Cruises to Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)

106 Reviews
Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) (Photo:TTstudio/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)

As Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur has become a popular cruise destination in Malaysia. This city has experienced tremendous changes in the past quarter-century. In 1990, it was not yet an economic or technological powerhouse; the city was easy to navigate, and there weren't many high-rises. But since then, strong Asian economic development has given this 150-year-old city a new look and vibe, with tall skyscrapers, luxurious hotels and expansive shopping malls. The shopping, in particular, enjoys an advantage over that found in Kuala Lumpur's Asian counterparts like Singapore and Hong Kong because prices are phenomenal -- Kuala Lumpur is a great place to find quality at massive discounts.



A bit of the credit for the city's burgeoning reputation as an Asian destination can be given to the 1999 movie "Entrapment." The sexy thriller starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery was partly filmed at the city's 1,482-foot-high Petronas Twin Towers (which briefly, on completion in 1998, held the title of "world's tallest building"). Although the towers no longer top the list, they are still among the most recognizable skyscrapers in Asia.



KL (as it's known) emerged in the 1850's as a trading town for the tin industry, which was dominated by the Chinese; later, rubber also became an important part of the local economy. The city's exotic-sounding name is a remnant from those early days -- it actually means "muddy estuary" in Malay. In the 1870's, the British (who held interests in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore) took notice of the area's resources and appointed a "resident" administrator. A great deal of the city's fanciful colonial architecture reflects this era, exhibiting Victorian and Indian Moghul influences. Malaysian territory was occupied during World War II by the Japanese and became fully independent from the British in 1957.



The modern country of Malaysia was formed in 1963, with a federation that originally also included Singapore. The kingship rotates among sultans from each of the nine different states, changing every five years.



Malaysia is an ethnically, racially and culturally diverse nation. The majority of KL's 1.6 million inhabitants is almost equally split between Malays and Chinese, with an Indian minority (originally brought as laborers by the British) of about 10 percent. Islam is the most widely practiced religion, but Buddhism is a close second.



The area around KL gets a soggy 99 inches of rain per year, averaging 158 days with precipitation. Downpours can be torrential, even causing modern roads to flood and block traffic. The months with the lowest rainfall during cruising season are January and February. Your chances are greatest for getting drenched in October, November, December and April.

  • More about Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)

  • Why Cruise to Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)?

  • Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) Cruise Port Facilities?

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More about Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)

Why Cruise to Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)?

Pros:

KL, as it's called, is one of Asia's most diverse cities; the mix of old and new is also striking

Cons:

Malaysia is known for stringent laws on everything from spitting to kissing; know before you go

Bottom Line:

Kuala Lumpur is 45 minutes from where you're docked, but it's not to be missed

Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) Cruise Port Facilities?

Most of the sightseeing tours from Port Klang head into Kuala Lumpur. If you'll be going off on your own, a taxi or car service is needed. The terminal has a taxi counter where fixed-price roundtrips into the city cam be arranged. Taxis accept U.S. dollars but not credit cards.



The port has free Wi-Fi in an upstairs lounge and very limited convenience store-style shopping facilities. However, if you're into golf, try the Port Klang Golf Resort, which is located less than a mile south from the terminal. Die-hard shoppers may want to visit the AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre, about 20 minutes away.

Good to Know?

The credit card fraud risk might make you think twice about using plastic. It seems like a fraud ring is busted in KL every year, and another pops up. Travelers have reported fraud even when cards have been used at major hotel chains.

While Kuala Lumpur has numerous gardens and lush greenery, the air can be quite hazy and occasionally almost dangerously so for people with breathing problems.

Some visitors complain about the practice -- not uncommon in other countries, either -- of charging foreigners more than locals for admission to attractions. The price difference can be considerable in Kuala Lumpur.

Getting Around?

Depending on traffic, it takes a little more than an hour to get from Port Klang to Kuala Lumpur; expect longer times during rush hours.

On Foot: Attractions can be far apart, so consult a map before setting off from the Central Market to, say, Petronas Towers. It's doubtful you'd want to hoof it; the traffic is often wicked. You'll find a stroll in the city's old colonial heart to be pleasant, though.

By Taxi:> Taxis are plentiful within the city -- and fares are a bargain. Drivers are always required to use the meter. If you're booking a longer trip outside the city, limousine services offer very competitive fares in addition to a higher quality of car than normal taxis.

By Mass Transit: Within the city, mass transit includes buses, a light rail and a monorail that operates through the major areas and offers a good overview of Kuala Lumpur.

By Train: An extensive rail network connects suburbs and the city. However, it doesn't connect conveniently with the port. The modern KL Sentral is the main railway station.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Currency in KL is the Malaysian ringgit. At the cruise terminal, there is an ATM outside after you exit the building; money-changers are available inside the terminal. ATM's can also be found at major establishments like shopping centers and the Central Market. There are surcharges for using ATM's. Banks are normally open from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.



Most major credit cards -- American Express, MasterCard and Visa -- are accepted, as are traveler's checks. However, you might want to curtail your use of plastic due to reports of credit card fraud.

Language?

Although English is widely spoken in Malaysia, Malay is the official language. However, several local newspapers, such as The New Straits Times, are available in English.



Some useful Malay phrases to impress the locals:
Apa khabar? ("How are you?" The traditional Malay greeting literally means "What news?")
Khabar baik, terima kasih. ("Fine, thank you.")
Sila ("Please")
Terima kasih. ("Thank you.")

Where You're Docked?

Cruise ships dock at Port Klang (also written Kelang), which is 40 miles (40 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic) southwest of Kuala Lumpur. Port Klang is, first and foremost, a major cargo port, but it also houses a modern cruise terminal and cruise ship pier.


Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) Cruise Reviews
Spent 2 days exploring Kuala Lumpur. Used hop on/off bus. Pre book tickets to Petronis towers if you want to go up before you go. So worth it! So many people turning up and find out sold out by 10am. Read More
suech1970
We took a trip on our own through travel with locals Joel our guide was great, visited all the4 places we asked to see starting with being picked up from port, went to Bhuta Cave/temple, took photos of 'twin tour anRead More
veggieonboard
Took own taxi to Kuala Lumpur. Fixed rates, but a bit chaotic to get a taxi. It is however a bit too far into the city to make it worthRead More
bjoerne
Loved Kuala Lumpur and had a great time seeing this city.Read More
Young at Heart Cruiser

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