VICTORIA CRUISES - FACT SHEET

THE COMPANY:	Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2004, Victoria Cruises holds the distinction of operating and managing the largest fleet of vessels with the coveted five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration. A true pioneer and innovator, Victoria Cruises delivers an unrivaled and unsurpassed experience on China’s Yangtze River. An American-managed company, Victoria Cruises targets a global marketplace.
RIVER FLEET:	Victoria Cruises boasts a contemporary fleet of vessels in Premier and Classic categories. Premier ships, new or newly-rebuilt vessels featuring enhanced facilities such as private balconies in every cabin and more spacious public areas, include the Victoria Empress (99 cabins, 198 passengers), the Victoria Queen (103 cabins, 206 passengers), the Victoria Star (103 cabins, 206 passengers), the Victoria Prince (103 cabins, 206 passengers), the Victoria Katarina, and the Victoria Anna (currently the newest and largest in the fleet with 153 cabins for 308 passengers). Coming in April 2009, the Victoria Jenna (209 cabins, 418 passengers) will become the largest five-star vessel in Victoria’s impressive fleet. In the Classic ship category is the Victoria Rose (rebuilt in 2001; 65 cabins, 130 passengers). Although smaller than the other ships in the fleet, the Victoria Rose maintains the same high quality standards of the company’s other vessels. By early 2003, Victoria Cruises had returned the older vessels in its fleet – the Victoria 1, Victoria 2, Victoria 3, Victoria 5, Victoria 7, Victoria Angel, Victoria Blue Whale, Victoria Pearl and Victoria Princess – to their owner in an effort to reinvigorate and restyle the cruise company’s fleet with all new or newly-rebuilt ships in optimum condition Ships are served by crews of 110-128 people and multi-lingual Western cruise directors and local river guides. The Victoria Anna has five passenger decks, as will the soon-to-be-built Victoria Jenna. Other vessels in the Victoria fleet have four decks. All ships are of China registry
CABINS AND AMENITIES:	Ships feature cabins in four categories – Standard, Junior suites, Deluxe suites and Shangri-La suites. All cabins feature satellite TV with HBO and CNN broadcasts plus Sky Sports from Hong Kong. All cabins (with the exception of cabins on the Victoria Rose) feature private balconies for viewing the magnificent Three Gorges scenery, and full baths in the bathrooms. Standard cabins average over 190 square feet. Junior suites are similar in design to Standard cabins but more spacious; Deluxe accommodations feature private living areas; and the luxurious Shangri-La suites boast a dining area and a larger private balcony. All ships in the fleet boast the same deluxe style and décor from tastefully-appointed cabins and elegant atriums with sparkling chandeliers and gleaming woods to an overall décor throughout of American and European influences with Asian accents. All ships are completely air-conditioned, including all cabins. Each Victoria Cruises’ vessel is smoke-free, except for the outside deck.
DINING:	Authentic Chinese cuisine with a mix of Western specialties is served during a single seating in the Dynasty Dining Room on each ship with American-style buffet breakfasts, buffet lunches, and Chinese banquet-style dinners. Passengers can also enjoy a welcome cocktail party, a special Captain’s farewell dinner on the last evening, daily afternoon tea, early morning coffee and tea, and happy hour. Introduced during the 2006 season, Victoria Cruises expanded its menus with more Western-style specialties and optional a la carte dining arrangements in a separate dining room (for a supplementary charge), to further appeal to the palate of its Western clientele. The company hired Concepts By Staib, Ltd. for this task whereby internationally-acclaimed chef Walter Staib traveled to China and fully equipped the ships and trained the culinary teams with the necessary skills and recipes to prepare high-quality Western dishes.
SHIPBOARD SERVICES:	On-board services include a beauty salon (for hair-styling, traditional massage, European facial or acupuncture), fitness room, mini spa, reading room and gift shop. Internet access is also available. Additionally, there is a doctor’s office on each ship.
MEETINGS & INCENTIVES:	Full-ship charters can be arranged for business or incentive travel purposes as well as for special groups. Conference facilities are available on all ships in the fleet.
SHIPBOARD ACTIVITIES:	Shipboard enjoyment awaiting Victoria Cruises’ passengers includes a wide range of activities linked to the cultural fascination of China and its spellbinding Yangtze River – the world’s third-longest river. Among the daytime pleasures: informative lectures, painting demonstrations, acupuncture demonstrations, Tai Chi as well as lessons in the Mandarin language, calligraphy and the making of silk kites. In the evening in the elegant Yangtze Club, guests can delight in colorful cultural presentations, traditional fashion shows, and the sounds of authentic Chinese music. Disco dancing is also part of the nighttime fun.
ITINERARIES:	Four- to nine-day itineraries journey downstream or upstream between Chongqing and Shanghai (Grand Yangtze Discovery) or Chongqing and Yichang (Three Gorges Highlights). The eight-day Three Gorges Explorer itinerary, roundtrip from Chongqing to Yichang and back to Chongqing, entices travelers with different shore excursions in each direction. Seasonal specials are also available.
SHORE EXCURSIONS:	Fascinating stops and places to see along the Yangtze River (depending upon selected cruise, duration and choice of shore excursions) include the Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges, truly breathtaking masterpieces of nature), the Three Gorges Dam Site (scheduled for completion in 2009 and the world’s largest construction project), the Small Gorges of either Shennong Stream or the Daning River, Chongqing (the “Mountain City”), Fengdu (the “Ghost City”), Huangshan (and one of China’s most outstanding scenic attractions), Nanjing (tracing back to seven centuries B.C.), Wuhan (formerly walled city of the Kingdom of Wu), Yichang (cultural center of the western Hubei Province), Wanxian/Wanzhou (“Gateway to Eastern Sichuan Province”), Shibaozhai (known for its 400 year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda), and Shanghai (a bustling metropolis).
DEPARTURE DATES:	Check www.victoriacruises.com for exact sailing dates and cruise-only pricing.
CONTACT:	Victoria Cruises 57-08 39th Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (800) 348-8084 in the U.S. and Canada or (212) 818-1680 Fax: (212) 818-9889 E-mail: contact@victoriacruises.com Web site: www.victoriacruises.com.