LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- China is quickly becoming the world's number one tourist destination, and Viking River Cruises all-inclusive cruisetours allow travelers to explore China's top landmarks and become immersed in her diverse cultures through land tours combined with a Yangtze River cruise. Now, for a limited time, passengers can receive roundtrip international air from just $199 when booking a cruisetour on select 2007 dates.

Passengers can travel on a 5-star ship

When traveling to China with Viking River Cruises, passengers are escorted every step of the way by Viking River Cruises own experienced English-speaking guides who help passengers make the most of their vacation. On the Yangtze cruise portion of the trip, passengers travel aboard Viking River Cruises deluxe, 306-passenger all-balcony ships, Viking Century Sky or Viking Century Sun. Recently, Sky received the coveted five-star rating from the China National Tourist Administration. Ratings are based on the quality of facilities and amenities, and a ship must be in service at least one year prior to getting rated. Sky is one of the few to receive this rating on the Yangtze, the highest rating possible (Sun has not been in service long enough to be rated).

Key to the high rating is the fact that Viking Century Sky was custom-built under Viking River Cruises supervision; includes a full Western kitchen serving gourmet Western meals and Chinese menus designed by Martin Yan; and boasts four European onboard managers to oversee customer service and quality. Each cabin is equipped with a phone, color television, private bathroom and shower, hotel-style beds, and climate control. The ship also includes a restaurant, observation lounge and bar, coffee bar, sauna, business center, internet cafe, sun deck, shop, and laundry service. A doctor, massage services, and beauty salon are also available onboard. In addition, the company is the only one with an exclusive private picnic area in the Lesser Three Gorges, and hires and supervises over 40 tour escorts dedicated to escorting passengers throughout their journey, including pre-check-in for hotels, baggage handling, and intra-China flights.

"We created our China cruisetours to provide passengers with the very best experience both on land and the river, so it is an honor to receive the five-star rating for Viking Century Sky," said Torstein Hagen, Founding Chairman, Viking River Cruises. "To celebrate, and because we know that many travelers are planning their 2007 vacations now, we wanted to make this once-in a lifetime destination even more accessible with our special air fares."

Air Discount Details: flights from $199 China's Cultural Delights

Roundtrip airfare to China is available from $199 on the 15-night China's Cultural Delights itinerary, which features three nights in Beijing, one night in Xian, a nine-night Yangtze cruise from Chongqing to Nanjing, and two nights in Shanghai. Passengers must mention offer "01P" to get discounted air.

Imperial Jewels of China

Roundtrip airfare is available from $399 on the nine- or 10-night Imperial Jewels of China itinerary, which features two nights in Shanghai, a three- or four-night Yangtze cruise from the Three Gorges Dam to Chongqing (or the reverse), one night in Xian, and three nights in Beijing. Passengers must mention offer "08P" to get discounted air.

Additional Details and Restrictions

Offers are valid on 2007 June, July and August departures only. $199 and $399 special airfare rates are valid on departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle only. For departures from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Tampa or Washington D.C., add $100 per person. Flights from other gateways cities or upgrades to business class are available for an additional cost.

This special offer expires December 18, 2006, and is valid on new bookings only as of October 9, 2006. Must be paid in full at time of booking, not combinable with any other offer except Past Passenger Discount; applicable to groups. All prices are per person, double occupancy and include port charges. Limited singles are available; please call 1-877-668-4546 for pricing. Airfare purchased from Viking River Cruises does not include air taxes/fees of $320, and special air rates are non-commissionable. Transfers are included in air price; if air is purchased independently, transfers may be purchased when available and price will be quoted at time of booking. Normal cancellation policy applies; see Terms and Conditions in the 2007 brochure or on the website for details. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to correct or revise any pricing or date errors throughout the season. For more information about this special promotion, please go to http://www.chinaoffers.vikingrivercruises.com/

About Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises, the world leader in river cruising, offers quality service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable scenic cruising along Europe, Russia and China's majestic rivers. The company is a multiple-time winner of Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" Award and Travel & Leisure's "World's Best" Awards. TravelAge West's travel agent readers also recently recognized Viking River Cruises with the 2006 "WAVE" Award for "Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising." Additionally, Viking River Cruises was named "Best River Cruise" by CruiseReport.com. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 23 vessels, and provides a unique, affordable vacation to experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises at 1-877-66VIKING (1-877-668-4546) toll-free or visit the company online at vikingrivercruises.com.

CONTACT: Melanie Burke of Ketchum, +1-310-584-8315,
Melanie.burke@ketchum.com

Web site: http://www.chinaoffers.vikingrivercruises.com/

Web site: http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/