Partnerships Enhance Yangtze Cruising

Jun 18, 2012

Partnerships combining various land itineraries in China and Tibet with cruises on the Yangtze River giving agents a colorful range of products to sell to guests who want to couple the experience of the river with the foremost sights of the area.

The continuation of a successful partnership between Victoria Cruises and Orient Flexi-Pax Tours is being celebrated with the15-night Tibet and Yangtze River Journey, which includes stays in Beijing, Chengdu, Lhasa (Tibet), Xian and Shanghai, in addition to three other itineraries featuring Yangtze River cruises during 2012.

The program includes a three-night cruise onboard a Victoria Cruises vessel as well as 12 nights in deluxe and superior first-class hotels. Also included are airport transfers, 35 meals, sightseeing with an experienced English-speaking guide from $3,175.

Escorted sightseeing experiences including the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Ming Dynasty Tombs of the Sacred Path and a special Peking Duck banquet. Guests also visit Chengdu’s Panda Breeding and Research Institute, residences of the Dalai Lama, an authentic Tibetan home and the golden-roofed, 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. In Xian they see the Terra Cotta Army and enjoy a special dinner and Tang Dynasty Theater Performance. After the Yangtze cruise, they visit the famous Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai, tour the Jade Buddha Temple, see acrobatics and stroll the famous Bund waterfront promenade and the shops of Nanjing Road.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is partnering with Century Cruises on a variety of China experiences that combine Yangtze River cruises with visits to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xian. Under the agreement with Century, all of Uniworld’s 2013 and 2014 Yangtze River cruise programs will include accommodations and amenities in Uniworld’s own branded section of the new, Century Paragon and Century Legend.

Uniworld guests will sail in 34 Uniworld Signature Suites on each vessel and will experience a host of exclusive onboard services. These include complimentary coffee, tea and snacks in the Executive Reception area 24 hours a day. Each evening Uniworld guests will be treated to a complimentary cocktail reception before dining at the exclusive Executive VIP Restaurant, with its varied a la carte menu. During dinner, they receive complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks. Uniworld’s dedicated concierge service provides a host of other benefits, such as express check-in and checkout service.

Among their many firsts, the vessels feature the largest Standard Deluxe Cabins on the Yangtze, two exclusive Executive Decks and a huge indoor pool and spa area. The ships also have the first integrated E-propulsion and rudder propeller system on the Yangtze, substantially reducing vibration and noise, and significantly increasing the ships’ maneuvering capability. Green technology features include the extensive use of high-tech compound panels for interior decoration and furniture.

Itineraries include the 10-day Impressions of China & the Yangtze, the 11-day Highlights of China & the Yangtze, the 14-day China, Tibet & the Yangtze and the 18-day Grand China & the Yangtze, priced from $3,299.

At the same time, Uniworld has announced a co-branded website for travel agents in the U.S. and Canada where agents can create their own websites customized with their agency information. The new site will mirror Uniworld’s existing consumer website and will allow agents to personalize their own sites with a unique URL of their choice, their travel agency logo or travel agent headshot, contact name, agency name and the option to add their own social network links. Agents also will have the capability to tell clients more about their agency services under the About Us page of the Uniworld website. Their clients will have access to up-to-date Uniworld cruise images, departure dates, pricing, special savings, and more.

Once agents create their co-branded Web sites, they can incorporate the customized URL in travel agent email campaigns, QR codes and printed marketing pieces. To create a Uniworld co-branded website using Uniworld’s free website builder, visit Uniworld.com/Agency.