Viking China

[whales43]

Anyone on the April 3rd starting in Shanghai? Great info on this site. Is it true that I will only need a fleece for the weather? I'm leery about that. Also hoping my back holds up!

[no fuss travel]

Anyone on the April 3rd starting in Shanghai? Great info on this site. Is it true that I will only need a fleece for the weather? I'm leery about that. Also hoping my back holds up!

 

With the weird weather we are having all over the world, I would take probably something more than a fleece. It might be quite cool while in Beijing and at the Great Wall. I remember people talking about needing gloves and toques. Mind you there will be someone there to sell them to you if it is cold. Also take into account where you are currently living. Some people will find it quite cold whereas others will find it typical of the temperatures of where they are living now.

[Cathys Cruising]

I'm still a little confused and concerned about the luggage restrictions on the intra China flights. I am packing challenged and will really need to watch what I pack to fit everything in 2 44 lb or less suitcases and our two carry on's allowed. (2 of us) Then when I listen to everyone talk about buying all this stuff while over there - where do you put it all, plus the stuff you took and still maintain correct weights and allowed baggage? :confused:

We're doing the Imperial Jewels in Sept with the Hong Kong add on. This is our first river cruise and trip to China - so any advice is welcome. This has been an excellent thread. Kkbay - I'm looking forward to your review when you get back.

 

 

 

Cathy

[whales43]

No we are leaving the US April 1 for an April 3rd cruise. And yes, the visa is in the passport. I can't believe I didn't know that. I feel so stupid!!

 

whales 43, are you leaving the us on 3/26 on the first Viking RIver Cruise of the season? If so, we are, too.

[whales43]

People on another site told me a fleece would be fine, but after reading here and looking at the weather averages there, I'm inclined to agree that I have to bring more than that. Layers are all well and good, but they don't take the place of a coat. Now have to figure that out. I am trying to bring as little luggage as possible and will do layers as much as possible. Am also packing in one color so all can be mixed and matched. Gloves. OK. I wear larger sizes so I have to make sure to bring enough and enough that I can wash in the sink since I'm reading that they only use hot water on your clothes in the hotels and on the ship. We found a great new way of packing that takes up so much less space. If I can find the website we found it on I'll send it along.

I was told by Viking that all the other tour buses have to park far from the entrances to sites but that Viking goes right up to the door. That would be great.

 

Anyone for the April 3rd trip?

 

 

 

With the weird weather we are having all over the world, I would take probably something more than a fleece. It might be quite cool while in Beijing and at the Great Wall. I remember people talking about needing gloves and toques. Mind you there will be someone there to sell them to you if it is cold. Also take into account where you are currently living. Some people will find it quite cold whereas others will find it typical of the temperatures of where they are living now.

[no fuss travel]

I'm still a little confused and concerned about the luggage restrictions on the intra China flights. I am packing challenged and will really need to watch what I pack to fit everything in 2 44 lb or less suitcases and our two carry on's allowed. (2 of us) Then when I listen to everyone talk about buying all this stuff while over there - where do you put it all' date=' plus the stuff you took and still maintain correct weights and allowed baggage? :confused:[/size']

 

We're doing the Imperial Jewels in Sept with the Hong Kong add on. This is our first river cruise and trip to China - so any advice is welcome. This has been an excellent thread. Kkbay - I'm looking forward to your review when you get back.

 

 

 

Cathy

 

 

Cathy

 

They weigh all of the luggage together so if you are a little over don't worry because someone else will be under. They are not that strict about the one carry on for inter China flights. It is amazing what people carried on with them. When you go to the silk factory they will compress what you buy so that it hardly takes any space whatsoever.

 

You will have a fabulous trip and I would love to go back again. The problem is there are too many other places I want to visit first.

[caribill]

People on another site told me a fleece would be fine, but after reading here and looking at the weather averages there, I'm inclined to agree that I have to bring more than that.

 

 

If you have not yet looked at detailed past temperature information, go to http://fp.homestead.com/asiaweather.html and select Beijing or Shanghai.

 

Then a little way down on the left on the weather page for the selected city, it will say "Weather History for This Location". Select that and you can enter the dates you are interested in and see what the weather was like in past years at that time.

 

Of course, just as where you live, past weather performance is not guaranteed for the same dates in the future.

[Romeosc]

I'm still a little confused and concerned about the luggage restrictions on the intra China flights. I am packing challenged and will really need to watch what I pack to fit everything in 2 44 lb or less suitcases and our two carry on's allowed. (2 of us) Then when I listen to everyone talk about buying all this stuff while over there - where do you put it all' date=' plus the stuff you took and still maintain correct weights and allowed baggage? :confused:[/size']

We're doing the Imperial Jewels in Sept with the Hong Kong add on. This is our first river cruise and trip to China - so any advice is welcome. This has been an excellent thread. Kkbay - I'm looking forward to your review when you get back.

Cathy

 

 

 

We were on the Imperial Jewels in Oct 09. Wde had the same concerns.

 

We took 2 large suitcases(each with a folded rolling suitcase inside. Each of the 2 pieces were barely under the 50# international limit. We took older clothes to dispose of before intra china flights. We also had 1 carry-on each. I also had a CPAP carry-on.

 

We specifically chose Beijing to Shanghai after much reading about that Shanghai was the ultimate shopping place!

 

Our first question after airport pick-up was how to handle lugguage on intra-China flights. Iowa, our guide told us not to worry, buy everything and as long as we supported the "Chinese Economy", we would be alright.

 

Viking checks all you bags together and pays the difference so their is no problem! They even gave us 6 ribbons to identify our luggage. They give everyone 1 and give you more if you need them. You write your room number on it when you get to each stop. They collect and deliver them to your room! We purchased a 65# silk tapestry in Beijing and carried it on each flight since they wrapped it and attached a handle!

 

We did donate our old clothes to our steward on the boat to make room for new purchases. We had Iowa write the note in Chinese so they did not think we left by mistake and try to ship them back to us.

 

We were prepared to use our FedEx account (even carried our own filled out bill of ladens) to send excess home from Shanghai hotel, but didn't need to.

 

 

Our China Packing list is enclosed as PDF

China Pack list.pdf

[Atlanta Cruisers]

Romeo, We really appreciate all your suggestions. You have been great in helping us plan this trip!

[Romeosc]

Romeo, We really appreciate all your suggestions. You have been great in helping us plan this trip!

 

 

Your welcome.... we just want to return some of the help we have received from fellow CCers.

 

 

Our Viking trip was one of the best trips in our over 30 years of cruising!

[kkbay]

We've been checking weather.com and it seems the weather in China is finally getting a little warmer. I have made up my mind that I can get along with less clothes and will stick to this plan, whether I buy lots of souvenirs or not. Has anyone been to the Pearl Market in Beijing? Seems like no one has, but from what I have read it seems great. Ladies, if I go, I will certainly deliver a report.

[whales43]

Can someone tell me if we should try and get Yuen and bring money with us or is it better to get some at the ATM in the airport when we arrive? Has anyone had clothes made there? I'm wondering what the cost of that can run. Thanks!

[caribill]

Can someone tell me if we should try and get Yuen and bring money with us or is it better to get some at the ATM in the airport when we arrive?

 

There are ATMs in the airport when you first arrive in China. Using an ATM is the most cost effective way to get the Chinese currancy.

[Cathys Cruising]

Thanks for the reassurance on the luggage. I'm just going to be forced into packing lighter for this trip than any other I've ever been on.

I googled eastern toilets last night as I just couldn't envision that concept. Oh my! Guess I'll bring ziplock baggies for carrying TP & paper towels from the hotel out on our excursions in the event a western potty isn't available.

I'm guessing the escort that meets you at the airport when you arrive will allow us the time to access the ATM for local currency? I noticed that on the Hong Kong extension not all meals were furnished. Is it better to pay for meals as you go with local currency or use your credit card to pay for them?

I'm anxious for those of you that have trips coming up soon to get back and let us hear your thoughts!

Cathy

[Romeosc]

Can someone tell me if we should try and get Yuen and bring money with us or is it better to get some at the ATM in the airport when we arrive? Has anyone had clothes made there? I'm wondering what the cost of that can run. Thanks!

 

 

All hotels and money exchanges in China are required to use the government controlled exchange rate, so it is same everywhere. We got ours at Hotel in Beijing and our guide, Iowa, says if we need some, we could come to "Bank of Iowa"!

 

They have a tailor on ship and some people had silk jackets made.

[Peregrina651]

Viking now has a Facebook page which is generating some traffic. As part of the new page, they have started Roll Calls as a place where people can try to find other people who will be sailing with them. The Roll Calls are organized by itinerary regardless of sailing date.

 

Who knows if they will be successful in the new venture but in the meantime, it is another place where we can look to find folks who will be sailing with us.

 

In just the first 24 hours, there are two posts (including mine) on the Cultural Delights thread, one on the Roof of the World, seven on Imperial Jewels and one on Yangtze Explorer. Who knows, maybe one of those people is sailing with you.

 

No, I'm not jumping ship. I'm following both. Not everyone wants to join Cruise Critic and not everyone wants to join Facebook. I'm just going where the people are. Besides, it will be a long time before they can catch up to this thread in terms of helpful information and friendly participants.

[whales43]

I don't know. Everything I have read about it and really pearls anywhere in China, are that they are all fake and not good. I was surprised but it sounds like Beijing is not the place to shop.

 

We've been checking weather.com and it seems the weather in China is finally getting a little warmer. I have made up my mind that I can get along with less clothes and will stick to this plan, whether I buy lots of souvenirs or not. Has anyone been to the Pearl Market in Beijing? Seems like no one has, but from what I have read it seems great. Ladies, if I go, I will certainly deliver a report.

[Lucky Granny]

The Pearl Market in Beijing only has pearls on the 5th or 6th floor, I don't remember how many floors there were but pearls and other real jewelry were on the top floor and the other 4 or 5 floors below are full of everything you can think of to look at, haggle over, and maybe or maybe not buy. We skipped the last dinner in Beijing to go there by cab and really enjoyed the funl. We even got brought down to the basement where the "really good" fake handbags were....you can get some of them for a fourth of the original asking price and they were beautiful. The only thing I was disappointed in the price of was the fake Rolexes. I bought five for $10 on the street in Shanghai but was told "crazy American!" when I offered that price in Beijing at the Pearl Market....they may have been cheaper on the street in Beijing. We ate a meal that night at a pizza restaurant connected to the market, sitting outside. The street vendors approached and we noticed the restaurant staff carefully watching us to see if we were irritated and if they should run them off. We were not, so they left them alone. As we ate pizza, the price of caps came down from five for $20 to five for $12. We also returned to the Market the next morning before our bus to the airport departed. At the Market, we each bought, for $5. a heavy vinyl tote bag which we stuffed with dirty clothes and checked with our luggage.....our suitcases were full of treasures. We did not have much opportunity to shop in Shanghai...we went to a local shopping area but the stores carried the kinds of things the Chinese buy, not tourists. And the sizes were all very small. I normally wear an 8-10 shirt but could no find anything big enough for me in Chinese stores.

[Peregrina651]

I don't know. Everything I have read about it and really pearls anywhere in China, are that they are all fake and not good. I was surprised but it sounds like Beijing is not the place to shop.

 

Where have you been reading and what grade of pearl are they talking about?

[seanf]

I have been busy reading this thread in preparation for my China trip (Roof of the World) in a few weeks time, but have two questions I would greatly appreciate some advice on:

 

1) Most people who have posted here are from the US, so taking mostly or all Dollars makes a lot of sense. As I am from the UK and will be exchanging money whatever would you recommend I take mostly Dollars, mostly Yuan, 50/50, etc. ? This is for street and smaller shop purchases and for tips other than the ones on the ship

 

2) How are meals included in the Viking package handled in the hotels? Do the staff there know you are with Viking and not to charge?

 

Thanks

 

Sean :)

[Romeosc]

I have been busy reading this thread in preparation for my China trip (Roof of the World) in a few weeks time, but have two questions I would greatly appreciate some advice on:

 

1) Most people who have posted here are from the US, so taking mostly or all Dollars makes a lot of sense. As I am from the UK and will be exchanging money whatever would you recommend I take mostly Dollars, mostly Yuan, 50/50, etc. ? This is for street and smaller shop purchases and for tips other than the ones on the ship

 

2) How are meals included in the Viking package handled in the hotels? Do the staff there know you are with Viking and not to charge?

 

Thanks

 

Sean :)

 

 

I took all dollars (200 in 1$ bills and rest in large) Exchange rate is same everywhere in China and is available in all hotels, museums etc. Street Vendors took either dollars or Yuan. Small shops took dollars, Yuans and credit cards!

 

The meals at the hotels are just signed for and charged to room. There were a couple of times where we were given a voucher to sign and turn in. Tips were included and not expected, but we gave extra cash anyway!

 

Viking had meals and water on the buses and because we overate everywhere, many box lunches were never touched!

 

.... just a note, we took small give-a-ways (Memphis keychains, Elvis postcards, etc) to give to locals and wait staff on ship... made a big difference in service. We always got the first table in dining room reserved for us!

 

 

PS. trade your Yuans back in before leaving China, because they don't charge a fee to exchange!

[carolhey]

We are traveling to China the end of September with friends on Vikings Jewel of China. Looking for others that might be on the trip

[whales43]

Thanks so much for this helpful money advice. Most appreciated. As for the small giveaways you talk about, were those little things you brought from home? You just handed them out? When and how? Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

I took all dollars (200 in 1$ bills and rest in large) Exchange rate is same everywhere in China and is available in all hotels, museums etc. Street Vendors took either dollars or Yuan. Small shops took dollars, Yuans and credit cards!

 

The meals at the hotels are just signed for and charged to room. There were a couple of times where we were given a voucher to sign and turn in. Tips were included and not expected, but we gave extra cash anyway!

 

Viking had meals and water on the buses and because we overate everywhere, many box lunches were never touched!

 

.... just a note, we took small give-a-ways (Memphis keychains, Elvis postcards, etc) to give to locals and wait staff on ship... made a big difference in service. We always got the first table in dining room reserved for us!

 

 

PS. trade your Yuans back in before leaving China, because they don't charge a fee to exchange!

[Romeosc]

Thanks so much for this helpful money advice. Most appreciated. As for the small giveaways you talk about, were those little things you brought from home? You just handed them out? When and how? Thanks.

 

 

I gave Elvis pins (we are from Memphis) and old Jaycee lapel pins with TN outline on them to kids at the Viking School and to the family home we visited in Old Beijing. The owner had refrigerator magnets from all over the world, that people had given her. We also gave to people we met that were overly friendly!

 

I had a friend write a note on card in Chinese that explained the items before I left states. I still had to have our guide, Iowa, explain to some, since Chinese writing varies by parts of country.

[no fuss travel]

For the school visit, school supplies are appreciated as well as they have a cash donation box too. We found Canadian stickers and anything that represented Canada to take and the children loved it. They are put in a box and all the school benefits from what you take. I took a bunch of swag from the university I teach at and the teachers and students were thrilled. I also took pencils that had Canadian dollar bills stamped on them. If you can get pins from your city, they appreciate those as well.