Viking China

[seanf]

Who is the best ship tour guide? :D

Francis!

 

Sean :)

[wallygator]

We are leaving in a week on the same China Cultural Delights tour. Who is the best ship tour guide? :D

 

Francis!

 

Sean :)

 

 

We had Leo from beginning to end. Twenty one days and he was excellent in every way. We could not have asked for a better tour guide.

 

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

LEO is GREAT:):)

[Lucky Granny]

Alll the tour guides are great! We had Frank and another group loved Iowa. You don't have a choice so just appreciate whoever you are with.

[Turtles06]

We're going next May (anyone else?) and I love that you are all raving about your guides! :)

[Peregrina651]

Our guide was Larry. He was fantastic. My brother-in-law and I have food allergies. He made sure that we knew what we could and could not eat in each of the restaurants where we ate. He arranged special meals when necessary. He made sure that our group's vegetarian was well fed. He accompanied my in-laws to the ship's MD to get a rash treated. He arranged for a birthday cake and flowers to be delivered to our hotel room on my birthday--that was a real surprise. When I asked how much of a discount I expect in a given store, he gave me an honest response (and I was able to bargain in good faith and without insulting my host).

 

However, the bottom-line is that all of the guides are fantastic. It does not matter who your guide is; you will have the same experience--and you will not be disappointed because you did not have one of the guides mentioned here.

[Peregrina651]

Hi again,

Anybody else going on this cruise?

We only have about one more week til we leave. Would love to hear from someone else that will be traveling at that time.

Susan

Susan --

 

Viking has started "roll calls" for their cruises on Facebook. There are a couple of people posting there who will be on that cruise. You do need to be a member of Facebook to access it.

 

This might get you there: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1017019263&v=wall&story_fbid=1422809003035#topic_top

 

Also, there is at least one Cruise Critic roll call that has been started for that cruise: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1214747

 

Bon voyage!

[wallygator]

However, the bottom-line is that all of the guides are fantastic. It does not matter who your guide is; you will have the same experience--and you will not be disappointed because you did not have one of the guides mentioned here.

 

 

Thats so true we heard nothing but praise from others about their cruise/tour guides. You will be happy as a clam.

[Turtles06]

Susan --

 

Viking has started "roll calls" for their cruises on Facebook. There are a couple of people posting there who will be on that cruise. You do need to be a member of Facebook to access it.

 

This might get you there: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1017019263&v=wall&story_fbid=1422809003035#topic_top

 

 

You can actually access/read the roll calls/discussions on Viking's Facebook page without being a Facebok member. And if you are a member, you can click on the posters' picture/name and see a ton of info about them. I would really caution people about using such a roll call, as it would not be very difficult for someone with not good intentions to find out who you are (and when you'll be away from home). Just a word of caution....

[Stargateman3325]

I am reading the luggage restrictions and it says a total of 44.2 pounds for all bags in the aggregate. Is this correct - my main bag I would think is more than that! Any ideas? :D

 

Locked luggage - did you other folks do this too and how?

 

Any more packing pre-trip zingers to be aware of?

[Stargateman3325]

As I read the brochure, I now have three more questions for those of you who have gone. We leave the end of next week.

 

1. In Xian, is the optional Tang DYnasty Dinner and Show worth the additional expense and time??

 

2. In Bejing, is the optional Peking Duck Dinner and Peking Opera excursion worht the additional expense and time?

 

3. The packing tips indicates "dressing respectfully" for places of worship or you may be denied entry. Does these mean no bare arms or sleeveless dresses or shirts or what?

 

On our Viking Russian trip, a woman could not go to the Vatican equivalent without a dress according to the cruise director.

 

Many thanks.

[caribill]

[quote name='Stargateman3325']1. In Xian, is the optional Tang DYnasty Dinner and Show worth the additional expense and time??

2. In Bejing, is the optional Peking Duck Dinner and Peking Opera excursion worht the additional expense and time?

[/quote]


I have not gone yet, but previous posts by others in this thread (you may want to go back and read them) say:

1. Xian - Yes it is worth it
2. Beijing - No, it is not worth it

[gooch47]

Does anyone remember seeing those beautiful globes made out of semi-precious stone chips? We were in China in 2002 and I [U]think[/U] we went to a factory where they were made. My SIL is looking for some small ones for gifts.

Only a few days to go before we leave.

[Peregrina651]

[quote name='gooch47']Does anyone remember seeing those beautiful globes made out of semi-precious stone chips? We were in China in 2002 and I [U]think[/U] we went to a factory where they were made. My SIL is looking for some small ones for gifts.

Only a few days to go before we leave.[/quote]

[COLOR=Teal][B]Linda, on this trip, the only place would be the jade factory on the day you go to the great wall. Honestly, there was SO much stuff there that I cannot remember all that they had. However, as far as types of factories that we visited, this would be the only place.[/B][/COLOR]

[wallygator]

[quote name='gooch47']Does anyone remember seeing those beautiful globes made out of semi-precious stone chips? We were in China in 2002 and I [U]think[/U] we went to a factory where they were made. My SIL is looking for some small ones for gifts.

Only a few days to go before we leave.[/quote]


Have a great time be safe and smile. You will truly enjoy .:)

[Peregrina651]

[quote name='Stargateman3325']As I read the brochure, I now have three more questions for those of you who have gone. We leave the end of next week.

1. In Xian, is the optional Tang DYnasty Dinner and Show worth the additional expense and time??

2. In Bejing, is the optional Peking Duck Dinner and Peking Opera excursion worht the additional expense and time?

3. The packing tips indicates "dressing respectfully" for places of worship or you may be denied entry. Does these mean no bare arms or sleeveless dresses or shirts or what?

On our Viking Russian trip, a woman could not go to the Vatican equivalent without a dress according to the cruise director.

Many thanks.[/quote]

[B][COLOR=Teal]The Tang Dynasty show was most enjoyable. The performers where top class but keep in mind that this is all put on for the tourists. This was also one of th best meals of the whole trip.

As for the Peking Opera, we opted not to go. For us it was a good decision because the heat was wiping me out. However, my in-laws who were traveling with us did go and had a very enjoyable evening. Their feeling was to do everything because we are here and we may never get back.

As for dress in the temples, the issue is not pants because the Chinese women wear them more so than dresses. I would thing the issue on appropriate dress has more to do with modesty and not wearing shorts/shirts that are too short or tops that are too revealing. The escorts are your best source of info on this issue.

Back to your luggage question. Checked luggage is checked in by Viking. Carry on bags were not weighed; they weren't even counted. We had five carry-on bags between us.

As for locks, I always use them. But, I never check anything of value. Any baggage handler who needs to steal my clothing needs it more than I do. Valuables stay in my control--electronics, meds, souvenirs, jewelry, etc.
[/COLOR][/B]

[tuda]

Only a few days to go before we leave.[/quote]


Hi Linda,
My daughter Tina and I are going on this trip...hope to see you soon.
Susan

[cruisegal#116]

We are booked on the Imperial Jewels of China Beijing to Shanghai departing 5/5/11. Typically how far in advance are hotels assigned. We are planning an additional day in Beijing prior to the start of our tour and two or three days in Shanghai afterwards. I would like to be able to check prices for these additional days on my own to compare them to what Viking is charging before adding them on through Viking.

We have been reading this thread since we booked back in the beginning of April. So much useful information. I am sure I can get the answer to my question here. Thanks everyone!

[caribill]

[quote name='cruisegal#116']We are booked on the Imperial Jewels of China Beijing to Shanghai departing 5/5/11. Typically how far in advance are hotels assigned. We are planning an additional day in Beijing prior to the start of our tour and two or three days in Shanghai afterwards. I would like to be able to check prices for these additional days on my own to compare them to what Viking is charging before adding them on through Viking.

[/quote]

We booked this past January for August of this year, 7 months in advance. Our receipt for the down payment included the names of the hotels we will be staying in.

Of course, until we receive the final documents next month, I can't be sure they have stayed the same.

Since it is 11 months until your trip, I do not know when your hotels might be assigned. Have you asked Viking?

[Dale]

[quote name='cruisegal#116']We are booked on the Imperial Jewels of China Beijing to Shanghai departing 5/5/11. Typically how far in advance are hotels assigned. We are planning an additional day in Beijing prior to the start of our tour and two or three days in Shanghai afterwards. I would like to be able to check prices for these additional days on my own to compare them to what Viking is charging before adding them on through Viking.

We have been reading this thread since we booked back in the beginning of April. So much useful information. I am sure I can get the answer to my question here. Thanks everyone![/QUOTE]

[quote name='caribill']We booked this past January for August of this year, 7 months in advance. Our receipt for the down payment included the names of the hotels we will be staying in.

Of course, until we receive the final documents next month, I can't be sure they have stayed the same.

Since it is 11 months until your trip, I do not know when your hotels might be assigned. Have you asked Viking?[/QUOTE]
I agree with caribill. It would probably be best to get the information you are looking for directly from Viking.

[Turtles06]

[quote name='cruisegal#116']We are booked on the Imperial Jewels of China Beijing to Shanghai departing 5/5/11. Typically how far in advance are hotels assigned. We are planning an additional day in Beijing prior to the start of our tour and two or three days in Shanghai afterwards. I would like to be able to check prices for these additional days on my own to compare them to what Viking is charging before adding them on through Viking.

[/quote]

We're also going next May (not the same date as you though) and adding time in Beijing at the start. I've asked Viking about the hotel and was told they won't know until at least mid-August and to start checking back with them then. Regardless of where Viking will put us, I'm looking very seriously at the Grand Hyatt for that extra time, given the location (easy access to Metro, walk to Tiananmen Square), not to mention Made in China and the pool. :)

Not sure how I can contain my excitement about this trip for nearly a year!

[Peregrina651]

[B][COLOR=Teal]I just checked my records. We learned about our hotels in late September for our May 8 cruise.

We stayed at the Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai (others stayed at the Westin) and at the China World in Beijing (and there are other hotels in that complex since it is also a large convention center; others were housed at the Westin). [/COLOR][/B]

[Turtles06]

Here's a question for those who have recently been in Beijing with Viking, posed because we'll be arriving in Beijing a few days early, which will give us time not just to start getting over the jet lag but also to see more of the city, and at our own pace. Obviously, we don't yet have a detailed itinerary from Viking (we're doing Imperial Jewels) -- from what you saw with Viking and your own research in advance, are there things you didn't get to see with Viking in Beijing that you wish you could have seen? Places you saw but wish you'd had more time at?

In particular, I'm wondering about the Forbidden City, where it seems one could easily spend a ton more time than Viking will (at least, judging from the brief description on their web site). To the extent you might know (again, from reading up in advance), were there parts of the Forbidden City you wish you'd been able to see? Did you feel you spent enough time there?

Viking's web site doesn't mention a visit to the Bird's Nest or other Olympic facilities. Were you taken there?

One thing we may well do is get a guide and go to another section of the Great Wall...

Any thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated!

[no fuss travel]

[quote name='Turtles06']Here's a question for those who have recently been in Beijing with Viking, posed because we'll be arriving in Beijing a few days early, which will give us time not just to start getting over the jet lag but also to see more of the city, and at our own pace. Obviously, we don't yet have a detailed itinerary from Viking (we're doing Imperial Jewels) -- from what you saw with Viking and your own research in advance, are there things you didn't get to see with Viking in Beijing that you wish you could have seen? Places you saw but wish you'd had more time at?

In particular, I'm wondering about the Forbidden City, where it seems one could easily spend a ton more time than Viking will (at least, judging from the brief description on their web site). To the extent you might know (again, from reading up in advance), were there parts of the Forbidden City you wish you'd been able to see? Did you feel you spent enough time there?

Viking's web site doesn't mention a visit to the Bird's Nest or other Olympic facilities. Were you taken there?

One thing we may well do is get a guide and go to another section of the Great Wall...

Any thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated![/quote]

We spent a fair amount of time with Viking at Forbidden City and feel that we covered most of it. Some parts of the Forbidden City are still forbidden to enter for tourists.
If you want to see panda bears, you will need to go to the zoo here as they do not take you to see bears when you travel from Beijing to Shanghai.
If you want to see the Olympic sites then go yourself. They drove us by to take a picture and that was it. In Beijing they took you to factory outlets only and you had no time to shop. I wished I had had some time to shop but I can always go back again.

[cruisegal#116]

Thanks to everyone who answered my question about how far out hotels are assigned. I would really prefer not to have to change hotels so I think I will just wait to see what hotels we draw before looking into adding the extra nights in Beijing and Shanghai on our own. According to all of you any of the hotels should be fine. It is so hard to be patient.

We have just finalized our air arrangements. Using BA FF miles and flying First Class. I have been saving my miles for this and have earned a free FF companion ticket so it wasn't too bad as far as the amount of miles we needed but oh, the taxes. We will arrive into Beijing around 9:00am on 5/4/11. The start date of our tour is 5/5 but that is actually the travel day of the tour so we will have almost two free days in Beijing before the touring actually begins.

We have an extra six days after the tour ends before we fly home from Hong Kong so we are thinking of adding two extra nights in Shanghai and then spending four nights in Hong Kong. Any thoughts as to whether we should be spending more time in Shanghai? The only place we have been previously on this itinerary is Hong Kong but that was a long time ago -- in 1994 and again in 1998. My husband loves Hong Kong and is pushing for the four nights there. I'm not sure if we are short-changing Shanghai. Any help here would be appreciated.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Peregrina651]

[B][COLOR=Teal]Viking does a great job on covering the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Personally, if I were going to hire a guide to see the Great Wall, I would not go a second time with Viking but would use that day to see more on my own.

If I had had more time in Beijing, I would have used it to see parts of the city that we did not cover with Viking and to shop and just wonder the streets. I have to admit that because Viking had our time all scheduled, I did not do any reading in advance about what to see and do in Beijing.

There is some amazing architecture in Beijing--new buildings-- and I wish that I could remember where it was that I saw the article on the architecture and the top ten buildings to see in the city. [/COLOR][/B]