Well, here's a completely different approach ...

We're CHEAP!! After all, every dollar saved is worth $100 (my own personal calculation) toward the next cruise. Zierer does a very good job, but I was looking for something less expensive. For the WC, Zierer did all our visas as part of our fare, but for PANDA we're on our own.

I looked online and found the Chinese Visa Office in Houston -- www.visa-chinese.com/contact-china-visa.htm -- I admit I was nervous, but we sent off our passports and $138 for BOTH of us. We sent them 7/17 by registered mail, enclosing a priority mail confirmed envelope for their return. Today, just ten days later, we received them back!!

I'm amazed!! I'm thrilled!! And think of all the hundreds of $$ we have toward the 2009 WC!!!

So maybe this is something others might try ...

Betty