mee

Thank you for the time you took to keep us updated. One question.

I was a bit puzzled regarding your info on the baggage handlers and tipping. My past experience is that these tips are covered by the tour operator. Is this unique to Viking?

Our escort told us that he was taking care of all the baggage handlers and did not ask us for money. He is a senior, experienced escort so I assumed he knew he would get enough in tips to cover this small expense.

Great review rrgator, thanks for taking the time.

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very sad indeed...

we just returned from our viking imperial jewels yesterday. ..

WE HAD A SAFETY DRILL AND CREW WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO EXPLAIN WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.

 

however

 

there were at least two/three accidents/incidents of our ship being rammed!! by barge during the nite on two previous trips.

when I quizzed the staff (including captain..(who did not speak any English ;.) " nobody could remember the "incident"??!!

 

eventually, after I advised them that the accident was reported on "cruise critics forum".. after a long pause.. they admitted being rammed by "barge" during nite??!! as a matter of fact TWICE!! DUE TO THE FOG!!

I do not have a problem with "accident?

accidents happen.

but , what was what was done after "ramming??!!

 

answer:

NOTHING!!

 

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT????????????

NO INSPECTION?

NO DAMAGE ASSESSMENT?

WOW!

 

 

oceanbreeze

Oceanbreeze, I am not sure why you are shouting and angry about the accident that occurred on the cruise I was on. It should have had no effect on your cruise. Yes the Emerald was hit by two barges about 5 minutes apart during a storm ( I wouldn't use the word rammed). I don't know where you get the idea that there was nothing done after. This occurred at about 2 am and we anchored and did not move again until after 8:30 am. The ship was thoroughly inspected for damage and police and others were on board. One rubber bumper was knocked off but other than that the ship was deemed safe. There was a briefing meeting held that morning to update us all. I felt that Viking did everything possible to ensure our safety and to rearrange the schedule for that day.

I don't know why you make your comment about the captain not speaking english, he is a Chinese person living and working in China, why would you expect him to speak english?

You seem determined to find fault with Viking. I hope you enjoy your upcoming trips more than you did this one.

I think you start in Beijing so you will go down the stairs in Chongqing. If you stop in Fendu the stairs are about the same as Chongqing and other stops have the long "docks". I found going down the stairs in Fendu bad as I don't like heights. Basically, a few minutes of yuck for an overall great trip. :) Hope you enjoy your trip.

Oceanbreeze, I am sorry your trip was less than you expected. The day we disembarked at Chonqing was dry so while there were a lot of stairs, we didn't see what you describe. The river is not clean by any means so the rain probably was washing up the mess you describe. Its too bad you had to experience this. We were ready to leave the Emerald and one of the escorts stopped us and told us to wait until he got a call to say the bus was there. He got that call a few minutes later. I guess some escorts are better than others.

We enjoyed the lazy susan meals, even at the airport, the carpet factory and silk factory (granted some dishes were better than others). I don't think anyone from our group left hungry and the plates were usually empty. Taste in food is subjective so I just want to provide another perspective to yours, not negate yours. Each person will have their own opinion of the food and none are wrong.

I echo your recommendation to carry toilet tissue and add a suggestion of a travel size package of antibacterial wipes.

On the subject of tipping, there has been some expectation of tipping on every trip I have been on so for me it has become part of the cost that I factor in. I personally object to the concept of "required tipping" however it has become the way of the world. I did not find the reminders troublesome, nor did I find it onerous to give the drivers and local guides a few dollars each day. One local guide took it a bit far talking about her illness, plans to marry etc., etc. I felt that the staff on the ship earned their tips (like the staff on any cruiseline) and our escort Chuck definitely earned his.

Again everyones experience and tastes are different and I hope that people considering booking this trip in the future will consider all the information on this thread and decide for themselves whether they will enjoy it.

We enjoyed our trip, even the less than perfect parts and will travel with Viking again.

20 days and I never tired of the local food - but food choices are subjective. The local food is so much better than what we call Chinese food here in Canada. My husband is craving the noodles. Mind you I did also enjoy the western choices on the ship too.

Even with the rain I enjoyed watching the scenery while on the river and I always could find something to do; mahjong, reading in a lounge, watching the presentations, visiting with new friends...being retired I think we are better able to enjoy downtime now.

I would highly recommend Stan's tables in the dining room - he is the man :).

Overall we had a great time and agree that Viking did a great job. This was our first Viking cruise and probably won't be our last.

Caribill had posted a link to pictures of Chongqing but I don't know how to share it. It is on page 72 of this thread.

when and where did you book your optional tang dynasty and summer palace events?

 

what is the story of "horrible " disembarkation" in Chongqing??

there are reports of "long, shaky, slippery, wobbly gangway?? from ship to shore in Chongqing...where you suppose to shlepp ALL YOUR LUGGAGE to shore??!! I believed that the luggage transfers were taken care of by Viking?? I heard/red advise to hire a " baggage handlers.."

 

also, apparently one has to be very careful receiving counterfit money as a change for large bills when paying for trinkets.. any comments??

 

out of curiosity, what did you cruisers buy as a souvenirs/mementos, where and how much was reasonable (in your mind) to pay for it?

 

did any of you try/tasted any "street delicacies"??

 

THE WIFI THING...

I read thru many postings on this forum, contacted Viking and the reports of availability of "INTERNET" WERE AS FOLLOWS:

1/ two desktops in computer room with sketchy/slow internet and line-ups for use..

2/ no WIFI at all, Need Ethernet cable to connect into "plug"

3/ WIFI works ONLY WITH laptop/notebook not with I-phone..?!

4/ NO INTERNET CONNECTION ON SHIP AT ALL! (THERE WERE COMPUTERS IN COMPUTER ROOM, BUT THEY WERE DOWN ALL TRIP LONG!)

5/ internet in hotels available for FEE!!?? and Need Ethernet cable to connect??

 

kindest regards

 

oceanbreeze

Our escort had us sign up for optional tours on the bus one day. The changes were on our bill on the ship.

I was worried about Chongqing departure but it was fine. The gangway is "interesting but most are. There are stairs and they are steep but there are areas to rest if you need to. Viking will take care of our checked luggage, you just take your carryon. If you need help with it, your escort will help you negotiate with a "baggage handler". They will even offer to carry you if need be. Hubby was having breathing problems due to bronchitis/pneumonia but made it up no problem.

We brought back warriors, a painted bottle, some silk goods, some books, etc. You can pay as much or as little as you want, knowing that the quality varies according to price.

Never tried the street food - I prefer my food without feet.

There are 8 computers in the computer room and I rarely saw lines. If there are busy there is coffee/ tea next door and the lounge also - no problem. Some people had trouble logging on, remember no Google so Gmail is not reliable. I did receive some gmail on occasion. Ship uses cell towers for internet so strength varies depending on location. We used android phone and tablets but saw lots of apple products in use. Never used an ethernet cable. Some hotels listed a fee for wifi, however Viking seems to have that covered for their people.

Hope this helps.

This is the odd thing about the Emerald, reports on the wifi remain inconsistent, on our cruise last October there simply was no wifi on the ship at all.

 

On other trips it is reported as available.

In April wifi worked for tablets and phones in hotels. On the Emerald, we used the ships computers and also sometimes had access to wifi for tablets/phones in the lounge. Cruise director explained that while our devices may show connected to ships router, if the ship is not close to a cell tower, the ship has no internet connection. So wifi worked best when we were close to populated areas.

Google, facebook, youtube etc blocked by Chinese government. You can set up vpn access if you really want access. For us, Bing and Yahoo became our friends.

Remember if you are planning to use google maps (like my husband) you won't have access while in China unless you use vpn etc.

Do the traditional toilets have a railing to hang onto (like we have in tubs) to help with balance etc?

Not that I ever saw. Just need strong thigh muscles. :)

On our trip there was no mass illness at anytime but a few people did get a bit of a sore throat and a cough, but we put that down to air quality rather than a 'bug'.

 

How was the air quality in cities on your trip?

In Shanghai we had one day of rain so air wasn't bad and on the other days it would be worse in the early morning and late afternoon - rush hours for traffic. It was raining again when we were in Wuhan so no problem and in Beijing we had the worst sandstorm in 13 years one evening and that seemed to clear the air for the next day. We were however in a "snowstorm" of poplar and willow fuzz in Beijing so people with allergies were reaching for their meds. Some people were using masks but I am not sure they helped.

The first barge hit us at about 2 am. Most people reported jumping out of bed but there were no alarms or anything so most of us were just going back to bed about 5-10 minutes later when the second one hit us. My husband and I were both knocked over that time. Still no alarms. There was a thunder storm at the time so most of us didn't know what was happening. My husband and I went back to bed and didn't know what happened until breakfast. Other people got up but couldn't get any news at that time. During the briefing the next morning the Captain was asked why there are no emergency drills and we were told that the staff have them but they are not required for passengers. No alarms or assembly were required for this as there was no damage to the hull of the ship. I should clarify that we were probably about 100-150 feet from shore, so not as serious as an ocean collision would be.

Most people on our cruise seemed to get ill after the visit to school and we wondered if we picked up some bug from the phlegm faucets, I mean children :). Did you notice similar timing?

Back a week now from the March 30 Cultural Delights. Wanted to thank everyone for the information on this thread. Had a wonderful trip despite "the incident" (Ship was hit by two barges one night, minimal damage, one rubber bumper knocked off.) Weather varied from cold and rainy to hot.

Many people on board became ill - usually diagnosed by doctor as bronchitis. His large package of pills seemed to help and Viking escorts were often seem supplying cough lozenges to tourists. Wonderful bartender spent mornings making hot lemonade to soothe peoples throats. Dr indicated to us that many people were ill on previous cruise also.

I will try to answer any questions you have.

I have been following the various posts about US and Chinese currency. Does anyone know if Canadian currency is accepted in China? If I have to buy US dollars before my trip I might as well buy Yuan.

Thanks for any information you may have.