After a successful winter program with most departures sailing at or close to full capacity, Victoria Cruises is continuing to experience an extremely high demand for luxury river cruising on China s Yangtze.  The river s pre-eminent cruise line has recently announced 24 sold out regular season sailings from now through June 2010.

The Victoria Jenna (pictured right), the newest five-star ship launched by Victoria Cruises in September 2009, accounts for the majority of the sold out departures.  2010 sailings no longer available on the Victoria Jenna include:

  * March 14
  * March 28
  * April 11
  * April 14
  * April 25
  * May 2
  * May 5
  * May 9
  * May 12
  * May 19
  * May 23
  * May 26
  * May 30
  * June 2
  * June 6

A number of sold out sailings have also been reported for Victoria Cruises second largest five-star vessel, the Victoria Anna (pictured right).  The Victoria Anna was launched in April 2006 and has just been renovated along with the Victoria Katarina during this past winter season.  Both lavish vessels now features the same Executive Suite program which debuted on the Victoria Jenna featuring white glove concierge service, balcony suite accommodations, an exclusive lounge area and private, à la carte restaurant.

Sold out 2010 departures on the Victoria Anna include:

  * April 2
  * April 16
  * May 4
  * May 11
  * May 18
  * May 21
  * May 25
  * June 1

In addition to its sold out 2010 departures on the Victoria Jenna and Victoria Anna, the cruise line s two newest luxury ships, Victoria Cruises has also sold out the March 31 sailing for the Victoria Star (pictured right), another gem in the Yangtze pioneer s five-star fleet.

After experiencing a slightly softer than usual travel season from the U.S. market in 2009, we are happy to see demand for Yangtze River vacations returning in full force, said Larry Greenman, manager of public relations and customer service for Victoria Cruises.

Each of Victoria Cruises sold out departures sail the Three Gorges Highlights program, the cruise line s most popular itinerary, which sails both upstream (four nights) and downstream (three nights) between Chongqing and Yichang.  In addition to remaining available departures onboard the Victoria Jenna, Victoria Anna and Victoria Star, travelers can book five-star accommodations on the Victoria Katarina, Victoria Queen and Victoria Empress.

Featuring breathtaking scenery along the mist-shrouded Yangtze and fascinating onboard lectures and activities, the Three Gorges Highlights program also includes excursions such as a tranquil sampan journey through the Yangtze s scenic Daning River or Shennong Stream tributaries to the Small Gorges, the impressive Three Gorges Dam site in San Dou Ping an extraordinary feat of engineering and major highlight of the river cruise as well as a tour of Mingshan Hill to observe statues of spirits and demons at the Ghost City of Fengdu.

Rates for the Three Gorges Highlights program on one of Victoria Cruises five-star vessels begin at $880 per person, based on double occupancy, during peak season (April, May, September and October), and $810 per person, based on double occupancy, during the shoulder season (March, June, July, August and November).  The program is also available on the Victoria Rose, the only classic ship in the Victoria s fleet without the coveted five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration, starting at $770 per person, based on double occupancy, during peak season, and $710 per person, based on double occupancy, during the shoulder season.

Victoria Cruises also offers an expanded Grand Yangtze Discovery itinerary onboard the five-star Victoria Prince which sails between Chongqing and Shanghai and features additional excursions including Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, where visitors will experience the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty-style Bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple.

Starting at $1,610 per person, based on double occupancy, during peak season, and $1,470 per person, based on double occupancy, during shoulder season, the Grand Yangtze Discovery program also features excursions to the city of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, and Huangshan, one of China s most scenic attractions also known as Yellow Mountain.