Media Contact:
Josh Kahn/Kelly Graham, KTCpr
Tel: (516) 594-4100
J.Kahn@KTCpr.com or K.Graham@KTCpr.com
PRESS RELEASE # 258

VICTORIA CRUISES GIVES TOUR PARTNERS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
WITH NEW ‘EXECUTIVE SUITE DECKS’ TARGETING UPSCALE CLIENTELE

Includes Concierge Service, Suite Accommodations, Exclusive Lounge Area, À La Carte Dining

NEW YORK, NY (Sept. 23, 2009) – After launching its largest, must luxurious vessel to–date, the Victoria Jenna, Victoria Cruises (http://www.victoriacruises.com) – the pre–eminent cruise line on China’s Yangtze River – has announced plans to renovate the Victoria Anna and Victoria Katarina to include the same “Executive Suite Decks” offered on the Victoria Jenna. Featuring concierge service, suite accommodations, an exclusive lounge area and private, à la carte restaurant, the “Executive Suite Decks” create a competitive advantage for Victoria Cruises‚ tour operator partners when packaging China vacations with a luxury cruise on the mist–shrouded, temple–lined Yangtze.

Providing discerning guests with a superior level of personalized, white–glove service beyond the five–star service routinely offered to other travelers, the “Executive Suite Decks” are designed increase market share for tour operators sustaining exclusive agreements with the cruise line.

“All travelers enjoy preferential treatment, but for upscale guests it is an absolute necessity,” said Larry Greenman, manager of public relations and customer service for Victoria Cruises. “Our new ‘Executive Suite Decks’ will help our valued tour operator partners further differentiate themselves in the eyes of travel agent retailers who need to retain their luxury clientele in this tough economy, ultimately resulting in increased bookings for all of us,” he noted.

“While the coveted, five–star rating the China National Tourism Administration has awarded seven of our ships is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a cruise vessel in China, we like to think of this new program as the sixth star – surpassing all expectations for the most elegant river cruise experience imaginable,” added Greenman.

While the Victoria Jenna featured an “Executive Suite Deck” when it first edged out of port for its inaugural voyage earlier this month, the Victoria Anna and Victoria Katarina will undergo renovations during the winter season. The sister vessels will also be fitted with additional upgrades to enhance the look and feel of the vessels ship–wide.

The Victoria Jenna, Victoria Anna and Victoria Katarina each sail Victoria Cruises’ highly–acclaimed Three Gorges Highlights program, both upstream and downstream between Chongqing and Yichang, as well the round–trip Three Gorges Explorer itinerary sailing Chongqing–Yichang–Chongqing (features different excursions along the return voyage).

Victoria Cruises most popular program – the four– or five–day Three Gorges Highlights itinerary – takes guests on a journey between Chongqing and Yichang, enjoying spectacular views of centuries–old pagodas nestled along the Yangtze.

In addition to onboard activities such as Tai Chi lessons and a host of nightly entertainment options, the cruise features invigorating shore excursions such as the impressive Three Gorges Dam in Sandouping, an extraordinary feat of engineering. Visitors will also have the opportunity to board a smaller boat for a mind–blowing expedition down the Yangtze‘s scenic Daning or Shennong River tributaries to the Small Gorges. Guests staying in Victoria Cruises’ “Executive Suite Decks” will enjoy exclusive shore excursions with groups of six or more passengers for a more intimate experience.

The program is most commonly packaged with tours to Beijing and Shanghai, with Xi’an and Guilin often included on longer programs.

For more information or to book, contact Victoria Cruises toll–free at 800–348–8084 or visit www.VictoriaCruises.com.

###