Customized luxury cruise begins maiden voyage
2025-05-27 19:05:57
By Chen Zai.
The first luxury cruise capable of passing through the Three Gorges ship lift embarked on its maiden voyage on May 24.
The first luxury cruise capable of passing through the Three Gorges ship lift embarked on its maiden voyage on May 24.
Yangzi Explorer, the first luxury cruise ship that can "take the elevator,” makes its maiden voyage in Yichang.
Traditionally, larger ships use the Three Gorges Dam’s five-tier ship locks to pass through, similar to climbing stairs, while smaller ones use the ship lift, like taking an elevator.
The Yangzi Explorer is 104.8 meters long and 16.3 meters wide, which perfectly fits the ship lift’s requirement of being under 105 meters long, 16.3 meters wide, with a 2.7-meter draft and a displacement of 3,000-tons or less.
The Three Gorges Dam’s ship lift.
The Three Gorges Dam’s five-tier ship locks
A bird’s-eye view of the Three Gorges Dam’s ship lift (on the right) and the Three Gorges five-tier ship lock (on the left).
Designed by the Chang Jiang Ship Design Institute and built by Yichang Xinhui Ship Repair Co. Ltd., the Yangzi Explorer can accommodate up to 148 passengers and will primarily operate along the route between Yichang and Chongqing.
During the Yangzi Explorer’s maiden voyage, the Yichang maritime authority conducted on-site inspections, monitored the journey with drones, and provided real-time updates of hydrological conditions to ensure its safety.
Photo by Zheng Jiayu
