Later this month, Victoria Cruise Lines will debut its newest vessel, Victoria Isabella. The 570-guest, electric-hybrid riverboat will sail the Yangtze River, joining sister ship Victoria Sabrina, which launched in 2020.
Victoria Isabella is the world’s largest river cruise ship, according to the line. Measuring in at 17,000 gross tons, Victoria Isabella will be the region’s latest five-star vessel.
“While U.S. passengers to China remain down from pre-pandemic levels, we are encouraged by a number of indicators that show the market is poised for a comeback, including a game-changing program which allows Americans to visit for up to ten days without requiring a visa,” said Benson Wu, president of Victoria Cruise Lines. “Historically, the visa process created a significant barrier which has long hindered China’s tourism potential, and now that this issue has been mitigated, many of our industry partners in the U.S. are ramping up their efforts to promote and sell China vacations.”
Since 1994, the American-managed company has worked with Asia-focused travel advisors. With the new ship, the brand is poised to foster those relationships further into the future.
Private Accommodations
Onboard Victoria Isabella there will be 236 Superior Staterooms, each with their own private balcony. Guests can also choose from 22 spacious Executive Suites or two Shangri-La Suites, the most luxurious accommodations onboard.
Suite guests automatically receive a Luxury Amenities package, valued at $400 per person. The package includes VIP “white glove” service, a special happy hour, enhanced dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and access to exclusive ship areas.
Public Venues
Victoria Isabella will be the first passenger ship on the Yangtze to feature an escalator, making its six decks more accessible. Amenities include a boutique shop, a fitness room, a massage room and a reading area.
Dining options will center around The Dynasty Dining Room, which will serve western and Chinese breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner buffets in a single-seating format. An a-la-carte dinner restaurant will also be available at a surcharge, though complimentary for suite guests and Superior Stateroom passengers.
Sustainability, Itineraries and Excursions
The vessel’s eco-friendly, hybrid-electric engine will help reduce emissions when visiting famed sites along the Yangtze.
Itineraries will include four-night upstream trips and three-night downstream sailings to and from Chongqing. A seven-night roundtrip journey is also available.
Guests can purchase a daily excursions package for $100 per person, which will extend to tours of destinations such as Fengdu’s Snow Jade Cave and the Small Gorges and the Three Gorges Dam site (subject to river conditions and substitutions).
For an additional $45 per person, optional excursions such as Fengdu’s Ghost City will also be available.
