Viking China (Part 2)

[Turtles06]

Attached my photo of Cherry (August 2012).

 

And here's my photo of Cherry and Bright (May 2011):

 

[Kohola]

Hey there,

We were directed by our servers to three specific tables and they tried to "encourage" us to sit with the same people.

We've been on five Viking Cruises and never felt pressured to sit at certain tables, use certain servers or mingle with certain people. We pick our servers based on their personalities...since we're spending upwards of 5 hours a day with them; the cruise is much more enjoyable if you like them as people. Our TE in China asked us to sit as a group, but our choice of server didn't lend itself to that situation so just we opted not to and adjusted tables until we found a compatible group sitting with the wait staff we enjoyed. Believe me, the staff also wants you to enjoy your meal sitting with people you're comfortable with...it's much easier for them too. China has been the only Viking River cruise which used large tables exclusively...the others had tables from 2 to 8 or 10 persons.

 

Since we are comparing staff photos. This one shows Jay, the current restaurant manager when he was still a waiter as well as Candy on her very first cruise with Viking. I was sharing photos of the world with them just before their curfew. They are amazing young people if you take the time to interact with them and they are very open if you present them with the opportunity. They are in awe of the life most of us lead.

Candy with the Hotel Manager (Janos), who is from Hungary, and the Head Chef(Kaiser), from Germany...only a Hungarian would wear plaid with those shorts...I got to use every Hungarian word I knew this cruise...all four of them...we found out that mispronouncing the Hungarian word for "to your health" can mean "to your hind end" makes you think twice about saying that one again. Since PacMom mentioned a relationship with him, I thought I would show one of his different sides.

Easy to recognize the staff in uniform with name tags, but who are these lovely young ladies?

[Turtles06]

China has been the only Viking River cruise which used large tables exclusively...the others had tables from 2 to 8 or 10 persons.

 

 

Our China trip was the first time we'd been on a river cruise, and we concluded that if all river cruises used big tables exclusively, this was not for us. Fortunately, that seems not to be the case ....

 

Thanks for all the pics.

[Kohola]

Our China trip was the first time we'd been on a river cruise, and we concluded that if all river cruises used big tables exclusively, this was not for us. Fortunately, that seems not to be the case ....

Thanks for all the pics.

 

Your welcome about the photos...always nice to put a face with a name when people talk about Candy, Cherry, Lois, or any of the other crew members.

Janos is funny so I can see why PacMom was excited to run into him again.

 

I think the large table arrangements are on Viking leased vessels where they don't have oversight on floor plans because we've only experienced them in Egypt and China.

 

The China cruise is unique especially with the crew. I think our cultural differences and the language barrier lead to many misunderstandings. The crew members I know on the Emerald are being genuine when they learn your name, flash a big smile, and wish you a pleasant day. It is a sign of respect in their culture given our age differences in most cases;-). The servers at each station split whatever personal tips they receive. There is not much difference in the amount of personal tips they receive between the 5 day cruise of IJ and the 10 day cruise of CD...which surprised me. It's contrary to the notion that purposely developing a personal relationship with someone for financial gain is beneficial.

 

As I write this I am chatting with a crew member in China...I commented to her about people expressing a feeling of being told where they should sit.

 

Her reply..."I hope I had not made someone felt like that when I worked on the ship." She recently made her last voyage so I asked what she is doing while waiting for school to start. Her reply..."Just sleep and face to the computer." That sentence shows how differently we use the same language.

[pacmom]

Kohola, thanks for the pics. Lois says to say hello. What a whirlwind on the ship.

 

Well, the laundry is done---there was no magic bag for dirty laundry that would appear clean the next day, so I had to do it. Really liked the way they laundry was returned and counted in front of you.

 

Thoughts on our China trip. It was wonderful--fronm start to finish. Met at the airport in Beijing by Huang, got to hotel and slept very well..The Beijing Westin was lovely--food very good. We met our guide Daniel the next morning and then Terry enjoyed our free day--something I ate while travelling did not like me. That said the rest of the trip no problems at all. He went to the zoo--didn't think much of it. Our two days touring in Brijing where paced very well. Just as Daniel said he had never lost anyone in the Forbidden City, one of us turned up missing. Cell phones are wonderful. We did not go to the Opera. Instead that was our evening at Made in China--still remember how wonderful the duck was and smiled as those at the opera complained about the duck. That was my birthday dinner a day late. On the 22nd the hotel sent a cake and then again on my birthday another one.

 

Xian--hotel was very nice. Tang dynasty show very good and the food better than I expected for a dinner theater. The Warriors were unbelieveable--and they are still finding more. Did buy my small warriors there at the museum store. Never saw the ones for sale at the Ming tomb gardens. They were 10 rmb a piece, so quite reasonable.

 

The Emerald----We were upgraded to cabin 501 and had the delightful Sophia as our cabin steward. She and Mark shared the 16 cabins on deck 5. Nice touch to have an electric kettle in the room. Cabin had plenty of storage space. Liked the way the hanging rod in the closet pulled out to reach the clothes in the back. Only complaunt about the cabin--bed too hard for our liking.

 

More tomorrow Pat

Edited November 11, 2012 by pacmom

[Turtles06]

Welcome back, Pat, glad you had such a wonderful time! And I'm happy to read you enjoyed the duck at Made in China. I think I'm batting 1000 on food recs! :)

[Peregrina651]

On the 22nd the hotel sent a cake and then again on my birthday another one.

 

Isn't that amazing! Same thing happened to me on my birthday. It was SOOO nice. And flowers, too. Happy Birthday!!

 

The Emerald----We were upgraded to cabin 501 and had the delightful Sophia as our cabin steward. She and Mark shared the 16 cabins on deck 5. Nice touch to have an electric kettle in the room. Cabin had plenty of storage space. Liked the way the hanging rod in the closet pulled out to reach the clothes in the back. Only complaunt about the cabin--bed too hard for our liking.

 

 

Congrats on the upgrade!! Very nice!!

 

Hotel and ship board beds are always going to be a three bears kind of thing!! Too hard. Too soft. Just right!;)

Edited November 12, 2012 by Peregrina651

[Kohola]

Kohola, thanks for the pics. Lois says to say hello. What a whirlwind on the ship.

Thanks:) Lois is probably our favorite person on the Emerald...we met her in 2009 and she never forgets a face. She was instrumental in upgrading our upgraded cabin and we had an expensive bottle of champagne waiting for us in our cabin with her compliments.

[pacmom]

More thoughts on China.

 

There was a LARGE British tour group on our trip--half the boat. They always seemed to have the best location of buses, seats at dinners out and a tour leader that they treated like a cult leader===he could do no wrong ib their eyes. Yes, I know that it is a business. but a tour group that large can make for less than stellar events for the other passengers.

 

Our bus group was very nice with 2 couples from the UK that did not come with this tour group. We really enjoyed one another's company.

 

Enjoyed the tours, but passed on the porceline factory and spent a quiet day reading and walking in the town. There were 40-50 of the group that stayed back. Loved the 2 boat rides--still really didn't see the hanging coffins--will wait to see the photos on the computer.

 

This is not unique to Viking or China, but truely dislike the enforced shopping stops. Would rather spend time in local areas. There was always ample time at these srops, but the lovely shopping area around the YUYUAN gardens in Shanghai we only ha 30 minutes. We were fortunate--our flight did not leave til late so we were able to go back the next morning and found lovely handmade items for our grandchildren.

 

Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone with thealmost 3 weeks it takes. Thanks for all the help received here--a great thread. Pat

[Bushy H.]

Bushy, is this the charcoal artist you bought from? He is the only vendor that I bargained with only to be polite. We thought his asking price at the time was reasonable enough to begin with and ended up paying almost what he has asked. We should have bought more of them.

 

 

 

 

Yes it was! Would you happen to have one of his entire body perchance? I usually take a pic of the artist when I buy their art but due to the woman being so angry we just left without taking one.

 

There was also a young girl who was drawing further down and we got one of hers too.

 

On the wall there was one man drawing but not as good, and one young man who has small granite squares that he has drawn with a chisle the wall and he will even put your name and the date on it for free while you watch, it is like watching a machine he is so exact.

 

LET THEM LAUGH!!!!

 

Ever since my first digital died on day one of 2 weeks in Italy with my studying aboard daughter, we always have at least two cameras. (Don't worry, I had my trusty SLR with me as well and did not miss a shot!)

 

Also, I download nightly onto either my netbook or a portable drive--or both! (Yes, my electronic gear weighs more than my clothing).

 

 

 

Yes he had left photos from previous days on that stick and kept adding to it so it must of overwhelmed it or something.

[CTGirl]

Thanks everyone for posting your reviews and your pictures. It just adds to the excitement as it builds towards our April trip.

 

Do any of you know if there are refridgerators in any of the hotel rooms or on the Emerald? We are staying at:

 

Beijing - Ritz Carlton Financial Street

Xian - Hilton Xian

Shanghai - Portman Ritz-Carlton

 

Also, any comments on these hotels would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Turtles06]

Thanks everyone for posting your reviews and your pictures. It just adds to the excitement as it builds towards our April trip.

 

Do any of you know if there are refridgerators in any of the hotel rooms or on the Emerald? We are staying at:

 

Beijing - Ritz Carlton Financial Street

Xian - Hilton Xian

Shanghai - Portman Ritz-Carlton

 

Also, any comments on these hotels would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Of those three, we stayed at the Ritz Carlton Financial Street in Beijing, and it was quite a nice hotel (as were all the Viking hotels). Very comfortable room, fantastic breakfast buffet. Apologies, but I can't recall whether there was a fridge in the room (I don't think so, but I could be wrong). The only "negative" about the Ritz Carlton was that it wasn't very close to any subway stops, which won't be a problem for you at all unless you are spending extra time in Beijing. But if you are, cabs are really really cheap; just be sure you have your hotel card with the address in Mandarin, as well as the address of where you are going written out in Mandarin. The concierge was great and will be able to help you with any of these sorts of things.

 

If you are absolutely tired of "Chinese" food, there is (or at least, in May 2011, there was) a TGI Friday's across the street from the back entrance to the hotel.

[Peregrina651]

 

 

 

Yes it was! Would you happen to have one of his entire body perchance? I usually take a pic of the artist when I buy their art but due to the woman being so angry we just left without taking one.

 

Yes he had left photos from previous days on that stick and kept adding to it so it must of overwhelmed it or something.

Bushy, sorry, I did not take any of his face, just this one of him working.

 

With the memory cards, it helps every now and then to re-format the card after you have downloaded everything on it, especially if you have been deleting photos.

[Peregrina651]

Thanks everyone for posting your reviews and your pictures. It just adds to the excitement as it builds towards our April trip.

 

Do any of you know if there are refridgerators in any of the hotel rooms or on the Emerald? We are staying at:

 

Beijing - Ritz Carlton Financial Street

Xian - Hilton Xian

Shanghai - Portman Ritz-Carlton

 

Also, any comments on these hotels would be appreciated. Thanks.

The hotel websites might have the answers you are looking for.

[Turtles06]

 

 

With the memory cards, it helps every now and then to re-format the card after you have downloaded everything on it, especially if you have been deleting photos.

 

Excellent tip. In fact, professional photographers will say it's an even better practice *not* to delete images from a memory card in camera (as tempting as that is, and as much as most of us all do it), but to download all of the images, and then clear the card by re-formatting it. Deleting images in-camera as you go along presents a risk that you will corrupt the file formatting of the card.

[kbert92069]

Excellent tip. In fact, professional photographers will say it's an even better practice *not* to delete images from a memory card in camera (as tempting as that is, and as much as most of us all do it), but to download all of the images, and then clear the card by re-formatting it. Deleting images in-camera as you go along presents a risk that you will corrupt the file formatting of the card.

 

Wow! I love Cruise Critic. The info I find here is always useful. I had a problem taking the SD card from my camera and attempting to read it in my laptop. It would only download about half the photos and this is probably why.

 

I ended up using a USB cable from the camera to the laptop to d/l the photos and that got all of them fortunately. I will know better next time.

[kbert92069]

Thanks everyone for posting your reviews and your pictures. It just adds to the excitement as it builds towards our April trip.

 

Do any of you know if there are refridgerators in any of the hotel rooms or on the Emerald? We are staying at:

 

Beijing - Ritz Carlton Financial Street

Xian - Hilton Xian

Shanghai - Portman Ritz-Carlton

 

Also, any comments on these hotels would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

We stayed at the Hilton Xian and Portman Ritz-Carlton and they were amazing in our opinions. Elegant and luxurious. Unfortunately I don't remember any fridges although if they were there they were hidden well in the fancy furniture which we never seemed to have time to go through. I remember a fridge in the Westin Chaoyang we stayed at in Bejing and it was stocked full with mini-bar items. Sorry that doesn't help.

 

There weren't fridges on the standard balcony rooms on the Emerald.

[Turtles06]

Wow! I love Cruise Critic. The info I find here is always useful. I had a problem taking the SD card from my camera and attempting to read it in my laptop. It would only download about half the photos and this is probably why.

 

I ended up using a USB cable from the camera to the laptop to d/l the photos and that got all of them fortunately. I will know better next time.

 

Glad you were able to recover your photos. Probably the best way to download from a memory card onto a computer is to use a memory card reader. It's typically faster than using the built in drive in your computer.

 

(sorry for the thread drift! :))

[CTGirl]

Thank you all for your input. I have to keep something cold so that's why I was asking. Many of you have mentioned that Viking gives out bottled water. Is that throughout the whole tour, even in the hotels? If so that might help me out. Otherwise I will have to use an ice bucket.

 

I will check out the hotel website also.

[caribill]

Thank you all for your input. I have to keep something cold so that's why I was asking. Many of you have mentioned that Viking gives out bottled water. Is that throughout the whole tour, even in the hotels? If so that might help me out. Otherwise I will have to use an ice bucket.

 

I will check out the hotel website also.

 

Each hotel we stayed at had a couple of bottles of water (not chilled) in the room at no charge. If I remember correctly, you could call down for more if you needed it.

 

Viking has the chilled water bottles available on the ship all the time. You can always take some with you on a tour.

 

I do not remember if there was any bottled water supplied on busses during tours in Xi'an, Shanghai, and Beijing.

[Peregrina651]

Thank you all for your input. I have to keep something cold so that's why I was asking. Many of you have mentioned that Viking gives out bottled water. Is that throughout the whole tour, even in the hotels? If so that might help me out. Otherwise I will have to use an ice bucket.

 

I will check out the hotel website also.

 

CTGirl -- Sounds like you have a 'special need.' I suggest that you call Viking and discuss it with them. They will help you to get what you need to have a safe and pleasant journey--emphasis on safe. From the Viking website:

Guests who have any medical, physical or other special needs should check the

fleet information

on our website to gain an understanding of the layout of any particular ship, and should contact Viking River Cruises, Inc., at 1-877-668-4546 (1-877-66VIKING) directly with additional questions and to obtain a copy of our Policy Statement.

Also, right before you leave contact them again to make sure that what you need is in your hotel room when you arrive and then when you meet your escort at the beginning of the tour, discuss your issues with him/her again. After that, your guide will smooth your way, making sure that you have what you need for the whole trip. It is so much easier for them when they know in advance; they can have it ready rather than having to scramble at the last minute--and they so want to make sure that these small details are taken care of properly. There are a number of days when you are between lodgings for a long portion of time. Do you need refrigeration during these transfers as well? Will you need ice for cooling? (No, don't answer; it's none of our business. We just want you to think about these things before you go). Viking will help you with all of this.

 

As for the water, we cannot drink the tap water in China; our bodies are just not accustomed to the bacteria pool and the results are disastrous. On the ship, the water is not potable except in the dining room and kitchen where all of the water has been filtered/treated. Therefore, bottled water is provided in the cabins for drinking and brushing your teeth; don't even wet your toothbrush with tap water on the ship (And some say don't open your eyes or mouth in the shower). Bottled water is provided in the hotel rooms. Water is also provided on the buses during the tours but if you are a big water drinker you might want to buy extra bottled water when you get there. (Viking figures about two bottles per person per tour). It is also okay to drink the bottled water, or any of the bottled drinks, in any of the eating venues that Viking takes you to. DO NOT buy bottled water from street vendors (some are known to refill used bottles with tap water, which really ruins the market for any legitimate sellers). Buy it in a grocery store.

 

Remember that we are traveling in 5-star hotels that are accustomed to catering to the needs of their guests. If you have a problem, ask for help. There is no need to make due with ice buckets or have to go scrambling for ice or to worry that meds or whatever are not being kept cold enough.

 

The same goes for those who need distilled water for breathing machines or who might need help getting around (especially for the tour of the Forbidden City, wheel chairs with someone to push it can be arranged at your expense for some of the more arduous tour days) -- talk to Viking before you go.

 

To everyone reading this thread: Do not be reluctant to call Viking with what you might consider a small problem; they, especially on the China itineraries, have a great deal of experience in dealing with our small problems. It is so much easier to deal with these things in advance and not have to worry about them the whole time.

[rahrah50]

Per the website for the Ritz Carlton, the hotel in Shanghai and Beijing have refrigerators.

[CTGirl]

CTGirl -- Sounds like you have a 'special need.' I suggest that you call Viking and discuss it with them. They will help you to get what you need to have a safe and pleasant journey--emphasis on safe. From the Viking website:

Guests who have any medical, physical or other special needs should check the

fleet information

on our website to gain an understanding of the layout of any particular ship, and should contact Viking River Cruises, Inc., at 1-877-668-4546 (1-877-66VIKING) directly with additional questions and to obtain a copy of our Policy Statement.

Also, right before you leave contact them again to make sure that what you need is in your hotel room when you arrive and then when you meet your escort at the beginning of the tour, discuss your issues with him/her again. After that, your guide will smooth your way, making sure that you have what you need for the whole trip. It is so much easier for them when they know in advance; they can have it ready rather than having to scramble at the last minute--and they so want to make sure that these small details are taken care of properly. There are a number of days when you are between lodgings for a long portion of time. Do you need refrigeration during these transfers as well? Will you need ice for cooling? (No, don't answer; it's none of our business. We just want you to think about these things before you go). Viking will help you with all of this.

 

As for the water, we cannot drink the tap water in China; our bodies are just not accustomed to the bacteria pool and the results are disastrous. On the ship, the water is not potable except in the dining room and kitchen where all of the water has been filtered/treated. Therefore, bottled water is provided in the cabins for drinking and brushing your teeth; don't even wet your toothbrush with tap water on the ship (And some say don't open your eyes or mouth in the shower). Bottled water is provided in the hotel rooms. Water is also provided on the buses during the tours but if you are a big water drinker you might want to buy extra bottled water when you get there. (Viking figures about two bottles per person per tour). It is also okay to drink the bottled water, or any of the bottled drinks, in any of the eating venues that Viking takes you to. DO NOT buy bottled water from street vendors (some are known to refill used bottles with tap water, which really ruins the market for any legitimate sellers). Buy it in a grocery store.

 

Remember that we are traveling in 5-star hotels that are accustomed to catering to the needs of their guests. If you have a problem, ask for help. There is no need to make due with ice buckets or have to go scrambling for ice or to worry that meds or whatever are not being kept cold enough.

 

The same goes for those who need distilled water for breathing machines or who might need help getting around (especially for the tour of the Forbidden City, wheel chairs with someone to push it can be arranged at your expense for some of the more arduous tour days) -- talk to Viking before you go.

 

To everyone reading this thread: Do not be reluctant to call Viking with what you might consider a small problem; they, especially on the China itineraries, have a great deal of experience in dealing with our small problems. It is so much easier to deal with these things in advance and not have to worry about them the whole time.

Thanks Peregrina651. It is just a minor special need. I take a fiber substance mixed with flavored water twice a day. If the fluid is not cold the fiber does not mix well. If I have to I can use one of the bottled waters and put it on ice. I've done that in the past and it works well. And thanks for the info on the tap water. I have been to other places where you could not drink the water. I did fine.

 

Per the website for the Ritz Carlton, the hotel in Shanghai and Beijing have refrigerators.

Thanks, a refrigerator would be my preference.

[CTGirl]

Each hotel we stayed at had a couple of bottles of water (not chilled) in the room at no charge. If I remember correctly, you could call down for more if you needed it.

 

Viking has the chilled water bottles available on the ship all the time. You can always take some with you on a tour.

 

I do not remember if there was any bottled water supplied on busses during tours in Xi'an, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Great. Thanks. I can put the unchilled bottles on ice and that should work very well. I'm not concerned about the busses. I would only need the water in the morning and at night.

[Peregrina651]

Peabody Essex Museum in Salem MA is full of artifacts from China, including a huge collection of export porcelain and a house (yes an entire house that you can walk through). For those doing Cultural Delights, there is a room dedicated to the porcelain industry in China, with paintings from 1812. The museum has two current exhibits on China as well.

 

 

 

 

Middlebury College in Vermont is currently featuring an exhibition called China Modern, which is running through December 9, 2012. Read more about it here (even if you can't get to the exhibit).