Gate 1 - China - Yangtze River Cruise - Q & A

[cabinluvn]

Most hotels(not the ship) have clothes lines over the tub. You see clothes hanging out on the balconies of the ships while in port. We did too and they dried quickly. I used the hotel laundry in Tibet when my luggage got soaked with fishy smelling liquid. The cost wasn't cheap, but not all that bad, considering. I would definitely take less and use laundry services on the cruise and in the hotels. I had to buy a new suitcase and they only had midsized suitcases to purchase in the markets and I managed to fit everything in it.I took way more than I needed, but doing a cruise beforehand complicates things. I was surprised how much I could fit in a suitcase for 44 lbs. Lightweight clothes and shoes for sure. Shanghai and Xian were hot in September. Beijing was cooler. We did Tibet and that was warm as well. By the way, I never saw them weigh a carry on. Our tour guide checked all our bags at once and they are pretty lax going through security.

They must have a way to get wheelchairs down those stairs and through the docks to the ship. I did not see any ramps. When we got on and off the ship for the tours, it was up and down narrow stairs and I did not see any elevators for going below deck. China does not have much allowances for disabled. The trip was not an easy trip for able bodied people and if someone is truly wheelchair bound, I do not see how they will get around. I am not sure a wheelchair would fit through the cabin door of the ship. The tour bus even required a steep step up and down for the last step. I am in my mid 60s and I good shape and I needed help getting on and off. There were a lot of side tours that would not accommodate wheelchairs and some of the restaurants had no elevators that I could see. I hate to set anyone in a panic, but I would really investigate it fully. It would be a shame to get there and find there was no way to get around with the rest of the group.

 

 

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[africandoll18]

Hey Cabinluvn/Joan... interesting info. My degree is in Finance and I'm a proud cheapskate about things it's okay to be a cheapskate with... so I had already researched various other costs associated with this trip. This trip will be our least expensive trip we've ever taken out of the country... but I just can't justify spending an additional $2000+ for 4/5 more days in China so Gate 1 will have to have another sale on their 14 day or 15 day China with Yangtze River cruise before we move from the 10-day trip. I feel good about them doing this since I've only been getting their weekly deals for a couple of weeks now and they've already put some of the March 2014 14-day dates on sale for cheaper than the 10-day. A little bit of due diligence and I will "save" us over two grand... not too shabby.

 

Also, I checked with Gen Visa a couple of months ago I think...the first week we started looking at China...and it was over $400 for the 2 of us to get visas.

 

I also read another thread here on Cruise Critic where a couple spent over $1,000 on shots so I think costs can vary there. I spoke with our family physician last week and he told me because we live in a small town, we have to go to the local health dept and whatever we need will have to be ordered so who knows what we will end-up paying but probably a bit more than those who live in a non-rural area.

 

I suppose we'll have to consider the antibiotics/Pepto info when the trip gets closer. I think that's just a chance we'll have to take to travel to China but it sure doesn't sound like fun. From reading blogs of others who have taken Gate 1 trips to China and from your review, it sounds like a lot of Chinese food but I read on a couple of Travelpod blogs where travelers were able to go to a local McDonald's and Starbucks and etc and get more "American-like" snacks or foods during their off time ~ mainly in the evenings. Sounds silly but after 5 days of Chinese food, a cheeseburger and fries from the local Hilton might just hit the spot. :o:D

what's up cupkayke, i'm doing a trip to china with gate 1 as well. great minds think alike:o

[CupKayke]

what's up cupkayke, i'm doing a trip to china with gate 1 as well. great minds think alike:o

 

O MY GOSH!! My husband LOVED you guys!! (me too - LOL) What month are you planning to go??!!! We are booked for October now ~ but we may move it a bit if we can get a better deal on a 14/15 day with a cruise. We are booked on the 10-day, all land, escorted tour for now! Whoo Hoo! China was scarey at first but now I'm just excited.... ready for the fall!!

[CupKayke]

Africandoll.... you have to read this guy's blog of his Gate 1 trip to China - it's awesome and hilarious!!

 

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/rozbp/1/tpod.html

[africandoll18]

Africandoll.... you have to read this guy's blog of his Gate 1 trip to China - it's awesome and hilarious!!

 

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/rozbp/1/tpod.html

O'lisa and I are going summer 2015. thanks i will check it out and will post any info here if i get any.

[Mexfolkart]

This has all been SO helpful! We are going with China Odyssey in October and these tips are invaluable..we will probably all cross paths! Can't wait!

Sherry & Kimber

[cruisy susy]

Thanks for all the information...we are cruising from Los Angeles to shanghai and then beginning gate1 14 day trip with 4 day river cruise right away...I am wondering what weather will be like in April/early. May and can't imagine 44# bag....for whole trip...it will be a great challenge though...:eek:hubby has a 9 lb CPap machine. We are also flying to Tokyo for three days after and cruising Tokyo to vancouver:p cruisy Susy

[A&D Cruising]

Thank you so much for all this help! I will reread all this again but I bought jacket was needed for the captains dinner per Victoria cruise line,I believe. WEre you on a Victoria boat? I would hate for him to b the only one without. Ours is a 4 day cruise. Again thank you. More questions to come.

 

 

Hello, Junebug624, I am interested in hearing about your experience on Victoria Cruise Line. We are sailing on the Victoria Anna on July 22, 2014. I seem to be getiing conflicting info on the ship, its amenities and dress code, etc. We will only be in China for 5 days as the cruise is an add-on to a trip to Tokyo for a convention. Any insights you have would be greatly appreciated.

Did you have the Executive Luxury Amenities Package? And did you eat in the a la carte restaurant or the buffet? Thanks

 

To anyone else who has cruised with Victoria, please feel free to weigh in with your opinion.

[cabinluvn]

In response to husband who will be packing a CPAP machine. We traveled with my brother in law who also had the machine. He carried it in a messager bag and brought it as a carry on. Worked well for him.

We sailed the Victoria on the river cruise. Dress is casual, even for the captains dinner. Rooms are double beds, balcony with two chairs, closet with safe, bathroom with tub and shower, very small desk. Nothing fancy, but this is not a cruise ship like you do on the ocean. It is your basic river cruise. The ship is clean, the personnel very nice, the food very good. Entertainment at night is wonderful...do not miss it. No snacks between meals, minimal shopping(small pearl shop off the dining room, Victoria logo wear in the lobby). Be sure you purchase the CD of your trip. You won't be aware of it, but either Gate 1 or the ship has a photographer follow your group on the tours and on the ship. It is a wonderful memory of your cruise as well as the people in your group.

 

 

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[Angiet75]

O'lisa and I are going summer 2015. thanks i will check it out and will post any info here if i get any.

 

That sounds great. How are you all? How is Gloria?

we were thinking of a China trip next year also. Just in the thinking stages.