Many visitors to China want to include a Yangtze River Cruise in their program.
Not all understand the options open to them, or even that there are options.
I put those options forward with some comments on their advantages and disadvantages.
The Rating Systems Two separate rating systems apply to Domestic Boats and Tourist Class Boats respectively.
The former are rated by the Chongqing Municipal Government; the latter by the National Tourism Administration.
The former allows for a classification as 2-star or 3-star, the latter as 3-star, 4-star or 5-star.
However, a 3-star tourist class boat is considerably more comfortable than a 3-star domestic class boat.
The main differences are highlighted below.
Domestic Yangtze River Cruise Boats Domestic boats are intended for Chinese tour groups.
As such, price tends to outweigh other considerations.
These boats have only limited public facilities and passengers are expected to spend much of their time on-board in their cabins.
Since cabins are the only places that are air-conditioned, this is not a bad idea.
These boats carry as many as 400 passengers.
Some cabins are twin-share but the vast majority have 6 or even 12 bunk beds.
This tells on the schedule; as it takes more time to disembark and re-embark shore excursions take longer and the overall cruise invariably have extra one night compared to the equivalent tourist class boat itinerary.
Domestic boats generally do not have dining facilities.
There is usually a small canteen where passengers may purchase basic food.
Most live on the ubiquitous pot-noodles, choosing to consume these in their air-conditioned cabins.
Tourist Class Yangtze River Cruise Boats Tourist Class Yangtze River Cruise Boats may appear similar to a domestic boat from the outside.
They are of a similar size.
However, these are designed to hold 120 passengers or thereabout.
This is the maximum as the improved facilities require more space.
Package Inclusion Many tour packages include a Yangtze River Cruise.
This means that you are accepting the tour operator's decision as to which cruise line and boat you will go on.
This should not be a problem as most agencies will choose an appropriate cruise boat for the standard of their package.
Now that you have read the comments on the two main classes of boats you should be able to see from the package description that this is so.
If you are staying in 3-star hotels and have most things included then should be cruising on a tourist class Yangtze River Cruise boat.
If you are staying in 2-star hotels and/or guesthouses then a Domestic boat may be appropriate.
Even then, many companies prefer to upgrade their clients for this section.
Independent Bookings The adventurous traveller, or travellers on a budget, may prefer to turn up and book their Yangtze River Cruise themselves.
This can be quite a bit cheaper but can lead to disappointment in peak season.
It also means that you (or your party) are likely to be alone on the trip and may therefore find it difficult to know what is going on - unless, of course, one of you speaks reasonable Putonghua.
Not all understand the options open to them, or even that there are options.
I put those options forward with some comments on their advantages and disadvantages.
The Rating Systems Two separate rating systems apply to Domestic Boats and Tourist Class Boats respectively.
The former are rated by the Chongqing Municipal Government; the latter by the National Tourism Administration.
The former allows for a classification as 2-star or 3-star, the latter as 3-star, 4-star or 5-star.
However, a 3-star tourist class boat is considerably more comfortable than a 3-star domestic class boat.
The main differences are highlighted below.
Domestic Yangtze River Cruise Boats Domestic boats are intended for Chinese tour groups.
As such, price tends to outweigh other considerations.
These boats have only limited public facilities and passengers are expected to spend much of their time on-board in their cabins.
Since cabins are the only places that are air-conditioned, this is not a bad idea.
These boats carry as many as 400 passengers.
Some cabins are twin-share but the vast majority have 6 or even 12 bunk beds.
This tells on the schedule; as it takes more time to disembark and re-embark shore excursions take longer and the overall cruise invariably have extra one night compared to the equivalent tourist class boat itinerary.
Domestic boats generally do not have dining facilities.
There is usually a small canteen where passengers may purchase basic food.
Most live on the ubiquitous pot-noodles, choosing to consume these in their air-conditioned cabins.
Tourist Class Yangtze River Cruise Boats Tourist Class Yangtze River Cruise Boats may appear similar to a domestic boat from the outside.
They are of a similar size.
However, these are designed to hold 120 passengers or thereabout.
This is the maximum as the improved facilities require more space.
- Cabins are river-facing twin-share, with attached bathroom.
The bathroom, though not large, will have a western-style toilet and shower; - there will be a large dining hall that can accommodate all guest (though some boats do so at two sitting which is less than ideal);
- there are specific viewing decks which really are essential to enjoy the best views, especially of the Three Gorges which, for many, are the main reason for taking the cruise; and
- there will be a range of other features such as bar, Karaoke, massage, craft shops, and additional services such as a ship's doctor and an English-speaking River Guide.
Package Inclusion Many tour packages include a Yangtze River Cruise.
This means that you are accepting the tour operator's decision as to which cruise line and boat you will go on.
This should not be a problem as most agencies will choose an appropriate cruise boat for the standard of their package.
Now that you have read the comments on the two main classes of boats you should be able to see from the package description that this is so.
If you are staying in 3-star hotels and have most things included then should be cruising on a tourist class Yangtze River Cruise boat.
If you are staying in 2-star hotels and/or guesthouses then a Domestic boat may be appropriate.
Even then, many companies prefer to upgrade their clients for this section.
Independent Bookings The adventurous traveller, or travellers on a budget, may prefer to turn up and book their Yangtze River Cruise themselves.
This can be quite a bit cheaper but can lead to disappointment in peak season.
It also means that you (or your party) are likely to be alone on the trip and may therefore find it difficult to know what is going on - unless, of course, one of you speaks reasonable Putonghua.
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