Rare Turtles06 Posted August 14, 2013 #2201 Share Posted August 14, 2013 But I am keeping my expectations for the sightseeing in Beijing low, low, low for now...maybe we will be pleasantly surprised. I am trying to make the best of it. I think you are going into it with a good attitude. And Viking really knows their stuff, so you should be well taken care of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted August 14, 2013 #2202 Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) A roll call has been started for the July 17, 2014 Imperial Jewels (Beijing to Shanghai). (I wanted to add the entire list with hyperlinks but for some reason, I can't copy the links) Edited August 14, 2013 by Peregrina651 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted August 14, 2013 #2203 Share Posted August 14, 2013 September 8 Jewels September 11 Jewels --Just added September 15 Explorer October 11 Jewels November 2 Cultural Delights November 10 Jewels November 17 Jewels 2014 April 28 Jewels June 17 Jewels July 17 Jewels -- Just added That's better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsTiggywinkle Posted August 15, 2013 #2204 Share Posted August 15, 2013 I think you are going into it with a good attitude. And Viking really knows their stuff, so you should be well taken care of! Turtles06, I've got my game face on!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teaka Posted August 15, 2013 #2205 Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) Hi Gang Many thanx for the great information. I don't see anyone going on the 28th of August 2013 with me......is it me????? LoL!! (Shanghai to Beijing) Anyhow, it will be a blast for sure.....and with the current temps, a blast furnace for sure. I also see the pollution level is through the roof! Hopefully this won't cause any issues. Enjoy your trips everyone!!! James Edited August 15, 2013 by Teaka Oooops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted August 15, 2013 #2206 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Hi Gang Many thanx for the great information. I don't see anyone going on the 28th of August 2013 with me......is it me????? LoL!! (Shanghai to Beijing) It is never too late to start a roll call. There are a lot more folks who follow this thread so once you start the roll call, make sure to post a link here. I also see the pollution level is through the roof! Hopefully this won't cause any issues. Expect issues and come prepared--masks, decongestants, allergy relief meds, and as I've said before, asthma relief drugs if you suffer from asthma or other airway issues. Once the trip starts there is not much time for shopping for what you have forgotten. Also, bring antibiotics. Whenever I travel overseas, I ask my doctor for something in case of a tummy attack or sinus infection. I've also seen suggestion for something that I think is called c-pak. Most of the time, the stuff goes unused but the few times I have needed it, it has been a life saver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted August 15, 2013 #2207 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Also, bring antibiotics. Whenever I travel overseas, I ask my doctor for something in case of a tummy attack or sinus infection. I've also seen suggestion for something that I think is called c-pak. Most of the time, the stuff goes unused but the few times I have needed it, it has been a life saver. Close -- it's a Z-Pak, short for azithromycin, which is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. The pack is a short course (full dose) of the antibiotic. This is excellent advice; we always bring a Z-Pak as well. Also, Cipro, in case we wind up with diarrhea that is caused by a bacterial infection; if you have diarrhea that doesn't resolve after a couple of days, even after taking Imodium, you'll want Cipro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted August 15, 2013 #2208 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Close -- it's a Z-Pak, short for azithromycin, which is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. The pack is a short course (full dose) of the antibiotic. This is excellent advice; we always bring a Z-Pak as well. Also, Cipro, in case we wind up with diarrhea that is caused by a bacterial infection; if you have diarrhea that doesn't resolve after a couple of days, even after taking Imodium, you'll want Cipro. Thank you. I'm losing my hearing and I've never seen it in writing. Cee and Zee can sound alike to me. So, everybody, go and talk to you doctor about getting these drugs--or similar drugs that are appropriate for you--because remember that we aren't doctors and we can't prescribe meds. We can only strongly suggest that you talk with your doctor about it so that you are prepared with the right antibiotics. In case you run into a problem, it will be much easier to deal with if you have your own little pharmacy in your suitcase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_T Posted August 15, 2013 #2209 Share Posted August 15, 2013 September 8 Jewels September 11 Jewels --Just added September 15 Explorer October 11 Jewels November 2 Cultural Delights November 10 Jewels November 17 Jewels 2014 April 28 Jewels June 17 Jewels July 17 Jewels -- Just added That's better! just added : Viking - Beijing to Shanghai 15th October 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted August 15, 2013 #2210 Share Posted August 15, 2013 just added : Viking - Beijing to Shanghai 15th October 2014 Thank you, Mark T. I just added the October 15 roll call to my list. Add a link to your roll call to your signature file to help folks find their way to the roll call. Every time you post, folks will see the link Anyone else starting a new roll call? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_T Posted August 15, 2013 #2211 Share Posted August 15, 2013 I checked availability on our trip and I must admit I was surprised to find that it is virtually completely sold out already, just the most expensive suites left. Plenty of availability on every other date still, just 10/15/14 seems to be extremely popular for some reason :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie4a Posted August 16, 2013 #2212 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Hope you have a wonderful time. I too, wish I could find someone going the same time as we are, November 10, 2013. You have asked a lot of the questions I needed answered =) Thanks to all the many people who take the time to help us. Hi Gang Many thanx for the great information. I don't see anyone going on the 28th of August 2013 with me......is it me????? LoL!! (Shanghai to Beijing) Anyhow, it will be a blast for sure.....and with the current temps, a blast furnace for sure. I also see the pollution level is through the roof! Hopefully this won't cause any issues. Enjoy your trips everyone!!! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliesaddiction Posted August 18, 2013 #2213 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Hoping for our packet this week....just 20 days to go!!!! Very concerned about the pollution tho :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfirst Posted August 18, 2013 #2214 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Now on to the next set of questions...about tipping... Here is what I understand so far... 1) Our tour escort who is with us for the entire trip is tipped at the very end in either $US of RMB...cash. This looks to be about $250 minimum for both of us. 2) local city guides and coach drivers are tipped in RMB. 3) onboard staff...here is where I get confused. I know that we can put the entire amount of the tip on our tab and pay for it with a credit card. However, a few cruisers on this site have mentioned giving half in cash to their dining room waitstaff and cabin attendant and putting the other half (RMB cash, I guess) in a box designated for this purpose. So, how many people will comprise the waitstaff? Will there only be one cabin attendant. Say there were three members of the waitstaff and one cabin attendant...you would split 50% of the total tip for the onboard staff among 4 people? Might they be getting short changed that way? Don't wish to offend anyone or short change anyone...this kind of stuff keeps me awake at night!!! New subject: yes, there are great photos of the route to BSK on post # 2136 on p.107. Also, thanks to the poster (molymoo?) who reassured me about the BSK dress "code", of which there seems to be none. Michelle of BSK sent me an email with the same reassurance! As for the rest of it, well here is what we have in hand so far: Visas all necessary meds, properly labeled with Rx numbers confirmed BSK reservations N95 approved masks and my inhalers We're getting there! And thanks to all for the help already rendered...sorry to be such a worrier! Did you get your hepatitis A & B shot? I got mine before I went on this cruise in 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsTiggywinkle Posted August 18, 2013 #2215 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Hi travelfirst, Checked my shot record from when I was a Navy Officer Candidate way back when...sure enough, Hep A & B (as well as Yellow Fever) shots were given to me way back in the day :). Can't get my husband to do anything about advance planning but since he was in the Navy too, I am hoping he got the same shots I did. But I'm calling my doc tomorrow about the cipro and Z-pack and will pick her brain as to whether or not we should get new shots (and if there is time to do so before departure). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
id4elizabeth Posted August 18, 2013 #2216 Share Posted August 18, 2013 We've been told to get typhoid and tetanus, particularly tetanus, as well as Hep A&B. Got my first Hep A&B and will get my second one before we leave. Hubby has his A&B from Marines, but needs to get typhoid and tetanus. And don't forget flu shots if you're leaving later in the year. 6 weeks to go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondemini Posted August 19, 2013 #2217 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Hi, I am not going on the Beijing to Shanghai till next July, but was wondering if mosquitos are a problem on the Yahtzee, as someone has told me that you can't open the door to the balcony without being bitten. Are they just winding me up? Or do I need to get a good insect repellant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted August 19, 2013 #2218 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Hi, I am not going on the Beijing to Shanghai till next July, but was wondering if mosquitos are a problem on the Yahtzee, as someone has told me that you can't open the door to the balcony without being bitten. Are they just winding me up? Or do I need to get a good insect repellant. When we went it was early August. We did not see (or hear) one mosquito the entire trip. We had DEET with us, but never had to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel Girl TX Posted August 19, 2013 #2219 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Hi, I am not going on the Beijing to Shanghai till next July, but was wondering if mosquitos are a problem on the Yahtzee, as someone has told me that you can't open the door to the balcony without being bitten. Are they just winding me up? Or do I need to get a good insect repellant. Another vote for not needed. We went this July and brought insect repellant and never needed it. I spent a lot of time on our balcony and never had a nibble. I am a person that the mosquitos love and was not bothered at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79ti Posted August 19, 2013 #2220 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Tom2, thanks so much for posting the trip on utube. Loved it and more excited than ever for our Sept 15th trip. Lori Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare molymoo Posted August 20, 2013 #2221 Share Posted August 20, 2013 We've been told to get typhoid and tetanus, particularly tetanus, as well as Hep A&B. Got my first Hep A&B and will get my second one before we leave. Hubby has his A&B from Marines, but needs to get typhoid and tetanus. And don't forget flu shots if you're leaving later in the year. 6 weeks to go... One more vote for don't worry! Recently back from our Shanghai to Beijing trip and didn't see a single mosquito ... or other bug for that matter! It was hot and humid ... be ready for some "bad hair days" but what the hey ... a great time anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondemini Posted August 20, 2013 #2222 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Thank you so much for your replies, I will enjoy my holiday much more now I know the Mosquitos will not be eating me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahrah50 Posted August 20, 2013 #2223 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Can anyone provide information regarding how dificult physically the Great Wall will be? Our group is in pretty good shape but a few bad knees, etc. They are concerned it may be too physically challenging. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted August 20, 2013 #2224 Share Posted August 20, 2013 (edited) Can anyone provide information regarding how dificult physically the Great Wall will be? Our group is in pretty good shape but a few bad knees, etc. They are concerned it may be too physically challenging. Thanks There are two directions to go when you enter the area to climb the wall. Left is termed the harder way and right is termed the easier way. To me, they looked about the same and the "easy way" was much more crowded. Here are two pictures from the "harder way." Note the railings that can be used at the steps. There are also railings where there are no steps but the slope is not gentle. (Whether you decide to go left or right, the initial stairway to the wall can be easy or hard. The one on the right was easier. Can go up that and turn to the left way if you wish.) Here is a view of the "easy" way. Please realize that unlike some other parts of the tour, you do not climb the wall as a group, but are given an amount of time to do it on your own. Thus, you can go at whatever pace is good for you and only go as far as you want to. Edited August 20, 2013 by caribill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahrah50 Posted August 20, 2013 #2225 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Thank you caribill. Appreciated the photos too. I will relay the info to our group. Knowing they can do it at their pace will help a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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