VESSEL REVIEW | Yangtze River Explorer – Luxury cruise ship designed for operation in China's Hubei province

Chinese operator Hubei Oriental Royal Tourist Boat has taken delivery of a new luxury cruise ship built by Yichang Xinhui Shipbuilding for operation in inland waterways.

Classed by China Classification Society, Yangtze River Explorer (长江探索; Changjiang Tansuo) will be operated primarily in the Yangtze River, including the stretch of the Yangtze covered by the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province.

Smaller passenger capacity for more exclusive onboard experiences

The ship has an LOA of 104.8 metres (343.8 feet), a beam of 16.28 metres (53.41 feet), a draught of only 2.8 metres (9.2 feet), a gross tonnage of 5,309, a crew complement of 121, and 74 all-balcony single staterooms and suites that can house a total of 148 guests across six decks.

The propulsion arrangement includes three propellers and can deliver a service speed of 13.5 knots.

Design permitting passage via ship lift

The displacement and the dimensions permit Yangtze River Explorer to be accommodated by the Three Gorges Dam’s own ship lift (which has a maximum capacity of 3,000 tons, a lifting range of 113 metres and a designated waterway), as the vessel was designed from the outset to permit passage through, and with the aid of, the ship lift.

The ship’s inaugural voyage even included a 40-minute passage during which it was brought aboard the lift to eventually access elevated stretches of the Yangtze.

The other onboard facilities include four restaurants that serve Chinese and western cuisine, bars, observation lounges, conference rooms, a gym, a spa, a theatre with design elements inspired by the Tang Dynasty, and children’s activity areas. Work on the interior spaces was provided by Andrew Sobenko Associates.

Design work on Yangtze River Explorer was undertaken by the Yangtze River Ship Design Institute. The ship has already begun sailing on four-night itineraries between Yichang and Chongqing.