Asia River Cruises

The best time for an Asia river cruise depends on which river you choose. Cruise season for the Yangtze River is April through October; for the Mekong River, it's November through February; and for the Irrawaddy River, it's September through April. For more: Tips for Choosing an Asia River Cruise.

There are many Asia river cruise options depending on the river. Abercrombie & Kent, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways and Viking River Cruises (among others), offer sailings on all three rivers. Smaller more regional cruise lines that often charter Chinese and Vietnamese vessels offer sailings, as well.

There are any number of things to do on an Asia river cruise, including city sightseeing in places like Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City or the country of Myanmar, where you can visit local markets, significant religious sites and historic landmarks. Venture out to the countryside and local villages to explore the wildlife and interact with locals.

Yes, a passport is required to cruise in Asia. Visas might also be required, depending on which countries you are traveling through; consult with your cruise line.