General Information

Q1:Why book Yangtze Cruise with us?
Q2: When is the best time to cruise on the Yangtze River?
Q3: What routes are available?
Q4: What are the differences between upstream and downstream?
Q5: Are there any limits for luggage?
Q6: Are there private facilities in the cabins?
Q7: Do any of the cabins have balconies over-viewing the river?
Q8: Can you arrange an extra bed in cruise?
Q9: How the meals are arranged?
Q10: Is the smoke allowed on the ship?
Q11: Is there any entertainment activity on board?
Q12: What is the shore excursion?
Q13: How can I know the day by day program of the boat?
Q14: Is medical service available onboard?
Q15: Is laundry service available on board?
Q16: How about the electricity on boat?
Q17: Can I exchange foreign currency and cash traveler's cheque onboard?

Q1: Why book Yangtze Cruise with us?
A: Book Yangtze Cruise with China Travel Depot, you will get the following benefits: Select affordable Yangtze Cruise ships and tours. Free Tailor-made service: Customize your own Yangtze tour. Instant Confirmation Guarantee, Complete and Strong Support. Secure online Booking and Payment powered by VeriSign 128-bit SSL Encryption!

Q2: When is the best time to cruise on the Yangtze River?
A: Any time it is okay to travel when ships are sailing. The most popular times are April, May, September, October and even November as the weather is cool and comfortable. These four months are often called high seasons. Despite the factor of weather, the best time is in winter in terms of price. The prices are the lowest for the winter cruises and the highest in high seasons.

Q3: What routes are available?
A: Downstream:
Chongqing - Yichang (4 days 3 nights)
Chongqing - Wuhan (5 days 4 nights)
Chongqing - Shanghai (7 days 6 nights)
Upstream:
Shanghai - Chongqing (9 days 8 nights)
Wuhan - Chongqing (6 days 5 nights)
Yichang - Chongqing (5 days 4 nights)

Q4: What are the differences between upstream and downstream?
A: Upstream
Upstream trip is more relax and comfortable because of less crowded and one more day staying on the cruise ship. You may have more chance to know and learn some Chinese culture and custom.
Downstream
1) For some travelers who have not enough time, downstream trip is best choice.
2) As there are more people take downstream cruises, it's more expensive and more crowded.

Q5: Are there any limits for luggage?
A: There are no rules for the number of the pieces or weight of personal luggage on your cruise ship. But closet space is limited, so bring things you intend to use. There is a luggage rack in every room and luggage deposit service is available. If you are a member of a travel group, your luggage will be sent to ship in advance or arrive at the same time you check in. The luggage will be sent into your cabin by the bellboy once your cabin is assigned. If you are traveling individually, the bellboy will help you. But the ships usually charge $1 per piece, arrival or departure. Please note this is not tip and you have to pay in advance on the spot. This webmaster saw such misunderstanding before. If you want to pay tip, when he has finished his job, give him RMB10-20 if you do not have lot stuff.

Q6: Are there private facilities in the cabins?
A: All cabins are equipped with a washbasin plus a shower or bathtub (depending on the cabin you choose)

Q7: Do any of the cabins have balconies over-viewing the river?
A: Most cabins do not have balconies. Staterooms on some ships have balconies. Ships with private cabins are: Victoria( 5 star) President 1 ( 5 star), Yangtze Angel( 5 star), Emperor( 5 star), Century Star 1 ( 5 star), Yangtze Paradise( 4 star).

Q8: Can you arrange an extra bed in cruise?
A: Not all cruise ships are able to offer an extra bed, although most ships rating four stars and above have staterooms with larger space. Please contact us at yangtzecruise@chinatraveldepot.com for your request, we will check if the ship can provide it or not before your booking.

Q9: How the meals are arranged?
A: Each ship has a big restaurant, which can accommodate all the passengers on board. Passengers are arranged at appointed tables, which are planned by travel group according to the nationality, flavor, religion and culture. Usually, there are ten persons in one table. Sometimes, there are three to five persons at one table, which depend on the number of the total passengers. There are many collective activities such as shore excursions and they have fixed schedules, so the meal schedules are fixed, too. It takes 1-2 hours to have a buffet and one hour for delivered-to-table meals. You may give advanced notice if you are a patient, or Moslem, or Buddhist. Diet, vegetarian, low sugar and low salt food are also available.

Q10: Is the smoke allowed on the ship?
A: No smoking in public. You could smoke on the deck outside if you want

Q11: Is there any entertainment activity on board?
A: The management organizes programs such as visiting ashore three or four times, two or three theme evenings, around four lectures on clinics, Kungfu and fitness, Chinese painting and calligraphy performance, and competition.
Evenings are Orient-style and performers by staff. There are lectures on some hot subjects, such as China History and Tibet, Three Gorges Dam and Yangtze Ecological Environment Protection, China's Policy on Planned Parenthood and Population, Chinese Medicine and Health, etc. You can learn Chinese Kungfu, such as Taiji boxing, dance, Chinese painting on the ship.
You also have time to have your own activities, such as reading in the library, sauna, massage, chess and card game, fifteens, Ping Pong.

Q12: What is the shore excursion?
A: To make your trip on boat more interesting, the ship will stop at some famous places along the Three Gorges and make arrangement for you to go shore to visit. The local guide assigned by the cruise will meet you in the lobby and then lead you to the parking lot on the shore. A bus will wait there and take you to the scenic spot. After sightseeing, the same bus will send you back to the pier. The places for shore excursion include the Ghost City, the Wan County, the Shibaozhai, the White Emperor City, the Lesser Three Gorges, the Shennong Stream, and the Three Gorges dam site, the Jingzhou and the Yueyang Tower and also other places. Every ship has its own itinerary and won't cover them all. Even as to a single ship, itineraries of upstream and downstream sailings are also probably different.

Q13: How can I know the day by day program of the boat?
A: A printed program for the next day will be provided in your cabin each day. So you have the idea of what activity to be held on the boat and where to visit for the shore excursion

Q14: Is medical service available onboard?
A: There are clinic and professional doctor on the ship. If you feel uncomfortable, you can go the clinic to see the doctor.

Q15: Is laundry service available on board?
A: Yes, laundry service is available including washing and pressing but no dry cleaning on board. Laundry fare is not very expensive, just like that in the hotels.

Q16: How about the electricity on boat?
A: Most ships have 110V outlets in the bathroom and rest of cabin 220V, no need for a converter/adapter. Many ships will supply hair-dryers in your cabin for your convenience.

Q17: Can I exchange foreign currency and cash traveler's check onboard?
A: Yes, You can exchange Currency and cash the traveler's check at the Front Desk of the Cruise.

Terms and Conditions

Reservation and Payment

Q18: How long in advance do you recommend booking the cruise?
Q19: Does the child pay as the same as the adult?

Q18: How long in advance do you recommend booking the cruise?
A: We recommend that you book as early as possible to secure your preferred ship. The Yangtze Cruise trip is very popular and ships fill quickly, especially in peak traveling seasons. Book early to avoid disappointment! Full Payment with all passenger details must be received 15 days prior to departure

Q19: Does the child pay as the same as the adult?
A: Price of child is different from adult. Children's Rates
Infants under 2 years: 10% of adult fare, no bed (bring own bassinet).
Children from 2 through 12 years: 50-67% of adult fare.

Cancellation and Refund

Q20: What is the cancellation policy of Cruises?
A: If you decide to cancel the Cruise, the following cancellation fees (including options) will apply:
Confirmation to 60 days before departure: US$ 150 per person
44 Days of less before departure: 100% of cruise price

Q21: Why did you change or cancel my booking?
A: Every effort is made to adhere to published schedules. However, river conditions are subject to change. In view of any potential unusual events, we reserve the right to alter programs to maintain the spirit of the cruise with concern for safety and in response to actual conditions during sailing. Unused services are not refundable.