Viking China (Part 2)

[SharonN]

We made it to Shanghai after a long flight from Chicago. We'll be posting a live blog when we can for our friends and family. If anyone is interested in following along the link is

 

http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Shanghai/blog-838323.html

[sisterpower]

Thanks Caribill for the very detailed reply to my questions I have been reading everyones posts with great interest and appreciate all the great information. Thanks again your reply was much appreciated.:)

[retiredslp]

Thanks for the blog link. My husband and I leave May 15th with the same itinerary. I look forward to reading about your trip as your blog will give us "last minute" tips and suggestions. Today I received an email from Black Sesame Kitchen stating they will be closed until at least June. I am really disappointed but am hopeful we can find another local restaurant to try.

[Chloe's mom]

For those of you on the China trip this season, could you let me know how people are spending the extra free time in Xi'an, since the trip now includes two nights there. Is Viking making any arrangements for the free time, such as transportation to any sights?

Thanks.

[Turtles06]

Thanks for the blog link. My husband and I leave May 15th with the same itinerary. I look forward to reading about your trip as your blog will give us "last minute" tips and suggestions. Today I received an email from Black Sesame Kitchen stating they will be closed until at least June. I am really disappointed but am hopeful we can find another local restaurant to try.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and to this incredible thread! You are about to have an amazing trip. It's unfortunate news about Black Sesame Kitchen (someone posted it here a couple of weeks ago, it seems they could not come to terms with their landlord). As an alternative, I suggest you have dinner at one of the truly terrific, well known Peking Duck restaurants, like Made in China (in the Grand Hyatt) or Da Dong. We ate at Made in China, and had a fabulous meal.

 

And yes (long time readers of this thread will have seen this photo before :) ), here's our duck being carved table side. Yum!

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

[cnrsf]

Hi to everyone on the April 26 Jewels trip. I have been in contact with Chloe's Mom and four of us had reservations for the Black Sesame Kitchen on May 7th. The cooking school has been closed temporarily. However, Michelle, the owner, will do a pop up dinner at a local hotel for a minimum of 10 people. Are there any people out there who would want to join us if we could arrange it?

[Turtles06]

Hi to everyone on the April 26 Jewels trip. I have been in contact with Chloe's Mom and four of us had reservations for the Black Sesame Kitchen on May 7th. The cooking school has been closed temporarily. However, Michelle, the owner, will do a pop up dinner at a local hotel for a minimum of 10 people. Are there any people out there who would want to join us if we could arrange it?

 

Pretty neat, I hope you can find 6 more people! This is where you wish Viking had its own members' email group, so you could communicate with others on your tour. . .

 

Good luck, and enjoy your trip, dinner or not!!

[Carol From California]

Greetings from Shanghai!

 

We are on the Viking April 16 Imperial Jewels itinerary, Shanghai to Beijing. We arrived one day early on April 15. We did not book our air with Viking. We used mileage and snagged first class non stop from Los Angeles. Arrived at night on April 15 after an almost 14 hour flight and checked in to the Portman Ritz Carlton. We are traveling with another couple. On our first day the four of us visited the Jewish Refugee Museum. It was very interesting and glad we went. We also did a little shopping at the Han-City Fashion Market which is also known as the "Fake Market". At night we went to the Bund and saw the skyscrapers all lit up. There were loads of people and glad we were able to see it at night. Today was day one with the Viking tour. In the morning we visited old Shanghai and a beautiful garden. After that we went to a silk carpet factory and also a place where they have silk embroidery. Following that we had a Mongolian Barbecue lunch there. After lunch we went to the Shanghai Museum where there was a beautiful collection of sculptures, ceramics, furniture and much more. We came back to the hotel where we had only a couple of hours to rest before dinner. Dinner was at a local restaurant and it was not very good. After dinner we saw the Shanghai Acrobatic Show. We all thought it was fantastic! Just got back to our room. Tomorrow we check out. Our guide Ray, who seems very good by the way, said we will go the Bund in the morning and then to the airport for our flight to where we will get on the ship. So far we are very happy with the China Viking experience.

[caribill]

Today was day one with the Viking tour. In the morning we visited old Shanghai and a beautiful garden. After that we went to a silk carpet factory and also a place where they have silk embroidery.

 

Dinner was at a local restaurant and it was not very good. After dinner we saw the Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

 

Our guide Ray, who seems very good by the way, said we will go the Bund in the morning and then to the airport for our.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

When we took this tour several years ago we saw the Bund on day 1 after the Yu Garden downtown and saw the carpet factory on the way to the airport on day 2.

 

Our dinner before the Shanghai Acrobatic Show was at a restaurant in the same building as the show. Was your dinner elsewhere?

[Peregrina651]

 

And yes (long time readers of this thread will have seen this photo before :) ), here's our duck being carved table side. Yum!

 

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

 

 

That's okay. It's a great photo. I never tire of seeing it.

[Carol From California]

Thanks for the update.

 

When we took this tour several years ago we saw the Bund on day 1 after the Yu Garden downtown and saw the carpet factory on the way to the airport on day 2.

 

Our dinner before the Shanghai Acrobatic Show was at a restaurant in the same building as the show. Was your dinner elsewhere?

 

We went in a bus to a building about 10 minutes from our hotel and ate dinner in a restaurant (more like a banquet hall) on the 7th floor. Afterwards we went back to the Portman Ritz Carlton (our hotel) and the show theater is right there in the same complex area. After the show we just walked to the hotel elevators and back to our room. Half of the group is staying at the Ritz and the other half is staying at the Westin.

[SharonN]

We went in a bus to a building about 10 minutes from our hotel and ate dinner in a restaurant (more like a banquet hall) on the 7th floor. Afterwards we went back to the Portman Ritz Carlton (our hotel) and the show theater is right there in the same complex area. After the show we just walked to the hotel elevators and back to our room. Half of the group is staying at the Ritz and the other half is staying at the Westin.

 

Hi Carol. We're one of those staying in the Westin. We went to a restaurant iin the building next door before driving over to the Acrobat show. It was all Chinese food so not much for me but my husband and the others at our table enjoyed it.

[Turtles06]

That's okay. It's a great photo. I never tire of seeing it.

 

Whew, thanks. :)

[Carol From California]

Day one on the Viking Emerald. It's good to finally be on the ship. Yesterday was a little long and difficult. Went on a bus to the airport and then a plane to Wuhan. There is traffic everywhere and what should be quick bus ride turned out to be long, with all the traffic. The plane was delayed. We actually got on board the ship 5 minutes before dinner. There was no time to unpack or change clothes. Dinner was pretty good. Today we went to visit the local elementary school That was really a treat and something I had looked forward to. I brought them some gifts (stickers and pencils, etc.) Now back on the boat and time for lunch.

[caribill]

The plane was delayed. We actually got on board the ship 5 minutes before dinner.

 

Were you still able to visit the visit the Hubei Provincial Museum and hear the music of the ancient bronze bells?

[Nvadav]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and to this incredible thread! You are about to have an amazing trip. It's unfortunate news about Black Sesame Kitchen (someone posted it here a couple of weeks ago, it seems they could not come to terms with their landlord). As an alternative, I suggest you have dinner at one of the truly terrific, well known Peking Duck restaurants, like Made in China (in the Grand Hyatt) or Da Dong. We ate at Made in China, and had a fabulous meal.

 

And yes (long time readers of this thread will have seen this photo before :) ), here's our duck being carved table side. Yum!

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

 

that looks awesome. are reservations needed for made in china? we will be there in a little over a week.

 

thanks

[Turtles06]

that looks awesome. are reservations needed for made in china? we will be there in a little over a week.

 

thanks

 

I would definitely make reservations. In fact, you can even pre-order your duck. For two people, 1/2 duck plus some other dishes makes a nice dinner. Or go for the whole duck! :) [Edited to add: my spouse said get the whole duck. I agree!]

 

Have a great trip.

 

PS: I see we were both on the Jewel to Fla/Bahamas in Oct. 2010. Small world!

 

http://www.beijing.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/MadeinChina.html

Edited April 19, 2014 by Turtles06

[CruiseWhippet]

Hi - I'm new here, and have read through about eight of the 140 pages (whew!) and searched some, but don't see what I'm looking for, so here goes:

 

I am considering doing the Imperial Jewels (13 days) from Beijing to Shanghai in 2016 with my mom, who will then be 85, and my daughter, who will be 26. It seems that nobody in the cruise ads are under 40 or over 60 years of age. (I guess I'm the target! I'll be 50!)

 

Does anybody have any experience with, observations of, or tips/suggestions regarding the "seniors-plus" on this trip? (I'm thinking she's more than a senior - but not sure I should call her elderly.) My mom is in good health, and very active. Walks and takes the bus everywhere, and goes to the gym a couple of days a week, and holds down three volunteer jobs, to give you an idea of her lifestyle.

 

I am thinking Beijing to Shanghai - to get the most strenuous part out of the way first, then relax on the cruise, but I'm not sure that's the correct way of thinking.

 

Any observations and comments are much appreciated. I think I will post separately some questions regarding my daughter. Thank you!

[caribill]

I am considering doing the Imperial Jewels (13 days) from Beijing to Shanghai in 2016 with my mom, who will then be 85, and my daughter, who will be 26.

 

Does anybody have any experience with, observations of, or tips/suggestions regarding the "seniors-plus" on this trip? (I'm thinking she's more than a senior - but not sure I should call her elderly.) My mom is in good health, and very active. Walks and takes the bus everywhere, and goes to the gym a couple of days a week, and holds down three volunteer jobs, to give you an idea of her lifestyle.

 

I am thinking Beijing to Shanghai - to get the most strenuous part out of the way first, then relax on the cruise, but I'm not sure that's the correct way of thinking.

 

Any observations and comments are much appreciated.

 

If your Mom has the stamina to be on her feet for a couple of hours at a time and also can climb up/down stairs (with hand holding if you need to), she should have no problems with this tour.

 

Although Beijing may be more strenuous than Shanghai, if you do not arrive at least a day in advance of normal arrival, all three of you will be very tired for the touring there.

[CruiseWhippet]

Thank you - that is good help. Much appreciated. We will definitely plan to arrive at least a day or two ahead of time then.

[Turtles06]

Hi - I'm new here, and have read through about eight of the 140 pages (whew!) and searched some, but don't see what I'm looking for, so here goes:

 

I am considering doing the Imperial Jewels (13 days) from Beijing to Shanghai in 2016 with my mom, who will then be 85, and my daughter, who will be 26. It seems that nobody in the cruise ads are under 40 or over 60 years of age. (I guess I'm the target! I'll be 50!)

 

Does anybody have any experience with, observations of, or tips/suggestions regarding the "seniors-plus" on this trip? (I'm thinking she's more than a senior - but not sure I should call her elderly.) My mom is in good health, and very active. Walks and takes the bus everywhere, and goes to the gym a couple of days a week, and holds down three volunteer jobs, to give you an idea of her lifestyle.

 

I am thinking Beijing to Shanghai - to get the most strenuous part out of the way first, then relax on the cruise, but I'm not sure that's the correct way of thinking.

 

Any observations and comments are much appreciated. I think I will post separately some questions regarding my daughter. Thank you!

 

This trip requires a great deal of walking, particularly in Beijing (on hard surfaces) and particularly in the airports. There was someone in our group much younger than your Mom who had some back problems, and our Viking tour escort made sure he had a rented wheelchair for Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City and in some of the airports, because it was just too much walking for too long a period. Know that this is an option for your Mom in those places.

 

And I agree with caribill; arrive a few days early in Beijing. Not only to get adjusted to the time zone changes, but also because it's an amazing city that deserves more time. In case this may be helpful to you in planning, here's what we did during our three pre-Viking days in Bejing:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=29264391&postcount=4680

[Brendoonie]

Does anyone have any advice on the old city wall in Xian? Viking has us at the Hilton and I'm wondering what might be the best gate to enter & which direction to go. Also how readily did you find Western snack food on this trip? My husband is not an adventurous eater(understatement) and I'm sure he will need some supplementary food along the way. Does the sundry shop on the Viking Emerald have Western snacks? Getting excited for our trip this July!!!

[Live4cruises]

I hope these questions makes sense!

 

It's almost time to book air for our 2015 trip. We are planning to use Viking's Custom Air service because we like to book early and are picky about seats. I'm curious about the way the process works, though. We definitely do our homework, and have a general idea of what we want, but we are certainly open to options. Is it more of an "order-taker" situation, or does the Viking agent take time to go over choices that we may not know about? Also, has anyone been in a situation where they use one carrier/group for the departure leg and a different carrier for the return leg? For example, Delta out and American back rather than being forced (because of pricing) to stay with one carrier?

[Nvadav]

I would definitely make reservations. In fact, you can even pre-order your duck. For two people, 1/2 duck plus some other dishes makes a nice dinner. Or go for the whole duck! :) [Edited to add: my spouse said get the whole duck. I agree!]

 

Have a great trip.

 

PS: I see we were both on the Jewel to Fla/Bahamas in Oct. 2010. Small world!

 

http://www.beijing.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/MadeinChina.html

 

Thanks for the advice. I have made reservations. :D Really looking forward to enjoying the meal. Small world re: the Jewel. She was my first cruise ever in 2005. Since 2010 we have made that Fla/Bahamas trip a couple more times. We really love NCL. :)

[Turtles06]

Thanks for the advice. I have made reservations. :D Really looking forward to enjoying the meal. Small world re: the Jewel. She was my first cruise ever in 2005. Since 2010 we have made that Fla/Bahamas trip a couple more times. We really love NCL. :)

 

We enjoy NCL, and are returning to the Gem next year.

 

Glad you got a reservation at Made in China. Enjoy!!