juliesaddiction

I did an internet search to see if I could find information on selecting a category of stateroom. I found one older CC thread but it did not answer my question.

 

We are going to book Viking China for 2015 (itineraries come out in November). Is there an advantage to being on any particular deck? Other than suites, the cabins are identical I believe. Is there an issue with view or any other factor?

We were on the 2nd floor right down from reception and the dining room and we loved our room. As close as I can tell there is no difference in the rooms other than size in the different categories. I think the view was probably equal on each side, sometimes good on one and other times good on the other. We were on the left side, which ever that one is called lol, and were happy with the views. As far as noise from the locks go, you are going to get that no matter where you are. The first lock is done during the day and the ones at the Three Gorges Dam are done at night (this was for our trip this month). We had a coal barge next to us through the set of 3 locks and it was quite loud if you had the slider open, but we still slept through most of it.

We will be on the China Jewels early next June, and I've loved reading all these threads..helpful and so interesting.

 

What type of clothing did the women wear on the trip?

 

I know it will probably be warm and humid and a loose cotton skirt can be cooler than pants, but wasn't sure whether to take or not. Same for capris / knee shorts..were they worn? Or all jeans / slacks?

 

Is there a Captain's dinner or more dress up night?

 

Thanks for assist..

They tell you it is all casual and it is, however the Capt Welcome dinner and the Farewell dinner had alot of people dressed up. We did for one and not the other and it was ok either way. Personally I would have preferred to wear a dress or skirt on those nights, one I did the other I didnt. I wore capri's the entire time and on the optional show nights I just put on a pair of pants, nicer jeans one time, dockers another. We were there this month (sept). ONe of the first things I did was get a fan (handheld) and I used it the entire time.

Okay, packing starts in earnest TODAY, for this Sunday's departure! :confused: Also, cleaning out the fridge...:eek:

I packed on Friday for an early Sat morn flight...so you are doing good :)

You will love it! Been home a week now from our trip. Hope the weather is good....we had good weather but the trip before us did not.

OUrs was paid well over a year in advance as well. We have one in May of 2015 that we have to pay for by DEc 31 this year. I guess thats the only way to take advantage of the 2 for 1 prices.

Genenrations Visa did ours and it took about 3 weeks. Viking recommends you do it 3 months in advance so it was plenty of time. Going to the consulate does require 2 trips and takes about a week or so, we had friends in Canada that did that.

Also you will find that most of the signs are in both English and Chinese in most places you will be.

When you collect your baggage you walk down a carpet with barriers on each side and there are many people that have signs with names ect. The Viking reps were towards the end, but you couldnt miss them and once you went to them you are totally taken care of from that point on. I never worried once. I did however travel with my mom. The Viking reps are on the look out for you believe me. Especially if you put the Viking red leather luggage tag on your luggage. It is a local guide that will meet the group and get you on the bus to the hotel, you will meet your tour escort that will be with you the entire trip at the hotel. I cant say enough about the tour escort we had "Terry" could not have been more perfect and definately made our trip all the more special. Since you are arriving within a half hour of each other you will most likely be in the same group leaving from the airport. And there may be others on her flight that are doing the same tour....we had about 4 other couples on our flight.

This is the MId Autumn Holiday in China, it started on the 19th and centers around the full moon. Big Holiday there, everyone out and about.

JUst returned last night from our trip and it was excellent. Will do a review soon, just have to wrap my mind around everything we saw and did. If you get Terry as your tour escort you are going to be so happy..best guide in my opinion :)

I did get a great moon pic over the Yangtze but it wasnt full yet when we were on the river.

Those whose have bought transfers or whose transfers are included that is.

Isnt the transfer part of the package deal if you purchased air thru them?

Leaving on Saturday.......very nervous;)

So excited!!! Leavng in 4 days :)

We were at the Fairmont Peace Hotel but made a trip across the river to the Super Brand Mall (right next to the Shangri-La) to try the dumplings at Din Tai Fung which according to many sources have the best traditional Shanghai dumplings. We enjoyed our meal so much that we went back the next night (we were on our own for dinner as we took the pre-extension in Shanghai). They have English on the menu and when they saw us come in they sent the English speaking wait staff in our direction. It was a delicious and reasonably priced meal. It is on the 2nd or 3rd level to the right if you enter the mall on the river side.

Thanks so much for the info :)

one more question

the suggested tips for the ship crew, tour guide, local tour guide and driver is listed as US$....will we be tipping in US$ for those, no local currancy?

Got our packet today :)

We will be staying at

Pudong Shangri-la

Hilton Xian

Regent Beijing

any thoughts or tips?

Hoping for our packet this week....just 20 days to go!!!!

Very concerned about the pollution tho :(

My mom and I (Linda and Julie) are booked on Viking HOmelands May 15 2015.

as far as the phone issue goes.....if your phone is unlocked (verizons iphone 5 is) you can change the sim card to one from China, the only downfall I saw to this was that it changes your phone number to a China one. What I ended up doing in Europe a few months ago was to just add the global plan, my phone bill ended up being double what it normally is but we were gone 19 days and I was using the data plan as well. Our family normally texts or emails when I am gone so there were no phone calls made during that time...other than when our plane was diverted from Heathrow to another airport and I made a call that was 15 minutes long. I was comfortable with the amount it cost me while gone, and comfortable that my number stayed the same so it didnt cost those calling/texting me.

OMGoodness, thank you for all the personalized info!! It is helping me to get excited for this trip. We are going Sept 8. We have our flight info already too. When should we expect the travel package from Viking?

I was wondering...and trying to figure out a budget of sorts.....what/where and how much were the various tips you gave during your trip, anyone? When is the tour leader tipped and how much? Just trying to ballpark a number for 12 days :)

thanks in advance :)

I guess there is always something you wish you bought. I did not expect to buy anything at the embroidery place and then I saw the big cat piece as we were walking through the shop. It was way too expensive for me. I was so happy when I saw the smaller one. It was the purrfect, I mean perfect size and a good price. I do have a small regret. I saw a beautiful doll on the very first day when we were at the Beijing Zoo. I like to buy dolls from every country I visit. I didn't but this doll because I figured it was the first day and I didn't want to be bogged down with purchases so early on. Plus I figured I would see another one later on in the trip. I never saw another doll like it. I did end up buying a very nice doll in Shanghai but it was not the same.

I too buy dolls :)

I will definately be looking for an embroidery as well. What was the range in cost for them? Are they framed?

This thread is so helpful!! Thank you so much for the words of wisdom ;)

also...what airline did you all fly (booked thru Viking)? And are there movies available, personal or cabin wide?

So...for all of you that have been before what are the things to buy in China?

Also, are some of the excursions optional and what is the cost for them?

Just starting the research.....my mom and I are on the Sept 8 Jewels so time to get jazzed up and figure out what to bring, what to expect ect. This is my moms trip she wanted to do, me not so much, I dont like being out of my element....and I am a very picky eater, so this will be interesting. Great information here...........I am gonna just keep reading :)