In a recent pact, Victoria Cruises and Pacific Delight Tours have
made Victoria Cruises the exclusive sailing provider of the Yangtze
River with Pacific Delight World Tours’ escorted China programs for
2005.
“In what is emerging as a very competitive marketplace on the
Yangtze River, we are extremely pleased that a company the caliber
of Pacific Delight World Tours, which has built a reputation for
extraordinary service levels, creative itineraries and flawless
personal attention, has affirmed its relationship with us to this
degree,” said Jerry Pi, director of global operations for Victoria
Cruises.
“Both our companies share similar philosophies of providing
premier levels of value and luxury as well as a strong family
tradition in business, making us natural partners. Looking ahead,
we expect 2005 to be successful for Victoria Cruises and Pacific
Delight World Tours as well as the tourism industry at large, Pi
added. “An increased interest in exploring China, plus the
heightened buzz that is already surrounding the 2008 Summer
Olympics in Beijing is putting China in the forefront of a larger
traveling audience.”
Currently there are two versions of the 19-day Classic China
& Yangtze River Imperial Experience program (in either four or
five days on Victoria Cruise ships). Both tours offer stops in
Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Guilin and Hong Kong
with optional extensions to Bangkok and Angkor Wat that showcase
impressive Yangtze River scenery. Tours include Beijing’s Tiananmen
Square and Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Ming Tombs and Beijing
Opera; Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple, the Shanghai Museum and a
performance at the Children’s Palace; ancient Xian; and Hong Kong’s
Stanley Market, Repulse Bay, Victoria Peak and a visit to
Aberdeen’s sampan community.
All tour packages come with trans-Pacific flights on Northwest
Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle or Portland;
accommodations at deluxe hotels; outside cabin with balcony on the
Victoria Katarina; intra-China transportation; sightseeing and
entertainment; most meals; professional escort beginning in Los
Angeles; transfers, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service
charges; and $100,000 flight insurance when air reservations are
ticketed by Pacific Delight Tours.
“Pacific Delight World Tours, the first tour operator on the
Yangtze, and Victoria Cruises together pioneered the seamless
vacation experience that has become synonymous with our names,”
said Sophia Luk, senior vice president of marketing and sales,
Pacific Delight World Tours.
“Victoria Cruises’ recent revitalization of its fleet with the
most deluxe vessels on the river and the cruise line’s impeccable
service are the ideal complement to our exceptional escorted
journeys of ‘affordable luxury.’ Victoria Cruises and Pacific
Delight World Tours have exhibited an unrivaled mastery of this
intriguing part of the world making our packages top sellers,” Luk
said.
Pacific Delight World Tours is the largest provider of escorted
and independent tours to China and the Orient with over 34 years of
experience.
Victoria Cruises has been sailing on the Yangtze since 1994,
with 2004 seeing the launch of Victoria Cruises’ new generation of
high-tech vessels. “Premier Ships,” (Victoria’s Katarina, Empress,
Prince, Queen, and Star) are new or newly rebuilt ships and feature
balconies in every room, larger common areas and upgraded decor
throughout. Victoria Cruise also owns the largest number of
five-star ships on the Yangtze (Victoria’s Katarina, Prince, Queen
and Star) and all voyages offer a wide variety of cultural
experiences, with lectures, acupuncture demonstrations, Tai Chi,
calligraphy and silk-kite making.
Travel agents receive 10 percent commissions for bookings with
Pacific Delight World Tours escorted tour programs; additional
commission may apply depending on consortium affiliation.
Pacific Delight Tours
800-221-7179
www.pacificdelighttours.com
Victoria Cruises
800-348-8084
www.victoriacruises.com
