The Cruise Report With Cruise Specialists Cruise Reporter Ralph Grizzle

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Viking River Cruises’ Wendy Moriarty convinced me. If China isn’t in your immediate cruise future, it needs to be.As an Avid Cruiser and a world-aware traveler, you likely know a good bit about China itself. What was interesting for me to learn was just how much Viking River Cruises shows you on a China cruise.Of course, you’ll spend time cruising on one of two sister ships, built in 2005 and in 2006. These are deluxe, five-deck ships. On board: English-speaking staff and meals that alternate between Western entres and Chinese food tailored for the Western palate. Ashore: Experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking guides. Cruises are all-inclusive, so that you won’t have to pay extra for tours or meals ashore.

So many spectacular places to visit, so little time. Here are six of our favorites.

Straddling the seat of a motorbike, my driver and I weave in and out of traffic as we make our way to Ho Chi Minh City’s central market. Traveling at a slow pace, the ride is nonetheless invigorating, with few traffic lights and apparently no traffic laws to impose order. Intersections are chaotic, with motorbikes, cars, busses and pedicabs all competing to make their way through. My driver skillfully brakes, accelerates and toots his horn to glide with astounding finesse through the clutter. ‘You go to market,’ he says, looking over his shoulder at me. ‘I waiting for you.’