ALL-time favourite Chinese destination, the Yangtze River, now offers travellers brand-new ways to enjoy its natural scenery and historical attractions.
President Cruises, which specialises in luxury sailings, has launched two new cruise ships – President VII and President VIII – in April this year. Each of these new vessels can accommodate up to 580 passengers. In comparison, President Cruises’ two other ships – President Prime and President I – can only accommodate 374 and 188 passengers respectively.
All rooms on the new ships are fitted with a balcony that provides passengers a magnificent view of the Yangtze River. Onboard facilities include a 100-pax high-definition cinema, a heated pool and a hydrotherapy centre.
Lu Jun, sales representative of Wuhan Yangtze Cruise, which sells President Cruises, said: “It is important to make the entire cruising experience more luxurious in order to attract a greater number of local and foreign passengers.”
President VII and President VIII run a classic five-day itinerary between Chongqing and Yichang, taking passengers to scenic spots along the Yangtze River, such as the Three Gorges, Shengnong Stream, Shibaozhai Temple and Fengdu Ghost City.
Changjiang Cruises also rolled out a new route this month that extends the usual Yangtze River cruise experience all the way to Shanghai.
Xie Jian Gang, senior manager of Changjiang Cruises, said the new 10-day itinerary calls at additional cities such as Wuhan, Jiujiang, Nanjing and Yangzhou.
Xie added that 80 per cent of his passengers are from Europe and the US, aged above 40.
