I did this cruise with my son maybe 10 years ago. Lots has changed of course, but it was marvelously interesting then. The Three Gorges Dam was just being constructed. The ship was a converted Russian military ship so was quite different from usual cruise ships. Amazing food. About 1/2 the passengers were very proper dress-for-dinner older Brits, and the other 1/2 were teen-aged boys from a Brit boys' school (apparently slightly bad/troubled boys). We didn't fit in at all of course, but lots of interesting meal conversations. I was intrigued with the coal mining operation we saw along the way, the lock process, and lots of other sights. Early morning mist that the sun gradually burned away made for views just like you see in photos and paintings. An unforgettable trip.

Definitely not NCL and other such nice cruises, but wonderfully different. Totally off the US tourist beaten trail.

Romelle