1. Why say yes to China?
Someone offered to show me a part of cruising I haven’t seen. After 30-plus years telling Porthole readers where to go, it seemed fair someone told me. Nicely, for once.

2. Your first river cruise?
For the record, it’s not my first river cruise, but my first in China. I’m curious how the Yangtze compares. By day two, I’ll be interviewing the captain. Old habits die hard.

3. How will it compare with ocean cruising?
On the ocean, the ship is the destination. On the Yangtze, the scenery is the show: gorges, cliffs and an enormous dam. The intimate rhythm I love, with the volume turned up.

4. What do you hope to discover?
Thousands of years of history and China’s enormous cities, but also small moments: a local market or a meal where nobody shares a language but everyone agrees it’s delicious.

5. What tops your wish list?
The Three Gorges. Does the real thing beat the postcards? The dam’s locks are a close second. I’ll try to act cool. I will fail.

6. What will you notice about the crew?
The little things: remembering names and handling tricky requests. Anyone can run a good day; I want to see how a team handles a complicated one. I’ll also be judging trivia night. Professionally.

7. What are your expectations?
Comfortable cabins, warm service, regional food and entertainment that teaches me about China. Keep the coffee coming and they’ll have a convert.

8. What would you love to try?
Sichuan hotpot, a tea ceremony, sunrise tai chi and a dumpling-making class. My taste buds have signed the waiver. My dumplings will be ugly but edible. Mostly.

9. What questions will you explore?
Getting around without Mandarin, the visa process, staying connected and how excursions compare with other rivers and ports. I want real answers, not guesses.

10. What do you hope to say afterwards?
That I was surprised. That I found a meal I can’t stop thinking about, a view my camera couldn’t do justice to and a crew member I’ll remember for years. And that I’m already planning the next one.