Cruising the Yangtze

Nov 07, 2009

Cruising China’s Yangtze River is a life-changing experience, different from what it was even 10 years ago and offers travelers the chance to obtain a unique vision of China’s ancient society thriving alongside its completely modern counterpart. On the Yangtze, the world’s third longest river, the much higher waters created by the new Three Gorges Dam have made it possible to sail to villages that have never interacted with outsiders before, as well as resettlement villages that are home to more than 1 million people displaced by the rising waters. Visitors also see sites with roots that go deep into history. The controversial dam was designed to control the flooding of the Yangtze, which took an estimated 300,000 lives annually.

The Victoria Jenna was launched earlier this year. // (c) 2009 Victoria Cruises

Upon its completion this year, the Three Gorges Dam has brought a 20 percent increase in electrical power to the region, helped the fishing industry, increased tourism and made farming more productive. The dam itself has become an important tourist attraction. Costing an estimated $70 billion, it took 15 years to build. It is the world’s largest dam at more than one mile long and over 600 feet high.

Cruises through the gorges offer lifetime memories. Qutang Gorge is possibly the most picturesque of all, with its five miles of dramatic scenery. It is also the closest gorge to Chongqing. The Yangtze presses through 500-foot cliffs with ancient limestone peaks, an extremely impressive ride. The 12 cloud-covered mountains of the Wu Gorge rise dramatically from the water and the third gorge, nearest the dam, is 41 miles long and looks like a Chinese brush painting come to life. Smaller boats carry passengers to the three Lesser Gorges, which are now more accessible because of the higher water.

Veteran travelers on the river during the past 30 years would hardly recognize today’s ships, with flat-screen televisions, DVD systems, video on demand and wireless Internet. New York-based Victoria Cruises has onboard cruise directors who have worked for the largest ocean-going lines and on the culinary side they offer the pick of regional Chinese dishes and American cuisine designed by Concepts by Walter Staib, seen on many cooking shows in the United States.

Whereas sliding-glass doors are perfect solutions in the European river vessels that are close to shore, the size of the Yangtze and the spectacular scenery make balconies a very desirable feature. Victoria’s eight ships all have balcony staterooms available; the newest, the 400-passenger Victoria Jenna, was launched this year with balconies for all staterooms and suites. Victoria’s new VIP Club executive suites, with private check-in and complimentary concierge service among its privileges, have been very successful with the growing international cruise market, as well. Public rooms are large and onboard enrichment programs are diverse, from tai chi lessons to Chinese cooking classes.

Victoria has announced winter specials on select sailings aboard Victoria Queen with savings of more than 40 percent off regular season rates from December through March, including Christmas and New Year’s cruises.

The Three Gorges Highlights program, sailing upstream from Yichang to Chongqing (five days/four nights) or downstream from Chongqing to Yichang (four days/three nights) starts at $470 per person. In addition to spectacular views of centuries-old pagodas along the Yangtze, a one-time shore excursion fee of $65 per person (inclusive of all excursions) will provide guests with an excursion to the dam site, a tour to the 400 year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda at Shibaozhai and an additional excursion such as a tranquil sampan journey through the Yangtze’s scenic Daning or Shennong River tributaries to the Lesser Gorges.

For travelers wishing to spend more time sailing the Yangtze, there are limited winter departures for its eight-day/seven-night Three Gorges Explorer program, roundtrip from Chongqing to Yichang and back to Chongqing, with different shore excursions in each direction. Rates start at $840 per person, plus an additional $195 for shore excursions (inclusive of all excursions that are offered).

If you want to see the start of the Year of the Tiger in style, The Jenna will be operating the cruise line’s Chinese New Year sailings departing Feb. 14 and Feb. 17, following the Three Gorges Highlights itinerary. The new vessel has four elevators, two separate full-service kitchens and wireless CDMA Internet, as well as full bathtubs and high-efficiency dual-flush toilets in each passenger stateroom.

Passengers can take advantage of special discounts on accommodations including Junior Suites ($680 for Three Gorges Highlights; $1,260 for Three Gorges Explorer), Deluxe Suites ($890 for Three Gorges Highlights; $1,710 for Three Gorges Explorer) and Shangri-La Suites ($1,310 for Three Gorges Highlights; $2,030 for Three Gorges Explorer).

www.victoriacruises.com