Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is a well-designed luxury river cruise ship, widely regarded as a preferred choice for Yangtze River cruises in China. Compared to other China-based riverboats that carry more than 300 passengers, Yangzi Explorer accommodates 124 passengers (maximum 162) and offers more personalized service. From March through November, the ship operates regularly scheduled Yangtze River cruise itineraries between Yichang and Chongqing.

Sanctuary Retreats' fleet of fully owned vessels also includes Nile Adventurer, Sun Boat 3 and Sun Boat 4 (all operating in Egypt), as well as Ananda (Burma).

Shipowner

Sanctuary Retreats owns luxury lodges and safari camps in Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as a fleet of six premium riverboats operating regular cruises in Burma, China, and Egypt. Established in 1999, the company focuses on adventure safari experiences combined with stays in some of Africa's most luxurious lodges and nature camps, guided by professional tour experts with deep knowledge of the local environment.

Sanctuary Retreats China cruise fares include three daily meals (on all full cruise days) plus breakfast on debarkation day, beverages with meals (including local beers, house wines, soft drinks, and bottled water), entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing tours, and scheduled shipboard activities and entertainment. Longer cruise programs also include overnight hotel stays (Peninsula Hotel Beijing, Peninsula Hotel Shanghai, Marco Polo Hotel Wuhan, Chongqing InterContinental), as well as airport-hotel-airport and hotel-ship-hotel transfers.

On the North American market (USA and Canada), Sanctuary Retreats is represented by the luxury travel company "Abercrombie & Kent Ltd". The company is a subsidiary of Abercrombie & Kent Group and is headquartered in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire, England, UK).

The Sanctuary Retreats China ship is also frequently chartered by Uniworld.

Cabins

The riverboat has a total of 62 balcony staterooms, including 38 Deluxe Cabins, 20 Standard Suites, and 4 Premium Suites (forward location). Yangzi Explorer features spacious and luxurious staterooms, providing a travel experience comparable to international 5-star hotels. The ship also offers connecting cabins (with adjoining doors) suitable for quad occupancy.

Stateroom sizes vary between 31 m2 (Deluxe), 39 m2 (Standard Suite), 81 m2 (MANDARIN and JADE suites), and 110 m2 (CELESTIAL and IMPERIAL suites).

• Category Deluxe cabins can accommodate a third passenger. Additional perks include complimentary laundry service (up to 8 items per cabin per cruise), complimentary shoe shine service (2 pairs per cabin per cruise), free Wi-Fi, complimentary welcome beverages (soft drinks upon arrival), welcome tea service, and exclusive access to the Suite Lounge (Deck 6) on full cruise days (between 9 am and 7 pm), offering complimentary afternoon canapes, specialty coffees and teas, local beers, and house wines.
• The ship's Grand Suites are named MANDARIN and JADE (Deck 5), and CELESTIAL and IMPERIAL (Deck 3). All are located forward and feature a separate bedroom, living area, and dining area (table with chairs). Complimentary perks include one in-cabin gourmet dinner, sparkling wine on embarkation day, in-cabin Afternoon Tea service, specialty coffees and teas throughout the voyage (served in Dynasty Restaurant and all bars), 24-hour room service, complimentary shore excursions, complimentary laundry service (up to 20 items per cabin per cruise), and unlimited shoe shine service.

Standard cabin amenities include a king-size double bed (some convertible to twin beds), bedroom bench, two-seater sofa (or daybed), bedside cabinets (two drawers, alarm clock, power sockets, reading lamps), wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), minibar (drinks at extra cost), flat LCD TV (satellite reception), phone (for onboard calls only — Reception Desk and passenger cabins), writing desk with chair, and individually controlled air conditioning.

All staterooms feature neo-classical decor with warm colors and luxury furnishings made from natural materials, including soft Italian leather, premium timber, and French fabrics. Bathrooms are spacious and include a single sink vanity, WC, glass shower, and hairdryer. Each cabin also has a private step-out balcony furnished with armchairs and a coffee table.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

On each Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer cruise, passengers enjoy gourmet dining at the Dynasty Dining Room, the ship's complimentary restaurant offering high-quality international cuisine prepared by Austrian chefs. Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet-style, while dinners are waiter-served with an a la carte menu. Complimentary and unlimited beverages (house wines, local beers, and soft drinks) are served with all meals. Champagne tastings are held in the Explorer Lounge (top-deck Bar Salon), which also offers Afternoon Tea service and live grand piano performances.

This large riverboat also features a modern Wellness Complex (Huang Ding Spa) with a sauna room, six treatment rooms for massages, fitness center, beauty salon (manicure-pedicure, hairdresser and barber services), two-deck-high Tang Theater (show lounge), Art Gallery, Collector's Den (art auctions), two boutique shops (Angeperle Jewelry, Etcetera Clothing), Clinic (24-hour infirmary staffed by a resident doctor and nurse), Lobby area (24-hour Reception Desk, Photo Center, ship entrances), Business Center (conference room), Suite Lounge (exclusive bar venue), outdoor Observation Deck (top-deck bow viewing area), Sun Deck (sunbathing area with loungers and low tables), and two private gaming rooms (Peony and Lotus). Two staircases (forward and aft) and one lift (passenger elevator located aft-portside) connect all decks.

The cruise itinerary and shore excursions provide an excellent opportunity to explore China's inland culture, admire the spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges Dam, and learn about the daily lives of the people living along the river.

The ship's onboard enrichment program includes a variety of lectures on China's history, culture, and river ecology, as well as movie screenings, Chinese cooking classes, arts and crafts workshops (such as silk embroidery), mahjong, bingo, card and board games, crew shows, traditional singing and dancing performances, and Tai Chi classes.

Sanctuary Retreats China cruise itineraries

Listed below are Sanctuary Retreats China cruise tour programs:

• The 3-day southbound Yangtze itinerary (Chongqing to Yichang) visits Fuling, Shennong Stream, and the Three Gorges Dam.
• The 4-day northbound Yangtze itinerary (Yichang to Chongqing) visits the Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream, and Fuling.
• The 5-day southbound "cruise and train" package (Chongqing to Wuhan) includes visits to Fuling, Shennong Stream, and the Three Gorges Dam, followed by train travel to Wuhan.
• The 6-day northbound "cruise and train" package (Wuhan to Chongqing) includes visits to the Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream, and Fuling, followed by train travel to Yichang.
• The 8-day "CHINA GETAWAY" itinerary sails from Beijing to Shanghai. The reverse itinerary (9-day) sails from Shanghai to Beijing.

Below are the available Uniworld Yangzi Explorer cruise tours:

• The 11-day "HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA and YANGTZE" itinerary (Beijing to Shanghai) includes guided walking tours, 16 shore excursions (hosted by local English-speaking expert guides), and a Peking duck dinner in Beijing. Cruise prices range between EUR 4800 and 6100. Highlights include the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Great Wall, and the Three Gorges.
• The 14-day "CHINA, TIBET and YANGTZE" itinerary (Beijing to Shanghai) includes guided walking tours, 12 shore excursions (hosted by local English-speaking expert guides), and visits to four UNESCO World Heritage sites. Cruise prices range between EUR 6100 and 7300. Highlights include the Great Wall, Three Gorges, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Goddess Stream, Terracotta Warriors, Lhasa (Tibet — Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple), and city tours in Beijing and Shanghai.
• The 18-day "GRAND CHINA and YANGTZE" itinerary (Beijing to Hong Kong) includes cruises on the Yangtze and Li rivers, in-depth city tours (Xian, Hangzhou, Hong Kong), guided walking tours, 16 shore excursions (hosted by local English-speaking expert guides), and a Peking duck dinner in Beijing. Cruise prices range between EUR 7900 and 9600. Highlights include the Great Wall, Three Gorges, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and city tours of Hangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.