Viking China (Part 2)

[CTGirl]

I sent mine in a month before I left and it was back within 1 week.

Thanks. We are not going until next year but I am trying to plan in advance.

[caribill]

Thanks. We are not going until next year but I am trying to plan in advance.

 

I don't know if they have changed it, but a couple of years ago you had to enter China within (I forget which) 60 or 90 days after the Visa was granted.

[CTGirl]

I don't know if they have changed it, but a couple of years ago you had to enter China within (I forget which) 60 or 90 days after the Visa was granted.

Thanks, I will probably do it in that time frame. We just have to make sure DH's passport is good. We leave China on April 29th and his passport expires March 23, 2014. He only has two completely unfilled Visa pages left. I think we are good but not totally sure.

[caribill]

Thanks, I will probably do it in that time frame. We just have to make sure DH's passport is good. We leave China on April 29th and his passport expires March 23, 2014. He only has two completely unfilled Visa pages left. I think we are good but not totally sure.

 

The passport office now charges a significant amount to order extra pages for an existing passport.

 

When you order a new passport, you can request in writing that extra pages be included and there is no extra charge for that.

 

Our passports had two years to go when they filled up, but it was less expensive (per year of use) to order new ones with free extra pages than to pay for extra pages in the unexpired passports.

[79ti]

On Cultural Delights, we had Silver Needle tea at the Yueyang Tower. When you brew the tea, with boiling water, you have to wait for the needles to rise and sink three times before the tea is ready. Teas should be easy to find. There was a food market very near to the Pudong ShangriLa Hotel in Shanghai. Tell your escort what you want to buy and he should be able to tell you where to find it.

 

As for whether you can bring teas into the US, check it out with Customs and Border Patrol:

Here is a link to US CBP's

"Know Before You Go"

The Know Before You Go link has tons of helpful information as to what you can and cannot bring in and what the duty free limits are. Everyone should read it. Even better this is one we should all have bookmarked for our future travels.

 

And here is a link to a comment in Prohibited Items on prepared foods which does specifically mention teas. I'm not going to copy the paragraph here or repeat what it says because regs can change.

 

Citizens of the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. will have to check with their own governments.

IMHO, CC is a very good source for certain advice but this is one of the times when you consult the regulating authority because when you pass through Customs and they tell you that you can't bring in that $50 package of Spanish chorizo or that bag of apples, they don't care that your friends on CC told you otherwise.

 

I checked with CBSA (Canada Customs) and tea can be brought back from China. Lori

[CTGirl]

The passport office now charges a significant amount to order extra pages for an existing passport.

 

When you order a new passport, you can request in writing that extra pages be included and there is no extra charge for that.

 

Our passports had two years to go when they filled up, but it was less expensive (per year of use) to order new ones with free extra pages than to pay for extra pages in the unexpired passports.

Good to know. We may end up getting him a new one anyway.

[kbert92069]

Thanks, I will probably do it in that time frame. We just have to make sure DH's passport is good. We leave China on April 29th and his passport expires March 23, 2014. He only has two completely unfilled Visa pages left. I think we are good but not totally sure.

 

According to the Chinese embassy web site you need 6 months of valid passport life beyond your trip and you cannot apply more than 90 days in advance. You will also need unfilled visa pages although the US passport people can apparently add more pages if you need them.

 

We're going this October so we still have to wait to apply for our visas.

[caribill]

You will also need unfilled visa pages although the US passport people can apparently add more pages if you need them.

 

 

The extra pages cost $82 for an existing passport.

[rahrah50]

Can anyone who has done this cruise comment on how much free time is available? A group of us are going in Oct of 2013. When we booked we knew it was a very busy trip, but it sounds like there is no free time at all. I don't want to miss the tours but sometimes it is nice to just wander and yes, shop a little!!!

 

Thanks

[caribill]

Can anyone who has done this cruise comment on how much free time is available? A group of us are going in Oct of 2013. When we booked we knew it was a very busy trip, but it sounds like there is no free time at all. I don't want to miss the tours but sometimes it is nice to just wander and yes, shop a little!!!

 

Thanks

 

Right - Very little free time to wander. We did the trip Shanghai to Beijing.

 

Except for the day you arrive for the start of the tour, late in the final afternoon and for evenings you choose not do do the optional tour such as the Chinese Opera, we did not have much free time.

 

Location of the hotels is important. For our Bejing hotel we were just a few blocks away from a good shopping opportunity.

[Big#10020]

TA will give us invoice next Wednesday. Suppose to have cabin 411. I have read thread from beginning and printed out 2 of the long posts We are doing the custom air. We are in Sun City, AZ outside PHX.

 

I do not care much for Chinese food, only a few items I know... why am I going on this cruise... For the Culture. I am sure there will be chicken, beef, noodles, etc and will coordinate with escort. Won't hurt if miss a couple meals Always wine and something.

 

Lanny has had left knee replacement and sometimes uses cane and we do wheelchairs at airports. get thru TSA much faster and easier Also in airports with unknown gates and distance.

 

Know a long time until cruise. But I do some research and BUG our travel agent/good friend. Good to know about TP, Cipro and school goodies. This is the most adventurist cruise we have done.

 

I started a roll call for our cruise.

[Big#10020]

I take a 3 way plug. Works for camera chargers and color Nook. This time taking flash drives to download pix. Last time took CDs and could not download on Oceania Insignia. Computer guy offered to download for me. Must remember for our March/Apr 13 Riviera B2B cruise; Miami/Miami/Barcelona.

[swanny727]

Can anyone who has done this cruise comment on how much free time is available? A group of us are going in Oct of 2013. When we booked we knew it was a very busy trip, but it sounds like there is no free time at all. I don't want to miss the tours but sometimes it is nice to just wander and yes, shop a little!!!

 

Thanks

 

On Imperial Jewels, Time is given at certain lunch places - e.g. Jade Gallery and Silk Tapestry - to browse in their gift shops. Also plenty of time at the Great Wall, if you do not spend the alloted time actually climbing. (It took us about an hour to walk to the end of the harder side and 30 minutes to come down. We still had time for a beer and look around the shops.) We had about 15 minutes at YuYuan garden, Summer Palace and at the Terra Cotta gift shop. Evenings are the best time to wander around on your own though. We went a day early and stayed an extra day at the end as well.

[Peregrina651]

I take a 3 way plug. Works for camera chargers and color Nook. This time taking flash drives to download pix. Last time took CDs and could not download on Oceania Insignia. Computer guy offered to download for me. Must remember for our March/Apr 13 Riviera B2B cruise; Miami/Miami/Barcelona.

 

Keep in mind, there is no camera store on board the ship nor is there any sort of tech support for the gadgets we bring. [TIP: Consider bringing user manuals for your gadgets in pdf format--on your tablet/laptop/ereader/notebook/flashdrive. ]

 

REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT: If you are going to use the ship's computers to download your pictures, remember to bring either the USB cord to attach your camera to the computer or a USB card reader. (Don't laugh. I can't tell you the number of people on our last cruise who left critical items home --like spare batteries, chargers and the like).

 

[Hilobarbie]

My friend and I are booked for the Sept 17 Roof of the World trip also. It is good to finally find someone else on the same trip. We will be flying out of L.A. On the 14th in order to acclimate from the jetlag and do some Beijing site seeing before the tour. We are starting to get excited...mixed with a tad of dread facing us with all the stairs! Hope we can connect here and share information. Barbara

[bayerisch]

My friend and I are booked for the Sept 17 Roof of the World trip also. It is good to finally find someone else on the same trip. We will be flying out of L.A. On the 14th in order to acclimate from the jetlag and do some Beijing site seeing before the tour. We are starting to get excited...mixed with a tad of dread facing us with all the stairs! Hope we can connect here and share information. Barbara

 

I am going on the Roof trip on July 20th. Will let you know if Tibet is open to foreigners again. It took 3 weeks for my visa/passport to be returned to me, so don't wait to the last to get it done. I believe you need to send a copy of the visa to Viking also, I think 45 days ahead of the trip.

[Hilobarbie]

How exciting for you to be leaving so soon. Don't you find it a little odd that Viking is not communicating with the groups that have Tibet on their itineraries? I know they want to wait till the last moment to make any changes, but I certainly would like to know what the alternative plan might be. I'd really rather not pack any warmer clothing for Tibet if it might not be necessary. Guess I can follow some other posters' advice and BIT (buy it there)!

 

Have a marvelous time and yes....please send updates.

Barbara

[Viking Cruises]

How exciting for you to be leaving so soon. Don't you find it a little odd that Viking is not communicating with the groups that have Tibet on their itineraries? I know they want to wait till the last moment to make any changes, but I certainly would like to know what the alternative plan might be. I'd really rather not pack any warmer clothing for Tibet if it might not be necessary. Guess I can follow some other posters' advice and BIT (buy it there)!

 

Have a marvelous time and yes....please send updates.

Barbara

 

I am going on the Roof trip on July 20th. Will let you know if Tibet is open to foreigners again. It took 3 weeks for my visa/passport to be returned to me, so don't wait to the last to get it done. I believe you need to send a copy of the visa to Viking also, I think 45 days ahead of the trip.

 

Hi Hilobarbie & bayerisch,

 

We saw you had some questions regarding the Tibet portions of your upcoming trips and thought we’d try to help with some answers.

 

We usually receive notice about Tibet visa approvals 1-2 weeks prior to our guest’s scheduled entry into the country. On our Roof of the World itinerary, which features 3 days in Tibet, we have only had one trip this season where Tibet refused visas for entry from China. In this case, we alerted guests as soon as we knew of the change and made alternative plans for a land program in Chengdu and a visit to a local panda farm. Of course, alternative plans may vary based on a variety of factors, but that hopefully gives you an idea of the immersive and fun experience that our local management team strives for.

 

At this point in time we do not have any indication that your trips will require alteration; they should take place as originally designed. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you’re welcome to contact us directly at TellUs@vikingrivercruises.com.

 

Wishing you both a wonderful time exploring China and Tibet!

 

Very best,

Viking River Cruises

[Terpnut]

I would call Viking (or your travel agent if you used one) and tell them you need the information NOW for the visa application.

 

My husband and I will be on the August 30, 2012 Imperial Jewels of China trip. Sounds like you will be as well... We still have not rec'd any info on hotels and air and notice the Visa applications request that info. Do you have any experience with Viking in this regard?

Looking forward to meeting you.

Mary

From my experience with the Chinese visa office in DC, you do not need to put the specific hotel nor air itinerary information for your visa application. You just need the names of the cities you plan to visit, and the general travel dates for your trip.

[Big#10020]

Hopefully by Oct 2013 ship's computer will have usb ports. After all so manycomputers are made in China, you would think Viking would have the latest ones.

 

Hope I can remember to bring the card reader. Never use it any more as have memory card slot on hp laptop. But then my card reader is usb port. Camera cord would have to bring cd and install program.

[caribill]

Hopefully by Oct 2013 ship's computer will have usb ports. After all so manycomputers are made in China, you would think Viking would have the latest ones.

 

Hope I can remember to bring the card reader. Never use it any more as have memory card slot on hp laptop. But then my card reader is usb port. Camera cord would have to bring cd and install program.

 

I do not know about Viking, but on regular cruise ships access to USB ports is not allowed to eliminate the chance that a computer virus or other bad stuff can be loaded onto the computer via a plugged in device.

[Big#10020]

On our last Oceania Insignia cruise, only way to download photos was to a flash drive. I had 6 cds and computer guy offered to download my pix to my cds using his computer

Edited July 13, 2012 by Big#10020

[mginfl]

I am going on the Aug. 19 Roof of the World trip. I would greatly appreciate hearing your review of the trip when you return. Have a wonderful time.

[Maredog]

Hello Mary!

 

Thrilled to hear another CC member will be with us on our tirp!

 

I have had our hotel assignements for several months now - as far as the visa, as I was in China just over a month ago for another trip, I already had that - I went to Mychinavisa.com, very fast and easy service. Regarding putting in the hotel names for your Visa, I don't think I had to do that - the detailed instructions on how to fill out the application are on the site I used and I don't remember having to specify the hotel. However, if you like, I will be happy to tell you the hotels we are booked into - if they are not the same, I don't think it will be a big issue.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions - having been over there already, I found out a lot I didn't know, so I'd be happy to help you with anything. Looking forward to seeing you on board!:D

 

Thanks for your reply! We used a new TA for this trip which was a big mistake. Terrible communication. I finally called Viking and directly and they gave me the info. Our TA told us we would not get hotel and air info until 30 days out... First Viking Cruise for us so we believed her.

Anyway we are excited about the trip and are going to the Embassy in LA for the Visa next week. We have friends in Shanghai who said it was fast and easy.

Looking forward to meeting you.

[Maredog]

From my experience with the Chinese visa office in DC, you do not need to put the specific hotel nor air itinerary information for your visa application. You just need the names of the cities you plan to visit, and the general travel dates for your trip.

 

Thank you!