Victoria Cruises has introduced a variety of winter specials on select Yangtze sailings in China that will give your clients savings of over 40 percent off the regular season rates. The winter specials offer visitors the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty and intriguing history of China’s Yangtze River at a fraction of the cost.
The selections include: Chongqing – Yichang (four days/three nights downstream) and Yichang – Chongqing (five days/four nights upstream). Rates start at $450 per person in a standard cabin (including accommodations, meals, entertainment, onboard lectures and port taxes), valid for departures through mid-March. A favorite among travelers, the Three Gorges Highlights cruise program includes the chance to sail through the verdant valleys that comprise the Three Gorges as well as a tour of the Three Gorges Dam Site.
Also available are Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing (eight days/seven nights) sailings. Rates start at $800 per person in a standard cabin (including accommodations, meals, entertainment, onboard lectures and port taxes), valid for departures through mid-March 2008. The Three Gorges Explorer roundtrip program provides different daily shore excursions in each direction in order to showcase an in-depth Yangtze River experience. Travelers will experience the Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam project in addition to old cities steeped in culture and new cities built to accommodate those people who relocated because of the rising Yangtze waters.
Rates quoted are per person, based on double occupancy, may change without notice and are subject to space availability. Shore excursions are available for an additional $60 per person on the Three Gorges Highlights cruise and $175 per person on the Three Gorges Explorer program.
Itineraries are subject to change based on river conditions. Bookings are commissionable at 10 percent for travel agents. Victoria Cruises will be using its five-star vessels (rated by the China National Tourism Administration) for the winter sailings.
Based in New York, Victoria Cruises began providing an elegant means to explore China’s Yangtze River since 1994. An American-managed company, Victoria Cruises operates the largest fleet of vessels with a five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration. Victoria Cruises’ portfolio of ships comes in two categories – premier and classic. Premier ships (the Victoria Jenna, Victoria Anna, Victoria Katarina, Victoria Empress, Victoria Prince, Victoria Queen and Victoria Star) are new or newly-rebuilt ships featuring enhanced facilities such as private balconies in every cabin, more spacious public areas, and a higher level of comfort, sophistication and décor throughout the ships. In the Classic ship category is the Victoria Rose (rebuilt in 2001). Although smaller than the other ships in the fleet, the Victoria Rose maintains the same high quality standards of the company’s other vessels. All ships maintain the highest international safety standards.
The line’s fleet will grow to eight vessels with the introduction of the new Victoria Jenna in April 2009. When Victoria Jenna debuts, she will be the largest and most luxurious vessel plying Yangtze waters. The ship will feature 209 cabins (186 standard accommodations, 19 junior suites, two deluxe suites and two Shangri-la suites) for a total passenger capacity of 418 (and a crew of 179). All cabins will have televisions with HBO and CNN broadcasts, private bathroom with a shower and bathtub, and a private balcony so guests can appreciate magnificent views of the Yangtze River. The Victoria Jenna will feature two dining rooms (a single seating main dining room and an a la carte restaurant), a fitness room, lecture room (for talks about the river’s history and lessons in Tai Chi, Mandarin language and mah jong), library/reading room, the Yangtze Club (theatre-style night club), cocktail lounge, beauty salon, gift shop, spacious observation deck, business center, Internet access, health clinic, four elevators and an atrium lobby. Victoria Cruises offers a variety of itineraries varying from four to nine days including Grand Yangtze Discovery, Three Gorges Highlights, and Three Gorges Explorer. 800-348-8084 www.victoriacruises.com
