Archive for the 'China Cruises' Category

Sep12

Send Me To China. Please!

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.

The cruise portion is either three, four or nine nights. Each program also includes three nights in Beijing, one night in Xian and two nights in Shanghai - all in 5-star accommodations. Also, the “Roof of the World” itinerary features three nights in Lhasa, Tibet. And, if time is of no consequence, you can add three nights in Hong Kong and one night in Guillin.

You may want to time your visit to coincide with the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

Cruising China’s greatest challenge: the long-haul flight. “It’s certainly one of the larger hurdles that people need to get over,” says Lisa Juarez, vice president of marketing for Viking River. “The best way to make it is business class, and there are a number of air offers that make the price attractive enough.”

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