Jobabe13

BSK was closed for national holiday when we were there, I guess they have limited serving days...by the way, don't missing Peking Duck dinner it was wonderful...But, we have eaten at several Nobu's (not the one in Beverly Hills yet) but each time it is different...In Hong Kong the chef prepared a special 15 course meal for use...Hope you have fun BSK would be on my list!!!!!!

Our tour escort made reservations at Nobu in Beijing for our first night...She made them while we were in Xian. No problems...they were at 7pm...the only concern was the pollution was so bad in Beijing that our flight was an hour late from XIAN because the air Traffic controls wouldn't let the plane take off...But we had a wonderful time...Have heard that BSK is wonderful but if you can't get a reservation there try NOBU...ask for Dorothy...The Nobu in Hong Kong is wonderful too

new changes....The other major change to the unlimited alcohol packages is now any eligible guest in a stateroom may purchase a package. This is a change from the previous policy where all eligible guests in a stateroom had to purchase a package.

so used to everyone in the cabin had to buy a beverage package. But, now you can buy one and your husband can be as dry as the Sahara or vise versa...This is good for those who don't want to drink anything......I think the package is worth it...I am going to get the Ultimate one on our next cruise...because we will use enough to make it worth it...One of my friends doesn't drink liquor but she will get her money's worth on coffee and tea and virgin drinks...so it is individual now....(on Royal Caribbean)

The other major change to the unlimited alcohol packages is now any eligible guest in a stateroom may purchase a package. This is a change from the previous policy where all eligible guests in a stateroom had to purchase a package.

The Royal Replenish Package

$20 per guest each day, includes:

•Premium coffee

•Premium tea

•Bottled water

•Sparkling water (375ml)

•Still water (500ml)

•Fresh squeezed orange juice

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

The Select Package

$40 per guest each day, includes:

•Beer

•Wine by the glass (up to $8 value)

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

•20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The Premium Package

$55 per guest each day, includes:

•Call and premium cocktails (up to $10 value)

•Frozen cocktails

•Beers

•Premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value)

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Still bottled water (500ml)

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

•20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

The Ultimate Package

$65 per guest each day, includes:

•Premium coffee

•Premium tea

•Bottled water

•Sparkling water (375ml)

•Still water (500ml)

•Fresh squeezed orange juice

•Call and premium cocktails (up to $10 value)

•Frozen cocktails

•Beers

•Premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value)

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

•20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

here is a link on them...not available for purchase till next week...but here are prices and details...

see below

This is a great trip. Be sure you take comfortable shoes and let your guide know if you have any limitations so they can assist...they have rain gear on the cruise ship...it will be warm so be sure to pack accordingly. Air conditioning in China is not going to be as cold as US or Europe. So be sure to bring appropriate clothing consider some that wicks moisture away or seersucker...the yogurt on the ship is a must every morning (super great)...

Hey, Papa O...we did Shanghai to Beijing in October...we flew from Seattle non-stop...13 hour flight on Delta. It was pretty painless. No jet lag. Left at 150pm in the afternoon arrived at 620pm at night. Delta feed us so much we didn't need dinner...Walk around a little and then had a drink. Went to bed early which meant we were rested and ready for our day in Shanghai...We flew into Seattle the night before and stayed at Hampton Inn and Suites and ate at 13 coins restaurant. Made it and easy flight. Coming back flew from Hong Kong to Seattle (because of the length of flight) we spent the night in Seattle before flying back home (we booked Hampton Inn and Suites for Saturday and Sunday so we could check in at 8am in the morning...we let them know what we were doing so they wouldn't give our room away) crashed....ate at Sharpe's Brewery went back slept till next day. This plan meant we were ready to get back to our regular life without any jet lag or dragging around for days.

OMG, Change if you can...Be on the boat during the Holiday. My Husband noticed that we were going during the National Holiday...He made sure we were going from Shanghai to Beijing (which meant we were on the boat 7 of the 6 days of the Holiday)...We heard from the guides that the crowds were huge in Beijing and the Great Wall...the days we went it was so much better...We loved the cruise that way...we had a relaxing time and got to know everyone...CHANGE it if you can...if you can't be ready for the crowds...They did try to work around it by going places early ...When we flew to WU HAN to get on the Boat they opened the museum for us (even though it was the holiday) so you won't miss anything because of it...But, I told my guide that my husband had planned to be on the boat and they agreed it was the right way to go...It was wonderful.....

Take comfort shoes...lots of walking...we only had really bad smog two days (one at Three Gorges Dam and one on the day we arrived in Beijing) Definitely layer and take knits that don't wrinkle. We used laundries at Hotels and ship and they did a great job (experienced no shrinkage but they aren't cheap at the hotels)...Don't miss tailor on board...or the pearls... the tea ceremony is great. Try the yogurt on the Emerald super good and homemade...Everyone is so wonderful on the trip..One person recommended, small ziplocs with the ends of Toilet paper roll in each one...seemed like good advice but didn't take it...but small Kleenex pacs to go are really good advice. Almost everyone on our bus got a cold at one time or another...who knew Kleenex would be important...Throw some cough drops in your suitcase (in case) they have some in airport (ricola-but no hall's)...We took cipro, Tylenol, some bandaids, don't take purell in your carryon (because Chinese customs doesn't allow very much liquid-better to take wipes)...

MY husband has a video of me confessing that it was a wonderful trip and a great idea...and worth every dime....just so he can play it over and over....

There just so many wonderful people on the ship...don't miss the chef's special Yogurt...it is yummy!!!!!

Don't miss the massages, or the crew shows...you won't spend much time in you room...OH be sure to get a international (china) package for you phone...so you don't have a huge bill when you get back...you can get a data package too. It might seem expensive but it saved me a lot of money...One of my friends forgot once and got $8000 bill. Mine was closer to $200 and one of the people on my tour borrowed my phone to call her husband (that was $50 of the $200)...The airports will be tiring but the same everywhere...the food on the planes kinda of icky (in China)...But, they feed you so much you won't notice...all the drinks will be kinda of warm if you are from America, kinda like Europe...Just relax and have fun....

Debbie4a, be sure to listen to your Guide...They tell you what each day will bring...this is really important so you know what to expect...If you have limitations just communicate with them. It will be getting cooler in Beijing but still hot in the south...Layering the best (knits)...the Laundry was great (didn't harm any of my clothes will even iron you underwear)...take some Imodium, cipro, cough drops, pain reliever, just in case...you will love everything...it is a wonderful trip...but know it is still a third world country (not Europe) not every where is going to have a western toilet...but they will be clean...the toilet paper is usually on a roll on the wall before you go into the stall (like paper towels)...Food is good...Loved the Peking Duck...The Tang Dynasty show is beautiful (even if food is not great it is worth it)...the Flights were harder on my knees than the actual trip but if you are limited you can get wheel chairs to ride you around. There will be some smog but it is China...the Hotels are wonderful...The crew and guides are lovely....I wish I had bought more Jade Chinese Zodiac Pendants at the XIAN Museum gift Shop as presents...the guides will help direct you to shops....

we too Jewels with Hong Kong excursion you will love it...

we took the cruise the opposite way on the National Holiday, so we spent 6 of the 7 seven days of the National Holiday on the Cruise boat. I understand this made a huge difference. My husband had researched it. So we went from Shanghai to Beijing embarking on Sept 28th. So he made sure that during the National Holiday just make sure you are on the Boat during the Holiday....We heard about the crowds on your cruise from our tour guides...they were communicating with your tour guides about crowds and smog...we got reports of the pictures from your cruise...We had much less problem...But, it was wonderful!!!!!! while certainly more demanding than other cruises....