Demand for Yangtze River Cruises
By Jonathan Siskin, cruise editor.
With the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing focusing the international spotlight on China, a record number of Americans are expected to travel here this year. Statistics compiled by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) reveal that the number of U.S. visitors to China has been rising at an annual rate of 12.5% from 1.6 million in 2005 to an estimated 2.5 million in 2009. Many clients planning China visits will want to include a Yangtze River cruise on their itineraries, and there are several quality river ships and tour packages featuring Yangtze cruises to choose from in 2008.
Victoria Expands Fleet
Since launching its first ship on the Yangtze in 1994, Victoria Cruises has gradually expanded its fleet to seven ships sailing on itineraries from four to nine days including its best selling “Three Gorges Highlights” “Three Gorges Explorer” and “Grand Yangtze Discovery” cruises.
Victoria recently announced it will be adding an eighth vessel, the Victoria Jenna, which will set sail on April 26, 2009. With a passenger capacity of 418, the Jenna will be the largest and most luxurious ship on the river with a total of 209 cabins—186 standard accommodations, 19 junior suites, two deluxe suites and two Shangra-la suites.
Each comes with private balcony, bathroom with shower/tub and television with CNN and HBO broadcasts. There are two dining rooms (a single main seating dining room and an a la carte restaurant) along with a fitness room, library/reading room and theatre style night club.
Victoria is currently offering a variety of winter specials with savings of over 40% off regular season rates on select sailings through mid March, 2008. Winter specials include the “Three Gorges Highlights” itineraries: Chongqing-Yichang (four days/three nights downstream) and Yichang-Chongqing(five days/four nights upstream); and the roundtrip “Three Gorges Explorer” itinerary: Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing (eight days/seven nights).
Highlights include sailing through the spectacular Three Gorges section of the river and a tour of the Three Gorges Dam site. There are also excursions to some of the oldest cities along the river as well as to new cities built to accommodate those people who had to relocate because of the rising Yangtze waters. Call 800-348-8084, 212-818-1680 or visit www.victoriacruises.com
Viking River Cruises offers an annual series of Yangtze cruises aboard its deluxe sister ships Viking Century Sun and Viking Century Sky. Both five deck vessels consist of 153 staterooms with a maximum capacity of 306 passengers. Each has an observation bar & lounge, coffee bar, sun deck, sauna, gym, business center, internet station, beauty salon and massage services. Yangtze Cruises are included in the following Viking Cruise tours: Imperial Jewels of China (12 days): China’s Cultural Delights (16 days); Roof of the World (16 days) and Silk Road Adventure (17 days). Call 877-688-4546 or visit www.vikingrivercruise.com
A & K Launches New Ship
Abercrombie & Kent, which pioneered upscale travel to China with the opening of its first office in Hong Kong in 1983, is bringing a new standard of luxury and comfort to Yangtze River cruising with the debut of the 124 passenger “Yangtze Explorer” on April 20, 2008.
Guests can book one of the 24 spacious suites or 38 deluxe cabins, all with private balconies. Dining will be first rate with a selection of Chinese and Western dishes overseen by an onboard executive chef. There will also be shipboard programs and innovative shore excursions throughout the cruise that will educate passengers about China’s “River of Heaven” and enhance their understanding of Chinese history and customs.
Amenities include a spa, fitness center and hairdresser while a business center will provide internet access throughout the cruise. The Yangtze Explorer will also adhere to the highest standard of sustainability with the most up-to-date sewage disposal systems and recycling facilities.
Four night upstream sailings on the Yangtze Explorer depart Yichang on Sundays and arrive in Chongqing on Thursdays while three night downstream sailings leave Chongqing on Thursday and arrive in Yichang on Sunday. Call 800-554-7094 or visit www.abercrombiekent.com
Uniworld and Pacific Delight feature Yangtze River Cruises in various tour packages throughout the year. Uniworld partners with Victoria Cruises on its selection of 2008 Grand River China Cruises offering a choice of 10 itineraries from seven to 20 days.
Cruises begin the first week in February and continue through the Fall. Grand River Cruises include highlights of the Yangtze, the mysteries of Tibet, Mongolia and Siberia, the gardens of Suzhou and green mountains of Guilin.
Uniworld currently offers more than 30 itineraries on 12 rivers in 20 countries across four continents: China, Europe, Russia and Egypt. Call 800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com
Pacific Delight Tours also partners with Victoria Cruises on 13 China tour packages in 2008 that feature three to six night Yangtze River Cruises. Packages also include tours and overnight stays of one to four nights in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. Details of all China tours are available in Pacific Delight’s new 116 page “China and Asia Tourbook”.
Pacific Delight Tours, celebrating 38 years in the business in 2008, specializes in escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia and also offers packages to India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Call 800-221-7179 or 212-818-1781 and visit www.PacificDelightTours.com
Decemner 2007 Issue
Viking, Standardbearer on River Cruising
by Joan Jenkins
In any comparison of river cruises and ocean voyages, trips on inland waterways have the edge when it comes to scenery along the way. Another plus: easy access to ports that can't be reached by ocean liners. Viking River Cruises, the world's largest such company, has 23 ships, 13 of them for the American market. JAX FAX recently traveled Budapest-Amsterdam on the Viking Danube, built in 1999, with 75 outside cabins.
Viking by Sea and Now, by Land
This past summer, Viking River Cruises announced a new venture called Viking Tours, a product expansion that coincides with the company's 10th anniversary. “Selected itineraries will bring discerning travelers to some of the world's most exciting destinations,” said company chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen. Viking Tours enters the market with programs to India, southeast Asia, Egypt, South Africa, South America, the Galapagos, Scandinavia, Antarctica and the South Pacific. All offer pre- and post-tour add-ons to such places as Bhutan, Dubai, Cambodia, Angkor, Petra, Reykjavik and Australia's Ayers Rock.
For the purposes of this report, however, JF traveled on Viking’s River Cruise between Budapest and Amsterdam aboard the Viking Danube.
Public Areas: All Viking ships feature observation lounges with panoramic views, sundecks and one or two restaurants. Most have a gift shop and library with books and games. Some have a sauna. The Viking Sky and Danube are each equipped with a whirlpool, exercise room and swimming pool.
Staterooms: Spacious cabins are decorated in Scandinavian modern style. Bathrooms include larger-than-average shower stalls. Beds are super-comfortable featuring feather-filled duvets. Cabin also have: TV with CNN movie channel, telephones, safe, hair dryers and individual climate control.
Euro-Gourmet Meals: In addition to enjoying a sumptuous breakfast buffet with sparkling wine, guests can order blueberry pancakes, French toast, oatmeal and other off-the-menu selections. Delectable pastries are offered every afternoon at tea time. A typical four-course dinner menu might list spring rolls with marinated glass noodles, onion soup with cheese croutons, pork escalade in lemon sauce and papardelle noodles--for dessert: Emperor's souffle with mashed apples. Vegetarian entrees are available, and, for the less gastronomically adventurous, grilled chicken breast, rump steak and Caesar salad. Open seating augments sociability. The dress code on board and ashore is casual. Dinner attire tends toward "evening casual" and the Captain's dinner is dressy but not formal.
Shipboard Entertainment: Mingling with fellow passengers and enjoying after-dinner drinks in the lounge are popular leisure-time options. Live music is performed for listening to and/or dancing. Special events during our cruise included traditional Hungarian singing and dancing, preparing apple strudel, glass-blowing demonstrations, bingo and a performance by Bavarian folk dancers.
Itineraries: For 2008, European river cruises and expeditions on China's Yangtse River are being offered. Some examples: 7-14 night trips from Basel to Antwerp, Vienna to Nuremberg, Berlin to Prague, Paris to LeHavre, St. Petersburg to Moscow and Beijing to Shanghai.
Shore Excursions: Most shore programs are included in the cruise fare. Our first guided tour was in Budapest, a favorite European city among American tourists. Our next port, Bratislavia, Slovakia's capital, is an architectural gem. Most of the Old City's 15th and 16th-century buildings, neglected during the Socialist decades, have been impressively restored. After sightseeing by motorcoach along Vienna's famed Ringstrasse, we visited the Lower Belvedere palace, which houses Gustav Klimpt paintings, including his most famous work, The Kiss.
Rothenburg looks like it's right out of a Bavarian fairytale. The small town's 14th-19th-century buildings survived World War II without a scratch. Highlights of Nuremberg included the former Nazi party rally grounds, plus the Palace of Justice, site of 1946-47's war crimes trials. After our walking tour in Mainz, we visited the library where several of Joannes Gutenberg's original Bibles are displayed. Our stop in Cologne included Germany's biggest and best-known cathedral. The cruise ended in Amsterdam, where we visited the Rijksmuseum. On display are such Dutch masterpieces as Rembrandt's Night Watch. Ample port time is allowed for those who'd like to do some independent sightseeing.
Extra Services: Wireless internet access, using the ship's laptop computers, is available for 20 euros per hour. A satellite-beamed newspaper, USA Times, can be picked up at the reception desk every morning. Maps and brochures are distributed at each port. Laundry service is available.
Pre- and Post-Cruise Add-ons: For an easy way to enhance your client's travel experience and increase your commissions, book them on a three-day pre-or post-cruise add-on. They are available in many cities--including Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Lucerne, Krakow, Vienna and Helsinki. Packages are based on four-star, centrally located hotels. Prices range from $649 to $749 per person double.
Fares and Commissions: Viking's 2008 Itinerary Guides include fares for March-November sailings. For example, the 15-day Grand European Tour, through five countries with 14 guided tours, is $3,100, category E, for March 3rd and April 6th, 2008. For July 13th and 27th, 2008, a category A cabin costs $6,199. Agent's commission is 10%. Wholesale commissions vary. Call 877-668-4546; E-mail: info-us@vikingcruises.com; or visit www.vikingcruises.com
June 2007 Feature
South Pacific Cruises: Where Paradise is no Cliché
by Jonathan Siskin
While the word “paradise” is overused in travel literature, it is absolutely on target when describing a South Pacific cruise. For well-traveled, pleasure seeking clients who crave cruising on itineraries to exotic ports of call, a South Pacific cruise will more than satisfy their wanderlust desires. Few places on the planet conjure up the idyllic images and mystique associated with these faraway islands. Even the names of the islands—i.e. Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Samoa and the Tuamotus—roll off the tongue like mellifluous Polynesian melodies that have mesmerized visitors since peripatetic Captain Cook first sailed here on his epic voyages.
Nowadays, the allure of the South Pacific is an especially good sell for cruise lines that have itineraries calling at far flung destinations from Tahiti to Easter Island. Among the lines with ships cruising the South Pacific during 2007 are Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Discover World Cruises, CruiseWest and Adventure Life Voyages.
One of the few ships based in the South Pacific year round is the Paul Gauguin of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Carrying a maximum of 348 guests, this luxury ship departs out of Papeete, Tahiti on 7, 11, 13 and 17 night roundtrip itineraries visiting ports including Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine and Taha’a. One of the most romantic ships afloat, a special favorite of honeymooners and upscale couples accustomed to penultimate pampering. Among the perks of a Gauguin voyage are complimentary beverages and a no-tipping policy. The ship’s interior is designed around a Polynesian theme with walls decorated with 19th century photos of “pre-tourist” Tahiti. There is also a small museum and gallery onboard containing native manuscripts and an assortment of Polynesian artifacts.
Three original Gauguin sketches are on view under glass, and the gallery sells books, videos and other items focusing on the art, history and culture of the islands. There are also expert lecturers accompanying each cruise who give talks on Tahiti and Gauguin. Water sports dominate the daily agenda of activities, and the Paul Gauguin excels in its diversity of recreational equipment; there is a retractable marina platform at the aft of the ship plus a supply of kayaks, windsurfers, scuba and snorkeling gear and two water skiing boats. There is also a compelling lineup of shore excursions from shark feeding, parasailing and helicopter rides to outrigger/jeep tours. www.rssc.com
Some clients prefer sailing on expedition ships with a capacity of 50-150 passengers which can explore more remote islands and atolls that are off limits to larger vessels. Two companies offering expedition cruises to the South Pacific this year are Cruise West and Adventure Life Voyages. With nine small ships with capacities ranging from 70-138 passengers, the largest American owned cruise line, Seattle-based
Cruise West has a fleet of nine small ships with capacities ranging from 70 to 138 passengers and specializes in itineraries to places not visited by traditional cruise ships. The Cruise West experience and the casual onboard atmosphere encourages frequent interaction between passengers and crew, and the Cruise West experience is enhanced by enrichment lectures by local experts. Call 800-296-8993; www.cruisewest.com
One of the newest entrants into the South Pacific cruise market is Adventure Life Voyages, a Missoula, Montana-based company that is among the leaders in land based tours to Central and South America.
The experts at Adventure Life have selected a few choice expedition cruise vessels and paired them with enticing itineraries to some of the far-flung corners of the globe. Call 800-344-6118; www.adventure-life.com