My wife and I would like to take a trip to China. Are you familiar with a company called Viking Cruises? The trip would be part land and part cruise. Also, would we need Visa's to go to China?
Thanks so much.
Alan and Joan Bocchino
P.S. Missed you not being on WOR on Sunday!
Hi Alan and Joan,
Thanks for your kind message. I'll let you in on a secret: when we're pre-empted by Rutgers football, you can still hear us live on WOR710.com. Since we're nationally syndicated we broadcast even when you can't hear us in the New York area.
As for Viking Cruises, that's one of the top river cruising companies in the world. On my first trip to China, I spend four days on a Viking ship actually. Here's the pros and cons of such a trip:
1) Going through the locks of the Three Gorges Dam is a fascinating experience
2) Beyond that, there are a number of fascinating cities and sites along the Yangtze that you'll get to visit
3) The ships are well-maintained, the staff superb and the experience of a Yangtze cruise is a relaxing one, especially after the hustle and bustle of doing a land tour
On the negative side:
1) The food is palatable, but nothing special. And if you're used to ocean cruising you might find the entertainment options on the ships (there are no pools) a bit lackluster
2) Much of your time will be spent simply watching the scenery drift slowly by. It's spectacular scenery, so this is not necessarily a negative. But it is a...drowsier travel experience than many
To do a Viking River Cruise, you don't necessarily have to book with Viking (though you may want to). Many companies include these cruises in their tours of China. And I think you have to think very seriously about what pace you want your visit to take and how much time you want to devote to cruising. Getting to and from the embarkation and debarkation points for the ship will eat up a good two days of your trip.
I'd suggest you compare and contrast the program you're seeing with those of the following companies (set down in no particular order):
And to answer your second question: yes, you need a visa to go to China. The company you book through may help you get it or you can visit the Chinese Consulate in New York City.
I hope this helps! You're making an excellent decision in deciding to visit China. An absolutely fascinating place to visit--you won't be disappointed.
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