Victoria Cruise Lines will introduce its newest vessel, Victoria Isabella, on the Yangtze River during an inauguration ceremony scheduled for September 28. The ship is a sister to Victoria Sabrina, which entered service in 2020 and is recognised as the world’s largest river cruise ship. At 17,000 gross tons, Victoria Isabella will accommodate up to 570 passengers and is the first passenger ship on the Yangtze to feature an escalator.
Accommodation includes 236 Superior Staterooms on decks two through five, each measuring approximately 25.5 square metres and equipped with a private balcony. Deck six houses 22 Executive Suites of about 35.5 square metres, also with private balconies, bathrooms featuring both showers and bathtubs, and access to a Luxury Amenities package. The two Shangri-La Suites on deck three, at 51 square metres each, offer the same amenities as the Executive Suites with additional space.
The American-managed cruise line, which has specialised in serving guests from the United States, Europe, and Australia since 1994, continues to operate a fleet that includes Victoria Sabrina, Victoria Jenna, Victoria Anna, and Victoria Katarina. Company president Benson Wu stated that, while U.S. passenger numbers to China remain below pre-pandemic levels, indicators suggest a market recovery is underway. He noted that a new policy allowing Americans to visit China for up to ten days without a visa has removed a long-standing barrier to inbound tourism, prompting increased promotional activity among travel industry partners in the United States.