Information
1. Q: What are upstream and downstream?
A: Yangtze runs from West to East. Upstream
means sailing from East -- lower part of the river (such as Wuhan, Shashi, or
Yichang) up to the West -- higher part of the river (such as Chongqing and
Fengjie). Downstream means the opposite. 1.1 What is going to happen to the
Three Gorges after the Three Gorges Dam is built?
2. Q: Why
downstream takes shorter time but more expensive while upstream take longer but
less expensive?
A: Just because more people are taking
downstream. This is caused by: (1) Chinese traditionally think that downstream
means smooth, fast, while upstream means more difficulties taking and more time.
(2) Most tour operators, in the past, preferred to set Beijing as the beginning
of itineraries. Then the next city must be Xian, then the next city must be
Chongqing, going downstream. (3) Many western tourists prefer the short cruise.
3. Q: How long do the cruises take?
A:
Currently, the cruise ships on the river are sailing 4-5 different ways: (1) The
most popular section is between Chongqing and Wuhan. It usually takes 4 day3
night downstream and 6 day 5 night upstream. Whatever ships sailing in this
section will be good enough for foreign tourists. (2) Some are sailing between
Chongqing and Shashi (or or Jingzhou). This section usually takes 3 day 2 night
downstream and 5 days 4 night upstream; (3) Some ships are sailing just the
Three Gorges section, between Chongqing and Yichang. It usually takes 4 days 3
night upstream and 3 day 2 night downstream. (4) A few ships are extending the
itinerary from Chongqing down to Shanghai, and make a 10-day itinerary. (5) A
few ships are sailing Yichang-Fengjie-Yichang. It takes 3 days. But those
smaller ships sail on such an itinerary only in the wintertime.
4. Q: What is the best time to have the
cruise?
A: The best time to take a Yangtze River cruise
are April, May, Sept. and Oct. The above moth are the high season of yangzte
cruise, the rate is littler hight then the shoulder season. As July and Aug is
little hot, so it belongs to the shoulder season, you can take the cruise by
paying lower price. Few cruises are available in winter time from later Dec to
next Mar. But it is popular for the christmas days and new year days.
5. Q: What are there to attract so many people from all over the
world?
A: There are basically three kinds of things
for people to see:
First, natural scenery, such as Shennong
Stream in Badong; Lesser Three Gorges and Mt. Wushan in Wushan County; Golden
Lion Cave and Three Travelers' Cave in Yichang; Honghu Lake in Honghu County;
Lotus River and Lotus Cave in Fuling.
Secondly, there are
cultural and historical sites, such as Red Cliff (Chibi) in Puqi County; Ancient
City wall in Jingzhou; Qu Yuan's Hometown - Zigui; Ghost City in Fengdu; Zhang
Fei Temple at Yunyang; Baidi City in Fengiie; Shibaozhai Fortress in Zhong
County; Ancient plank road in Qutang Gorge, Shennong Stream and Lesser Three
Gorges; Yueyang Tower in Yueyang; Suspended Coffin Museum in Wanxian.
Thirdly, modern architecture. Gezhouba Dam and constructing
Three Gorges Dam, etc.
For more details, check the "Yangtze
Gallery". It tries to display every reason with beautiful photos and text.
6. Q: What is pre-board, how much is that? What do I have to know?
A: Preboard usually means you board the ship one night
before the ship leaves Chongqing the next day morning. It usually costs $30-35
per person, but it saves you from getting up early, checking out a hotel,
transferring to the ship and checking into your cabin. It would be much more
convenient during the winter. There are a couple things you should know: there
is no dinner served the day you board the ship and you have to have one before
you go to the ship pier. There are some distance between the ship pier and the
restaurant you finally find you like on a street. The reason there is no dinner
is that all the crews are off for a half day after 5-6 days' upstream sailing,
except some guards and a couple attendants at front desk. Another thing you
should know is that if you check into your ship after 7 p.m. in Chongqing, there
would be no cable car. You would have to walk some distance in the dark to board
the ship.
Ships usually would not agree your preboard in Wuhan,
as ships normall depart next day afternoon. They have to supply electricity and
hot water even there are only a few of you passengers on board.
7. Q: What extra costs could occur?
A: They
are basically personal expenses. The charges are as the following (take East
King as example):
Laundry 1-8 USD per piece
Haircut 10-50 USD for man
10-70 USD for woman
Massage 15-20USD per hour
Drinks and Wines 20-100 USD
Tip 3-5 USD per day
(1-2 USD more if going ashore)
All the above items subject to
15% service charge.
If the cruise ship arranges some
unscheduled sightseeing, it can be optional.
8. Q: Do you offer transportation service to
port?
A: If you booked by discoverchinatours.com, we
can arrange the private transfer from airport to port for you.
9. Q: How long from airport to port?
A: From
chongqing airport to port will cost more than 1 hours; from wuhan airport to
port also cost more than 1 hours driving. In Yichang, from prot to airport cost
1.5 hours.
10. Q: What Facilities are there in the cabins?
A: The facilities in the cabins are almost the same
whether the ships are old or new, big or small. Most ships have big windows
except some older ships like Xiling, Longzhong. 3 ships even have balconies.
They are Yangtze Paradise, President I and Qianlong.
Standard
cabins usually have the following facilities:
a. Independent
bathroom of 2-3 sq. meters with shower, toilet, sink and plug. Four-star and
above have telephone extension and dryer in a bathroom. Bathtubs are equipped in
the standard cabins of Splendid China and Beidou.
b.
Multi-channel radio, usually installed in the table beside the beds.
c. Two double beds paralleled to each other.
d. Telephone. The service of IDD (international direct dial) with satellite is
available on the ship. But usually you have to go to business center to make
international calls to avoid dispute over the rates or misunderstanding caused
by language.
e. Furnishings: chairs, desk, sofa, tea table,
beside cupboard, closet, luggage rack.
f. Mini-bar. There are
about 5 kinds of spirits, 3-8 kinds of soft drinks, such as mineral water, Coca
Cola, beer, chocolate, and nuts.
In deluxe cabins, there are
usually surfing massage pool, brand name cleaning stuff, and, of course, more
space. Flowers and fruit are usually replaced daily in deluxe and presidential
cabins.
11.Q: Who will I be traveling with?
A:
Travel Indochina travelers are of all ages and from all parts of the world. They
share a passion for travel in Asia – a desire to savior the cuisine, meet the
people and connect with the lives and cultures of these extraordinary places.
Most travel to Asia from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and
the United States.
12.Q: Can we take our children with us on the cruise?
A: You can take children on a cruise. Four star and above ships
provide baby and child carts and chairs, children's play room and child care.
You can share a cabin with your children because usually there
is enough space to add a bed for child. But extra charges will apply. Please
check "booking and Services" for more information.
The
following ships can provide good child care and extra bed service: Splendid
China, East King, East Queen, President I, Blue Whale, Sunshine China, Qianlong,
Yangtze Pearl, Yangtze Princess, Yangzijiang, Yangtze Prince, Beidou.
13.Q: Is there any cultural difference stuff on the
cruise?
A: If you are the first time to visit China,
there surely are some for you to notice.
The young waitress may
not dare to face up to you when talk to you. It does not mean she is impolite
but just habit of Chinese people.
You are sick or in trouble,
many of the crew may come to see you. They just show their carefulness for a
member of them, not necessarily mean anything like tips. Being allowed to accept
tips to some extend is just a new development in China.
Traditionally, guests would leave some food on the table to show politeness to
the host. Nowadays, such tradition has changed. Enjoy the meal and you do not
need to do like that.
14.Q: What kinds of entertainment activities are there on the cruise
ships?
A: The management organizes programs such as
visiting ashore three or four times, two or three theme evenings, around four
lectures on clinics, Kungfu and fitness, Chinese painting and calligraphy
performance, and competition.
Evenings are Orient-style and
performers by staff. Sometimes, singer stars, local actors can be invited to the
show. For example, there is a orchestra from the Philippines on the East King
and East Queen. Some larger cruise lines have their own professional troupe on
the ships, although size may vary. You needn't to pay for the ticket during the
evening except drinks and wines. There are lectures on some hot subjects, such
as China History and Tibet, Three Gorges Dam and Yangtze Ecological Environment
Protection, China's Policy on Planned Parenthood and Population, Chinese
Medicine and Health, etc. You can learn Chinese Kungfu, such as Taiji boxing,
dance, Chinese painting on the ship.
You also have time to have
your own activities, such as reading in the library, sauna, massage, chess and
card game, fifteens, Ping Pong. But you'd better bring your own books as there
are only a few English books on the ships.
15.Q: What are the difference between an ocean cruise ship and a
Yangtze River cruise ship on management structure?
A:
The management system on the Yangtze is simple.
The general
manager is in charge, which is different from ocean cruise vessels. Captain is
in charge of the operation of mechanical part of the ship. He must concentrate
on the sailing because there are lots of gorges, reefs and shoals in the river.
The captains on the Yangtze River are experienced and have be examined and
promoted strictly. Ordinarily, there are one hundred and half travelers and one
hundred staffs on one ship.
When you have problems on a cruise
ship, you can ask the leader of your group, who will seek for help from the
department concerned, or tell your guide on the ship. Or just tell the general
manager of the ship.
The captain will be introduced to the
guests at the briefing meeting, then general manager, housekeeping manager,
restaurant manager, entertainment manager, executive chef and cruise director.
The captain may present on any party or banquet only for some politeness and
protocol reasons. His appearance is a symbol of security.
For
many first time travelers, much other general information and advice are very
useful. Please check China Travel Guide (being constructed).
16.Q: Is it safe to cruise the Yangtze?
A:
Basically, it is safe. We never saw any dreadful accident in the past 14 years
since we start the Yangtze River cruise. But you have to be aware that sailing
on the river is truly is not that safe as it looks like. The nature has made
great scenery, but also made rapids, shoals and rocks, which are very dangerous
to the ships, especially in winter with low water level and the summer with
floods. That is why you see some sections are prohibited sailing during winter
draining season and the flooding season.
All the cruise ships
made after 1991 are featured with the following:
a.
Double-basin structure;
b. Walls in the stem from bumping;
c. Not sinking if the bottom deck's hold full of water;
d. Ability to sustain the wind;
e. Enough life
saving appliance;
f. Modem communication system and monitor
system;
g. Fire Prevention and extinguishing System;
h. Fire warning, communications and supervision system;
i. Fire prevention structure, especially in the engine room and
working rooms.
All the cruise ships featured in this web site
were examined and approved for safety by the Communications Department of P. R.
China.
17.Q: Are there any limits for luggage?
A: There are no rules for the number of the pieces or weight of
personal luggage on your cruise ship. But closet space is limited, so bring
things you intend to use. There is a luggage rack in every room and luggage
deposit service is available. If you are a member of a travel group, your
luggage will be sent to ship in advance or arrive at the same time you check in.
The luggage will be sent into your cabin by the bellboy once your cabin is
assigned. If you are traveling individually, the bellboy will help you. But the
ships usually charge $1 per piece, arrival or departure. Please note this is not
tip and you have to pay upfront on the spot. This webmaster saw such
misunderstanding before. If you want to pay tip, when he has finished his job.
Give him one or two ten yuan bills if you do not have a lot stuff.
18.Q: What is the difference between an outside and an inside
stateroom?
A: All the cabins of star rating yangtze
cruise are the outside cabin with the outside windown, you can enjoy the view in
your cabin easily.
19.Q: Are there mini bars in the staterooms?
A: All staterooms will have a stocked minibar. The items will be replenished
twice daily as the items are consumed and charged to the guest's Sail & Sign
Account. The minibar will be stocked with premium liquor, wine, beer, soft
drinks and a variety of sweet/salty snacks.
On Board
1. Q: What should I do first when I get on the ship?
A: Here is the list:
Find your cabin location
and read the sketch map of emergency evacuation at the back of the room door
carefully.
Find the life jacket in the room and learn how to
wear it.
Check the brochure and ask the crew if you need, to
get familiar with the programs available on the boat and along the river. Find
locations of the entertainment and service.
Meet your guide. He
or she is going to stay with you for the entire voyage and you might need his or
her help on many occasions.
Find your seat in the restaurant
because it is usually fixed.
Find the telephone numbers for
various services.
Deposit your precious items, such as
passport, cash.
Sort out your clothes to be laundered.
Exchange some changes in Chinese currency.
Ask
the payment method and price list for service.
Reserve
barbershop, massage, beauty service, special cuisine and business center service
as soon as you go on the ship, because there is only one barber, one massage
master on board. The restaurant needs time to prepare for your special request.
If you have reserved them through booking agency, this will confirm your
request. And the staff and equipment for business center are also limited.
2. Q: What kind of clothes and shoes should I pack for the
cruise?
A: The Yangtze River is situated at north
Latitude 30? The four seasons are clearly demcoated. In winder, the real cold
weather is very short, usually in January, and the averaged temperature is above
5°C. In the gorges, average temperature will be 1-2°C higher. Even so, thick
sweater and leather jacket, Raincoat with hat are needed to bring. In spring and
autumn, the averaged temperature is between 10°C to 20°C, which is the best
time to travel the Yangtze, passengers should bring light woolen sweater, jacket
and raincoat with hat. In summer, cotton T-shirt, short sleeve shirt, hat and
sunglasses are necessities. Some lotion may also helpful under the sun. As there
are many walking and climbing every day, a pair of comfortable, convenient
sneaker is a necessity. Two pairs would be better. People who do not care much
about clothing can buy those in any cities of China. You can also buy the
raincoat with ship's logo, 100% cotton T-shirt, cap, etc, on the cruise ships,
inexpensive and convenient.
3. Q: What kind of meals are
served on the cruise?
A: On lots of the cruise,
American style buffet for the breakfast, Chinese meals are served for lunch and
dinner.
4. Q: I'm on a special diet. Can I get special meals on
board?
A: Low-sodium meals, kosher meals, vegetarian
and certain other diet-restricted meals will be available. Dietary requests
should be made at the time of booking.
5. Q: I am flexible on time, what routing do you suggest?
A: I suggest upstream Wuhan to Chongqing, or downstream
Chongqing to Wuhan.
As you see from the previous answers,
besides the difference of time they take and the different scenery to see, the
transportation is something you need to consider. At this moment, Shashi has no
airport, no train station. All passenger board and get off the ship have to
connect from or to Wuhan. Although we have a newly built highway under very good
condition, it takes 2-3 hours from Shashi to Wuhan. Yichang has a small airport
and limited flights to limited cities. Wuhan and Chongqing are two big cities
and have better infrastructure. The longest one from Chongqing to Shanghai is an
irregular routing. You need to find one and try to match its departure date.
6 .Q: I am a businessman. I want to spend some time to see the
Yangtze, but I do not want to cut off my business. Do you have anything for
people like me?
A: Sure. You can enjoy the Yangtze
while getting connected with your clients and office. Although Internet service
is not convenient on the ship at this moment, but you can log on the net with
the satellite telephone or fax. Secretary services are available at the business
center, but you have to reserve early, best on the time of booking.
All the phones and faxes are through the satellite and they are
much more expensive than in the western countries.
Sending fax:
$16 / minute (via satellite)
Receiving fax. $0.6/minute
Int'l or Domestic call: $16 / minute
Computer
rental: $10 / hour
Printing. $12 / sheet
Printer rental: $7 / hour
copy: $0.6 / sheet
Secretary: $12.5 / hour
It is subject to 15% service fee.
7. Q: I’ve never traveled on a group tour before. Is group travel
for me?
A: Our Small Group Journeys are not
conventional group tours. You will be traveling with a maximum of 15 travelers
(16 on Family Journeys), but most of our journeys have less than 12! They are
designed to provide you with a good balance of personal discovery and group
activity with like-minded travelers – and an enjoyable holiday. We shun mass
tourism and all of its trappings – and we believe our style of travel will
give you the best experience of your chosen destination.
8. Q: Will I get seasick?
A: Seasickness is
rare on yangtze cruise ships because they are equipped with stabilizers which
are designed to minimize the feeling of movement. If you should feel queasy,
medicine is available from the ship doctor. If you are prone to motion sickness,
you may want to consult your physician prior to travel.
9. Q: What happens if I’m a single traveler?
A: Our groups are a mix of single travelers, couples,
families and friends. Single travelers can choose between paying a supplement
for a single room, or paying the twin price and sharing with another single
traveler of the same sex. If we can’t match you with another traveler and
you’re willing to share, you will travel in a single room without paying a
supplement. You will not be pushed into a cumbersome triple share arrangement!
10.Q: Three of us travel together, can we stay in one
cabin?
A: No triple beds cabin is avaliable, all are
twin beds standard cabin. Not all the standard cabins on cruise ships are spacy
enough to hold an extra bed, although most ships rated four stars and above have
staterooms with larger space. You'd better to ask our cruise expert for the
possibility of a certain ship before the reservation.
11.Q: Could you tell us how the meals are arranged? People have meal
at one time or they have shifts?
A: Each ship has a
big restaurant, which can accommodate all the passengers on board the ship. So,
there are no shifts on board the ship. Passengers are arranged at appointed
tables, which are planned by travel group, nationality, habit of food, religion
and culture. Usually, there are ten persons in one table. Sometimes, there are
three to five persons at one table, which depend on the number of the total
passengers. There are many collective activities such as shore excursions and
they have fixed schedules, so the meal schedules are fixed, too. It takes 1-2
hours to have a buffet and one hour for delivered-to-table meals. A three-star
or above cruise ship provides room dinner service and local flavor banquet if
you book half or one day in advance. If you are a patient, or Moslem, or
Buddhist, you may give advanced notice. Diet, vegetarian, low sugar and low salt
food are also available.
Each ship has a welcome banquet and
farewell banquet, on which dishes are delivered to table. East King and East
Queen offer authentic western banquets, with silver forks and knives, provide
imported butter, cheese. Beside this, most cruise ships arrange buffet meals,
with both Chinese and western food.
Most ships also take orders
for Chinese dishes. If you want to treat somebody special on the ship, even with
a banquet, it can be arranged. The main menu is published on the notice board in
front of the restaurant. Ask the waiter or waitress if you are not sure.
As Chinese cuisine has many schools, so are the styles on the
ships. Some feature spicy Sichuan cuisine; some are good at Hubei cuisine; some
have chef from Shanghai or Jiangsu Province. According to Tourism Administration
of Hubei Province, Yangtze Paradise, Splendid China and Sunshine China are
famous for their Chinese cuisine, while East King, East Queen, Princess Sheena,
etc, are good for their western style food.
Three or above
cruise ships offer free tea, local beer and drinks during meals, with certain
quantity. You can order other drinks or wines yourself. Some three star or lower
cruise ships may only provide tea for free. Extra charges would occur if you
order other drinks.
12.Q: If I miss my meal, can I order
room service?
A: surely. Meal schedules are always
regular and in groups. People need room service for meal delivery should order
half day or one day before. For special cuisine, booking upon check-in or on
booking the cruise with your travel agent are recommended. This service is not
available the last day on board.
13.Q: Is there a morning call service on the ship?
A: yes. But you need to order. Free.
14.Q: Can I have VIP service?
A: some ships
can arrange meet and transfer, flower, fruit, and gift delivery, like food
basket delivery, etc, based on requests.
15.Q: Are cruise
itineraries subject to change?
A: Yes, all cruise
itineraries are subject to change. Guest safety is the number one priority for
the cruise lines. On rare occasions, weather conditions and other unforeseen
circumstances require a change in itinerary. In these situations, the cruise
line staff will do everything in their power to visit an alternate port of call.
16.Q: Do I have to participate in the cruise line's organized
activities?
A: On a cruise, the choice is yours. You
can do anything you wish. You can do it all or just relax by the pool.
17.Q: Can we stay in touch with the outside?
A: Of course, you can. Quite easily. All the rate-star ships have televisions in
the rooms. There are either phones in the rooms. Many ships offer fax
capabilities or internet lounges. A certain amount of fee is charged for either
answering or making a phone call.
18.Q: I want to send my friend or client on board the ship a food
basket with Champaign, can you do it?
A: Sure. Most
cruise ships offer such a service. Some times you can attach some words to the
gift. The gift can be delivered at the time and occasion you ask for. The
service costs around $50.
19.Q: Do we need to bring our own adapter for our dryer and shaver?
A: China's standard home electronics use 220 volt.
Most ships have 110 and 220- volt (alternating current) outlets. To carry a
small adapter if you use electric appliances. A mini- alarm clock and a
calculator are also very helpful.
20.Q: What should I pay
with on board?
A: Like in the hotels, most ships just
ask you to sign bill and check out before departure. There is a 15% service
charge. Major credit cards, such as American Express, Visa, JVB and Diners can
be accepted. Various ships have different setup and you need to ask when you get
on the ship.
21.Q: How to complain?
A: Before leaving
the ships, please fill out the value form to help cruise lines get information
for better service. If you have problems on the ship, you could complain to the
department manager at first; then to the ship manage if the problems can't be
solved well. At last you can complain to Hubei Province Tourism Administration,
Chongqing City Tourism Administration and China National Tourism Administration
in Beijing.
If you have problems on shore, you can make cruise
ship manager known, but only the administration department can solve the
problems for you. You can complain to Hubei Tourism Administration if the
problems occur in Hubei, such as Wuhan, Jingzhou, Chibi, Yichang, Zigui and
Badong. To Chongqing if in Chongqing, Fengdu, Wanxian, Wushan and Fengiie.
Telephone and Address for the government offices:
Hubei Tourism Administration
Add: 178 Lanjiang
Road,
Wuhan, Hubei 430015
Tel: (27)
8481-8760
Chongqing Tourism Administration
Add:
63 Zhengjie, Zhaozinanya, Yuzhong District
Chongqing 630015
Tel: (23) 6380-9134
National Tourism
Administration
Add: 9A Jianguomennei St
Beijing, 100740
Tel: (10) 65126688-4039, 4040, 4041
Please provide with your name, nationality, travel date,
sequence, agent, guide, address and telephone. You can ask reasonable
compensation. Please also provide with the proofs that support you claim.
Of course, you can always talk to your travel agent, who will
forward your complaints to the right persons and get the right answer.
Tips and
Suggestions
1 .Q: Any suggestions for disabled?
A: It's difficult for the disabled to travel on the Yangtze because there are
actually no special rooms for them. At present, there is no lift and no disable
access in public area on every ship. The disabled are usually arranged on the
second floor, which is the same deck to the restaurant and to the exit of the
ship.
Most of the voyages are very primitive rural areas
this time. Usually there are no cable car, no lift at the piers. Going to shore
excursions means walking a long distance on the stone steps. During winter
seasons, the steps could be 20 to 100 long, which are difficult for disabled and
some seniors.
In some places, like Lesser Three Gorges and
Shennong Stream, passengers have to board small boats to drift on the upper
reach tributaries. Transfers are quite inconvenient, and, balance and stability
are bad.
Assistance will be available on the cruise ships. But
traveling with a family or friend, or pre-arranging an assistant when booking,
is strongly recommended.
2. Q: What kind of clothes and shoes should I pack for the
cruise?
A: The Yangtze River is situated at
north Latitude 30? The four seasons are clearly demcoated. In winder, the real
cold weather is very short, usually in January, and the averaged temperature is
above 5°C. In the gorges, average temperature will be 1-2°C higher. Even so,
thick sweater and leather jacket, Raincoat with hat are needed to bring. In
spring and autumn, the averaged temperature is between 10°C to 20°C, which is
the best time to travel the Yangtze, passengers should bring light woolen
sweater, jacket and raincoat with hat. In summer, cotton T-shirt, short sleeve
shirt, hat and sunglasses are necessities. Some lotion may also helpful under
the sun. As there are many walking and climbing every day, a pair of
comfortable, convenient sneaker is a necessity. Two pairs would be better.
People who do not care much about clothing can buy those in any cities of China.
You can also buy the raincoat with ship's logo, 100% cotton T-shirt, cap, etc,
on the cruise ships, inexpensive and convenient.
3. Q:
What should I wear to attend the captain's welcome and farewell
banquets?
A: The captain is not "the man next to
God" on the Yangtze River cruise ships as he is in charge of the technical
operation of the ship due to the complicated situation in the sailing courses.
But the captain's welcome and farewell dinners are two important social
occasions on the cruise. Waiters and waiters will be in uniform, menus are
specially arranged. Guests are expected being dressed formally. The captain,
usually has been sailing in the dangerous Three Gorges for tens of years, would
deliver a welcoming or farewell speech and propose a toast. He would come to
each table and express his good will. If you can, just "Gan Bei" or "bottoms up"
with him (we have no female captains). To Chinese, people drink up is to show
their happiness and satisfaction. But you don't have to do so if you are not a
good drinker.
4. Q: Any tips for shopping ashore?
A: When shopping for local handicrafts and souvenirs, you
can bargain with the sellers but do not offer a high price. If the seller agrees
on the price, you should not bargain again to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Do not offer prices if you are not interested in buying. Ignore
the peddlers at the piers, Pay much attention to the goods below.
Do not buy drinks or snacks at ashore as they might not clean
enough.
You need to pay special attention when purchase high
value items such as jewels, ancient coins, paintings, etc.
Be
careful of the goods recommended by the tour guide. If they sell goods directly
and persistently, you can complain them.
5. Q: Tips for
hygiene/cleanliness? Tips for shore excursions?
A: Bring medicine for cold and digestion;
Do not buy food,
fruit and mineral water from local peddlers;
Bring mineral
water and napkin paper on the ship;
Bring a little of money,
about one hundred to five hundred incidental expenses, such as cable car,
drinks, special tickets and tips;
Deposit valuable items in the
safe on the ship. Don't forget to fill the list and ask the manager to sign the
claim ticket.
Don't drink the water in the tap;
Always drink the water provided by the ships;
Don't drink dirty water and use unclear utensils;
Go to see the
doctor in the clinic on the ship when you don't feel well.
6 .Q: How much should pay for the tips?
A: Asking for tips is forbidden by the Chinese
government. But tips are welcome and an important income source for the service
staff as their averaged monthly salaries are $30-70. Usually, it will be
appropriate to pay US$3-5 per day. If you have arrangement to go ashore, a
couple of dollars more will be good. If you are with a group, ask the leader
how. If you are traveling independently, ask the manager. Some ships have a box
at the front desk; some ships prefer you pay to the attendants or waiters or
waitress directly. But asking the manager is always a good idea.
You can refuse to pay when being asked for, and complain to the
managers on the ship.
