Terrific Vacation!

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 78

Review summary

Great vacation! Tour guide was fabulous as were all of the Viking staff. Top quality service throughout. Nice itinerary, although we spent a bit more time on a bus than I had hoped. Highlights were climbing the Great Wall, Forbidden City, the Three Gorges cruise and the Terra Cotta warriors, among other things. While it wasn't possible to see everything, it was a nice introduction to China. The ship was nice, although not as much to do as in an ocean cruise. There is a spa and beauty salon and the best treatment by far was the shampoo and style which included a 30 minute scalp massage for just over $20. I wanted to have her wash my hair everyday! At night there was a duo in the mostly empty bar - not a party crowd. We enjoyed the evenings though with the small group of people in the bar having cocktails and dancing a bit. We upgraded to the Explorer Suite, which has probably spoiled me for all future vacations - so luxurious! The food on the ship was pretty good -- excellent breakfast and lunch and good to very good dinner. Staff was extraordinarily accomodating in handling food allergies and/or preferences. For the land portion of the trip we were taken to \"local\" restaurants. This became synonymous with stir-fried stuff with no flavor - all of the spice had been removed to accomodate \"western\" taste. We hated that part of the trip and found a few opportunities to break away from the group and try the local food. One caution - there are not western toilets in all of the areas visited. I suggest getting your squatting muscles in gear prior to the trip and never leave the ship without toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Pros: The Viking staff\, cabin\, most of the itinerary

Cons: Food outside of the ship

Recommends Viking Emerald? Yes!