Frequently Asked Questions

Victoria Cruise Lines recommends booking through your professional travel agent, who can reserve your cruise as part of a package tour offered by many fine tour operators. Their expertise and volume purchasing power make booking a China trip and Victoria cruise easy and affordable.

Upstream and downstream cruises include similar sights and excursions, as described in our “Cruises” section. Cruises sailing Chongqing to Yichang are 4 days and 3 nights, while Yichang to Chongqing cruises are 5 days and 4 nights (downstream cruises sail with the current and are a bit faster).

Your cruise price includes cruise accommodations, meals, entertainment, lectures and demonstrations on board. If you pre-purchase the Luxury Amenities Program you will receive additional amenities and services outlined in the Amenities & Programs section. Your cruise price does not include the cost of your visa, personal travel insurance, service charge and tips on board, air and ground transportation, and items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, internet, medical services, gift shop items, spa and beauty services. The price of shore excursions is listed separately on our website, but are almost always included when you book a package tour through a tour operator.

Superior cabins are not roomy enough to include a third bed. For three passengers traveling together, it is suggested that either a suite be reserved, or the third passenger reserve a single or share basis in a separate cabin.

Yes, all cabins on Victoria's ships are outside cabins with balconies.

Presently ships with, elevators include The Victoria Anna, Victoria Jenna, Victoria Katarina, Victoria Lianna, Victoria Sabrina and Victoria Selina. The Victoria Grace and Victoria Sophia do not have elevators, but those who have difficulty climbing stairs can request a cabin on one of the lower decks.

Meal times will vary depending on the schedule of shore excursions. Times will be posted in a daily printed program. Meals are served in a single-seating Dynasty Dining Room. Sumptuous western and Chinese buffets are offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner. An elegant Captain's Farewell Banquet is served on the final night of the cruise.

In addition to the main Dynasty Dining Room, Victoria Cruise Lines now offers a separate a la carte dining room on the Victoria Anna, Victoria Jenna, Victoria Katarina, Victoria Lianna, Victoria Sabrina and Victoria Selina. A la carte dining is available without charge to passengers in Suites and upgrades Superior Cabins booked as part of the Luxury Amenities Program, or for a supplementary charge for passengers in Superior Cabins on other decks.

Yes, each Victoria vessel has a doctor trained in both Chinese and western medicine. Customary charges are in effect for medical care. (See points 9 & 10 of our “Terms & Conditions” section for terms of medical service.)

Do not drink the tap water. One bottle of spring water is provided per person per day in your cabin. You may also request boiled water. All water and ice in the Yangtze Club and Dining Room is safe to drink. The water is boiled, treated and filtered.

If you have special dietary requirements (such as vegetarian, low sodium, diabetic), please advise us of your needs at time of booking.

220 volts (110 volts in the bathroom). Adapters are available at the front desk (on a first come first served basis).

Shore excursions are the daily excursions taken by practically all passengers. These excursions offer insight into the history and culture of the Yangtze region. They are usually paid in advance, and included by many tour operators in the price of a package tour. Additional optional shore excursions are interesting side trips that are offered river conditions permitting (in addition to our regular shore excursions), and are paid on board when they are offered.

Among the daytime activities are early morning tai chi, informative lectures about China and the Yangtze River, painting demonstrations, acupuncture demonstrations, lessons in Chinese language, calligraphy, mah jong and silk kite making. In the evening, guests can enjoy cultural presentations, traditional fashion shows and crew performances. Feature films and news broadcasts are available on your cabin television.

Yes, each ship has a small fitness room, with some limited equipment.

Casual attire is recommended both on board and on shore excursions. Be sure to have a pair of comfortable walking shoes for excursions. For the Captain's Welcome Reception and Farewell Banquet, a jacket and tie for gentlemen and dress or dress pants for ladies is suggested.

A modest service charge has been instituted by Victoria Cruise Lines in lieu of tipping. Please check at time of booking for the current daily amount. The service charge does not include a gratuity to our river guide or cruise director, which may be given at passengers' discretion based on their satisfaction with services received, as can gratuities for additional special services requested by passengers.

There is no cash flow aboard Victoria Cruise Lines. You will simply sign for purchases made (in the gift shop, at the bar, beauty salon, etc.). Your final bill may be settled during your last night or last day on board, in any major currency, major credit card, or travelers checks.

The latest satellite communications system is on board each ship, including international phoning capabilities, fax options and internet service (these services may not be available at all times in the Three Gorges). These services are fee-based, and you can sign these charges to your account and settle them at the end of your voyage.

All cabins have safes, or your valuables may be left in a safe deposit box at the reception desk on each vessel. We strongly recommend that you leave your valuables in your cabin safe or our safe deposit box.

Yes, hair dryers may be requested from the front desk.

Same day wash and pressing service is available, except on the final day of the cruise. We do not offer dry cleaning service.

Please email contact@victoriacruises.com; call us at 212-818-1680 (All Other Areas), or ask your preferred Travel Professional.