The Newest Yangtze Cruise Ships 2025
Are you considering a cruise along the Yangtze River yet finding it challenging to select an ideal vessel? It’s widely acknowledged that a river cruise presents a different kind of experience compared to a land-based tour. Naturally, you’d anticipate having a pleasant cabin and a contemporary setting while on board. Yangtze River Cruises has thoughtfully curated a list of 6 newly constructed ships and 3 recently renovated ships for your consideration. They feature the most up-to-date cabin and restaurant designs, come with easy-to-use facilities, and offer cordial services, all of which have garnered them excellent reviews from travelers. As you prepare for your Yangtze River cruise, let’s take a look at each of these ships below to get you excited for your upcoming journey!
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Top 6 Newly Built Yangtze River Ships
More Recommended Newly Refurbished Cruises
Top 6 Newly Built Yangtze River Ships
Yangzi Explorer
Ship Data:
Yangzi Explorer is set to embark on its maiden voyage in April 2025, marking a new era of ultra-luxury cruising on the Yangtze River. This all-suite 5-star vessel is designed for discerning travelers who seek both discovery and indulgence. As the newest and most exclusive addition to the Yangtze fleet, it promises an unparalleled cruising experience, offering the finest service and amenities.
Why Choose Yangzi Explorer?
Yangzi Explorer stands out with its thoughtful design, featuring spacious suites, all equipped with private balconies and butler service, ensuring guests can enjoy the stunning vistas in comfort. The ship’s interior is a testament to luxury, with original artwork, sumptuous furnishings, and antiques adorning every space. The 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio guarantees personalized attention, making every guest feel pampered. With four restaurants offering a fusion of Chinese and Western cuisine, a world-class Ning SPA, a state-of-the-art gym and entertainment theater, and an Explorer Bar with expert mixologists, Yangzi Explorer provides a comprehensive array of amenities to cater to every whim.
Unique Itineraries and Experiences
Yangzi Explorer offers a variety of itineraries, including three, four, and seven-night cruises, each led by the best guides. One of its most unique features is the direct experience of the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, allowing guests to witness this engineering marvel from the comfort of their cabins. The ship also offers exclusive access to off-the-beaten-path stops, such as the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, providing a vibrant home to rare flora and fauna. Whether you choose the popular downstream itinerary from Chongqing to Yichang or the more adventurous route via Badong or Shennongjia, Yangzi Explorer ensures a journey filled with discovery and luxury.
Century Voyage
Ship Data:
Century Voyage, making its maiden voyage on September 13th 2024, is No.1 best, newest and large Yangtze River cruise ship. With a cost of around 300 million RMB, it is the sister ship of Century Oasis, Century Glory and Century Victory. BUT, Century Voyage is even better and more advanced since the rooms, dining, technology and services onboard are UPGRADED into a higher standard, which has again raised the benchmark of China’s cruise industry.
Why Choose Century Voyage?
The ship features 8 types of
Inclusive Shore Excursions: All shore excursions are included in the cruise price, providing a comprehensive exploration of the Three Gorges’s history and culture. In 2025, a special additional shore excursion to the Three Gorges Summit (三峡之巅) is available, offering an exclusive and unique experience.
Century Oasis
Century Oasis Ship Data:
Century Oasis and Century Victory are the latest additions to the Century Cruises fleet, launched in April 2023 and July 2022, respectively. These 5-star luxury vessels represent the pinnacle of comfort and style on the Yangtze River, offering an unparalleled cruising experience for discerning travelers. To meet most travelers’ demands, they usually sail through the golden and classic route between Chongqing and Yichang to witness the beautiful Three Gorges and magnificent Three Gorges Dam Site!
Why Choose Century Oasis & Century Victory?
Luxury and Comfort: Both ships feature 260 cabins and suites, all designed with modern amenities, private balconies, and bathrooms. The interiors are adorned with high-quality furnishings and artwork, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. The 3.6:1 guest-to-crew ratio ensures personalized service, making every guest feel pampered.
Exceptional Service: The professional and attentive staff, trained under European standards, is dedicated to meeting all your needs. From butler service to porter assistance, the staff is always ready to serve you with warm smiles and professional skills, making your cruise feel like “home away from home.”
Dining Delights: Each ship boasts two fine restaurants offering Chinese and Western buffets and à la carte gourmets. Themed bars and cafés provide a wide selection of drinks, ensuring you have a variety of dining options throughout your journey.
Entertainment and Activities: The ships feature a wide range of entertainment and activities, including themed bars, cafés, various public areas for all ages, a wide public sun deck for relaxing sightseeing, a theater for movie fun, a library for peaceful me-time, and a SPA & massage center for body soothing.
Yangtze 3
Ship Data:
Yangtze 3, which made its maiden voyage in 2022, is the latest luxury cruise ship managed by Changjiang Cruises, a professional brand with over 150 years of expertise. This all-inclusive 5-star vessel is designed to offer an unparalleled cruising experience, combining luxury with eco-friendly features. The ship features a total of 8 decks, including a commercial street, a swimming pool, and a wide range of entertainment facilities, setting it apart from other cruise ships on the Yangtze River.
Why Choose Yangtze 3?
All-inclusive Package: Yangtze 3 offers a truly all-inclusive package, making it stand out from other cruise ships. The package includes set meals, selected beverages, accommodations, shore excursions, and public amenities, ensuring you have a worry-free and luxurious experience.
Well-designed Shore Excursions: The shore excursions of Yangtze 3 are meticulously designed to provide you with an in-depth experience of the local culture and history. A special highlight is the exclusive tour to the Three Gorges Summit, the highest vantage point in the Three Gorges area, offering breathtaking views of the gorges and the meandering river. Additionally, you can visit the Goddess Sky Road, an exclusive observation deck of the Yangtze cruise, providing spectacular views of the Wu Gorge and the Yangtze River. These unique excursions ensure that your journey is filled with discovery and luxury.
Luxury and Comfort: Yangtze 3 features 250 cabins in 9 room types, including family suites with pirate-themed children’s beds and barrier-free rooms for accessible travel. The ship is designed with a blend of Nordic-inspired simplicity and Chinese cultural elements, ensuring a stylish and comfortable stay.
Exceptional Service: The professional and attentive staff, trained under international standards, is dedicated to meeting all your needs. The 4:1 guest-to-crew ratio ensures personalized service, making every guest feel pampered.
Entertainment and Activities: Yangtze 3 offers a wide range of entertainment and activities, including: A unique 800-square-meter commercial area with shops, cafes, and restaurants; A small swimming pool and bubble bath tub for relaxation; Equipped with modern gym facilities; A dedicated cinema for movie enthusiasts; A large space for events, meetings, and entertainment, etc.
Victoria Sabrina
Ship Data:
Created in 2020 by world professional cruise design and construction team, Victoria Sabrina is one of the top welcoming Yangtze cruise ships taking all global visitors to enjoy the classic relaxing Three Gorges cruise along the gorgeous Yangtze! Even though the construction date of this cruise ship predates that of the aforementioned vessels, its minimal voyages between 2021 and 2023, along with the international standardized management and upkeep by Victoria Cruise Company, ensured its excellent condition.
During our on-site investigaion of the Three Gorges cruise ships in November 2024, we observed that Victoria Sabrina was in superb shape, indistinguishable from the newly launched ships in 2024. The cruise’s rooms and public spaces are all kept at a high level of elegance and cleanliness. The top panoramic deck and the environmentally friendly electric propulsion system also align with the recent trends in new shipbuilding. Based on our firsthand knowledge and examination, we have full confidence in recommending this ship to every international traveler anticipating a comfortable and luxurious Three Gorges cruise experience.
Why Choose Victoria Sabrina?
Eco-friendly Luxury: As the first Yangtze River Eco-friendly luxury cruise ship, it meets high standards for energy-saving and environmental protection.
American-Style Service: With a foreign cruise manager and English-speaking staff, it provides professional international service.
Award-Winning Quality: Recognized with awards like the Silver Award in the Magellan Awards' River Cruise Ship category and a five-star rating from the China Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
More Recommended Newly Refurbished Cruises 2025
Apart from the newly constructed Yangtze River cruise ships, there are other vessels that were built earlier but have been recently refurbished. These can offer you not only beautiful memories but also represent a great value for money. For example, the Yangtze 2 was renovated in 2024, the Yangtze 1 in 2023, and the Victoria Anna in 2019. Informed by our on-site visit in November 2024, we can confidently assure you that the refurbished vessels listed below are in exceptional condition and are guaranteed to provide an unforgettable Yangtze River Cruise holiday experience. Explore Now!
Yangtze 2
Ship Data:
In 2024, the Yangtze 2 cruise ship underwent a comprehensive renovation and was relaunched with an elaborately designed cruise package between Chongqing and Nanjing. This package offers a unique and luxurious experience for travelers, providing not only beautiful memories but also great value for money.
Renovation Highlights
Modern and Luxurious Interiors: The interiors have been redesigned to provide a comfortable and elegant environment for guests.
Enhanced Cabin Facilities: All cabins have been updated with higher-quality amenities to ensure a more comfortable stay.
Chongqing to Nanjing Cruise Package
Inclusive Pricing: The cruise package is all-inclusive, covering all necessary expenses for a worry-free journey.
Value-added Scenic Stops: The cruise includes stops at various famous scenic spots along the Yangtze River, including the Yellow Mountain, Shennongjia Natural Reserve, Three Gorges Dam Site, Yellow Crane Tower and Jingdezhen, etc., allowing passengers to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region.
Yangtze 1
Ship Data:
The Yangtze 1 is more than just a luxury cruise ship; it is the epitome of an unparalleled Three Gorges experience. As the only cruise ship that offers a complete panoramic journey through the Three Gorges, Yangtze 1 provides an immersive exploration of the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage. The Yangtze 1 features a four-story atrium with a unique open design that offers a sense of grandeur and luxury, reminiscent of a castle. Each cabin is equipped with a private balcony, modern amenities, and daily housekeeping services to ensure a comfortable stay. The ship boasts a swimming pool, gym, library, and multiple dining options, including a royal restaurant and a panoramic viewing deck. Moreover, it offers exclusive services such as VIP lounges, dedicated butlers for suite guests, and priority access to onshore excursions.
Exclusive Highlights of the Yangtze 1?
Full Panoramic View of the Three Gorges: Unlike other cruise ships, Yangtze 1 takes passengers through the entire Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge—providing an unobstructed view of the stunning landscapes.
Direct Passage through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift and Dock at Yichang No.9 Port: Besides the upcoming 2025 Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze 1 is the only cruise ships that passes through the world’s largest ship lift at the Three Gorges Dam, offering a unique experience of the 113-meter vertical lift without the need to transfer to a smaller vessel.
Experience the Gezhou Dam Ship Locks: In addition to the Three Gorges Dam, the cruise also includes passage through the Gezhouba Ship Locks, adding another layer of engineering marvel to the journey.
Victoria Anna
Ship Data:
Victoria Anna, refurbished in 2019, is a highly recommended ship of Victoria Cruises that has awarded the 2011 Travel Age West Wave Award Editor’s Pick for Best River Cruise Line. Onboard, you'll experience hotel-like comfort, thanks to Anna’s unique design where all cabin beds are positioned parallel to the balconies, a feature exclusive to this ship in the Victoria Cruises. Moreover, all the cabins on Victoria Anna offer private balconies, beautiful sceneries of the gorges and Yangtze River show just in front of your room.
With professional English-speaking staff under strict American managed training, Victoria Anna performs always well in serving all visitors onboard with Victoria’s high American standards. And with diverse kinds of activities onboard, Victoria Anna will never disappoint you but give you a wonderful trip along the Yangtze River and the interesting sites.
Compare Year of Built of Top Newest Yangtze Cruise Ships
Ship Name | Price of 2025/2026 | Year of Built | Decks | Capacity | Cabins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yangzi Explorer | $1,432-$1,737 | 2025 | 6 | 148 | 74 |
Century Voyage | $770-$848 | September, 2024 | 7 | 650 | 236 |
Century Oasis | $611-$655 | April, 2023 | 7 | 650 | 260 |
Century Victory | $611-$655 | July, 2022 | 7 | 650 | 260 |
Yangtze 3 | $718-$732 | January, 2022 | 7 | 600 | 250 |
Victoria Sabrina | $499-$596 | October, 2020 | 7 | 690 | 270 | Yangtze 2 | request | 2024 (Refurbished) |
6 | 452 | 190 |
Yangtze 1 | $623-$653 | 2023 (Refurbished) |
5 | 218 | 109 |
Victoria Anna | $397-$457 | 2019 (Refurbished) |
6 | 266 | 133 |
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