Viking China (Part 2)

[mee]

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.

[oceanbreeze999]

They said we can look for our own airfare and call them and see if they have them available at the contracted rate or if we wanted they can issue a refund of the air portion and we book on our own, losing the transfer and the insurance on the flights!

 

definitely book your own!!!

Viking ORIGINALLY booked us 22 hr total time Toronto to Shanghai, with layover in Vancouver (using the same airline Air-Canada to Vancouver and from Vancouver!!) go figure!! AND SAME RETURN FLIGHT !!idiots!!

 

hoverer, for $100 processing fee, THEY (VIKING AIR SERVICES) BOOKED US DIRECT 14 HR FLIGHT ( NO SWITCHING PLANES AND TAKING LUGGAUGE OUT OF PLANE AND CHECKING IT AGAIN IN VANCOUVER!! ) FOR ADDITIONAL $299.00 RETURN FOR TWO PEOPLE!!

 

I strongly believe (and highly recommend..)

that after spending $17000.00 for two people trip, the additional $400 for 16 hrs (return) less wasted time plus layovers and baggage hassle

is well worth the money..

 

oceanbreeze

[mee]

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.

[mee]

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.

[caribill]

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.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41653012&postcount=2534

[Mark_T]

On the Emerald, we used the ships computers and also sometimes had access to wifi for tablets/phones in the lounge.

 

The odd part is that on our trip there simply was no wifi on the ship at all.

 

The ships PCs worked fine, just no wifi for passenger use at all.

[brdgplay22]

We traveled from Shanghai to Beijing with Viking. Wifi and phones.

The Emerald has 8 computers that are very slow at best when they have a signal. No Google or social media available. Wifi works fine at the hotels,

Ritz-Carton Shanghai & Beijing, and Sheraton in Xian. Wifi available at most restaurants. I personally was able to text, get gmail. and unlimited internet including social media sites with a global T mobile plan. check it out.

 

Hotels were all first class, only complaint was the restaurant for breakfast at the Sheraton in Xian. Most food was cold. Other hotels breakfast was great with good selection. You will get tired of Chinese food on this tour. To many lazy susans with great variety but not very tasty. There Chinese food is not like US Chinese food.

 

I advise any body not in shape to start walking 3 miles a day several days a week a couple months before departure. We did and it truly made a difference. Walked 7 miles day of Great wall tour and again the next day at forbidden city.

 

Viking guides and crew on ship were excellent and always were there to help with problems. They took care of checked luggage from start to finish, no worries. Our guide for the 12 days was Iowa. I can't say enough about him. He was a great communicator and problem solver. I also got to know others on the ship and they were also excellent. Food on the ship was very good. Chinese selection every day, but plenty of western food available. If Candy, Jolly and Andrew are available, sit at their station. They took exceptional care of everyone. It is open seating, but their tables were full first.

 

We felt there was to much down time on the ship itself. The tours from the ship were excellent, they just did not take up much time. They took up 2 or 3 hours and the rest of the time you were on ship sailing.

 

Tours on land were excellent and well coordinated. You will be tired at the end of the day and go to bed early. Tours on land all started before 8am. We were up most days by 545am or before.

 

We took $200 in ones for tips to drivers, local guides and bellman. We used about $120. We converted $200 to Chinese RMB at Ritz (good conversion rate) only spent $100. Gave the other $100 to our guide as part of his tip. We did not buy many souvenirs. All vendors, and many stores would except US money and gladly took it.

 

Our group was mostly Americans and 20% maybe from Britain.

 

Any questions I will try to answer.

 

Joe

[caribill]

We converted $200 to Chinese RMB at Ritz (good conversion rate)

 

Thanks for your report.

 

Exchange rate is government controlled and should be the same everywhere.

[Mark_T]

You will get tired of Chinese food on this tour. To many lazy susans with great variety but not very tasty. There Chinese food is not like US Chinese food.

 

I would have to say that we certainly didn't tire of the Chinese food, and that was mostly because US Chinese food isn't really Chinese food :)

 

We felt there was to much down time on the ship itself. The tours from the ship were excellent, they just did not take up much time. They took up 2 or 3 hours and the rest of the time you were on ship sailing.

 

This part is kind of unavoidable due to the distance that has to be covered.

 

However, we did spend considerable time on deck watching the incredible scenery that we were passing, also a lot of temples and a few hill forts as well.

 

We were blessed with great weather, but had it been raining then I can see how the cruising part might be less appealing.

[mee]

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.

[PatriciaF]

We are on the Shanghai to Beijing excursion in April 2016. Love getting all of this info.

[xlxo]

Hotels were all first class, only complaint was the restaurant for breakfast at the Sheraton in Xian. Most food was cold. Other hotels breakfast was great with good selection. You will get tired of Chinese food on this tour. To many lazy susans with great variety but not very tasty. There Chinese food is not like US Chinese food.

I would have to say that we certainly didn't tire of the Chinese food, and that was mostly because US Chinese food isn't really Chinese food :)

Keep in mind there are different regions of Chinese food. Much of the America Chinese food is a variation of Cantonese fusion. If you travel around Hong Kong, you will see something closer to what you see in North America.

 

On wikipedia.... I can see descriptions for eight regions of food....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cuisine#Regional_cuisines

[digitl]

You will get tired of Chinese food on this tour. To many lazy susans with great variety but not very tasty. There Chinese food is not like US Chinese food.

 

Perhaps because theIR Chinese food is authentic Chinese food...?

[CowgirlCook]

This morning, in reading an article about this cruise (http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/virtuosolife/20111112/#/0, starting at page 84), it dawned on me....when we traveled to Africa, we brought items for school children. When we visit the Viking school classroom, are there opportunities and is it proper to provide small items?

[caribill]

This morning, in reading an article about this cruise (http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/virtuosolife/20111112/#/0, starting at page 84), it dawned on me....when we traveled to Africa, we brought items for school children. When we visit the Viking school classroom, are there opportunities and is it proper to provide small items?

 

Any items you bring should be given to the teachers who will make sure they are properly distributed/used.

 

There is a box where a monetary donation (Yuan or US $) may be given.

[Mark_T]

This morning, in reading an article about this cruise (http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/virtuosolife/20111112/#/0, starting at page 84), it dawned on me....when we traveled to Africa, we brought items for school children. When we visit the Viking school classroom, are there opportunities and is it proper to provide small items?

 

The teachers will politely accept pretty much anything you want to give them, but nothing should be given directly to the children.

 

To be honest though, donations of cash in the box provided are for the most part more useful as it lets them buy what they need the most rather than what we think they might need.

[digitl]

The teachers will politely accept pretty much anything you want to give them, but nothing should be given directly to the children.

 

To be honest though, donations of cash in the box provided are for the most part more useful as it lets them buy what they need the most rather than what we think they might need.

 

From experience around the world...

 

Writing materials are always useful whatever country you might be in.

 

Sweets ('candy') only invite dental problems.

 

Cash can always be 'lost'.

[CowgirlCook]

Thanks Digitl, Mark and Carabill. Yes, in Uganda we also gave our items to the teacher - certainly didn't have enough for all the children! We very much appreciate all of your thoughts and specifics!:o

[oceanbreeze999]

.. in Uganda we also gave our items to the teacher...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CowgirlCook,

 

I assume "Uganda" was trip to see gorillas..

It is on my bucket list. As a matter of fact we are in a process of deciding between TANZANIA/ KENYA (FOR BIG 5) AND UGANDA/RWANDA FOR GORILLAS..

can you briefly share your Uganda experience? was it worth it? regrets??

perhaps PM me at oceanbreeze999 (at) bell (dot) net

 

kindest regards

oceanbreeze

[oceanbreeze999]

so we arrived on middle of t-storm to Shanghai ON TIME!!

then we waited for luggage more than one hr!

Viking agent already had a group around her, waiting for about an hr.

Then we all waited another hr till we boarded the bus for hotel.correction- for hotels....4 as a matter of fact!!!

We were the "lucky one having the most expensive hotel ritz CarltonBUT ER WERE THE LAST TO BR DROPPED OFF!!!

Aufull!! We landed @ 3;12pm and got to our room at 7;30!!!!!

Traffic was terrible and driving tru city in rush hr going to sooo many hotels was just plan stupid on Vikings

Guide in a bus didnot say much except and I quote:

You get all your info in hotel, I am sorry for long drive and

I WANT TO LET TOU KNOW THA WE DO NOT GET PAID!!! And the tips are $3 for driver and $2 for guide...

I newer in my life experienced so Brazen request for tip..

Hotel reception didn't know anything about VIKING!!

after a Lotsa calling we finally got in touch with our guide

She just rather materof faculty said that she came from Bejing and was late and that was it....

Well so much for bad and ugly...

Good , well perhaps outstanding, great etc.. Was the breakfast..

Put of this world western style all kind of ega omelets croissants cold cuts cheeses salads exotic fruit and cappuccino , espresso

Heaven...

Weather cleared sightseeing was outstanding

So this was the GOOD...

Oceanbreeze

[Mark_T]

Good , well perhaps outstanding, great etc.. Was the breakfast..

Put of this world western style all kind of ega omelets croissants cold cuts cheeses salads exotic fruit and cappuccino , espresso

Heaven...

Weather cleared sightseeing was outstanding

So this was the GOOD...

Oceanbreeze

 

Sounds like you are just starting and the first airport transfer can be a bit chaotic depending on how many people are arriving and if there are enough to split the groups immediately or as sounds to be the case for you, one bus with multiple stops.

 

This is almost the only time you'll have people from different hotels on the same bus.

 

Who is your guide?

 

Sounds like you may have got Johanna, if so you are very lucky, she is excellent.

[digitl]

Traffic was terrible and driving tru city in rush hr going to sooo many hotels was just plan stupid on Vikings

 

We have just returned from a month's travelling in China as a couple. We don't do groups. Most large cities have traffic problems and Shanghai is not immune. You would have been lucky to have made anything other than slow progress whatever time you had arrived. It's clearly not Viking's fault, it's just how it is.

 

I WANT TO LET TOU KNOW THA WE DO NOT GET PAID!!! And the tips are $3 for driver and $2 for guide...

I newer in my life experienced so Brazen request for tip..

 

Then don't pay. Tips are for outstanding service and should not be automatic. That just devalues them...

Edited May 16, 2015 by digitl

[BSinPNS]

We are doing the Imperial Jewels from Shanghai to Beijing in October with a few days before and after arranged by China Odyssey Tours. We will be spending a few nights in Shanghai before going to Suzhou and Hangzhou, then returning to Shanghai to do the Viking portion. We would like to travel light and leave our luggage at the hotel. What hotels does Viking use in Shanghai and what determines which hotel you are assigned? Likewise, we are planning on a few extra days in Beijing. What hotels does Viking use there. I would like to make reservations now, but would consider changing if Viking assigns us elsewhere. Thanks for your input and ideas.

[CowgirlCook]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CowgirlCook,

 

I assume "Uganda" was trip to see gorillas..

It is on my bucket list. As a matter of fact we are in a process of deciding between TANZANIA/ KENYA (FOR BIG 5) AND UGANDA/RWANDA FOR GORILLAS..

can you briefly share your Uganda experience? was it worth it? regrets??

perhaps PM me at oceanbreeze999 (at) bell (dot) net

 

emailed a few days ago.....reach me at marnamc@cox.net

Not a good experience with luggage/wait AFTER a long flight. Glad things are going well now. Enjoy

Edited May 17, 2015 by CowgirlCook
addition

[caribill]

We are doing the Imperial Jewels from Shanghai to Beijing in October with a few days before and after arranged by China Odyssey Tours. We will be spending a few nights in Shanghai before going to Suzhou and Hangzhou, then returning to Shanghai to do the Viking portion. We would like to travel light and leave our luggage at the hotel. What hotels does Viking use in Shanghai and what determines which hotel you are assigned? Likewise, we are planning on a few extra days in Beijing. What hotels does Viking use there. I would like to make reservations now, but would consider changing if Viking assigns us elsewhere. Thanks for your input and ideas.

 

Can't answer which hotels currently used, but Viking seems to randomly assign people to groups and each group is assigned to a hotel with multiple groups usually at each hotel.

 

You might want to ask Viking if you have been assigned to hotels yet (although it could change).