Planning Your Trip>China

What To Bring

We suggest bringing comfortable, casual clothing. Ties and jackets are not required; there are no formal nights although some guests choose dressier clothing for the Captain’s Dinner. Consider dressing respectfully when visiting places of worship and other religious sites where you may be denied entry if wearing clothing considered to be inappropriate or too revealing. Your Tour Escort can assist you with any questions. Also, please consider baggage weight restrictions on the intra-China flights when packing.

Here is a short list of items you might want to bring with you:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Dressier shoes
• Collapsible umbrella/lightweight rain gear
• Lightweight jacket/warm sweater/sweatshirt
• Sunglasses, sun hat or visor
• Toiletries (including medical remedies)
• Warm coat, gloves and water-resistant footwear (as needed for cooler months)

Pack in Your Carry-on Baggage

We suggest you bring copies of your key travel documents (passport information page, airline tickets, credit card numbers and insurance information) and carry them separately in case you lose your originals. Remember to check with your airline for carry-on restrictions. You might also want to consider packing the following items:
• All needed medications, including prescriptions, in their original, labeled containers
• Eyeglasses, contacts, contact lens solution
• Important papers and travel documents
• Camera gear, film, extra memory cards (digital cameras), extra batteries
• Valuables

Optional Items

Here is a list of optional items we recommend you consider bringing with you as well:
• Electric converter/adapter for North American appliances (220V)
• Travel alarm clock, travel flashlight, binoculars, anti-bacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer
• Small calculator for foreign exchange calculations
• Travel journal/notepad and/or reading material
• Small, basic sewing kit/extra buttons; pack scissors in checked bags
• Address list or pre-addressed labels for sending postcards

Notes: Most hotels and Reception onboard have hairdryers available for guest use. Also, laundry service (no dry cleaning) is available onboard for a fee.

Customs

Many countries have laws against the purchase/export of certain items, including antiquities, cultural property and certain animal products. Additionally, U.S. laws prohibit the import of certain items. You can review current restrictions as well as duty free limits by clicking this link.

Currency & Exchange Rate

China uses the renminbi (RMB) and the basic unit is the yuan. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar, Vietnam uses the dong, Thailand uses the baht and Cambodia uses the riel. Current exchage rates are available in the financial sections of newspapers and at: xe.com or CNN Money.

Purchasing Items & Currency Exchange

Many locations will accept travelers checks or credit cards. For incidentals and small vendors, we recommend having small U.S. bills as well as getting some local currency.

ATMs

ATMs are not conveniently located in China’s large cities (and non-existent in smaller cities along the river), and your itinerary may not allow you sufficient time to locate one. When available, ATMs dispense local currency for internationally accepted ATM cards and/or credit cards, and have a service fee of approximately 3%. Should you wish to use ATM machines, confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and PIN number will work abroad.

Changing Cash or Travelers Checks

Cash or travelers checks may be exchanged at some hotels, banks and exchange bureaus for a fee. Chinese law prohibits exchanging cash or travelers checks onboard your ship. To change Chinese currency back to U.S. dollars, euros or other currencies, you will need to provide all receipts and currency declarations. Because this process can be quite time-consuming, we suggest exchanging currency in smaller increments, as needed.

Credit Cards

Euro card, MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards are accepted in all countries in major shops, restaurants and hotels as well as to settle your shipboard account. Before you depart, we recommend that you alert your credit card companies that you plan to use your card(s) on your trip as they will often refuse to honor credit cards if they notice irregular and/or overseas activity.

Currency Onboard Ship & Your Onboard Account

The onboard currency is the renminbi. All onboard purchases are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your trip, you may pay in cash (renminbi, U.S. dollars, euros, Swiss francs or pounds), or by credit card (your bill will be converted at the current exchange rate). The ship cannot accept travelers checks for payment of your shipboard account. Please review your shipboard bill upon checkout so that we can more easily assist you with any questions you may have. Note that all shipboard purchases will appear on your credit card statement as “CQ New Century Cruise.”

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Many countries have a national “sales” tax (called VAT) that is levied on most goods and services. In some cases and with the proper documentation from the point of purchase, it is possible to have a portion of this tax refunded to you on items taken out of a country in unused condition. Depending upon flight schedules and timing, it may be possible to receive a refund by applying at the airport kiosk before departure.

Air Tickets & Seating

Your intra-China air tickets will be issued in China and provided to you prior to your flights. There is no First Class or Business Class on intra-China flights and seat assignments are made by the airlines’ computers. Therefore, it is possible that you may not be seated with your traveling companion, even if you have the same surname.

Baggage Allowance

Please be aware that baggage allowances for intra-China and your extension flights are very limited and strictly enforced. Excess baggage may be left behind or you may be charged a high fee. On these flights, a guest may only carry on one piece; with dimensions not to exceed 8x16x22 inches and the total weight not to exceed 11 pounds. Any item in excess of the above restrictions must be checked. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in carry-on luggage. Checked baggage allowance for intra-China and extension flights is based on total weight; each guest is allowed 44.2 pounds.

Airport Security Alert

Please be aware that with the Summer Olympics approaching, heightened security measures will be in effect, resulting in longer lines and strict adherence to security measures. Your Tour Director will advise you about specific carry-on baggage security restrictions in effect for intra-China flights during your visit.

Food in China

You are reserved at the finest hotels and ships in China and you can feel confident about food and drink included with your itinerary. We urge you to exercise caution when eating on your own, especially if you purchase food from street vendors. Dairy products, as well as meat and fish that has not been thoroughly cooked, are not recommended. You can rely on the advice of your Tour Director, escort or local guide during your tour.

Tap Water

For your health, use bottled/purified water only when drinking, brushing your teeth or shaving. Drink tap water only if it is clearly marked potable/drinkable. Complimentary bottled water is available onboard your ship and placed in the stateroom each day. Additional bottles are available for purchase.

Beverages

Hot coffee and tea are free all day. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for an additional charge. A complimentary bottle of water per guest is placed in the stateroom each day. Additional bottles are available for purchase. You may bring local wine aboard.

Clothing Suggestions

Dress aboard and ashore is casual; we suggest you dress comfortably and bring sturdy walking shoes for sightseeing excursions. Dinner attire is “evening casual,” and the Captain’s Dinner is dressy, but not formal.

Cuisine & Dining Room Service

All meals aboard are prepared by Chinese chefs under the guidance of our European management team. The Chinese meals have been adjusted for North American tastes and alternate with Western-style dinners. Meals are open seating during set meal times—no table reservations are accepted. Room service is not available.

Electricity

Onboard electricity is 220V.

Gym

There is a gym with fitness equipment as well as a sauna.

Hairdryers

Your ship has hairdryers for guest use, as do most hotels.

Internet

For your convenience, all of our ships offer access to the internet for a fee based on the amount of time used. There will be a computer station. Note that the internet connection functions via cellular service or satellite, and there may be times when reception is not possible and/or when the connection is extremely slow. For this reason, we recommend only checking and sending email. We do not recommend surfing the Web or downloading large files.

Laundry

Laundry services are available for a fee; we regret that clothes cannot be dry cleaned.

Medical Services

There is a small clinic and a physician onboard your ship; however, the physician does not speak fluent English. A staff member fluent in English will assist you.

Onboard Language

The onboard language is English. Your Tour Escort, Program Director, key staff and tour guides all speak English.

Onboard Shopping

Each ship has an onboard shop area offering film, Viking River Cruises logo items, souvenirs and select toiletries. Our China ship also offers a tailor who provides custom-made silk jackets, hats, neckties and other items.

Other Services

For a fee, there is a beauty parlor and massage services onboard. There is a library where reading material, games and puzzles may be borrowed free of charge.

Safes

Please keep all jewelry and valuables in your stateroom safe.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted indoors on any ship.

Telephone Service

Each stateroom has its own telephone that can be used for stateroom-to-stateroom calls. Ship-to-shore calls can be placed at the Reception Desk, and charges will be added to your shipboard account. The phones function via satellite and there may be times when reception is not possible.

Televisions

Each stateroom has a color television. Depending upon satellite transmission, most ships receive six TV channels with some U.S. or English programs.

Viking News & Onboard Activities

The onboard daily newsletter, Viking News, features information about daily activities, shore excursions and tour departure times.

Now is a great time to start learning more about the places you’ll be visiting. Even a few background details can go a long way towards maximizing your enjoyment of your destinations. We have put together some lists of suggested reading and movies that relate to your itinerary. Just click on your cruise below:

China's Cultural Delights

Imperial Jewels of China

Roof of the World

Silk Road Adventure

Weather

For your convenience we have included a chart that shows the average temperatures in the major cities in China that we visit. You can view this by clicking here. For the latest live weather reports, you can visit either weather.com or CNN Weather.

General Physical Fitness

Our tours and cruises are not physically demanding; however, because of the nature of many of the sites you will be visiting, this tour may not be appropriate for guests with certain medical conditions and physical restrictions. Walking tours are often on uneven ground or cobblestones and may include stairs and steep inclines. If you have concerns or questions, please discuss the nature of your itinerary with your Viking River Cruises Travel Consultant.

Tipping

Tips are not included in your cruise price, but are your way of showing satisfaction for good service. You may tip onboard staff in cash or charge your tips to your credit card at the end of the cruise. For local guides, we recommend tipping at the end of each tour in cash. Note that all onboard tips charged to your credit card will appear on your statement as “Shanghai Tiandi Art & Craft Company.” We suggest a gratuity of $10-$12 U.S. per guest, per day which is distributed among the ship’s staff, including your Program Director. Additional tipping is at the guest’s discretion. You can use these guidelines for other service providers:

• Airport Porters – $1 U.S. per bag
• Hotel Porters – $1 U.S. per person, on check-in and check-out
• Local Guides – $1-$2 U.S. per person, per day
• Drivers – $.50-$1 U.S. per person, per day
• Hotel Room Attendants – $1 U.S. per person, per day
• Restaurant Wait Staff – Restaurants often add a service charge to bills, but an additional tip of 5%-10% is customary
• Viking River Cruises Guide/Hospitality Desk (during land or extension programs) – $3-$5 U.S. per person, per day of service

Emergency Contact Information

If there is an emergency and you must be contacted while traveling, your family/friends should attempt to reach you directly by contacting the ship or hotel. The ship’s phone and fax systems operate on mobile reception and good reception may not be possible during portions of your trip. If unsuccessful, your family/friends can call the Viking River Cruises toll free number (1-877-668-4546) during our normal business hours. (Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. All times are Pacific Time).

Asian Phone Numbers

We have listed phone numbers which include country and city codes where the hotel, company or ship is located. The codes you must dial will be different depending on whether you are calling from within China, another country or from the U.S. To call from the U.S. dial 011 + country code + city code + number.

We list the following codes applicable to your trip for your convenience.

China country code: 86
Beijing city code: 10
Guilin: 773
Shanghai city code: 21
Xian city code: 29
Hong Kong country/city code: 852
Vietnam country code: 84
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): 8
Thailand country code: 66
Bangkok city code: 2
Cambodia country code: 855
Siem Reap city code: 63

If you are phoning home from abroad, use the following codes:

U.S. country code: 001
Canada country code: 001
U.K. country code: 0044