Surviving a cruise from Hong Kong or China
The upper middle class population in China is fast growing. This means that more and more Chinese have access to holidays, and this includes cruising. Cruise liners such as Royal Caribbean International have started bringing their newest vessels such as the Quantum of the Seas to China.
I've seen numerous complaints, predominantly from cruisers from the western world, on Cruise Critic about the behaviors of Chinese tourist on board their cruises. Some of these comments describe how these behaviors have spoilt the entire cruising experience.
Here's some tips for surviving a cruise from Hong Kong or China.
1. Understanding the Behaviours
Chinese from China have grown up in an environment of crowds. And when I mean crowded, I'm not talking about a full train or restaurant. But filled to no standing space and a mighty long queue behind. Chinese officials are one the best in the world at crowd controlling to preventing a stampede considering the massive crowd size.
Pushing and Shoving
The classic example of pushing and shoving in China is the millions of workers travelling home during the spring festival holidays. The picture below is taken at a train station with thousands of workers trying to get on a train.
If you did notice, there are numerous barricades and officials standing by for crowd control. With the theory of survival of the fittest, one has to learn to push and shove to get to where they want. In this case, it's going home to see their children. Unfortunately this type of behaviour can too be seen when pushing and shoving is not exactly necessary.
You might get push and shoved at a buffet when an overly enthusiastic Chinese tourist would like to get ahead to get the food they are eyeing at. Just politely tap their back (not push, and not the shoulder), and point behind you, to indicate that they should wait in line. Most Chinese would understand that queuing is to be socially more gracious and would line up behind you.
Shouting and Yelling
Have you ever been into a local Chinese Restaurant in your home city, particularly for Yum Cha (Dim Sum)? You will probably notice people yelling at each other all the time. People shout at each other not because they want to, but they have to. If you don't shout, you don't get heard, literally. Unfortunately, the more people shout, the louder they have to shout to get heard. Places on a cruise like a buffet or main dining room or pool deck, it might just turn into a shout-fest.
It is also known even among the Chinese people, that people from certain parts of China talk louder, faster and their dialect sounds more aggressive even if they are not angry at each other. In addition not understanding the language would make everything sound like gibberish to you and is known to cause headaches.
2. Chose your cabin options wisely
Three things you would really want to consider quite differently from most other cruises to minimise crowd contact. Firstly, try to chose a cabin with the minimal foot traffic outside the cabin. For example, chose a cabin as far away as possible from a lift lobby, for example in the aft or front end of the vessel. This would minimise noise from outside the cabin.
Secondly, chose a cabin which has a balcony. Unfortunately, to get some quiet space on pool deck is unlikely an option. You might need to invest into a cabin with a balcony.
Thirdly, chose a cabin which gets you perks like separate dining areas be in in your room or a set-aside space in a specialty dining room, or a special lounge. For example on Royal Caribbean, if you don't have the Diamond + perks, chose a Grand Suite or upwards. That will get you access to the full main dining room menu as room service, and avoid going to the main dining room completely. It will also get you access to a more private lounge.
3. Chose your dining options wisely
There's just something with Chinese people and food. You might have have heard a Chinese person saying "I want to eat till it's worth it." It really means I want to eat as much as possible, particular of the most expensive item. It's another survival of the fittest mentality of wanting most out of every penny.
I've seen on Cruise Critic these translating to comments like "people were taking so much food back to their rooms" or "towards the end of the cruise, there was no salmon or good steak left". To survive this types of behaviour consider spending more time at specialty dining where special cuts of meats are reserved.
Also, actively avoid places like the ship's buffet if you don't like pushing and shoving, or yelling. Most of the time, if you want the food at the buffet, you are likely to be able to find it at a cafe or another restaurant on the ship.
4. Avoid the peak seasons
There are 4 major holidays in China where workers have close to a whole week off.
- 1 January - New Years
- Lunar New Year (check the lunar calendar) - Spring Festival
- 1 May - Labour Day
- 1 October - Chinese National Day
Cruises are not just more expensive on these holidays, they are also much more crowded.
5. Reconsider cruising
Cruising in the west is largely known as a laid back and relaxing holiday. But having to make so many adjustments and having to spend more money to get the same effect in China might not be the best decision financially. You really got to set your expectations significantly differently.
The Chinese government has made quite a bit of effort to educating their population about good travel manners. The government has even cracked down individuals when they behave badly abroad. However, any culture change will take a long time to come into effect.
Apart from river cruising down the Yang Tze river, cruising is not the best form of visiting many parts of Asia. It really only gives you a very short duration at selected ports. If you are cruising to visit places, you will not get the same value as visiting places on a land tour especially with the rich cultural and historical heritage China has. If you are cruising to relax, take your cruising to somewhere else like Australia or Pacific, besides the ocean looks almost the same everywhere!
On the side note, cruise companies have a lot of learn about crowd control from Chinese officials. Organizing a cruise program in China is definitely a whole different ball game!
One thing you got to remember, dealing with Chinese tourist behaviours on a land tour is no different cruising in China. If you aren't ready to deal with the behaviours, you aren't ready to diving into a new cultural immersion tour!
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To subscribe to my blog, please Like on our Facebook page.
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)
I've seen numerous complaints, predominantly from cruisers from the western world, on Cruise Critic about the behaviors of Chinese tourist on board their cruises. Some of these comments describe how these behaviors have spoilt the entire cruising experience.
Here's some tips for surviving a cruise from Hong Kong or China.
1. Understanding the Behaviours
Chinese from China have grown up in an environment of crowds. And when I mean crowded, I'm not talking about a full train or restaurant. But filled to no standing space and a mighty long queue behind. Chinese officials are one the best in the world at crowd controlling to preventing a stampede considering the massive crowd size.
Pushing and Shoving
The classic example of pushing and shoving in China is the millions of workers travelling home during the spring festival holidays. The picture below is taken at a train station with thousands of workers trying to get on a train.
 |
| (Picture Source: SmartChinaSourcing) |
You might get push and shoved at a buffet when an overly enthusiastic Chinese tourist would like to get ahead to get the food they are eyeing at. Just politely tap their back (not push, and not the shoulder), and point behind you, to indicate that they should wait in line. Most Chinese would understand that queuing is to be socially more gracious and would line up behind you.
Shouting and Yelling
Have you ever been into a local Chinese Restaurant in your home city, particularly for Yum Cha (Dim Sum)? You will probably notice people yelling at each other all the time. People shout at each other not because they want to, but they have to. If you don't shout, you don't get heard, literally. Unfortunately, the more people shout, the louder they have to shout to get heard. Places on a cruise like a buffet or main dining room or pool deck, it might just turn into a shout-fest.
It is also known even among the Chinese people, that people from certain parts of China talk louder, faster and their dialect sounds more aggressive even if they are not angry at each other. In addition not understanding the language would make everything sound like gibberish to you and is known to cause headaches.
2. Chose your cabin options wisely
Three things you would really want to consider quite differently from most other cruises to minimise crowd contact. Firstly, try to chose a cabin with the minimal foot traffic outside the cabin. For example, chose a cabin as far away as possible from a lift lobby, for example in the aft or front end of the vessel. This would minimise noise from outside the cabin.
Secondly, chose a cabin which has a balcony. Unfortunately, to get some quiet space on pool deck is unlikely an option. You might need to invest into a cabin with a balcony.
Thirdly, chose a cabin which gets you perks like separate dining areas be in in your room or a set-aside space in a specialty dining room, or a special lounge. For example on Royal Caribbean, if you don't have the Diamond + perks, chose a Grand Suite or upwards. That will get you access to the full main dining room menu as room service, and avoid going to the main dining room completely. It will also get you access to a more private lounge.
3. Chose your dining options wisely
There's just something with Chinese people and food. You might have have heard a Chinese person saying "I want to eat till it's worth it." It really means I want to eat as much as possible, particular of the most expensive item. It's another survival of the fittest mentality of wanting most out of every penny.
I've seen on Cruise Critic these translating to comments like "people were taking so much food back to their rooms" or "towards the end of the cruise, there was no salmon or good steak left". To survive this types of behaviour consider spending more time at specialty dining where special cuts of meats are reserved.
Also, actively avoid places like the ship's buffet if you don't like pushing and shoving, or yelling. Most of the time, if you want the food at the buffet, you are likely to be able to find it at a cafe or another restaurant on the ship.
4. Avoid the peak seasons
There are 4 major holidays in China where workers have close to a whole week off.
- 1 January - New Years
- Lunar New Year (check the lunar calendar) - Spring Festival
- 1 May - Labour Day
- 1 October - Chinese National Day
Cruises are not just more expensive on these holidays, they are also much more crowded.
5. Reconsider cruising
Cruising in the west is largely known as a laid back and relaxing holiday. But having to make so many adjustments and having to spend more money to get the same effect in China might not be the best decision financially. You really got to set your expectations significantly differently.
The Chinese government has made quite a bit of effort to educating their population about good travel manners. The government has even cracked down individuals when they behave badly abroad. However, any culture change will take a long time to come into effect.
Apart from river cruising down the Yang Tze river, cruising is not the best form of visiting many parts of Asia. It really only gives you a very short duration at selected ports. If you are cruising to visit places, you will not get the same value as visiting places on a land tour especially with the rich cultural and historical heritage China has. If you are cruising to relax, take your cruising to somewhere else like Australia or Pacific, besides the ocean looks almost the same everywhere!
On the side note, cruise companies have a lot of learn about crowd control from Chinese officials. Organizing a cruise program in China is definitely a whole different ball game!
One thing you got to remember, dealing with Chinese tourist behaviours on a land tour is no different cruising in China. If you aren't ready to deal with the behaviours, you aren't ready to diving into a new cultural immersion tour!
Happy cruising!
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Ultimate Cruise Packing Guide List
To subscribe to my blog, please Like on our Facebook page.
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)
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