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 Passenger
Capacity: 258
Built: 1993, in Germany
Length: 424 ft.
Beam: 52 ft.
Decks: 5
Officers: Chinese
Staff and Crew: 150; Chinese, American cruise directors
Itinerary: These are not slow boats in China, actually do
22 knots upstream and 30 knots downstream, and offer four
(downstream) and six-day (upstream) cruises of the Yangtze River
through the scenic Three Gorges. Cabins: 124.
Each ship has 114 double staterooms and 10 single staterooms. The
cabins have a private bath with shower. There are also 10 deluxe
suites with a bedroom and a separate lounge, a kitchen area with
refrigerator and minibar, and a bathroom with tub, shower and
bidet. All cabins are outside, have a panoramic window,
refrigerator, TV, radio, air-conditioning and heating. Cabins are
supplied with Chinese slippers, robes and hot tea.
Dining: There are two dining facilities which feature a
choice of Western and gourmet specialties from various regions of
China, served buffet-style. There is 24-hour room service.
Facilities and Activities: These are three identical
vessels, with identical facilities and modern decor. Passengers
can immerse themselves in Chinese history, art, lifestyle, and
cuisine. There is a ballroom with nightly entertainment, karaoke,
and live music and dancing, as well as traditional Chinese opera,
dance and acrobatic performances. The crew performs many of the
shows: a fan dance, playing antique musical instruments, opera
singing. Public areas include a bar, tea room, library, and
karaoke rooms. Each ship has a spa and fitness center, sauna, hair
salon, gift shops, in-room massage, and two Mah-Jongg rooms. There
are movies and videos as well as displays of Chinese classical
dress and costume shows. Lessons are given in Chinese language,
shadow boxing, Tai-chi, Mah-Jongg, card games, and calligraphy.
Doctors trained in Chinese and Western medicine, including
acupuncture and acupressure, are available by appointment. There
is a business center with copy service, satellite
telecommunications, telephone, and fax. Each ship has an
English-speaking cruise director and English-speaking guides who
are also fluent in Mandarin. There is laundry service. The
recommended times of the year to go are May, June, and from late
August through October since summer on the river is very hot.
Shore excursions are designed to give passengers a close look at
the area and its people. All cruises include a visit to Sandouping
to see the Three Gorges Dam construction work. Depending on the
route, other excursions include Fengdu or Wanxian, and the Small
Three Gorges or Shennong Stream. |
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