Victoria Cruises Sets Sail Towards the New Year with 2006 Itineraries, Pricing for Voyages on China’s Yangtze

Victoria Cruises has announced an exciting series of itineraries for 2006. Additionally, Victoria Cruises is preparing for the launch of a new ship in April – the Victoria Anna – as well as the introduction of expanded menu options on all of its cruises, each designed to enhance the Victoria Cruises experience. In 2006, Victoria Cruises will be offering a variety of programs varying from four to nine days – Three Gorges Highlights, Three Gorges Explorer and Grand Yangtze Discovery.


Victoria Cruises Sets Sail Towards the New Year with 2006 Itineraries, Pricing for Voyages on China’s Yangtze

Launch of Victoria Anna & Enhanced Menu Offerings on Tap for the New Season

Victoria Cruises is pleased to present an exciting series of itineraries for 2006. Additionally, Victoria Cruises is preparing for the launch of a new ship in April – the Victoria Anna – as well as the introduction of expanded menu options on all of its cruises, each designed to enhance the Victoria Cruises experience.

In 2006, Victoria Cruises will be offering a variety of programs varying from four to nine days – Three Gorges Highlights, Three Gorges Explorer and Grand Yangtze Discovery. Prices and sailing dates listed below are valid for 2006.

Three Gorges Highlights
The upstream (five days) and downstream (four days) programs between Chongqing and Yichang – the Three Gorges Highlights itinerary – remain popular favorites among travelers. The opportunity to sail through the verdant valleys that comprise the Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges) and visit the Three Gorges Dam, an engineering marvel, leaves an indelible picture in the imagination.

Prices start at $775 per person, based on double occupancy in a standard cabin during the shoulder season (March 16-31, June, July, August and November) and $820 per person, double, in season (April, May, September and October). Rates in junior suites, deluxe suites and Shangri-La suites are available. Shore excursions cost an additional $80 per person.

The downstream program sails Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The upstream program sails Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. As a result of Victoria Cruises’ increased fleet, beginning May 1, sailings will be added on Mondays downstream and Thursdays upstream (meaning six sailings instead of five in each direction).

Three Gorges Explorer
Providing a comprehensive, in-depth view of the impressive Three Gorges region in China, the eight-day Three Gorges Explorer program takes travelers on a roundtrip journey, Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing, offering different shore excursions in each direction and spectacular views of dramatic scenery, deep valleys, verdant landscapes and breathtaking vistas.

In addition to the spectacular Three Gorges and Small Gorges, travelers are treated to shore excursions to New Zigui, a new city built to accommodate families who relocated as a result of rising Yangtze waters and the Dam project, and Shibaozhai, known for its 400-year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda. Depending on river conditions, the excursion to Shibaozhai may be substituted with visits to Wanzhou, the “Gateway to the Eastern Szechuan Province,” or the “ghost city” of Fengdu.

Prices start at $1,400 per person, based on double occupancy in a standard cabin during the shoulder season (March 16-31, June, July, August and November) and $1,500 per person, double, in season (April, May, September and October). Rates in junior suites, deluxe suites and Shangri-La suites are available. Shore excursions cost an additional $225 per person.

The program sails Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. As a result of Victoria Cruises’ increased fleet, beginning May 1, a sailing will be added on Mondays (meaning six sailings instead of five).

Grand Yangtze Discovery
The Grand Yangtze Discovery encompasses the magnificent Three Gorges area as well as the intriguing and historic sites along the Eastern part of the Yangtze River. Journeying between Chongqing and Shanghai (upstream for nine days and downstream for seven days), this itinerary offers a window into the soul and spirit of China and its people.

Highlights include the Three Gorges, the massive Three Gorges Dam, Mt. Huangshan (“Yellow Mountain”), one of China’s most outstanding scenic attractions, and Nanjing, capital of the Jiangsu province, where cruisers will experience the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty-style Bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple

Prices start at $1,400 per person, based on double occupancy in a standard cabin during the shoulder season (March, June, July, August and November) and $1,500 per person, double, in season (April, May, September and October). Rates in junior suites, deluxe suites and Shangri-La suites are available. Shore excursions cost an additional $225 per person.

The downstream program sails on Fridays, and the upstream program sails on Thursdays.

New for 2006 from Victoria Cruises
In addition to the line-up of 2006 sailings, Victoria Cruises is delighted to welcome its largest and most elaborate ship into its fleet – the Victoria Anna. This state-of-the-art ship, featuring 154 cabins, will make its debut in April 2006 and boast the highest passenger capacity and the most suites of all vessels sailing the mighty Yangtze.

The Victoria Anna will bring the Victoria fleet to a total of seven, including five other Premier ships (the Victoria Katarina, Victoria Empress, Victoria Prince, Victoria Queen and Victoria Star) and one Classic ship (the Victoria Rose, rebuilt in 2001).

Also on tap for the new season, Victoria Cruises has expanded its menus with more Western-style specialties to further appeal to the palate of its Western clientele. The company hired Concepts By Staid, Ltd. For this task, internationally-acclaimed chef Walter Staib and Paul Bauer, his lead project manager, traveled to China and fully equipped the ships and trained the culinary teams with the necessary skills and recipes to prepare high-quality Western dishes (beyond the actual recipes, this included European-style butchering techniques and presentation). Additionally, Associate Corporate Pastry Chef Stephen Leffew spent a month with the chefs to improve the quality of breads, pastries, desserts and afternoon tea accompaniments.

To further the gastronomic pleasures of the discerning traveler, the revamped menus will feature savory appetizers, salads, entrees, sauces and desserts. These tantalizing delights will be introduced during the launch of the 2006 sailing season.

For more information and a free color brochure, contact Victoria Cruises at 57-08 39th Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377; phone (800) 348-8084, (212) 818-1680; fax (212) 818-9889. Send e-mail to contact@victoriacruises.com or visit the company in cyberspace at www.victoriacruises.com.

Press Release Source: Kahn Travel for Victoria Cruises
Dateline: November 2005