Viking China (Part 2)

[caribill]

We booked on Saturday! We didn't come away with what I thought we would, but it was all our choice. We picked a flight that has one more connection than could have been had, but total travel time, and most importantly the time for the "long jump" were minimized. The flight from San Francisco is "only" 12 hours.

 

Some other plusses: We arrive about 4:30 in the afternoon AND we get the forced overnight. Our total travel time is 18 hours.

 

Since this is in so far in advance, remember that the airline can change flight schedules and connections at any time between now and when you will travel.

 

What is a great itinerary now might change.

[Turtles06]

Thanks for the update. We wont be able to select our flights until the end of October (310 days out). We live near Atlanta but we figured we would fly to the west coast (LAX) a day early than our viking arranged flight. This saved us dollars since we hope to fly domestic on frequent flyer tickets,and then allow us to get better acclimated to China time with an extra hotel stay in LA; (We also have a layover day in Beijing). So we plan to use custom air to get a none stop from LAX to Beijing, and a none stop return from Shanghai to LAX.

 

But if things does not work out, we would be willing to go to a better gateway for a direct international flight . So only time will tell if custom air works out for us. Let us know how the seats arrangements work out. Thanks again.

 

 

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Since you are near Atlanta, have you thought about a flight to DC or NY and then taking a non-stop to Beijing? The flights from the East Coast take a great circle route over the North Pole (literally), whereas the ones from the west coast can't do that. As a result, those flights are nearly as long as those taking the polar routes. Because you'd have to fly practically across the continent to take a flight from the west coast, I think you are looking at a lot of flying time. You say you are planning some time in L.A. to help you get used to the time difference in China, but you might consider how tiring it is to get in and out of airports, get to a hotel, check in, check out, get back to the airport. Personally, I find all that schlepping rather exhausting.

 

My point, quite simply, is that you might find yourself less stressed and less tired (or no less tired) if you took a short flight to DC and then flew nonstop from there to Beijing. Only you can decide if this would work for you; I am just suggesting that you not dismiss it out of hand.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info ..

[Rodie H]

Mike, I too am on the April 17 Jewels trip. Where will you be flying out of. I'm with a group, we'll be 6 from Tampa, FL.

 

Gilda

[pinotlover]

We'd be flying out of Nashville, and our best schedule and fare is definitely through Newark. Both cities are non stop flights from Newark. The bad news of course it is Newark which I hate, but honestly not any worse than LAX, imo.

 

Total travel travel time is far less going through Newark than flying to the west coast.

[systables]

Since you are near Atlanta, have you thought about a flight to DC or NY and then taking a non-stop to Beijing? The flights from the East Coast take a great circle route over the North Pole (literally), whereas the ones from the west coast can't do that. As a result, those flights are nearly as long as those taking the polar routes. Because you'd have to fly practically across the continent to take a flight from the west coast, I think you are looking at a lot of flying time. You say you are planning some time in L.A. to help you get used to the time difference in China, but you might consider how tiring it is to get in and out of airports, get to a hotel, check in, check out, get back to the airport. Personally, I find all that schlepping rather exhausting.

 

My point, quite simply, is that you might find yourself less stressed and less tired (or no less tired) if you took a short flight to DC and then flew nonstop from there to Beijing. Only you can decide if this would work for you; I am just suggesting that you not dismiss it out of hand.

 

We saved 500.00 each by arranging our own flights. Our original flight out of Atlanta was going to be 1295.00 each and from Lax it is now 800.00. And with that type of savings and using miles for our domestic trip (and we also have points at hyatt for our hotel stay).. it seems worth it to us.

And even If we flew to new York, The VIKING air pricing would still be 1295.00 each from new york. So nothing to sneeze about.

 

And even though we both still work, but we really wont have to take off any additional days since the international flight that will leave Lax will be on a Sunday and arrive back the sunday before labor day. And we are both be off the weekend. So we really think it has many pluses and very little down

 

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[Turtles06]

Our 2015 schedule is slammed, but we have the Viking tour that also visits Tibet down as a must in 2016. Seems so far out. Our biggest disappointment is that we always go in early and wish Viking did a pre cruise package in Bejing. Guess we'll figure out tours to the Wall and many of the sights ourselves, before the Viking portion kicks in. Maybe by May 2016 Viking will step us with a pre tour, or maybe it's all politics! :eek:

 

We will do this business air. Coming from east of the Mississippi just adds to the length of the flight (and jet lag) for us.

 

If you'll be flying in early to Beijing (which I highly recommend, as it's a fascinating city), you really don't need Viking for a pre-cruise package. Not only is Beijing very do-able on your own, but good private guides are relatively inexpensive. We spent several pre-Viking days in Beijing on our own and with a guide, and had a fantastic time.

 

In case this is of use to you in your planning, here's the link to the summary that we posted on here of what we did in Beijing pre-Viking, including our recommendation for a great guide (who has also been used more recently by folks on here who loved her as well):

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=29264391&postcount=4680

[Turtles06]

I didn't have a chance earlier to illustrate my post about flying non-stop from the East Coast to Beijing over the North Pole. I'd been sleeping on our flight when I happened to awake at a very opportune time to see THIS on the map on the screen in front of my seat; although my real camera was stowed, my phone was reachable, and I got to it in time; this made my day (or night I guess!)

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

[crusing couple]

We live half way between Atlanta and Charlotte. Through Viking, we have a non stop to Detroit and then Non-stop to Beijing. The return starting in Shanghai, is non stop to Detroit and then on to Charlotte. Flights are a little shy of 14 hours from Detroit. These are all on Delta.

Bill

[systables]

Thanks bill in providing the details of your trip. :thumbup: the way i figure, the more options we know is all good and helps us when we finalize our air. So are you leaving soon? Hope you have a grand time.

 

Dave

 

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[crusing couple]

Thanks bill in providing the details of your trip. :thumbup: the way i figure, the more options we know is all good and helps us when we finalize our air. So are you leaving soon? Hope you have a grand time.

 

Dave

 

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I failed to mention we are on the Jewels on August 24 and fly out of Charlotte. We did pay the extra $50 because we were originally scheduled to have a stop in Cincinnati. We were supposed to leave Charlotte 2 hours earlier than the non-stop to Detroit.

Bill

[Bruin Steve]

I'm down to the last three days before departure...

I've probably asked this one before or read it before...but I need a refresher:

 

Incidental tipping:

 

We know the guidelines for tipping our Tour Escorts, our tour guides, drivers and ship crew...

BUT, how about other service providers during time we are on our own...

Hotel bell hops?

Taxi drivers?

Waiters when eating on those free evenings in Beijing and Hong Kong?

Anyone else we need to think about tipping? And how much?

 

Thanks...

[caribill]

I'm down to the last three days before departure...

I've probably asked this one before or read it before...but I need a refresher:

 

Incidental tipping:

 

We know the guidelines for tipping our Tour Escorts, our tour guides, drivers and ship crew...

BUT, how about other service providers during time we are on our own...

Hotel bell hops?

Taxi drivers?

Waiters when eating on those free evenings in Beijing and Hong Kong?

Anyone else we need to think about tipping? And how much?

 

Thanks...

 

China in general is a non-tipping society. Most service personnel (hotel staff, restaurant staff, taxi drivers) do not expect a tip.

 

One of my co-workers married a woman from China. Whenever they travel back there, they do not tip the categories you ask about because it is not part of their culture.

 

It is not good for us to try to change another country's culture. If we tip because we are used to doing it at home, the effect is to have the Chinese service personnel begin to ignore service to their own people as they would rather provide services to Americans. This has hapened in other areas of the world that do not have a tipping culture.

Edited June 12, 2014 by caribill

[pacmom]

Bruin Steve,

 

Bon Voyage!!!! Have a safe trip. Tell Janos the hotel manager Hello for Pat and Terry. He runs a "tight" ship. Have been on 3 cruises with him. This is supposed to be his last season in China. Pat

[Chloe's mom]

We were in China in April. The concierge at our hotel in Shanghai specifically told us not to tip taxi drivers, not even to round up a 14 RMB fare to 15 RMB. Her comment was, "Please don't."

[skyboy]

I had written to Black Sesame Kitchen on a suggestion from someone from this thread asking if they had enough people to open for reservations at their pop up location at the Orchid Hotel. I just heard back that they do. Has anyone been to that temporary location to comment. Also it would be for our first night there before our Viking trip starts, are we going to be too tired to enjoy it. Thanks, we leave tomorrow!

[Chloe's mom]

I ate at the Orchid Hotel location in May. It's a lovely place, there is a rooftop deck (on the second floor) where you gather for drinks, the dining room is very clean and modern. The kitchen is just off the dining area, and you are welcome to stand in the hall just outside it (there's no room in the kitchen!) to watch them prepare the food.

 

Taxis generally can't drive right up to the hotel, but will let you off on a main street, and then you walk about five minutes up the hutong pedestrian street. Be sure to show the directions BSK will send you to the hotel doorman, and tell him to tell the taxi driver to clearly point out to you the hutong street. (I'm not sure why we had a miscommunication with our taxi driver, but we ended up walking up the wrong hutong street at first. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have the hotel concierge what in Chinese, "I'm looking for the Orchid Hotel, on X street, could you point me in the correct direction."

 

As for whether you will be too tired, you will have to decide how you react to jet lag and traveling. The dinner starts at 7, and lasts until about 10, there are at least 10 courses. I suppose if you are fading you could leave before the meal ends, I guarantee you won't be hungry even if you skip a few courses!

 

Remember to take RMB with you, they don't accept credit cards.

[skyboy]

Great, thanks for the info!

[Live4cruises]

I've been carefully watching United for the past week to see when our flights would show as ticketed. Still no. So today I called Custom Air and got the answer.

We have chosen and secured these reservations, but they aren't ticketed until quite a lot later. She did tell me to keep an eye on the premium seating that we want, and to get back in touch with Viking if those seats are starting to disappear, and they will do an early ticketing. In the meantime, though, if the flights are rearranged to something that we are not pleased with, Viking is happy to let us change flights or airlines without question. Not possible, of course, if the flights have been finalized and ticketed.

This doesn't seem like a bad system at all, as there is no question that something (or many things) will change on these flights that look so good now. My only complaint (MINOR) is that Viking could have saved themselves a couple of calls if this had been explained in the first place!

[caribill]

She did tell me to keep an eye on the premium seating that we want, and to get back in touch with Viking if those seats are starting to disappear, and they will do an early ticketing. In the meantime, though, if the flights are rearranged to something that we are not pleased with, Viking is happy to let us change flights or airlines without question. Not possible, of course, if the flights have been finalized and ticketed.

 

Partially true.

 

If the airline changes their schedule/routing after ticketing, they are usually willing to work with you to switch to a more acceptable itinerary at no cost to you.

 

However, that does mean you must stay with the ticketed airline.

[pinotlover]

Live4cruises;

 

I would be very diligent in watching United, if I wanted a P.E. seat. You are not ticketed and if someone comes asking for a P.E. and offering money, United will sell the seat(s). Then you will be back in economy for the long flight. For this trip, I would go ahead and give Viking the money for the ticket now, and get my seat selection and P.E. upgrade ticketed and locked in now. As posted above, if flights get changed, United will work with you on making the new schedule work. Your only challenge then becomes watching United as they continually try to move you to center section seats from your window and aisle seats. :eek:

 

The number of P.E. seats can sell out quickly. I'm on a Quantas flight next Feb to Australia for a cruise. There are still business and 1st class seats left on the plane as well as economy seats. All the Premium Economy sold out in early March of this year. Lock your seats in P.E. in NOW!

[Bruin Steve]

We're in Beijing now...

Flew in yesterday, arrived at 5:30 pm local time.

Viking rep (actually the tour leader for our group, Richard) met us right outside the exit after collecting the baggage...driver took us and four others on our flight to the Ritz Carlton...

Very nice hotel...service beyond belief...

After two authentic Chinese meals on Air China, we decided to get our first "authentic" dinner here at a little place across the street from the hotel--TGI Friday...Yeah, we walked out of the hotel to look for a restaurant...and lined up across the street were Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut and TGI Friday...Too tired to wander too far, we just ate there...

 

This morning, we woke up and had the Excellent hotel breakfast, then joined another couple here for the Viking trip that we'd met on the shuttle to the hotel for a taxi to the Lama Temple...Taxi ride cost 28 RMB there, 35 back...entry to Lama Temple was 25 RMB per person...50 RMB for headphone system guide thingy...Temple complex was very extensive and picturesque...

 

Thought about going to either the Temple of Heaven or to see the pandas this afternoon, but still a bit tired...so we're just going to hang out at the hotel awhile instead...Tonight, we're planning on joining our new friends to go see the Bird's Nest stadium...Supposedly, they light it up at night...

 

The "real" tour starts tomorrow at 8:00 am...

Smog was pretty thick today...Richard tells us tomorrow we may get a little rain...

Edited June 17, 2014 by Bruin Steve

[sisterpower]

Thanks Bruin Steve for your update on your arrival to Beijing it was very helpful - any tips since you arrived would be useful ex: anything you brought and should have left at home or anything you left at home and are now thinking should have brought. I leave in 17days !

[Turtles06]

Bruin Steve: glad you are finally there, and I hope you have an amazing trip!

 

LOL at the TGI Friday still being there behind the hotel! I confess that three years ago, we ate there on our fourth night in Beijing, just for something close, quick and easy. (But that came on the heels of dinners at Black Sesame Kitchen and Made in China) :)

 

Have a GREAT time!

[Rodie H]

Bruin Steve, glad you had a great trip over. I've been following your posts too. Hope you get more opportunities to let us know how the trip goes. Enjoy!