Viking Emerald Review

Viking knows how to make this trip special

Review for Asia Cruise on Viking Emerald
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nreeder
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: May 2019

We did the Viking "Undiscovered China" version (there are two other shorter alternatives). While onboard, you are together with 250 passengers, but on land you are usually with about 25-30 and one tour guide for the entire trip for that group (Mark--outstanding). We started in Shanghai and stayed at the Wanda Reign, a relatively new hotel right on the river (Bund). This was an over the top Art Deco fantasy with an iPad to control the drapes, lights etc., and a toilet whose lid raised up as you entered the room, plus all kinds of bidet functions. This was typical of the other hotels, St. Regis, Chengdu, Westin Lijiang Old Town, Wyndam Grand Xian and Ritz Carleton Beijing. All were 5 stars.

We did a pre-extension in Shanghai with a trip to a small town outside Shanghai (Suchow) where they have a grand canal and a classical garden. Then we started the "real" 19 day part of the tour. What we at first didn't realize is that all 250 passengers were in Shanghai, but at 4 different hotels so we didn't see many of them until the ship. Same for Beijing. After Shanghai, we went to Wuhan to pick up the ship for 6 days. This included both the Three Gorges Dam (transited via locks) as well as cruising through the Three Gorges. At the end of this, the 250 people split up as some were going to Tibet, some had the shorter 12 day trip which skipped the pandas at Chengdu (which we saw) etc. In the end there were three groups of 30 or so that had our 19 day route.

Lunches on land often included tours to silk factories, jade carving, terra cotta warrior figurines, etc. and were mostly Chinese "round table with lazy-susan) but were all very good and not that repetitive. Dinners alternated nights with large western/Chinese buffets at the hotels, and Chinese restaurants in the local cities. Ship dinners did the same.

Cabin Review

Cabin Suite

We were up on the top deck towards the back. Sutes are about 1 1/2 regular cabin wide, and have double sinks in the bathroom. So more space, nice layout. Bathroom was narrow but every cruise ship bathroom is small. Was kept clean and tidy regularly.

Port Reviews

Shanghai

Saw both the older city as well as the new skyscraper area. Well arranged

Shanghai

Lots of ancient artifacts including sculpture and bronze

Shanghai

This was a walking tour on the river top walkway. Spectacular views across the river of the wild skyscrapers on the other side.

Shanghai

This was part of the City Tour and again it was really nice to see a historic classical Chines garden.

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