Yangtze Ship and Line Questions, Answered
Short answers to the questions people ask once they start comparing Yangtze ships and lines. For questions about the gorges themselves and when to go, see Yangtse River Cruises.
What is the difference between “Yangzi” and “Yangtze”?
They are two spellings of the same river. “Yangzi” follows the modern pinyin romanization; “Yangtze” is the older English spelling most travelers search for. In China the river is usually called the Chang Jiang, the “Long River”.
Where do Yangtze cruises start and end?
The classic sailings run between Chongqing and Yichang. The long sailings run between Chongqing and Shanghai. Some tours end the cruise in Yichang and continue by coach to Wuhan.
Are meals included?
Main meals on board are included on the lines covered here. Ask about drinks, specialty restaurants (such as Century’s hotpot restaurant) and optional shore visits.
Are tips included?
It depends on the line and the package. Some China tours include gratuities for guides and crew; others leave them to you. Our quote will say.
Can I get a Yangtze cruise quote without a full tour?
Yes. Ask for cruise-only and tell us your arrival and departure cities so we can add transfers if you want them.
Who books the cruise?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise. You get free, no-obligation quotes and one person to deal with from first question to return flight.
Still Deciding?
The quickest route to an answer is to tell us your dates and what matters most to you. We will reply with the ships sailing then, what each includes and free quotes to compare — with no obligation. For travel beyond the cruise, the Official Travel Directory lists hotels, tours and other services; for trips closer to home, see Best of the USA.
Reading a Yangtze Quote
Yangtze quotes are laid out differently from European river quotes, so it pays to read them line by line. Check the ship name and the sailing direction first; then look for which shore visits are in the price and which are listed as optional. Note where the cruise ends — Yichang, or a coach transfer onward to another city — and whether flights inside China, hotel nights and guides are part of the package or extras. Finally, ask how gratuities for the crew and land guides are handled.
- Ship and date: named, not “or similar”, wherever possible.
- Cabin category: balcony, suite or interior, with the deck if it matters to you.
- Inclusions: meals, shore visits, drinks, Wi-Fi and transfers spelled out.
- Changes: what happens if the ship or route changes after you book.
Ask Our Yangtze Specialists
Send your question with a quote request. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise answer every one personally.
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