unplanned ones.