THREE MORE VICTORIA CRUISES' VESSELS EARN TOP FIVE-STAR RATING FROM THE CHINA NATIONAL TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

NEW YORK - In recognition of its deluxe fleet, superior service and overall high quality product along China's Yangtze River, three more Victoria Cruises' vessels - the Victoria Katarina, the Victoria Prince and the Victoria Queen - have earned the coveted five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration. Now, Victoria Cruises maintains the largest number of five-star rated ships on the Yangtze River (a total of four; the Victoria Star earned the five-star rating in late 2003).

The China National Tourism Administration bestows the five-star rating (the organization's top honor) on cruise ships with the highest quality accommodations, amenities and services.

"Last year, we embarked on an ambitious plan to completely upgrade and revitalize our fleet and introduce a new generation of vessels sailing China's Yangtze River," said Benson Wu, vice president of Victoria Cruises. "Our efforts to introduce a top-of-the-line cruise product have paid off with impressive accolades such as the five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration. Additionally, our investment in the ships further solidifies our commitment to tourism along the Yangtze," noted Wu.

A New Generation Yangtze River Experience

In 2004, Victoria Cruises launched a new generation of state-of-the-art sailing vessels with premier and classic ships. Premier ships (the Victoria Katarina, Victoria Empress, Victoria Prince, Victoria Queen and Victoria Star) are new or newly-rebuilt ships featuring enhanced facilities such as private balconies in every cabin, more spacious public areas, and a higher level of comfort, sophistication and décor throughout the ships. In the Classic ship category is the Victoria Rose (rebuilt in 2001). Although smaller than the other ships in the fleet, the Victoria Rose maintains the same high quality standards of the company's other vessels.

In April 2006, Victoria Cruises will welcome the Victoria Anna, the largest ship in the company's fleet boasting the highest passenger capacity and the most suites of all vessels on the Yangtze.

All vessels in the new generation of ships 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. Each ship features Internet access, HBO and BBC broadcasts, the Dynasty Dining Room, beauty salon, fitness room, library, gift shop and elegant Yangtze Club for colorful cultural presentations, traditional fashion shows, and the sounds of traditional Chinese music. All ships maintain the highest international safety standards.

Victoria Cruises' vessels are completely air-conditioned, including all cabins. Each ship is smoke-free, except for a small, designated smoking area in the Yangtze Club.

Excursions with Victoria Cruises culturally enlighten travelers with informative lectures, painting demonstrations, acupuncture demonstrations, Tai Chi and lessons in the Mandarin language, calligraphy and the making of silk kites.

Superbly-prepared Chinese cuisine and Western selections are served (during a single seating) in the Dynasty Dining Hall on each ship with American-style breakfasts, buffet luncheons, and Chinese banquet-style dinners including a welcome cocktail party and a sumptuous Captain's farewell feast on the last evening. Afternoon tea is also offered to passengers.

Intriguing Itineraries Along the Magnificent Yangtze River

Victoria Cruises offers a variety of itineraries of varying length, with journeys between four and nine days.

The nine-day Grand Yangtze Discovery itinerary brings travelers on an intriguing journey between Chongqing and Shanghai. Highlights include exploring the city of Nanjing, with its historical significance as the seat of the imperial court by the first Ming emperor, and shore excursions to cloud-misted Mt. Huangshan, a beloved retreat of emperors and poets boasting unusual rock formations and cliff-side pine trees.

The Three Gorges Highlights itinerary between Chongqing and Yichang encompasses the famed Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu and Xiling - showcasing dramatic scenery, deep valleys, verdant landscapes and stunning vistas; shore excursions of the Small Gorges with visits to either Shennong Stream Gorges or the Daning River; and the Three Gorges Dam Site, the world's largest construction project and an engineering marvel.

The eight-day Three Gorges Explorer program takes travelers roundtrip Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing and offers different shore excursions in each direction. In addition to the Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam, guests can visit Shibaozhai, known for its 400-year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda, Wanzhou, gateway to the Eastern Szechuan province, and New Zigui, a new city built to accommodate families relocated as a result of rising Yangtze waters.

Based in New York, Victoria Cruises established new standards of excellence for Yangtze River cruising in 1994 with the inaugural sailing of the Victoria I. Since that time, the number of ships has grown year-by-year, and the company has achieved great success by introducing the majesty of the Yangtze River to travelers worldwide.

For more information and a new free 2005 color brochure, contact Victoria Cruises at 57-08 39th Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377; phone (800) 348-8084, (212) 818-1680; fax (212) 818-9889. Send e-mail to contact@victoriacruises.com