Leaving Shanghai for our cruise March 30, 2019 and our thoughts on Shanghai

March 30, 2019

Reflecting on our stay at the Radisson I can say we had a great stay at this hotel. Not only was  the location very convenient, the service and food very good.
There were even several Starbucks nearby and a bank ATM.

The breakfast buffet was expansive featuring all types of cuisine. We had our choice of American coffee or espresso drinks daily.

Across from the hotel was a nice park where the locals would meet to dance and exercise in groups.

One thing that was expected but not appreciated was the overwhelming smog that we experienced daily. We would check the smog index daily- see sample in photo below.

It was never so bad that we had to wear masks but we could feel the effects of it on us- dry throats, itchy eyes.
Shanghai was a nice newer city at least around the Bund and on Nanjing road. The main streets were wide and very clean. No litter at all.
Starbucks stores were everywhere but ATM's were not easy to find or were stretched out throughout the downtown area.


My only comment was we were not confident to take public transit anywhere as there were no English street signs at all - afraid to depend on Google Maps to lead us to destinations.

All the hotel staff, restaurant staff and starbucks baristas were very friendly. We did not have too much interaction with any one else as most of our time was with a guide who helped us with our needs.

We had arranged for a guide and van to take us to the cruise terminal-25 Km from downtown Shanghai. It turns out Snow was our guide today and we all chatted during the ride to the cruise terminal.

Celebrity instructions warned us not to  arrive earlier than our scheduled time as there were no facilities there.
I gambled and arranged for us to arrive around noon and what a surprise.
The terminal was large and modern.

http://www.baoshancruiseterminal.com/

I had no way nor time to take photos of the terminal so here are two from the internet.

Inside the terminal was new, clean and large. We were guided to the departure area where we went through passport control to a check in area.
Again I don't know why Celebrity issued instructions and descriptions of the terminal that made it seem old and small- maybe they needed updating.

One thing that was a pleasant surprise is the cruise reps handed us a bag with snacks to take with us.

Boarding the ship the crew directed us to go to the buffet for lunch and wait for the announcement that our cabin was ready.

 Note the grey sky- smog....

views from the ship of the terminal

The ship had a late departure time so we were able to go to the top deck and take photos of the terminal and city skyline.