Suspaul

Hi. We've just booked the above tour for May 2011 and I'm curious if anyone on Fodors has done this trip? We're usually independent travelers but have decided to do a tour this time. I've looked at Cruise Critic and found a review, we will be on a different ship as Viking Emerald is new for 2011 but I'd love any first hand reports, good or bad, as to the covered areas of this tour. Thanks in advance for taking the time to reply.
Susan

PeterN_H

> We're usually independent travelers but have decided to do a tour this time.

I'm sorry to read this, as if you prefer independent travel there's no reason at all not to travel independently in China. I'm afraid your itinerary is as touristy as it is possible to get, painfully so at times, and includes far too long on board ship isolated from China altogether.

As you've already booked, you're probably not going to want to hear this, or indeed common opinions about the overrated nature of the Yangzi River, nor the common pitfalls of organised travel within China. But you ought to look out for the latter in particular (on a tour which even at its current half-price special offer is already far too expensive), and a use of the search box above will provide much further information.

E.g. on 'Yangtze':

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ood-choice.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ong-for-me.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...tage-tours.cfm

On typical problems with tours in general:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ndependent.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...s-267678-2.cfm

and many more, if you search for 'tour', etc.

Leslie_S

Suspaul-- I took that trip last November and had a great time. I'm sure the new ship will make it even better. Of course it's not the same as traveling independently and you can get an ear/eyeful here (see above) about how awful tours are in China but I was more than pleased with our tour with Viking.

Cruisecritic, as you mentioned, will provide more info on that cruise than fodors. Besides the review section of cc did you also see the boards? There are some very long, detail-filled threads about Viking in China in the 'river' section of the boards.

Suspaul

Thanks for your opinions and the replies - PeterN_H, I guess you've provided the 'bad' and yes the trip is booked. We do feel we received a good deal for what we paid for the tour tho I'm certain we could have paid less and done it ourselves but we didn't want the hassle so guess I'll just have to use herd mentality. Leslie_S, you've provided the flip side, thanks and I'll take a look at the boards in Cruise Critic.

Leslie_S

Everyone's different...I get that you can do it on your own, possibly cheaper, not have to be herded around like cattle, not have to go to make shopping stops, etc. But for what I wanted this trip was great. Not having to deal with the logistics meant a lot to me. We enjoyed the others (mostly!) on the tour and made several friends. The hotels were fabulous. We loved our guide that was with us during the entire trip - she was fabulous.

One time when being on the tour was especially helpful - it snowed when we were in Xian and our flight was delayed. When we got to the airport it was a sea of people - many flights had been cancelled the previous day & they were still waiting to get rebooked. Our group was tip-toed through the people camping out on every inch of the floor (yes we felt guilty) and we got onto the first flight out that day. I know if we were just 2 tourists we would've been snowed in in Xian for days. So...there's that element of having help dealing with hassles while you're there.

Could I have done without some of the shopping stops - yes! But there was not a hard sell, some of it was interesting, and the few little souvenirs I bought I do enjoy.

So, I hope you enjoy your trip as much as I did.

HappyTrvlr

I did a Yangtze cruise ,not with Viking, three days, and it was too long. I felt as Peter mentioned "isolated" from China. They even offered western food on board my ship which I found to be a huge turn off.
The rest of the itinerary looks fine and I'm sure it will be a great trip and experience.

PeterN_H

There's a new book of Yangtze (Yangzi) photography out. Example images here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesi...902773&index=0

Article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesi...-yangtze-china

Peter N-H

Suspaul

Thanks again to all replies. PeterN_H, I took a look at the links, China certainly is a contrast, isn't it? I'm looking forward to some great photo ops hopefully. Also plan to do more reading on the changes with regard to the dam. Thanks for forwarding the above links.

I'm certain that this will not be our only trip to Asia, have a great desire to see Vietnam and Cambodia, but this tour will 'get our feet wet' and open up the possibility for future trips.

Susan

Shar

We enjoyed the China cruise with Viking (just returned on 10/24), Would recommend you going a few days earlier if possible to see some things not on the tour in Beijing like Temple of heaven, Lama Temple, Mao's tomb and just hanging out in neighborhoods. Metro is easy to use - everything in English and Chinese - spoken and written and very cheap - like $.30! We too usually are independent travelers but took this and were not disappointed. Highlight was a visit to a school that Viking sponsors - really great to interact with the children and hear their stories.

Would recommend the Eye Witness guide to China (Beijing and Shanghai book). Wish we had another day or 2 in Shanghai as it was too short to see it all and it was raining hard so free time was not fun - got soaked.

Be prepared for the usual shops that they take you too - Jade Factory, rug weaving and Silk embroidery factory. These were stops for lunch and shopping - think they might get either a kickback or free lunches for us because that is where we ate lunch. Some of the food off ship was just adequate but on ship it was excellent and you are not over fed as on larger cruise ships.

We were on the Viking Sun but as you know it is being retired. It was very nice and we had a good group of people. depending on what category you choose depends on what hotel you get and who your group will be that you will travel with on the buses. Eating is open seating Cat A and above get the better view rooms and higher end hotels. All cabins are the same except for the suites and of course which deck We would consider doing another cruise with them to Vietnam and Cambodia probably.

arindasue

Hi Shar...just wanted to reply about the Viking tour groupings. (We were on your same tour and thoroughly enjoyed it!) Our group had people from all categories and we stayed together in the same fabulous hotels.

We decided that perhaps our group was formed by arrival time at the airport. Most of the 28 members of our group arrived within a few minutes of each other and our guide met us all at the airport and took us from there. It would be interesting to find out how we actually were grouped, but ours was not by category.

PS This was our first group tour also, and we were glad we went. I would only consider a future one for other "exotic" destinations, but definitely appreciated all the planning and the wonderful guides.

Suspaul

Thanks Shar for the great recommendations, will look into the Eyewitness Guide to China. I thought it was interesting regarding your observation of the groups and the info provided by arindasue, I was under the impression that we were all using the same hotels with the same type of rooms, etc., of course I know about the different categories on the river cruise portion, have done several river cruises in Europe. I will contact Viking for clarification on the room as were did book a lower cabin but certainly do not want to be in a sub-par hotel. It sounds like there are two different views here. Thanks lots you two, I really, really appreciate the heads-up.
Susan

Leslie_S

Suspaul - another thing to maybe think about with the lower cabins - we booked one on the lowest level and found out it was next to a staff office/supply room where people were coming and going 24 hrs a day. There was some kind of radio or walkie-talkie set up also that we could hear through the wall. We were able to get moved to another cabin, luckily. I would never have thought to ask about that when booking.

I know you'll be on a different, new ship but it might be worth checking on the deck plan or asking the Viking rep what's on either side of your cabin.

Suspaul

Good Morning....
I just got off the phone with Viking and was re-assured that everyone stays at the same hotels, it has absolutely nothing to do with which category you had booked for the cruise portion of this tour. While I certainly understand the difference in the ship cabins according to category - this has nothing to do with which hotel you are booked into.

So, thanks to the posts above regarding this trip, especially the different views. I appreciate your taking the time and it has provided me with insight of what to expect. I feel comfortable with the answers provided by Viking and we're looking forward to our upcoming adventure tho we still have 6 months.
Susan

Shar

Suspaul it was interesting what you heard from Viking because I know for a fact that we did NOT all stay at the same hotel in various stops in China. The higher the cabin price the better the hotel. For instance, in Xian I know that some stayed at the Kempinski (sp?) and others at another hotel and in Beijing and Shanghai, some stayed at the Westin and elsewhere and others at the Ritz so I would double check on that as they gave us a list of hotels when they sent the final documents and they were not the same. We opted for Cat A on the ship and stayed at Ritz Carlton in Beijing and Shanghai (top notch hotels on both ends) Either way, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Suspaul

Shar, in looking at my booking confirmation it does indeed show the Westin Financial St. in Beijing, Golden Flower in Xian and Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai. You're right tho, in any case we will enjoy the trip hopefully as much as you did. I'm sure there could be changes once we receive the final documents. A friend/neighbor returned from Roof of the World with Viking in late September and raved about everything so this prompted us to booking Imperial Jewels. Again, thanks for the heads-up.
Susan

Shar

Regardless of which hotel you stay in they are all highly rated. We enjoyed our hotels in every way including the swimming pools. In Xian the Kempinski was out in the middle of nowhere but we appreciated how beautiful it was and the fact that we didn't have to do anything that night. Being that you will be on a new ship, things might have changed but I hope you enjoy your journey. it was a great experience. Be sure to check weather.com for latest weather updates before you do final packing. We did and were glad as we were prepared for the warmer weather while others were assuming because it was October it would be cool. Also, if they still visit the primary school, it is a good idea to bring some little trinkets for the children (30-40) I made magnets with pictures of San Francisco and also found some stickers that were made in the US - image that! Advice on handing out the things - wait until you go to the classroom as you will be mobbed with children wanting goodies and some come around 3 & 4 times to get things. Wish I had waited until we got to the classroom where things were calmer. This was a highlight for me.

Suspaul

Thanks again Shar for the information, especially weather. Most of the reviews I've read talk about the visit to the school as being the highlight of the trip, of course among others. Trying to not get excited as we have over 5 months until our China trip but in the meantime I'm going to Paris for 8 days at the beginning of December, it'll be a solo trip, my 9th trip to Paris since 2001 and I'm very excited about that.
Susan

Shar

Suspaul..... have a great time in Paris. Ever since I saw the Movie with Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson "Something's got to Give" where they have a scene in Paris in the winter, I have wanted to go. "I love Paris in the Springtime, I love Paris in the Fall....." sorry couldn't resist the temptation......Good journey to you - be safe and warm.....

Suspaul

Thanks Shar.

Schaitberger

We are going on the June 1, 2011 Viking Imperials China leaving the USA on 5/31/2011. Anyone else on this one?

Joe and Leslie Schaitberger
Atlanta, GA