Viking China (Part 2)

[Going Coastal]

We are on the river now and going on to the extension and I will report

if we do the same. The good news about the flight ending in China itself is that packing rules will remain the same as opposed to the much tougher standards for flying into HK from China.

[oceanbreeze999]

Dear Oceanbreeze .. they announced that due to airline re scheduling, the group would be spending more time in Guilin and less in Hk. People were upset. Basically all they had was 1 day in HK.

 

Dear SFL;

thank you so much for heads up.

Pls clarify how many days you spent in GU and HK. I suggest that you DEFINITELY POSITIVELY CALL VIKING AND DEMAND THE REFUND/RESTITUTION ETC. I just called and inquired with viking's "big cheese" and he advised that this "re-scheduling" is a "rarity", it seldom happens AND WHEN IT HAPPENS +++VIKING ALWAYS "ACCOMMODATES" THE CRUISERS AFFECTED!+++

SO LET'S SEE IF VIKING MEANT IT, OR JUST PUT THE FOOT IN A MOUTH..

[oceanbreeze999]

we are on the river now and going on to the extension and i will report ...

 

any news??? Pls update

tx

[oceanbreeze999]

We were told due to flight schedules... Another night in Guilin... One less night in Hong Kong....they know of this re schedule for the planes, and their extension should be sold as such.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

JKERR

 

Pls clarify how many days you spent in GU and HK. I suggest that you DEFINITELY POSITIVELY CALL VIKING AND DEMAND THE REFUND/RESTITUTION ETC. I just called and inquired with viking's "big cheese" and he advised that this "re-scheduling" is a "rarity", it seldom happens AND WHEN IT HAPPENS +++VIKING ALWAYS "ACCOMMODATES" THE CRUISERS AFFECTED!+++

SO LET'S SEE IF VIKING MEANT IT, OR JUST PUT THE FOOT IN A MOUTH..

[oceanbreeze999]

..BSK... is very definitely not a 'duck' restaurant.

 

Mark

I thought u were joking about BSK NOT BEING A PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT....

but I finally received the e-mail from BSK (Coco) and they confirmed it! Re: Peking duck dinner reservation at BSK

 

 

Black Sesame Kitchen

 

 

To: Mr O

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your email and interest in Black Sesame Kitchen.

I would like to give you an update about the dinner.

We do not serving Peking duck.

For 300RMB ($50) per person, cash only please.

For the communal dinner usually will be around 10-12 people for one table

Here is current menu

• Three Mushroom Stir-Fry
  
• Beef with Hangzhou Green Pepper
  
• Five-Flavored Eggplant
  
• Red Braised Pork Belly
  
• Sweet and Sour Lotus Root
  
• Kung Pao Shrimp
  
• Snow Peas with Lily Bud Stir-Fry
  
• Chongqing Spicy Chicken
  
• Dessert: Candied Sweet Potato with Homemade Black Sesame Ice Cream
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the above menu the coveted BSK experience??

anyone had it? liked it? would recommend it?

[Going Coastal]

Here are the answers to some questions of the past few months, as I understand them as we float down the river. First, Cultural Delights will not be offered in 2016, and probably going forward. Not enough demand for longer, more expensive itinerary.

Second, the extensions have been changed for us, too.

It is good for us personally because we have spent much more time in UK than Guillin, where there is now an extra tour after lunch. There is an extra included lunch and dinner because of the change. The included tour in Hong Kong will take place before check in.

Third, the laundry list is priced in yuan. I cannot send out a picture from this device but I believe there are several already posted. It is hard to see the little yuan symbol on those but that is what it is. If anyone has a question about a particular item, I will be happy to respond.

Happy sailing to all!

 

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

[Mark_T]

Is the above menu the coveted BSK experience??anyone had it? liked it? would recommend it?

 

I posted our menu earlier in this thread and from memory it looks similar, but with a few changes.

 

Yes, we would recommend eating there, it was by far the best food we had in China.

[dkbustr]

We leave April 15 and have a forced overnight, so for the normal "Day 1", we have scheduled a private tour. I know China is a non tipping society, but would this also apply in this case? We are taking some items to give our guide as gifts, regardless, but do you think a tip is also expected? Let it be noted that I always tip in a normal situation and I don't want to feel like I am missing my responsibility.

 

Mike

[Mark_T]

We leave April 15 and have a forced overnight, so for the normal "Day 1", we have scheduled a private tour. I know China is a non tipping society, but would this also apply in this case?

 

In interactions with Western visitors, the Chinese have rapidly become accustomed to tipping.

 

So you will find that guides, tour bus drivers, hotel porters will all expect tips.

 

During the tours you'll find that on a couple of occasions your guide will specifically ask you not to tip particular people like in the house you will visit for the glass painting demonstration. In this case Viking takes care of them and they do not wish to encourage an expectation of tipping as well.

Edited March 30, 2015 by Mark_T

[digitl]

We leave April 15 and have a forced overnight, so for the normal "Day 1", we have scheduled a private tour. I know China is a non tipping society, but would this also apply in this case? We are taking some items to give our guide as gifts, regardless, but do you think a tip is also expected? Let it be noted that I always tip in a normal situation and I don't want to feel like I am missing my responsibility.

 

Our agent (no connection with Viking) have advised:

Drivers/reps for transfers RMB 15-20 per person

Bell boys 10-15 per bag

Drivers (sightseeing) half day 15-25 per person

full day 25-35 per person

Guides (sightseeing) half day 25-30 per person

full day 50-60 per person

Driver long trip, many days 35-50 pppd

Accompanying guide, many days 60-70 pppd

Restaurants 0 (illegal)

 

Life would be much easier if employers the world over paid a proper rate for the job rather than have us play this silly guessing game where tips are supposed to make a minimal(?) rate up to an acceptable one.

 

Tips, as originally envisioned, were paid for exceptional service...

 

Apologies for the poor formatting!

Edited March 30, 2015 by digitl

[caribill]

When Americans tip in a non-tipping society, we are trying to change their culture.

 

What this has resulted in more than once is that after getting used to being tipped by Americans, the provider of the service will seek out Americans and ignore others, even people of their own country.

[digitl]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[SFL]

Dear SFL;

thank you so much for heads up.

Pls clarify how many days you spent in GU and HK. I suggest that you DEFINITELY POSITIVELY CALL VIKING AND DEMAND THE REFUND/RESTITUTION ETC. I just called and inquired with viking's "big cheese" and he advised that this "re-scheduling" is a "rarity", it seldom happens AND WHEN IT HAPPENS +++VIKING ALWAYS "ACCOMMODATES" THE CRUISERS AFFECTED!+++

SO LET'S SEE IF VIKING MEANT IT, OR JUST PUT THE FOOT IN A MOUTH..

 

I did not go to HK others in our group did. They made the announcement when we were in Shanghai. as I recall I think they lost 1 day in Hongkong. But not sure. I got the impression that this was not a 1st time event, see above post

 

that's all I can tell you:)

[SFL]

We leave April 15 and have a forced overnight, so for the normal "Day 1", we have scheduled a private tour. I know China is a non tipping society, but would this also apply in this case? We are taking some items to give our guide as gifts, regardless, but do you think a tip is also expected? Let it be noted that I always tip in a normal situation and I don't want to feel like I am missing my responsibility.

 

Mike

We just got back from this tour and Tipping is very much expected on the ship and on every Viking local tour. The main tour guide is expecting a tip, the ship's personnel are expecting a tip and every local tour guide, Hutong pedicycle peddler and bus driver Viking uses in every City in addition to your "'main tour guide " is expecting a tip. I have to believe that in the Chinese Tourist industry tips are expected. Just an FYI

Edited March 30, 2015 by SFL

[dkbustr]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I do have to agree that the American policy of tipping spills over and affects other countries economies where tourism is a large part of the economy. Unfortunately when service workers only get paid $2.35 an hour here, tipping is a major part of their income. The thought is that other workers in other countries get paid on a similar basis where tipping would bring there wages up to a more reasonable income, but many other countries actually support their workers with a "reasonable" wage to begin (not all of course). The downfall of this is that natives of the country are then caught in a spot where if they don't tip, which would not be the custom, as caribill astutely points out, the worker is going to migrate to the person that does tip them, which is unfair to the native of the country, but understandable from the workers point of view.

 

I didn't want to stir up the tipping pot with my question, there are enough threads on cruise critic that take care of that. I absolutely feel that tips as Viking suggests are warranted for the people who work so hard to make our vacations more enjoyable. I didn't want to tip for a private guide where tips are not expected, but as I thought with all the travelers contact with the private guides and drivers, tips are an expected part of the equation.

 

OK, now for a different question....

 

SFL, how was your trip? We would be interested in any comments you might have that would help us for our trip in two weeks.

 

Again, thanks to everyone

 

Mike

[SFL]

SFL, how was your trip? We would be interested in any comments you might have that would help us for our trip in two weeks.

 

Again, thanks to everyone

 

Mike

 

Ok you asked. So here it is.

The Good... The Hotels are great, first rate, The Shangri la, Crowne Plaza and Westin are luxurious and food is very pleasing, Although of the three hotels, the Westin's food is the least impressive as it is tilted more toward Asian than Western Palates. Vikings handling of logistics was smooth and almost seamless. The bedding on the ship was bad IMHO. The bed was a rock and even 2 quilts did not help. I could not get a good nights sleep on the ship.

Bring a stack of $1.00 bills for tipping and small item negotiation. Roughly 6 yuan to the USD.

The smog in China and on the Yangtze is real and aggravating, so bring some face masks. Get local currency at the hotels. Be careful when dealing with Vendors some will try to give you phony or non Chinese currency as Change. A few people got victimized this way. Re bargaining do it. The Vendors even in all the govt stores Viking steers you to, will negotiate.They look at you as a sheep to be shorn/ chicken to be fleeced, so have in your mind a fair price. My rule was to undercut the original price by 80% and go from there. On the days you have the Inernal air flights, eat a good breakfast at the hotel. The Intra Flight airlines serve food, its usually noodles with mystery meat or fish and very spicy.

Back to your question

Viking will divide you into 6 0r 7 groups for bus rides etc. They keep you under tight control and you have little free time, except at night. When we asked our tour leader for hints about places to roam to or see, he was not very helpful. The lunches that Viking provides on the Land portion of the tour off ship are at Govt or other private factories that sell silk, jade etc. That got aggravating. In Beijing the optional Tang Dynasty show was worthwhile.as well as the Optional tour to the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. We had Peking Duck at a local restaurant and ordered from a picture menu, it was superb. The folks that went to the Peking Duck Dinner in beijing(we did not go) were very disappointed. They felt they paid a lot of $$ for a chopped up Duck served family style. We used this as our free time to roam parts of Beijing. When you roam on your own, see the concierge and get a business card in Chinese, so if you feel the need for a cab, show the driver the card.

All that being said the trip was worth it. Xian and the warriors were worth the price of admission as was the Temple of Shiboazi (bad spelling sorry) and great wall. Understand that the tour guides take your words literally, so be expansive and ask a lot of questions. The food on the ship was very good as food is subjective, there were enough choices(Chinese and Western) that you won't go hungry.

My spouse and I are roamers and when we travel, we usually set up our own or small group tours. So, we did not like the "constraints" of being constantly herded around after a tour or being constantly taken to a "factory" for lunch. This to us was the downside. However, I think you will have a fabulous time, and experience. Like most tours, you hit the highlights and wish you could see more. Viking hits all the popular highlights so for that, the tour was well worthwhile

Travel safe and have a great time

Best:)

[dkbustr]

SFL,

Thanks for your synopsis. Very useful information and expectations now for us We too are roamers, but understand the need to keep the group moving. I am a pillowtop mattress sleeper, so every part of me will be sore for 5 days.

 

We will have a great time,

 

Mike

[Mark_T]

I am a pillowtop mattress sleeper, so every part of me will be sore for 5 days.

 

I wouldn't go into this assuming you are going to be uncomfortable on the ship.

 

We have no memories of problems with the beds at all.

 

We both slept comfortably each and every night.

[SFL]

SFL,

Thanks for your synopsis. Very useful information and expectations now for us We too are roamers, but understand the need to keep the group moving. I am a pillowtop mattress sleeper, so every part of me will be sore for 5 days.

 

We will have a great time,

 

Mike

 

Dear Mike

Bring along hand sanitizers, disposable baby wipes and a small roll of tp. Lastly, if you intend to buy "breakables" such as your own set of warriors at Xian, pack squares of bubble wrap(Flat) and roll some duct tape over a pencil for taping and packing. This perserved my breakables

Safe Travels

SFL

Edited March 31, 2015 by SFL

[boxwine]

Thank you so much SFL for the review and info on the trip. We are doing our first river cruse in June leaving on the 14 a day early to adjust to time change. Applying for our visa next week. Is any on the June 16 Beijing to Shanghai trip.

Boxwine

Festival Bolero January 2000

Crystal Harmony August 2005

Carnival Elation January 2007

Carnival Glory January 2009

Disney Magic February 2012

Carnival Ecstasy January 2013

Disney Wonder February 2014

Celebrity Constellation August 2014

Disney Wonder February 2015

Coming up Cruise

Viking River Cruise – China June 2015

Celebrity Silhoutte, TA October 2015

Disney Dream January 2016

[Peregrina651]

 

 

The smog in China and on the Yangtze is real and aggravating, so bring some face masks.

 

Comes and goes like the weather. Some days it will be terrible and others not.

 

Be careful when dealing with Vendors some will try to give you phony or non Chinese currency as Change.

 

One way to avoid this when dealing with the street vendors is to give exact change. Don't give a twenty when the price is five or ten.

 

If you do get change, keep that money segregated until you can find out if it is real or not.

 

They look at you as a sheep to be shorn/ chicken to be fleeced, so have in your mind a fair price. My rule was to undercut the original price by 80% and go from there.

 

Agreed. Good starting point with the street vendors. If you don't like the deal, walk away. If the vendor hasn't reached their rock bottom price, they will come after you.

 

On the days you have the Inernal air flights, eat a good breakfast at the hotel. The Intra Flight airlines serve food, its usually noodles with mystery meat or fish and very spicy.

 

Not everyone gets lunch on the plane. Some people have later flights and are fed lunch before heading to the airport. However, you don't know in advance which intra flights your group will be on.

 

 

 

When you roam on your own, see the concierge and get a business card in Chinese, so if you feel the need for a cab, show the driver the card.

 

EXCELLENT ADVICE. Bears repeating.

 

So, we did not like the "constraints" of being constantly herded around after a tour or being constantly taken to a "factory" for lunch. This to us was the downside.

 

 

The China experience is a lot different from other Viking cruises that you may have experienced. Viking keeps you very busy; your escorts have a lot about their country that they want to show you so your days are quite full. This is not everyone's cup of tea but keep in mind Viking is trying to make a lot of people with diverse traveling styles happy --roamers and sheep, shoppers and non-shoppers, etc. It is not an easy task and Viking is attempting a balance, a middle road.

[Mark_T]

Comes and goes like the weather. Some days it will be terrible and others not.

 

Very true, we took some with us and brought them all home again as we never needed them, but checking the air quality the day after we left Beijing they would have been essential.

 

Not everyone gets lunch on the plane. Some people have later flights and are fed lunch before heading to the airport. However, you don't know in advance which intra flights your group will be on.

 

You may also be given a packed lunch on the coach. Quality is not the best but it is certainly edible. However do remember that you can't take liquids through security so it is worth making sure you have a few small bills for the vending machines at the airport, or you can get bottled water or soda from one of the many shops air-side.

[caribill]

However do remember that you can't take liquids through security so it is worth making sure you have a few small bills for the vending machines at the airport, or you can get bottled water or soda from one of the many shops air-side.

 

Or, as I remember it, take those liquids onto the plane even though they were purchased after going through security.

[Going Coastal]

Just off the Emerald this morning and now in Shanghai. Our thoughts on the boat itself are that the cabin was not quite as lovely as on the long ships in Europe but the crew was even more charming and anxious to please. Very happy with Cultural Delights so far. Now that we have excellent hotel wifi will try to check in more.

[Peregrina651]

Or, as I remember it, take those liquids onto the plane even though they were purchased after going through security.

 

That is my recollection as well. No liquids onto the plane even if purchased after going through security.