MV Yaohua - YAO HUA - 1983 brochure

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

MV Yaohua - Page Two

Please Note: The brochure featured on this page is owned by the author and all images have been scanned from it. However they remain the property of ssMaritime.com and they may NOT be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. Please email me – see email button at bottom of page.

This page features the first edition brochure, published in 1982 of the refurbished MV Yaohua and her services that commenced in March 1983 and continued to operate annually through to November. She was under charter to massive “Salén Lindblad,” cruise and travel organisation and she operated cruises from Hong Kong to Nanjing China, and return - Nanjing to Hong Kong with each voyage including a cruise along the famed Yangtse River. This page has copy and images taken directly from this exclusive first edition brochure owned by the author.

Copy & Image - Page 1:

China Cruises’ new and different China Coastal and Yangtse River Cruises offer extra ordinary holidays at reasonable prices. From the moment you step from the plane in Hong Kong or Beijing and are greeted by a China Cruises representative you realise that quality is the key in these 14 day cruise/land programs.

Nothing has been spared to see to your comfort. Air-Conditioned staterooms, lounges and restaurants aboard this ship are tastefully appointed in characteristic Oriental style. Chinese and western cuisines are of the highest quality. Spacious decks are equipped with games and a swimming pool is located on Promenade Deck. You’ll find cosy cocktail lounges and shops full of Chinese wares. At night you can dance under the stars, enjoy top entertainment or try your luck in the ship’s casino.

The one class M.V. Yao Hua was built in France in 1967 for the People Republic of China. Under her new Scandinavian management this 10,000-ton vessel was completely refurbished in 1982, with accommodations for 176 in spacious double cabins and suites.

What better way to get to know China than in daily company with our courteous Chinese crew and officers. You quickly take to their friendliness and lifestyle. And you get further insight into this fascinating country while spending three days in historic Beijing (Peking) visiting famous landmarks such as China’s Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.

The MV Yaohua is seen departing Shanghai – overlooking her aft decks

Because the MV Yao Hua is owned by the Chinese Government, she is the only ocean going cruise vessel allowed to operate on the Yangtse River. Informative lectures will be held on board and in the ports and cities you visit. China Cruises escorts conduct sightseeing tours, help you with shopping, secure tickets for cultural performances and other wise see to your every need.

Images - Page 2:

The Dining Room – located: amidships to aft on A Deck

Midnight buffet time

Overlooking her aft decks and her swimming pool

Copy & Images - Page 3:

“ABOARD THE MV YAO HUA”

As soon as you board the MV Yao Hua you are in China. The ship is a Chinese vessel, but under western management. Fascinating expeditions, the best in Chinese cuisine, top Chinese entertainment, a magnificent cruise on the Yangtse River, all in the exciting atmosphere of China. There is one more paragraph, but it is repetitive from page 1 and thus I left it out.

The delightful Club Lounge aft on Promenade Deck

The forward main stairwell - there is also a lift

A note regarding the ships accommodations: It is interesting that all staterooms on Yaohua had an oceanview as she had no inside rooms. In addition, all staterooms on Promenade, A, and the majority on B Deck offered private facilities. However there were 8 rooms portside far forward on B Deck that had shared facilities. Some cabins on A & B Decks had upper berths folded away and a number of these could be sold as three or four berth rooms upon request.

The lounge of one of two Deluxe Suites located portside, forward of Promenade Deck

A spacious deluxe twin bedded stateroom on Promenade Deck

Although some twin bedded rooms on A, B & C decks had upper berths fitted

these were never in use during the Salén Lindblad cruises

Copy - Pages 4 & 5:

“China Cruises’ Itineraries 1983.”

Below I have placed the Northbound and Southbound tour, air and cruise schedules for Yaohua’s China Coast and Yangtse River Cruises. Although all details come directly from page 4 and 5 in the brochure, I have taken the liberty and have rearranged the copy just a little to suit this page, rather than for a brochure purpose. But all the details are correct. For interest in Beijing no hotel details are given, except that the brochure states that “China Cruises has limited control in the choice of these hotels,” however, it also states that whilst “in China full American breakfasts, table d’hôtel lunches and dinners are included.” Whereas in Hong Kong two hotels are used the Hong Kong hotel located right at the Star Ferry and the Park Hotel on Chatham Road where “full American breakfasts only” are included, but all other meals are at own expense.

1. Northbound:

Day 1 Monday. Arrive in Hong Kong.

Upon arrival, transfer to the Hong Kong or Park Hotel. Evening at Leisure.

Day 2 Tuesday & 3 Wednesday. Hong Kong.

During your two days in Hong Kong you will enjoy one half day sightseeing tour of Hong Kong. The remainder of your stay free for independent activities or optional tours. Our staff is available to advise you on sightseeing programs and to recommend restaurants for lunch and dinner.

Day 4 Thursday. Hong Kong – M.V. YAO HUA.

The morning is free for last minute shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon, transfer from your hotel and embark the M.V. YAO HUA. We sail from Hong Kong at 6:00 p.m. This evening enjoy the Captains Welcome Dinner.

Day 5 Friday. Xiamen (Amoy).

Morning arrival at Xiamen, an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. A full day of sightseeing the Botanical Garden, South Puto Temple and Jimei Teaching Center. Sail in the evening.

Day 6 Saturday. At Sea.

A day at sea to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ship.

Day 7 Sunday. Shanghai.

Arrive at Shanghai in the morning. A full day sightseeing includes the famous “Bund”, Nanjing Road, the Jade Buddha Temple, Arts and Crafts Exhibition Center and time permitting a visit to a Worker’s Residential Area.

Day 8 Monday. Shanghai – Suzhou – Shanghai.

Morning departure by train for Suzhou the “Garden City of China.” A number of gardens are visited, as well as Tiger Hill and the Silk Embroidery Institute.

Day 9 Tuesday. Shanghai – Yangtse River – Nanjing.

Depart from Shanghai in the early morning and sail up the mighty Yangtse – a magnificent experience and certainly a highlight of your tour.

Day 10 Wednesday. Nanjing.

A full day of sightseeing in Nanjing including the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Nanjing Museum and Yangtse River Bridge. In the evening enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Day 11 Thursday. Nanjing – Beijing (Peking).

Disembark in the morning and transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing.

Day 12 Friday & 13 Saturday. Beijing.

Two full days of sightseeing include the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, the Summer Palace, and other famous attractions of China’s capital city. An evening cultural performance will be included as well as a farewell banquet featuring the culinary specialty, Peking Roast Duck.

Day 14 Sunday. Depart Beijing.

Transfer to the Beijing airport for your return flight home.

2. Southbound:

Day 1 Monday. Arrive in Beijing.

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free.

Day 2 Tuesday & 3 Wednesday. Beijing.

Day 4 Thursday. Beijing – Nanjing.

Today’s sightseeing will include the Temple of Heaven before transferring to the airport for your flight to Nanjing. Embark the M.V. YAO HUA. In the evening enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

Day 5 Friday. Nanjing.

A full day sightseeing in Nanjing including the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Nanjing Museum and Yangtse River Bridge.

Day 6 Saturday. Nanjing – Yangtse River – Shanghai.

Sail from Nanjing early in the morning and cruise down the mighty Yangtse River to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai late in the afternoon.

Day 7 Sunday. Shanghai.

A full day sightseeing includes the famous “Bund”, Nanjing Road, the Jade Buddha Temple, Arts and Crafts Exhibition Center and time permitting a visit to a Worker’s Residential Area.

Day 8 Monday. Shanghai – Suzhou – Shanghai.

Morning departure by train for Suzhou the “Garden City of China.” A number of gardens are visited, as well as Tiger Hill and the Silk Embroidery Institute.

Day 9 Tuesday. At Sea.

A day at sea to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ship.

Day 10 Wednesday. Xiamen (Amoy).

Early morning arrival at Xiamen, an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. A full day of sightseeing the Botanical Garden, South Puto Temple and Jimei Teaching Center. In the evening enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Day 11 Thursday. Arrive Hong Kong.

Upon arrival to Hong Kong in the morning, you disembark and transfer to the Hong Kong or Park Hotel. The remainder of the day will be free.

Day 12 Friday & 13 Saturday. Hong Kong.

Day 14 Sunday. Depart Hong Kong.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

3. Rates:

“Salén Lindblad Cruises” sold the cruise & tours packages according the staterooms aboard the Yaohua as follows:

Promenade Deck: 2 twin bedded Deluxe suites, 2 Deluxe twin bedded staterooms, 6 Twin bedded staterooms - all with private facilities.

A Deck: 10 twin bedded staterooms - with private facilities. 3/4 berths available in some rooms.

B Deck: 49 twin bedded staterooms - with private facilities. 8 twin bedded staterooms – with shared facilities. 3. 4 berths available in some rooms.

C Deck: 11 twin bedded staterooms - with private facilities.

Fares based on twin bedded staterooms commenced at US$1,990 on B Deck with shared facilities. Rooms with private facilities commenced at US$2,730 on C Deck, US$3,320 on B Deck, US$3,540 on A Deck. Up on Promenade Deck US$3,820 for a Twin bedded room, or US$4,640 for a Deluxe Twin, or US$5,950 for a Deluxe Suite. These fares were inclusive of land arrangements as per the itinerary and a flight between Beijing to (or from) Nanjing. Additional were flights to and from Hong Kong and China from the passenger’s homeland.

First Edition Front Cover:

I have kept it for the end - front cover of the first edition of the 1983 “Salén Lindblad,” brochure

In Conclusion:

Although the brochure does have other pages, they were mostly descriptive of China and Hong Kong as well as terms and conditions, etc. Thus I have not included these. However, I trust that these three pages on the MV Yaohua will keep one of the most fascinating passenger ships will remain in the memory of those who may have sailed on her over the years, for she was without a doubt the “Glory of China” and the countries “flagship,” and I believe that she is worthy to be remembered, especially in her glory days, rather than how she is today.

In due course I hope to discover more about her, when I do be assured it will be added to page One!

Reuben Goossens.

MV Yaohua INDEX:

Page 1 - MV Yaohua - history page

Page 2 - MV Yaohua - Salén Lindblad’s 1983 - First Brochure

Page 3 - MV Yaohua – Cabin Plan (1982)

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