 | East King Cruiser, Yangtze River & Three Gorges Tour
We made the cruise from Chongqing to Yichang at the very end of June.
Unfortunately all cabins on the cruiser are equipped with two single beds, no double bed cabins.
The cruise boat was relatively nice although you had no opportunity to get anything to eat or drink outside normal \"eating times\". We expected to see a bit more of the Chinese, but they all crawled back to play majong in their cabins straight after eating. Even the table setting was organised in suich a way that the chinese sat with other chinese and foreigners with foreigners. This did not allow an huge integration. The cruise members tried very hard to entertain the guests but only succeeded for a handfull as the remaining part of the guests had chosen to stay in their cabin. It was mostly the foreigners that took part in the \"happenings\"
The actual cruise departed on the Thursday night for overnight sail into a village for an optional visit to a town with \"re-located\" people. The ship arrived early am in that village, but guests were not let off the boat till later the afternoon. A bit waste of time there not being able to explore the town by yourself.
In the afternoon after visiting the relocated, a kindergarten and a museum the boat sailed away into the next destination. Next morning very early wake up to see the first George. (No ability to shut down the central announcement speaker in your room, so no lay in possible.
Everybody on deck early morning. Passing the three georges is not continiously an appealing event but its certainly more worthwhile if the fog is less.
Arrived at the Dam late afternoon, which is huge and certainly, again weather permitting, worth the extra tour effort. Sailed through the 3 chambers of the dam and early evening we docked. Again we were not able to leave the ship and venture into the town at night but had to wait till next morning very very early to make the dam visit. (pre breakfast)
After the dam tour we had breakfast and the ship sailed for another 90 minutes to the place to offload. This is a very strange location and not in close vicinity of the town. Leaving the sole travellers in a position of non negiotiable taxi fares into town.
Crew works very hard under stringent supervision of ship director.
Cruise could have been cut short about 1 day to our opinion, maybe to integrate its better to go on a Chinese boat or on an even more luxurious boat with even better and continous open restaurant and drinking facilities.
Its a worthwhile tour, although overpriced.
Rating:  [3 of 5 Stars!] | | |
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