Viking China (Part 2)

Dear Viking Travelers,

We see that there is a growing concern around the level of the Yangtze River and how it has impacted – or will impact – sailings of Viking Emerald. The Yangtze, as you know, recently had a very high water level and therefore a few of our itineraries required some adjustments. When necessary we worked to provide our guests with an alternative itinerary that continued to highlight some of China’s many wonders. Similar to what Cruise Critic member bayerish has reported, we are hearing from many of the guests on these affected sailings that they too had a great trip. We understand that some are disappointed with the portion of the river cruise that we were unable to provide and we would be more than happy to speak with any guest about their feedback or concerns. We can be contacted directly at TellUs@vikingrivercruises.com.

Currently we are pleased to report that the level of the Yangtze River, in the area that Viking sails, has returned to normal. At this point in time we do not anticipate any future itinerary alterations will be necessary. Based on some recent posts to this thread we understand how frustrated a few of you are that you were not able to get the answers you wanted from our representatives on the phone. We apologize for that frustration and moving forward we will try to learn from this experience and adjust our internal communication processes. With that said, please know that the safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority and were that safety ever to be compromised we would take the action required to the fullest extent.

Sincerely,

Viking River Cruises

Just returned from Imperial Jewels of China and happy to report that the Emerald sailed from Wohan to Chongqing as scheduled. It was a wonderful trip and every aspect of the trip from Shanghai to the cruise to Beijing was fabulous. It is VERY hot in China right now but we had no rain; just "hazy" (smoggy) skies but otherwise our itinerary went like clockwork. If anyone has any reservations about being in China, Viking is completely organized from A to Z and it makes the journey completely stress free. The tour escort advises you on everything from what money to bring, where the "western" bathrooms are, to shopping, how to avoid the street vendors, and how to bargain. By far, the best trip we have had. The Emerald is a lovely ship and the food was outstanding. You will eat a lot of Chinese food but there is plenty of other food to choose from and it all is good.

The highlight for us was the trip to the school. One group had postcards from their home cities/states and passed them around to the children to see. It was a big hit.

Our tour escort was Johanna and she was first rate; we all loved her dearly and learned so much from her.

If anyone has questions I'd be glad to share our experiences.

We leave for Imperial Jewels in early October out of Beijing and have yet to find any info on cc about the extension trip to Hong Kong. Has anyone done it or can anyone point me to some post that I might have missed. I'm also starting top think about clothes (I know it's early) but with the rainy weather and being October I'd really appreciate some ideas!!

http://gochina.about.com/od/weather/p/Oct_in_China.htm

Attached is a google site about weather in China in October. It will give you the information you need.

Just click on the link.

Just returned from Imperial Jewels of China and happy to report that the Emerald sailed from Wohan to Chongqing as scheduled. It was a wonderful trip and every aspect of the trip from Shanghai to the cruise to Beijing was fabulous. It is VERY hot in China right now but we had no rain; just "hazy" (smoggy) skies but otherwise our itinerary went like clockwork. If anyone has any reservations about being in China, Viking is completely organized from A to Z and it makes the journey completely stress free. The tour escort advises you on everything from what money to bring, where the "western" bathrooms are, to shopping, how to avoid the street vendors, and how to bargain. By far, the best trip we have had. The Emerald is a lovely ship and the food was outstanding. You will eat a lot of Chinese food but there is plenty of other food to choose from and it all is good.

The highlight for us was the trip to the school. One group had postcards from their home cities/states and passed them around to the children to see. It was a big hit.

Our tour escort was Johanna and she was first rate; we all loved her dearly and learned so much from her.

If anyone has questions I'd be glad to share our experiences.

Dear Promisekeeper,

Welcome home from China! We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed every aspect of your cruise and that it was the best trip you’ve had. A stress free vacation certainly makes for a wonderful time, no matter where you go. It sounds like the service provided by our staff and crew helped you to cruise without a care – and that’s something we never grow tired of hearing.

Additionally, it’s nice to hear that the highlight of your trip was your visit to the Viking supported school. We’re sure the experiences your shared with the students will be treasured for years to come.

Thank you for choosing to sail with us! We hope to welcome you onboard again soon!

Sincerely,

Viking River Cruises

I have been away for a few days and am so glad to read the postings on the water level on the Yangtze and the return to normal. Thank you Kohla and Promisekeeper for your insight. And thank you Viking Cruises for responding to the concerns of your guests. We took our first Viking cruise last year in Russia and enjoyed it very much. We are looking very forward to China but were a little frustrated over the lack of information except on this board. Its great that you have rectified that and I can't wait for China.

I want to echo the recent comment by Holly1225 AND thank Viking Cruise for their follow up. BTW: I wholeheartedly applaud the focus on safety.;) I can't wait for our cruise to China!!:D

I have an unlocked quad phone and am looking for a prepaid SIM card to use in China. The features I'm looking for are: low cost calls back to the US and inexpensive local calls within China. Does anyone have any suggestions for carriers or plans? Is it better to get the SIM card in China or in the US?

I have an unlocked quad phone and am looking for a prepaid SIM card to use in China. The features I'm looking for are: low cost calls back to the US and inexpensive local calls within China. Does anyone have any suggestions for carriers or plans? Is it better to get the SIM card in China or in the US?

We used rebelfone. Good value and easy to use. We ordered the SIM card in the US and received it about a week before we left. We mailed it back the day after we returned. It is $9.99 for a month. Check their website for specific charges for calls, texts, etc. We got a local mobile number within China and a follow-me US cell number so that friends and family could call us from their cell phones without a charge. That way, we eliminated random calls and just gave out our number to those we wanted to have it.

I hope so! Please try and find us - on our ocean cruises, all the CC members wear mardi gras beads on embarkation day - maybe we can do something like that...:)

I may have marti gras beads. I'll look for them. I am registered under Mary Davis if that helps. See you soon.

You were right the package from Viking was really nice and informative. To anyone reading this that has not made this trip, Viking provides a booklet with info on almost everything you need to know. It arrives a month before you leave.

Hi there

We're booked on the same trip but in April/May 2013. I'll be posting after our tour so just thought I'd let you know. You might want the update so send me a reminder if you want.

My iPad is 64GB, which was more than enough for my 890+ photos, but you are correct, limited storage. Still, I find that one hindrance insignificant when compared to lugging the laptop.

I've been reading this thread with interest. We travel with both an iPad and a laptop - I switched from a notebook style laptop (small but still a little on the heavy side) to a MAC Airbook - the Airbook is light and easy to slide in and out of my backpack or other carry on and actually weighs less than my husband's iPad. i've had no trouble using either anywhere we travel.

We used rebelfone. Good value and easy to use. We ordered the SIM card in the US and received it about a week before we left. We mailed it back the day after we returned. It is $9.99 for a month. Check their website for specific charges for calls, texts, etc. We got a local mobile number within China and a follow-me US cell number so that friends and family could call us from their cell phones without a charge. That way, we eliminated random calls and just gave out our number to those we wanted to have it.

Promisekeeper,

Thanks for the tip about rebelfone. We'll look into that.

Hi there

We're booked on the same trip but in April/May 2013. I'll be posting after our tour so just thought I'd let you know. You might want the update so send me a reminder if you want.

Which cruise are you doing? We are on the Imperial Jewels starting in Beijing April 14, 2013.

Hi We're doing the trip to the roof of the world April 20, 2013 -- I'm getting quite excited about the whole thing.

It will be a long flight (or flights) no matter how you plan it. To me arrival time is important at the start of the trip, so I would try to arrive in mid-afternoon if possible and not late at night.

 

Departure time at the end is also important and I woukld try for late morning or an afternoon departure so you do not have to get up and leave the hotel before breakfast.

 

Roll calls for a specific Viking China cruise are very few as there are rarely more than one of two different families who are on the same trip and know about Cruise Critic and participate in roll calls. Your best source of information may be this thread.

The other thing that we've noticed flying to southeast Asia is the west to east time change isn't bad but coming back the jet lag is a bit rough. We usually stay overnight in our airport of departure (Vancouver Canada) both the night before going out and the night we get back. That way we start out the trip rested and give ourselves some decompression time coming back :-) Works well.

Which cruise are you doing? We are on the Imperial Jewels starting in Beijing April 14, 2013.

We really do have to ask which itinerary people are on since starting at the end of April, 2013, Viking will be adding another yet itinerary that shares the 6 day Chongqing/Wuhan cruise. The separate itineraries might not begin and end on the same dates but they are all timed to reach the ship at the same time.

I don't know about anyone else but I am looking forward to hearing the first reports from the new China Explorer trip and to adding that information to this thread.

China Explorers, please note that a lot of the information here applies to your itinerary as well.

Hi,

We are doing the Imperial Jewels May 1, 2013....starting in Shanghai.

Really looking forward to a different type of cruising and exploring.

Hi,

 

We are doing the Imperial Jewels May 1, 2013....starting in Shanghai.

Really looking forward to a different type of cruising and exploring.

No, no flights yet.

Last week we booked Imperial Jewels for Sep 2013 with a $1,000 downpayment. Now Viking is asking for the full balance by Aug 31. Is that their normal policy?

I am booked with a group of 10 people for October of 2013. We paid our deposits in June and the balance is due March 31, 2013.

Last week we booked Imperial Jewels for Sep 2013 with a $1,000 downpayment. Now Viking is asking for the full balance by Aug 31. Is that their normal policy?

It may be for some special discount to pay 1 year in advance in full.

If that is what it is and you do not want the discount, you should be able to find out the true final payment date.

Also find what the penalty would be if you pay now and decide to cancel before the normal final payment date.

Give them a call. I have always found them helpful on the phone.

Last week we booked Imperial Jewels for Sep 2013 with a $1,000 downpayment. Now Viking is asking for the full balance by Aug 31. Is that their normal policy?

As caribill says, it is their normal policy if you are taking them up on one of their early booking discounts or airfare deals. You must pay in full by the deadline stated in the offer in order to get the deal. If you aren't working from a Viking sale brochure, you might not be aware of this policy but is so stated there--in the fine print, of course.

The question that you have to ask is not only about cancelling but what it will cost you if you don't pay by the early booking discount deadline. What price are you locking in if you book now and pay later? It may well be worth your while to pay by August 31, especially if you are taking Viking up on their airfare offer.

rahrah, just so folks won't be confused, since you booked with a group of 10 people, you have a different deal and your payment schedule is different from those who are using an early booking discount which under the terms of the offer must be paid in full by the offer deadline.

first night in Shanghai! We are at the Shangri-La, FABULOUS hotel. The city is beautiful. Long day, very tiring - touring starts tomorrow!:)

first night in Shanghai! We are at the Shangri-La, FABULOUS hotel. The city is beautiful. Long day, very tiring - touring starts tomorrow!:)

Get a good night's sleep! It is going to be almost non-stop now until you get back on the plane! Have a great trip!

BTW, the buffet in the ShangriLa is huge and you have to go all the way back to find the omelet bar and to check out some of the other non-American breakfast food stations. There are more food choices than you can even sample in a single meal!!