Regal China Cruises

Continuing with my theme of providing critiques I have some comments that might prove useful to anyone contemplating a trip down the Yangtze. Of course I have nothing to compare our experience to so it is based solely on our experience aboard the Regal China Cruises Princess Elaine.

A+++

Our experience aboard the Princess Elaine was exceptional. Regal China Cruises owns three ships, the Princess Elaine, Princess Jeannie and Princess Sheena, each named after one of the owner's daughters. Each is identical to the other. They were originally built in Germany in 1993 for a cruise line offering cruises up Russia's Volga River, but were diverted to China after the collapse of the Iron Curtain. They are the only western built cruise ships sailing the Yangtze River today and the only western-managed cruise line to receive China National Tourism Association's Five-Star rating.

Each ship accommodates up to 258 travelers in 120 standard staterooms, 10 deluxe suites and 10 single staterooms. Each room has a deck side picture window, air conditioning, telephone and television. While small Anne and I found our stateroom to be quite comfortable. There is just barely enough room to turn around in between the two bunk type beds and adequate storage area for you luggage. A small bathroom with shower completes the room. There are four passenger decks and a Sun deck. For more specifics on Regal China Cruises check out their Internet site at www.RegalChinaCruises.com.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a large dining room. The food was both plentiful and good with choices for both eastern and western preferences. The wait staff was exceptionally friendly and the service was excellent during our meals.

In addition to the ship's normal crew Regal China Cruises also provides river guides who provide narration on the bow and stern as the ship passes through the gorges. Without them we probably wouldn't have had any idea what we were looking at let alone the names and significance of some of the things we saw on our cruise.

The ship's company hosted both a welcome party, Captain's cocktail reception and farewell party. At the welcome and farewell party entertainment was provided by the crew. The staff was also augmented by two doctors, both trained in eastern medicine and one in western medicine. Lectures and demonstrations were provided on eastern medical practices for accupressure and acupuncture, and the doctors were available throughout the cruise for those that were interested in these treatments.

Throughout the cruise various members of the crew provided lectures and demonstrations on such things as vegetable carving, Tai-chi, Chinese Wei Qi among others.

My only complaints were ... none! All things considered I'd gladly take another Regal China Cruise tomorrow.