Vista Cruises - A Floating Retreat: Next-Generation Smart Cruise Fleet
Vista Cruises, operated by Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of the listed Three Gorges Tourism, stock code 002627), has forged a 30-year maritime legacy since 1996. Evolving from a resource integrator to a premium product pioneer, the company has completed three strategic transformations through its A-class shipping credentials, earning recognition as a 2024 Top 10 Cruise Company by the Changjiang River Administration. In recent years, Vista Cruises anchored itself to the strategic vision of "high-quality Yangtze River shipping development," boldly advancing into the Yangtze River cruise sector. Through ongoing fleet innovation that combines smart services with sustainable design, Vista Cruises offers high-value, all-inclusive journeys that set a new standard for river luxury. By collaborating across the entire industry chain with top partners, Vista Cruises is driving a strategic transformation from traditional cruising toward a deep integration of “Culture + Tourism + Technology”.
In 2026, Vista Cruises will unveil its "Mobile Smart Home on the Yangtze" concept, launching the first two vessels of its four-ship fleet - Vista Harmony in April and Vista Aurora in July. Embodying distinct design philosophies of humanistic innovation and eco-aesthetic integration respectively, the ships incorporate twelve patented technologies, from AI-powered voice guidance to contactless service systems, earning the fleet designation as the Ministry of Transport's Smart Shipping Demonstration Project.
The core management team brings over 15 years of luxury cruise operations experience, supported by ISO9001 international quality management certification and a fully standardized system covering vessel maintenance, cabin services, and emergency response. Vista Cruises leverages advanced smart technology, deploying Vsat satellite communication with multi-network convergence to extend signal coverage up to 50 kilometers, ensuring high-speed internet access throughout the journey. Guests benefit from smooth check-ins, voice-activated controls, and the ability to personalize their onboard experience. On the sustainability side, Vista Cruises uses a Hybrid Power system (fuel + battery), achieving a 20% reduction in fuel consumption, along with wastewater recycling systems that cut carbon emissions per vessel by 40% compared to traditional cruise operations. The company also partners with the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, on Yangtze ecological protection research.
In 2026, Vista Cruises invites you to a 4-5 day intelligent vacation through the core section of the Yangtze River. This is not just a typical Three Gorges cruise, but a carefully designed immersive experience. Vista Cruises offers a complete Three Gorges and Two Dams adventure, from the grandeur of Qutang Gorge, the beauty of Wu Gorge, to the rugged Xiling Gorge — all in one trip. Exclusive experiences include the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift and Gezhouba Ship Lock, allowing you to witness the "ships rising with the water" and feel the power of these engineering marvels firsthand. In addition, Vista Cruises offers two distinctive shore excursions: the world’s first underwater museum, Baiheliang, and the mysterious 816 Nuclear Plant, the world's largest artificial cave, where you can explore this historical site and feel the weight of its significance.
Vista Cruises promises a carefree, intelligent vacation environment, carefully selected experiences, and a meaningful cultural journey. In 2026, let's embark on a journey with Vista Cruises and discover a new era of smart vacationing.
Why Choose Vista Cruises?
The brand-new fleet embraces the "Floating Retreat" concept, offering guests a true vacation experience with a luxurious, all-inclusive journey along the Yangtze River.
- All-inclusive Value: Transparent pricing, no hidden costs, ensuring great value and peace of mind.
- Iconic Two Dams & Three Gorges: Embark on a breathtaking voyage through the legendary Yangtze River, featuring: Gezhouba Dam (navigate the pioneering ship lock), Three Gorges Dam (ride the world's largest ship elevator) and Xiling Gorge (admiring stunning, pristine landscapes).
- Green Power, Quiet & Low-Carbon: Feature an innovative "fuel + battery" hybrid power system, combining extended-range propulsion and smart energy management, achieving over 20% energy savings compared to similar-sized ships. It also includes a central DC variable-frequency air conditioning and fresh air system, eco-friendly materials, and noise-reduction technology, creating a quiet, low-carbon environment.
- Smart Innovation: Smart cabins with voice-controlled lights, curtains, climate, seamless keyless access with NFC, an AI concierge, and full Wi-Fi coverage (free), making it the first smart space river cruise on the Yangtze River.
- High-quality Accommodations and Dining: Modern 28m²-100m² room with private balconies, river views and twice-daily turndown service. Dining curated by Master Chef Mr. Zhang Jianjun, winner of the prestigious Asia’s Golden Chef Award.
- Excellent One-stop Service: Enjoy complimentary airport and railway station transfers, luggage handling, boarding help, and child care, ensuring a smooth, relaxing trip.
- Innovative Design: Created by Wuhan Yangtze Shipbuilding and Germany's PSD, the design focuses on nature, space, and comfort. In public areas, large windows bring stunning views inside, and the open layout of the Grand Atrium creates a sense of freedom.
Vista Cruises Awards
Top 1 Vista Cruises Ships
Vista Harmony
- Maiden voyage: 2026
- Refurbished: N/A
- Route: CQ→YC, YC→CQ
- Passenger Capacity: 650
- Total Cabins: 259
- Decks: 7
- Elevators: 2
- Restaurants: 2
- Price: from $671
- 2025 Deals & Latest News:
- 1. Vista Cruises 2026 Booking Available: 2026 Vista Cruises early bird booking is available now (Vista Harmony from May and Vista Aurora from July). Select your favorite cruise ship and date below and make your book early to unveil your luxury Yangtze cruise vacation in 2026 in China at a good price!
Vista Cruises Calendar in 2025 & 2026
Ramark: CQ=Chongqing; YC=Yichang;
Vista Cruises Itinerary
Vista Cruises is always elaborately as well as innovatively designed its itineraries with all-year round departures to satisfy its travelers sailing on Yangtze River in comfort and style. In 2025, all of Vista ships run between Chongqing and Yichang that travelers can choose 4 Days & 3 Nights downstream itinerary from Chongqing to Yichang or 5 Days & 4 Nights upstream itinerary from Yichang to Chongqing.
During the short break, travelers on Vista Cruises can not only enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Three Gorges, but also enjoy kinds of shore excursions to the natural and cultural sites which gives you great opportunity to deeply explore two world-famous dam projects, local people’s real life, Chinese architecture, history and culture along Yangtze River.
Vista Cruises Chongqing - Yichang Itinerary & Shore Excursions
- Please note that the shore excursions are subject to change due to weather, river conditions and permission from the navigational authorities. The cruise company will arrange the same fabulous sightseeing if the prearranged sites cannot be visited in a particular case.
- Guests must select between OPTION A and B for morning/afternoon excursions by the onboard notification deadline. Failure to choose will default to Option A.
- Choose the ship to see the SAMPLE cruise itinerary.
Compare the Ships
All ships of Vista Cruises offer you a luxury 5-star cruising experience, as each cabin
onboard is outside with private balcony and each ship is equipped with sightseeing
elevators. Besides the same standard high level services, there are also some differences about
the hardware of each ship.
To help you find the best Vista cruise ship, we’ve listed the features of all the Vista Cruises in
the table below, so you can compare them at a glance.
| Ships | Cabin | Dining | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vista Harmony |
|
|
| $671 Enquiry |
Vista Cruises Booking Tips
Please Provide Complete Information for Booking
When booking a Vista cruise ship, please provide us the complete information including your and your group members’ name, nationality (if you have two nationalities, please show us the nationality used for entry visa), gender, passport number, date of birth, your favorite cabin and amount of cabins, and other personal requirements.
Valid Documents & Real-name Registration
When booking the Vista cruise ships with us, please provide us the correct passport info, like your name and passport number. Real-name registration is needed when booking the cruise. If there is any change for your passport, please contact us and provide us the latest personal info that we should deliver to the cruise company once you changed.
What’s Include & Exclude in Vista Cruise Fee
The following items are included in your cruise fare and there is no need to pay when you board a Vista cruise ship.
- Accommodation: Usually,
3 nights onboard for Chongqing to Yichang cruise;
4 nights onboard for Yichang to Chongqing cruise. - Meals:
For 3-night Chongqing to Yichang cruise: dinner on Embarkation Day; breakfast, lunch, dinner on Day 2 and Day 3; breakfast on Disembarkation Day;
For 4-night Yichang to Chongqing cruise: dinner on Embarkation Day; breakfast, lunch, dinner on Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4; breakfast on Disembarkation Day. - Transportation: Airport and train station transfer service on embarkation and disembarkation days (Chongqing airport/train station, Yichang airport/train station).
For Chongqing Embarkation: Guests arriving at major transportation hubs between 09:00–15:00 will be transferred to Raffles, Chongqing; Those arriving between 15:00–20:00 will be transferred to Chaotianmen Dock for boarding the Yangtze Cruise;
For Yichang Embarkation: Guests arriving at major transportation hubs between 08:00–15:00 will be transferred to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center; Those arriving between 15:00–20:00 will be transferred to Maoping Port for boarding the Yangtze Cruise;
For Chongqing/Yichang Disembarkation: On the day of disembarkation, a unified shuttle service will operate, providing centralized transportation to designated drop-off points;
- Drinks: Unlimited specific drinks and wines at the restaurant.
- WiFi: WiFi service onboard during the sailing trip.
- Porter Service: For embarkation night and disembarkation morning, with luggage delivered to your cabin.
- Attractions: Tickets for scenic spots in the itinerary (including shuttle buses, scenic transportation, cableway).
- Tour guide: Explanation service onboard, shore excursions tour guide service.
- Activities: Activities, Parties & Lectures included in the itinerary (excluding paid items, etc.)
- Cleaning: Twice-daily room cleaning service every day.
- Childcare service: Available during summer holidays, typically July and August, and major holidays;
- Local guides for the arranged shore excursions.
- Room Service: 24-hour robot delivery service to the room.
- Laundry: Free self-service laundry and drying facilities.
The following items are excluded in the Vista cruise fare. If you want to enjoy the services, you need to pay extra fees accordingly.
- Meals:
for 3-night Chongqing to Yichang cruise: Breakfast, lunch on Embarkation Day and lunch, dinner on Disembarkation Day;
for 4-night Yichang to Chongqing cruise: Breakfast, lunch on Embarkation Day and lunch, dinner on the Disembarkation Day. Any drinks beyond the unlimited drink list. - Transportation: Flights or trains to / off embarkation and disembarkation cities.
- Onboard Entertainment: Onboard entertainment during the cruise (e.g., chess room, KTV).
- Personal consumption: Gratuities for shopping, personalized value-added services (such as SPA, private photography), and any other personal expenses not listed above.
- Shore Excursion: Optional sightseeing activities and on-site transportation at attractions, such as secondary-ticket items like the cable car within the Three Gorges Summit Scenic Area;
- Single Room Supplement.
- Other items not included in the fare.
Vista Cruises Boarding Tips
Call the Ship or Check Email ahead
In normal circumstances, no matter you take downstream or upstream Vista Cruises, you usually embark your ships at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port / Yichang Maoping Port. Check the exact ship for detailed boarding time. Also, the boarding port may do some adjustment for special events, like weather condition, level of water, river navigational conditions, annual maintenance of the Three Gorges Dam ship locks, etc.
To make everything go smoothly, please call the ship (the phone number we’ll show you clearly in the Confirmation Letter) one day ahead or at least in the morning on the boarding day. Or, you can also check your mailbox on the boarding day or one day before for the updated boarding information our travel consultant delivered. Please make sure your phone can be called through in China, so that we can also call you if there is any urgent change.
Board your Ship at the scheduled Time
Please plan your transportation ahead and board your ship at schedule time. If there is any trouble for your flights, train or local transportation to the port causing you arrive at the port late, please contact us at first time and we’ll try our best to help you solve the problem.
Collect Cruise Ticket at the Pier
Travelers need to collect your cruise ticket with real-name info signed at the corresponding port in Chongqing / Yichang (please make sure your passport and ticket with consistent information). After the ticket collecting, you'll be followed to get security check before board the ship for check-in.
Note: The cruise ticket collecting and security checking time of Vista Cruises in Chongqing Chaotianmen Port is from 15:00 on the boarding day.
Luggage
Vista Cruise offers complimentary station pick-up/drop-off service. On the day of embarkation, the cruise line will properly handle your luggage during the pick-up process and deliver it directly to your stateroom. You only need to keep your personal documents and valuables with you, without any concern about managing your luggage. The same attentive service is provided on the day of disembarkation as well.
For more Vista Cruises booking and boarding questions, please feel free to contact our professional cruise agents who are here ready to help you at any time!
Onboard Payment Methods
Accepted methods include RMB cash, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and major credit cards (UnionPay, Visa, MasterCard, American Express). And foreign currency exchange service is available at the Front Desk. All purchases can be charged to your cabin account and settled at checkout.
Life Onboard
First Class Facilities
- The FIRST "SmartSpace" River Cruise with Intelligent Control Panel;
- The FIRST luxury cruise ship with entry-level cabins starting at 28 sq.m.;
- German Chinese Design Collaboration: Panoramic glass walls bring the river inside;
- Fuel+battery system, 1,500km range, 20% fuel saving;
- Submarine-grade noise and vibration reduction;
- VAST satellite + multi-network coverage up to 50km;
- IPTV & satellite TV for cinematic entertainment;
- A spacious, open atrium filled with natural light and minimal columns for clear, unobstructed views;
Cuisine & Drinking
Every guest aboard Vista Harmony Cruise will enjoy an exceptional dining experience led by renowned Chinese chef Zhang Jianjun. The culinary team selects the finest Yangtze freshwater specialties and premium global ingredients, blending Cantonese techniques with the river’s distinctive flavors. Each dish is a heartfelt tribute to the richness of the Yangtze region. All meals—including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks—are served buffet-style at the Vista Horizons Restaurant (2F) and Vista Elite Restaurant (6F), offering a wide variety of choices.
Note:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on every Vista ship are all western and Chinese buffets. The dining of each meal will be very hearty, palatable and healthy.
- Early bird treatment: Early risers can enjoy complimentary early bird coffee and tea in the Vista Bar & Lounge (usually at 06:30~07:00).
- Snacks: Vista Cruise offers complimentary snacks and refreshments around the clock.
- Special dietary requirements, such as diabetic or vegetarian, are accepted onboard, but need to be advised in advance at time of booking with us or you can tell the front desk when checking in.
- The scheduled time listed for each Vista ship is for reference and it may do some adjustment based on the real situation. You can have a clear idea about the daily schedule in the elevator, through TV channel or by listening to the broadcast.
- Each cabin is replenished daily with fresh bottled water for your convenience.
- Located on the 3rd floor, Vista Bar & Lounge serves a wide selection of drinks, beverages, and premium wines, creating an ideal spot to relax and enjoy. Guests must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol on Vista Cruise ships.
Accommodation
Vista Cruises offers 7 types of spacious, well-designed cabins and suites to suit every traveler. Standard cabins start at 28 sq.m., Executive and Family Suites range from 38–45 sq.m., while Vista Suites and the Presidential Suite offer 58 sq.m. and 100 sq.m., respectively. All accommodations feature a private bathroom, panoramic balcony, and elegant interiors for comfortable Yangtze views. Vista Cruises also introduces the world’s first “smart space” on a Three Gorges cruise, with an intelligent room control panel.
Besides the cozy beds in each cabin, the other facilities usually include table, chairs, sofa, broadcast, refrigerator, television, telephone, guide to using the telephone, ball-point pen, note, private bathrooms, bathtub, shower, shower cap, towels, soap, cups, comb, shampoo, shower gel, toilet paper, slipper, clothesline, clothes hanger, thermos, bottled water, coffee bags, coffee-mate, white sugar, brown sugar, safe box, hair dryer, life jacket, laundry bag and so on.
Note:
- The size of deluxe cabins of all the Vista ships are above 28m² with private balconies. The presidential suites are as large as 100m².
- The twin single beds in deluxe cabins of each Vista ship can be put together to a double larger bed. Also, it can add one bed in the deluxe cabins.
- Travelers live in Executive Suites, Family Suites, Family PRO Suites, Vista Suites or Presidential Suites can enjoy VIP service.
- If you need and can't find toothbrush and toothpaste in your cabin, please ask for the front desk.
Entertainment & Culture Programs
On Vista Cruises, your journey will be full of joy, relaxation, and laughter, thanks to a variety of engaging themed activities, cultural and historical talks, evening shows, parties, and more—carefully curated each month. Whether you’re resting between shore excursions or simply seeking onboard fun, there’s something for everyone. Choose your favorite entertainment to make the most of your time on the Yangtze! In addition, the cruise offers entertainment and leisure facilities for all ages, including a mahjong room, KTV, massage room, cinema, reading corner, kids’ zone, top-deck observation deck, gym, bar, photo gallery, and shopping area.
Health Care
Each Vista ship is equipped with a doctor and a medical clinic, with standard charges applying for medical services. Guests can stay active by using the onboard fitness room or joining a Tai Chi session on the sundeck every morning.
Service
Vista Cruises provides a full range of onboard services to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey. An experienced English-speaking guide is available throughout the cruise to assist guests, introduce the Three Gorges, and share daily activity updates. Transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days, including station pickup with luggage delivery to cabins, are provided, and bellboys are available to assist with luggage. Wi-Fi is available onboard, though signal may vary along the river, and staff can help connect your devices. Guests can secure valuables in the reception safe, while housekeeping cleans cabins twice daily. Complimentary snacks and late-night dining are offered, along with free self-service laundry. Family services are available during holidays, and staff can also take photos to capture your cruise memories.
Useful Articles & Travel Guide for Yangtze River Cruise
- How to Plan a Yangtze River Cruise in 2025/2026?
- There are some aspects you should consider before booking a cruise - best time, travel length, cruise ship and line, accommodation and dining onboard, onboard activities and cruise holiday extension...
- What to See & Do along the Yangtze River?
- Fully know what to see along the section between Chongqing and Yichang, and make some preparations before taking the amazing shore excursions to different sites along the Three Gorges.
- How to Get to Chongqing & Chaotianmen Dock?
- Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock is only port used in Chongqing. Check the latest transportation guide to know how to get to Chongqing first and then make a transfer to Chaotianmen Dock and its sub-piers.
- How to Get to Yichang & Maoping Port?
- Travelers should first get to Yichang by air or train and then reach Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal for a shuttle bus at the appointed time to Maoping Port.
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